How Much Will My Virginia Speeding Ticket Cost Me?
Exploring the consequences of a Virginia speeding ticket? and wondering how much a Virginia speeding ticket costs?
This guide unpacks the potential financial hit from fines to court fees, and how expert legal representation can make a difference in your case.
Contact us today at 540-318-5824 to discuss your case and learn how we can help you.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia speeding ticket costs include fines ($6-$8 per mph over the limit), court fees, and potential additional charges.
- Specific fines depend on the traffic code section violated, with variations for location and severity.
- Reckless driving (20+ mph over limit) can lead to higher fines and legal penalties.
- Legal representation can influence outcomes and costs, emphasizing the benefit of consulting a traffic defense lawyer.
How Much Is A Speeding Ticket in Virginia
Like many of our clients with speeding tickets, you are probably asking, how much is a speeding ticket in Virginia?
A speeding ticket in Virginia can lead to hefty fines and additional court fees.
Whether a lawyer represents you can also affect the cost of your speeding ticket.
An experienced traffic lawyer can help protect you from unnecessary negative consequences of your speeding ticket.
The True Cost of a Virginia Speeding Ticket Is Often More Than Just the Fine
Virginia uses a clear system for speeding fines. Courts follow a statewide schedule set by the Supreme Court of Virginia, which assigns fines based on how many miles per hour you were over the limit, plus required court costs.
With this schedule, your fine depends on how many miles per hour you were over the limit, and court costs are added on top. Even similar tickets can end up costing different amounts when all expenses are added together.
However, if the judge decides your fine in court, he does NOT have to follow the statewide schedule. For a basic speeding ticket, he can impose any fine up to $250.
Beyond the fine and court costs, simply paying a speeding ticket may also increase your auto insurance rates, which could have long-term costs for several years.
Jump-to the information you need:
Determining the Code Section of Your Virginia Speeding Ticket
Fines for speeding are predetermined and set out in the traffic code. The summons will contain a section titled “Law Section.”
You will find the section of the relevant traffic code listed here.
For example, you will see section 46.2-870 for a general speeding violation.
Then, look below to see the fine attached to the law violated.
Determining the Court Cost of Your Speeding Ticket in Virginia
Speeding violations may require paying court costs in addition to ticket fines.
This means that the total cost of your speeding ticket in Virginia will include court costs on top of the fine.
Court costs vary somewhat depending on the jurisdiction. However, court costs are often between $70-80.
Determining Your Virginia Speeding Ticket Fine
The Virginia Code defines traffic and speeding laws.
Each section contains a different speeding law, and violating that law then corresponds to a fine amount.
The fine is either $6, $7, or $8 for each mile per hour over the speed limit you were driving.
For example, if you were driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and the associated fine is $6 for each mile, your fine will be $60.
Below are the fines for various code violations. One of these code sections should match the code listed on your summons.
A fine of $6 for every mile per hour over the speed limit applies to:
- General speeding (§46.2-870),
- Speeding in a school bus (§46.2-871),
- Speeding in a special permit vehicle (§46.2-872),
- Speeding in business or residential districts (§46.2-874),
- Speeding on a bridge (§46.2-881), and
- Exceeding speed limits set by the Department of Transportation (§46.2-878).
A fine of $7 for every mile per hour over the speed limit applies to the following violations:
- Speeding in a school zone (§46.2-873) and
- Speeding in a highway work zone (§46.2-878.1).
The fine for speeding in certain residential areas is $200 plus $8 per mile over the speed limit (§46.2-878.2).
Speeding in a Highway Safety Corridor can come with a maximum fine of $500.
You should always speak with a traffic defense lawyer about your case.
I may be able to get your charges reduced, even if you know you were speeding. Contact my office today to get started.
How Much Is a “10 Over” Speeding Ticket in Virginia?
For a typical speeding ticket under Virginia law, the fine is usually $6 for each mile per hour you were over the speed limit.
