By the Ticket Dismissal HQ editorial teamReviewed Oct 21, 2026Sources cited at the endNot legal advice
Texas speeding law is simpler than most drivers think and stricter in a couple of places than they expect. There are no points anymore, most speeding is a fine-only Class C misdemeanor capped at $200, and the state’s limits are “prima facie,” meaning you can argue your speed was safe. But four moving-violation convictions in a year triggers a license suspension, 25 mph over or 95 mph shuts the door on the course that would have dismissed your ticket, and school and work zones double the fines. Here’s the whole picture.
Quick answer
- Offense level: Class C misdemeanor, fine only, up to $200 (Transportation Code §542.401) plus court costs.
- Points: none. Texas repealed its points and surcharge system (the Driver Responsibility Program) in 2019.
- Suspension trigger: 4 moving-violation convictions in 12 months or 7 in 24 months = “habitual violator,” 90-day suspension (§521.292).
- Record: convictions stay on your driving record; insurers typically rate them for 3 years.
- Dismissal: most tickets under 25 over (and under 95 mph) can be dismissed with a driving safety course.
Speed limits in Texas
The default limits under Transportation Code §545.352 are 70 mph on numbered highways outside urban districts, 30 mph in an urban district, and 15 mph in an alley, with TxDOT and cities allowed to post different limits after a traffic study. That’s how some rural interstates carry 75 or 80 and one toll road (SH 130) posts 85, the highest in the country. The posted sign controls.
Texas limits are prima facie, not absolute (§545.351 requires a speed “reasonable and prudent under the circumstances”). Exceeding the posted limit is presumed unreasonable, but you’re allowed to rebut that presumption in court. In practice it’s a difficult argument for more than a few mph over, but it’s why some Texas judges reduce or dismiss marginal tickets on request.
Fines and court costs
Ordinary speeding is a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of $1 to $200 (§542.401). Each court sets its own schedule inside that range, stepping up with speed. Court costs, mostly state-mandated, add roughly $100–$150. Typical all-in totals run $150–$300; see our cost breakdown by mph over.
| Situation | What changes | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| School zone (signs flashing / posted hours) | Fines doubled; still eligible for the course | §542.403 |
| Construction / maintenance zone with workers present | Fines doubled; not eligible for the course | §542.404 |
| 25+ mph over the limit, or 95+ mph | Same fine cap, but no driving safety course; deferred disposition at the judge’s discretion | CCP art. 45A.352 |
| Reckless driving (“willful or wanton disregard”) | Separate misdemeanor: up to $200 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail | §545.401 |
| Racing on a highway | Class B misdemeanor or higher; license suspension | §545.420 |
| Commercial driver’s license holder | Conviction reported to CDL record; no course or deferral available | CCP arts. 45A.302, 45A.352 |
What happens to your license
Since September 2019 Texas has no point system. What it does have is the habitual violator rule: four or more moving-violation convictions arising from separate incidents in 12 consecutive months, or seven in 24 months, and DPS suspends your license for 90 days automatically (up to a year after a hearing). Speeding convictions count. A dismissed ticket does not, which is the practical reason to dismiss even a minor ticket if you already have one or two convictions on your record.
Your options after a Texas speeding ticket
- Driving safety course (defensive driving): dismissal by right if you qualify; $28 course + $12 record + court costs; once per 12 months. How it works.
- Deferred disposition: probation of up to 180 days at the judge’s discretion; dismissal on completion. Compare the two.
- Pay the fine: fastest, but it’s a guilty plea and a conviction. Before you pay online.
- Contest it: plead not guilty and request a trial (bench or jury, at your choice for a Class C). Worth it when the officer’s evidence is weak or the prima facie argument is strong.
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Frequently asked questions
How many points is a speeding ticket in Texas?
Zero. Texas ended points in 2019. The conviction still counts toward the habitual-violator suspension rule and is visible to insurers.
How many speeding tickets before your license is suspended in Texas?
Four moving-violation convictions in 12 months, or seven in 24 months, triggers a 90-day suspension. Dismissed tickets don’t count.
Is speeding a criminal offense in Texas?
It’s a Class C misdemeanor, the lowest criminal classification, punishable by fine only. It doesn’t produce a criminal record in the way Class A or B misdemeanors do.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record in Texas?
The conviction remains on your DPS record; insurers generally consider it for three years.
Can you go to jail for speeding in Texas?
Not for ordinary speeding (where the lines are). Reckless driving or racing can carry jail time; a warrant for failing to appear on a speeding ticket can lead to arrest, which is a different problem, solved by dealing with the ticket.
Is there a grace over the speed limit in Texas?
Not in law. Officers commonly use discretion for a few mph, and the prima facie standard gives a little room to argue, but there’s no legal buffer.
Sources: Texas Transportation Code §§542.401–542.404, 545.351–545.353, 545.401, 545.420, 521.292; Texas Code of Criminal Procedure arts. 45A.302, 45A.352.