Virginia Speeding Fine Schedule: What You'll Pay for Every MPH Over the Limit

You got a Virginia speeding ticket. Now you're staring at the citation, trying to figure out exactly what this is going to cost. The good news: Virginia's speeding fine schedule is pretty predictable once you know how it works. The bad news: it climbs fast—and once you cross the reckless driving threshold, you're not looking at a fine anymore. You're looking at a misdemeanor. Here's the full breakdown.

The Basic Virginia Speeding Fine Formula

For most Virginia speeding tickets, the fine works on a simple per-MPH formula:

• $6 for every MPH over the posted limit

• Plus a $51 processing fee

• Plus approximately $66 in court costs

So if you're caught doing 70 in a 55 (15 MPH over), the math looks like: 15 × $6 = $90, plus $51, plus $66 in court costs = about $207 total.

The fine doubles in highway work zones when workers are present, and many local jurisdictions add their own surcharges on top of state fines. Always check the back of your ticket for the exact amount.

Sample Virginia Speeding Fines by MPH Over

1–9 MPH Over the Limit

Fines: roughly $80–$160 total. Demerit points: 3 points. Most of these are prepayable—you can pay online without going to court.

10–14 MPH Over the Limit

Fines: roughly $170–$210 total. Demerit points: 4 points. Still usually prepayable, but it's worth considering driver improvement to offset the points.

15–19 MPH Over the Limit

Fines: roughly $215–$240 total. Demerit points: 4 points. This is the upper edge of a regular infraction. One more MPH and the rules change completely.

20+ MPH Over the Limit OR Over 85 MPH

Now you're in reckless driving territory. This is a Class 1 misdemeanor—a criminal charge. You can't prepay, you must appear in court, and the consequences include:

• Fines up to $2,500

• Up to 12 months in jail

• 6 demerit points that stay on your record for 11 years

• Possible license suspension up to 6 months

• A permanent criminal record visible on background checks

For more on the reckless threshold, see our guide to Virginia reckless driving by speed.

Special Zone Speeding: Where Fines Get Steeper

School Zones

Fines are typically doubled and you may face additional penalties. See our Virginia school zone speeding ticket guide.

Work Zones

When workers are present, fines double automatically and start at $200 minimum. See our work zone speeding ticket guide for details.

Residential Areas

Local jurisdictions sometimes add a $200 surcharge for speeding in residential streets.

Hidden Costs You Don't See on the Ticket

The ticket fine is just the start. Most drivers don't realize the real cost includes:

• Insurance increases: A single speeding ticket can raise your premium 15–40% for three years.

• Demerit points on your record that take 3–5 years to fall off.

• Lost time if you have to appear in court.

• Lawyer fees if you fight the ticket—often $300–$1,500 for a basic speeding case.

Adding it all up, a "small" $200 ticket can easily cost you $1,500+ over three years.

How to Reduce the Damage

You have a few options after a speeding ticket:

1. Pay and accept the points. Simple but expensive long-term.

2. Fight it in court. Worth a shot if you have evidence, but risky.

3. Complete a driver improvement course. The smartest middle-ground move for most drivers.

Voluntarily completing a Virginia DMV-approved driver improvement course gets you 5 safe driving points and removes up to 5 demerit points from your record. Many judges will reduce charges or dismiss a ticket entirely if you show up with a completion certificate in hand. And many insurance companies offer a 5–10% discount when you show them proof of completion.

People Also Ask

How much is a Virginia speeding ticket for 10 MPH over?

Roughly $170 total, including the per-MPH fine, processing fee, and court costs. It also adds 4 demerit points to your record.

At what speed does Virginia consider speeding to be reckless driving?

Any speed of 20 MPH or more over the posted limit, OR any speed over 85 MPH regardless of the posted limit. Both are Class 1 misdemeanors.

Can a Virginia driver improvement course remove a speeding ticket from my record?

It doesn't erase the ticket itself, but it adds 5 safe driving points and removes up to 5 demerit points—net zero or better for most speeding tickets. Many drivers come out ahead by the time the course is finished.

Lower Your Costs Today

If you've already gotten a Virginia speeding ticket, don't let the points pile up. Our 8-hour online Virginia driver improvement course is DMV- and court-approved, costs just $74.99, and you can finish it from your phone or laptop on your own schedule.

Enroll now to clean up your record, keep your insurance from spiking, and put this ticket behind you. For more, browse our blog or check out the online defensive driving traffic school page.