Washington Speeding Ticket Costs
State Citation Reference & Guidelines|Verified: 2026-06-30
Quick Reference Summary
Washington Citation Profile
How to Handle Your Washington Speeding Ticket
Estimate your total expenses (including the estimated 20% insurance premium increase over 3 years) using our interactive fine estimator. Respond to the ticket within 30 days to avoid a $52 late fee or suspension.
Fines by Speed Exceeded
Ticket fine amounts in Washington scale incrementally based on how fast you were driving above the posted speed limit.
Speeding Ticket Cost Breakdown by MPH Over
Select common speeding increments to view exact point assessments, typical insurance cost impacts, and criminal misdemeanor thresholds in Washington.
| Speed Exceeded | Est. Fine Amount | Points Assessed | Est. 3-Year Insurance Increase | Misdemeanor? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +5 MPH Over | $125 | 0 Points | +$1080 | No |
| +10 MPH Over | $136 | 0 Points | +$1080 | No |
| +15 MPH Over | $166 | 0 Points | +$1080 | No |
| +20 MPH Over | $207 | 0 Points | +$1080 | No |
| +25 MPH Over | $258 | 0 Points | +$1080 | No |
| +30 MPH Over | $300 | 0 Points | +$1080 | No |
§ Criminal & Misdemeanor Risk
Driving at speeds over 100 mph or street racing is prosecuted as Reckless Driving, a gross misdemeanor carrying up to 1 year in jail.
§ License Points & Record Duration
Washington does not use a point system. Accumulating 4 traffic convictions in 12 months, or 5 in 24 months, results in a license suspension.
§ Traffic School Eligibility
A driver can request a single ticket deferral once every 7 years. Completing a safety course dismisses the ticket from public records.
§ Deadlines & Late Fees
You must respond or pay within 30 days of citation issuance. Failure to respond triggers late fee, default finding, and referral to collections.
§ Out-of-State Drivers & Compact Rules
Washington reports citations via the Driver License Compact (DLC).
As a participating member of the DLC, Washington will automatically report speeding and other moving violations back to your home state's licensing department (DMV/BMV). The violation points and records will be applied to your home state license according to your state's local conversion rules.
County Court Payment Portals
Select your local county court below to check ticket records or pay fines online directly through government portals:
Other State Speeding Fine Guides
Select another verified state guide below for fine rates and license point limits:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a speeding ticket in Washington?
In Washington, speeding tickets typically cost between $125 and $300 depending on your speed. Washington has a standardized schedule of traffic infraction fines. Additional local county assessments apply.
How many points is a traffic ticket in Washington?
Speeding violations in Washington assess between 0 and 0 points on your license record. Washington does not use a point system. Accumulating 4 traffic convictions in 12 months, or 5 in 24 months, results in a license suspension.
Is speeding a misdemeanor in Washington?
Driving at speeds over 100 mph or street racing is prosecuted as Reckless Driving, a gross misdemeanor carrying up to 1 year in jail. Driving at speeds over 100 mph can lead to reckless driving or excessive speed charges, which are criminal misdemeanors.
Does a speeding ticket affect your insurance in Washington?
Yes. Speeding tickets in Washington typically increase auto insurance premiums by an average of 20%. This increase is calculated on your premium for up to 3 years.
Will a speeding ticket affect my out-of-state license?
Yes. Washington is a member of the Driver License Compact (DLC) and reports all moving violations to your home state DMV. Your home state DMV will apply local points and record guidelines.
Verified Reference Statutes
- Cited directly from: Revised Code of Washington 46.61.400 (State legislative or department of motor vehicles domain)