So, if you were going 10 mph over, your ticket would usually look like this:
- Base fine—approximately $60, calculated at $6 per mph over the limit;
- Mandatory court costs—generally around $75, depending on the court; and
- Total out-of-pocket cost—approximately $135 if paid without contest.
A conviction adds three or four demerit points, which can often lead to increased insurance premiums. The actual cost of a Virginia speeding ticket extends beyond the initial fine.
How Much Is a “14 Over” Speeding Ticket in Virginia?
If you’re caught going 14 mph over, the base fine is higher, and some courts consider this speed more serious than a minor speeding ticket.
A typical 14 mph over ticket often looks like:
- Base fine—about $84 (14 × $6);
- Court costs—roughly $62; and
- Estimated total—around $145 to $155.
Going this fast results in four demerit points, which remain on your Virginia driving record for five years.
How Much Is a “19 Over” Speeding Ticket in Virginia?
At 19 mph over the limit, both the costs and risks go up. With the same fine schedule, a 19 mph over ticket usually means:
- Base fine—approximately $114 (19 × $6);
- Court costs—around $75; and
- Total ticket cost—roughly $190.
The bigger issue isn’t just money. At this pace, drivers are approaching reckless driving territory under Virginia law, which carries a penalty of six demerit points, higher fines, and potential criminal penalties.
Being close to a reckless driving charge may make drivers reconsider paying the ticket.
What “Total Cost” Usually Includes Beyond the Fine
To avoid guessing, it helps to think in categories. A Virginia speeding ticket’s cost typically comes from several buckets:
- Court costs—mandatory charges added by the court, even when the fine itself is reduced;
- DMV demerit points—record consequences that can follow you long after you pay;
- Insurance premium impact—a downstream cost that often exceeds the ticket itself;
- Optional expenses—driver improvement courses or attorney fees, depending on strategy; and
- Failure-to-appear consequences—extra penalties if you miss court on a case that requires it.
If you add up those categories, the ticket starts to look less like a “fee” and more like a financial decision that deserves a closer look.
Potential Additional Costs for Speeding Tickets in Virginia
Court Fees
Expect to pay an average court fee of $64 for a speeding ticket.
If you are facing several charges, such as violating Virginia’s Hands-Free law, in addition to speeding, you will need to pay an additional fee for each charge.
Also, the court will charge you a 4% convenience fee if you pay the court with a credit or debit card.
Note that a judge may waive court costs. I try to minimize court costs for clients when at all possible.
Attorney Fees
An attorney’s fees depend upon each individual lawyer, the complexity of the case, and your goals for the case.
For example, if you are charged with a high-speed reckless driving offense that could result in jail time, you will likely pay a higher attorney’s fee than if you have a simple pre-payable speeding ticket.
Because every lawyer and firm uses different billing practices, you should speak directly with the attorney for more information on fees.
Failure to Appear Fees
If you do not appear in court, the court will charge you a $35 fee. You can request a hearing to explain your absence.
The court may decide not to charge this fee if you have a good reason for failing to appear.
What Drivers Should Do After Getting a Virginia Speeding Ticket?
If your charge is prepayable, paying ends the case but also serves as a guilty plea. Virginia’s court states that “prepay” means you are guilty and points may be added to your license.
A better first step is to choose your path intentionally:
- Pay and accept the conviction; or
- Contest or mitigate and try to reduce the long-term impact.
Legal representation often makes sense when the speed is high, the driver already has points, the driver has a CDL, or the ticket happened out of town and returning is costly.
Get in Touch with a Virginia Speeding Ticket Lawyer Today and Receive a Free Consultation
If you were caught speeding in Virginia, your best option is to speak with an experienced Virginia traffic lawyer.
We have years of experience representing clients who have been cited for speeding in Virginia.
We handle each case with a results-oriented approach and provide every client with personal representation.
