California Speeding Ticket Cost 2026: Base Fine vs. Total Bail

Every California speeding ticket has two numbers: the base fine set by law and the scheduled total the court actually bills. Before you decide anything, get a rough estimate with the Speeding Ticket Cost Calculator, then read on to see what that estimate includes and what it leaves out.

Base fine vs. total bail

The base fine is the scheduled amount for the violation before assessments and fees.

The total bail is what the court schedules for the citation. It bundles the base fine with state and county penalty assessments, surcharges, and court fees. Those add-ons are why a $45 base fine shows up on a court notice as a few hundred dollars.

When a guide quotes one dollar figure for "a speeding ticket," ask which number it means. The total on your court notice is the practical figure.

Yolo County 2026 examples for an ordinary speeding ticket

California has a statewide uniform bail and penalty schedule, and the assessments added to a base fine follow statewide rules. Even so, there is no single price for every citation. The county, the year, the alleged speed, the code section, and the circumstances all change the total. The figures below come from the Yolo County Superior Court 2026 bail schedule for a Vehicle Code 22349(a) ticket, which is exceeding the 65 mph maximum speed limit. Treat them as Yolo County 2026 examples, not a California-wide rate.

Each row carries 1 DMV point on conviction.

• The total bail column already includes the listed assessments and fees. Do not add them again.
• The table does not cover driving over 100 mph under Vehicle Code 22348(b), commercial vehicles, or other enhanced situations.
• Other courts may schedule different totals for the same speed. The notice from your court is the number that applies to your case.

Costs that can come on top of the total

The scheduled total covers the citation itself. Some costs are separate and depend on the path you choose:

• Traffic school. If allowed, you pay the total bail, a court administrative fee, and the school's tuition. School prices vary.
• Postage and printing if you contest in writing.
• Any service you choose for paperwork help. ClerkHero charges a one-time $49.99 for an eligible ticket. Court amounts and postage are always separate. See pricing and the refund policy.

The calculator estimates the court total using your citation details. It is not an official bill, and it may not match a published schedule to the dollar.

Points and insurance

A citation is not a conviction. Points attach when a case ends in a conviction, including when you simply pay.

Under Vehicle Code 12810, an ordinary speeding conviction generally counts as 1 point. A conviction for driving over 100 mph under 22348(b) counts as 2 points.

Insurance is where the long-term cost hides. The effect depends on your insurer, your driving record, and your policy, so ask your insurer how a conviction would affect your rate. The Insurance Increase Calculator can help you think through your own situation.

Pay, traffic school, or contest: what each path costs

"Total bail" below means the scheduled amount on your court notice.

Pay the ticket. You pay the total bail once. The case ends as a conviction, and the point goes on your record.

Pay plus traffic school. You pay the total bail, the court's administrative fee, and school tuition. If you hold a noncommercial license, your case qualifies, and you complete the course, the conviction is kept confidential from insurers. It is not a dismissal. The clerk cannot grant traffic school when the alleged speed is more than 25 mph over the limit, but a judge may consider an individual request under Rule 4.104. The 18-month rule uses the dates of the two violations, not the course completion date, if you attended or elected traffic school for the earlier violation. Commercial license holders driving a noncommercial vehicle may ask a judge for traffic school, but the conviction is not confidential. Details are on the California courts traffic school page.

Contest the ticket. A court trial is one option, and Rule 4.105 generally lets you appear for trial without depositing bail first. For an eligible infraction, the other option is a traditional trial by written declaration on Form TR-205. Under Rule 4.210, you submit the required bail and forms by the court deadline. That deposit is credited toward any penalty later imposed, but it is not a cap. If you are found not guilty or the case is dismissed, the deposit is refunded. If you are found guilty, the court applies the deposit to the amount it orders, and a different amount may be due or refunded. The written defense guide walks through the steps.

When a speeding ticket needs more than a routine plan

Driving over 100 mph is still an infraction under Vehicle Code 22348(b), but on a first conviction the court may suspend your driving privilege for up to 30 days. If your citation says over 100 mph, involved a commercial vehicle, followed a crash or injury, came with a criminal charge, or your license is already at risk, get individual help from a qualified professional and follow your court notice closely.

Get your own number, then decide

Start with the calculator, then check your court notice, which controls. If your ticket is an ordinary infraction and you want to be heard before you pay, read the written defense guide and the overview of California speeding tickets.

If you contest in writing, the official forms are free and you can do it yourself, though bail and postage still apply. ClerkHero charges a one-time $49.99 to prepare the TR-205, a written statement, and filing instructions for an eligible ticket. You review, print, sign, and mail everything. The court amount and postage are separate. ClerkHero is not a law firm, does not give legal advice, and cannot guarantee any outcome.