California Traffic Ticket Fine Estimator
See how a small base fine becomes a big bill: every penalty, surcharge and fee on a California traffic ticket, with the law behind each one.
A California traffic ticket costs several times its base fine. A $35 base fine for speeding 1–15 mph over the limit comes to about $234, and a $100 red-light ticket to about $486, once state and county penalties ($29 per $10 of base fine), the 20% state surcharge and $76 in court fees are added. Figures follow the Judicial Council's 2026 Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule.
Pick the violation on your ticket, or enter the base fine printed on your courtesy notice.
Traffic Ticket Fine Estimator
Estimated Total Due
| Charge | Law | Amount |
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How this is calculated
This follows the Judicial Council's 2026 Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule, which counties must use for Vehicle Code infractions. The total starts with the base fine. Then penalties are charged for every $10 of the base fine, or part of $10:
- State penalty: $10 per $10 (PC 1464)
- County penalty: $7 per $10 (GC 76000(e))
- DNA Identification Fund penalties: $5 per $10 (GC 76104.6, 76104.7)
- State court construction penalty: $5 per $10 (GC 70372(a))
- Emergency medical services (EMS) penalty: $2 per $10 (GC 76000.5), where the county has adopted it
A 20% state surcharge is added on the base fine (PC 1465.7), then flat fees per conviction:
- Court operations assessment: $40 (PC 1465.8)
- Criminal conviction assessment: $35 (GC 70373)
- Night court assessment: $1 (VC 42006)
Because penalties count "part of $10" as a full $10, a $31 base fine is charged like a $40 one. The schedule's totals use the maximum county penalty. Some counties charge less, and 30 counties are allowed to exceed the statewide totals (Penal Code 1463.28). Your court's courtesy notice shows the exact amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a $35 ticket cost $234?
The base fine is only the start. California adds penalties of $29 for every $10 (or part of $10) of the base fine, a 20% state surcharge on the base, and flat fees of $76 per conviction. For a $35 base fine that's 4 units of penalties, which is how it reaches $234.
Can I lower my traffic fine?
Sometimes. A judge can consider your ability to pay (Vehicle Code 42003) and can allow installment payments, and many courts take ability-to-pay requests online. Traffic school doesn't reduce the fine, and it adds the court's and the school's fees, but it can keep a point off your driving record.
What happens if I don't pay a traffic ticket?
If you miss your court date or a payment without good cause, the court can add a civil assessment of up to $100 (Penal Code 1214.1) on top of what you owe, and the matter can be referred for collection. Contact the court before the due date if you can't pay.
How many points is a California traffic ticket?
Most moving violations, including speeding, running a red light and stop-sign violations, are 1 point. Some serious ones are 2, such as driving over 100 mph. Seat belt and first-offense handheld phone tickets are 0 points. If you complete traffic school, the first conviction in any 18-month period stays confidential and no point is added (Vehicle Code 1808.7).
What's a fix-it ticket and what does it cost?
A correctable ('fix-it') violation, such as a broken light or not having your license with you, is dismissed if you show proof it was corrected. The court collects a $25 transaction fee per violation instead of the fine (Vehicle Code 40611). A no-proof-of-insurance ticket is dismissed the same way if you show you were insured when you were stopped.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not legal advice. The amount on your court's courtesy notice or the court's website is the amount you owe. Prior convictions, construction or safety zones, and local fees can change it.