Contact Flusche & Fitzgerald, Attorneys at Law online or call (540) 318-5824 today to set up your free initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Speeding Tickets
How Much Does a Virginia Speeding Ticket Cost with Court Fees Included?
For most standard speeding tickets in Virginia, the total cost, including court fees, usually falls between $120 and $190, depending on the number of miles per hour you were driving over the speed limit.
Courts usually impose a fine of $6 per mph over the limit, plus about $75 in court costs. For example, traveling 10 mph over costs approximately $135, and traveling 15–19 mph over costs $190. These do not include insurance hikes or points.
How Much is a 15 Over Speeding Ticket in Virginia?
Exceeding the speed limit by 15 m.p.h. in Virginia results in a $167 fine and a 4-point penalty on your driving record.
How Much Will a Virginia Speeding Ticket Cost?
The total Virginia Speeding Ticket cost for fines and costs varies depending upon the court and if you are charged with speeding or reckless driving by speed.
For simple speeding, the statutory fine is $6 per mile per hour over the limit. Court costs vary depending on the jurisdiction.
How Much is a Ticket for Going 20 Over in Virginia?
In Virginia, driving 20 m.p.h. over the speed limit results in a $183 fine, additional fees, a loss of 6 points on your license, and a reckless driving charge.
What Happens if You Get a Speeding Ticket in Virginia?
The speeding ticket itself (the top will say “Virginia Uniform Summons”) will have a court date listed on it. That is the date/time where you can appear in court – or send a lawyer on your behalf – to argue the ticket.
Is 85 MPH Reckless in Virginia?
It depends upon the speed limit where you received the ticket. Virginia defines reckless driving as going 20 mph or more above the limit OR exceeding 85 mph regardless of the speed limit.
If you are in a 70 mph zone, 85 mph would just be simple speeding. But if the speed limit is 65 mph or lower, then 85 mph IS reckless driving.
How Long Does a Speeding Ticket in Virginia Stay on Your Record?
For Virginia license holders, a simple speeding ticket stays on your record for five years. If you have a license from another state, you should consult with your state’s DMV.
Is Speeding a Felony in Virginia?
No. Speeding is a “traffic infraction” in Virginia. If you are charged with “reckless driving” by speed, that is a class 1 misdemeanor.
Speeding typically only becomes a felony in rare circumstances where you are proven to have killed someone else, for example.
Can You Go to Jail for Speeding in Virginia?
Yes. Simple speeding alone is only an “infraction,” which means jail is NOT possible. However, reckless driving by speed IS a jailable offense.
We talk to people routinely who are surprised that jail IS a risk for their first offense for simply exceeding the speed limit by 20+ mph.
Typically in our area, jail becomes a real risk if you were exceeding the limit by 30 mph or more.
Is It Worth Fighting a Speeding Ticket in Virginia?
Absolutely! It’s smart to get out in front of a speeding ticket to try to protect your driving record and insurance rates.
Speeding tickets also can hurt some people’s livelihood and ability to obtain future jobs. You should always at least talk to a local lawyer to see what your options are.
Does the Cost of a Virginia Speeding Ticket Increase If You Pay Late or Miss Court?
It can. Missing court on a required appearance may result in additional penalties and lead to license consequences. At a minimum, you will likely have to also pay a trial in absence fee of $35. If your case involves court, address the date promptly rather than letting it snowball.
How Much More Does a Virginia Speeding Ticket Cost If You Hire a Lawyer?
Attorney fees vary based on factors such as speed, court, driving history, and whether the charge involves reckless driving. In many cases, the comparison is not just “fee vs. no fee,” but whether legal help reduces long-term costs tied to points and insurance.
Helpful articles:
What is the Severity of Speeding Ticket Offenses in Virginia?
What You Need to Know About Speeding in Virginia as an Out-of-State Resident
When to Hire a Virginia Speeding Ticket Lawyer
Ticket for speeding in Virginia? Contact our office now for free answers