Official California Speeding Fine Schedule
Speeding citations in California are regulated under CVC § 22349 & CVC § 22350 (California Maximum Speed Law & Basic Speed Law). Fines are determined by the miles per hour (MPH) driven over the posted limit, combined with state-mandated surcharges and local court costs.
| Speed Over Limit | Base Fine | Mandatory State Fees | Estimated Total Cost | DMV Points | Court Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 15 MPH over speed limit | $35 – $35 | +$203 | $238 – $238 | 1 pt | Optional / Mail |
| 16 to 25 MPH over speed limit | $70 – $70 | +$297 | $367 – $367 | 1 pt | Optional / Mail |
| 26+ MPH over speed limit (under 100 MPH) | $100 – $100 | +$390 | $490 – $490 | 1 pt | Optional / Mail |
| 100+ MPH (Excessive Speed — CVC § 22348(b)) | $200 – $500 | +$700 | $900 – $1400 | 2 pts | Mandatory |
California Driver License Point System
Standard moving violations carry 1 point, remaining on your public record for 36 months. California NOTS places drivers on probation or suspends licenses upon reaching 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24 months, or 8 in 36 months.
Convictions remain on your official California Department of Motor Vehicles (CADMV) record for 36 months. Insurance providers typically pull driving records annually and apply surcharges for up to 3 years following the conviction date.
Traffic School & Citation Dismissal in California
Under California AB 2499 and CVC § 42005, completing an approved Traffic Violator School (TVS) results in a confidential conviction. The violation is masked from your public DMV driving record, preventing points from being seen by auto insurers.
Eligibility Checklist for California:
- Must have a valid non-commercial driver license
- Offense must be a 1-point moving violation (speeding under 100 mph qualifies)
- You have not attended Traffic School for another citation within the past 18 months (violation date to violation date)
- Must pay the court administrative traffic school fee (~$52–$64) in addition to the ticket bail and course fee
Disqualifiers:
- Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders driving a commercial vehicle
- Speeding 25+ mph over limit without explicit court judicial approval
- Alcohol or drug-related violations (CVC § 23152)
- Violations carrying 2 NOTS points
Verified Statutory Authority
This calculator and legal summary are audited against current California legislative statutes and official court schedules: