California Traffic Ticket Cost Guide

How Much Is My Traffic Ticket?

Look up base fines, DMV points, and estimated totals after California's mandatory penalty assessments — then decide if it's worth fighting.

Fight My Ticket — $89

California Traffic Ticket Fine Reference

Base fines set by state law. Estimated totals include California's mandatory penalty assessments. Exact totals vary by county.

Violation	Base Fine	Est. Total	DMV Points	Details
Speeding (1–15 mph over)	$238	~$490	1 pt	View ›
Speeding (16–24 mph over)	$367	~$750	1 pt	View ›
Speeding (25+ mph over)	$490	~$1,000	1 pt	View ›
Red Light Camera	$490	~$490	1 pt	View ›
Stop Sign Violation	$238	~$490	1 pt	View ›
Cell Phone / Handheld Use	$162	~$162	No point	View ›
HOV / Carpool Lane	$490	~$490	No point	View ›
Unsafe Lane Change	$238	~$490	1 pt	View ›
No Proof of Insurance	$900	~$900+	No point	View ›
Expired Registration	$280	~$280+	No point	View ›
Seat Belt Violation	$162	~$162	No point	View ›
Reckless Driving	$145–$1,000	~$500–$2,500	2 pt	View ›
Commercial Vehicle Speed	$285	~$585	1.5 (CDL) pt	View ›

Why Does the Total Cost So Much More Than the Base Fine?

California adds mandatory surcharges on top of every base fine. Here's a typical breakdown for a $238 base fine speeding ticket.

Speeding Ticket — $238 Base Fine Breakdown

Base fine $238

State penalty assessment (PC 1464) — $10 per $10 of base fine $100

County penalty assessment (Gov. Code 76000) — $7 per $10 $70

Court construction surcharge (Gov. Code 70372) $40

Emergency medical air transport fund (Gov. Code 76000.10) $4

Additional county & state surcharges ~$38

Estimated Total ~$490

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a typical California traffic ticket?

Most California moving violations start at a base fine of $238. After California's mandatory penalty assessments — which include court operations surcharges, emergency medical air transportation fees, and other add-ons — the total typically reaches $490 or more. A $490 base fine (e.g., red light camera or HOV) can result in a $490–$600 total.

Why is the total so much higher than the base fine?

California adds multiple mandatory "penalty assessments" on top of every base fine. These include a state penalty assessment ($10 per $10 base fine), a county assessment, a court construction surcharge, a DNA identification fund contribution, an emergency medical air transportation fund fee, and others. Together these multipliers typically bring the total to 2–2.5× the base fine.

Does a traffic ticket increase my insurance rate?

Yes — if you receive a DMV point. One-point violations (speeding, red light, stop sign) typically cause an insurance rate increase of 20–40% at your next renewal, and the point stays on your record for 36 months. Non-point violations (cell phone, seat belt, HOV) do not add DMV points and generally do not trigger a rate increase. Fighting and winning your ticket — or getting it dismissed — prevents the point entirely.

What is a Trial by Written Declaration?

A Trial by Written Declaration (TBWD) is a California process that lets you contest a traffic ticket entirely in writing — without appearing in court. You submit a written statement; the citing officer submits theirs. A judge reviews both and rules. If the officer does not respond, the ticket is automatically dismissed. TDismiss prepares and files this declaration on your behalf for a flat $89 fee.

Is it worth fighting a traffic ticket in California?

For most 1-point violations, yes. A single point on your record can raise your annual insurance premium by $300–$600 or more per year for three years — a total impact of $900–$1,800. Fighting the ticket costs $89 with TDismiss. Even a partial outcome — such as getting a moving violation reduced to a non-moving infraction — eliminates the point and protects your rate.