Speeding State Laws

By Hannah Hilst | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed January 24, 2025

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Fast driving can be more tempting than driving at a safe speed. That's why states set official speed limits, and law enforcement monitors vehicles. These speed laws aim to prevent accidents.

If a police officer pulls you over for speeding, you can get a traffic ticket. Speeding tickets are easily the most common moving violation in the United States.

Types of Speed Limit Driving Laws

Generally, states have two types of traffic laws related to speed restrictions:

  • Laws that set specific maximum speed limits in an area: For example, a state may declare different top speeds for an interstate highway (65 mph) versus a school zone (25 mph).
  • Laws that require drivers to maintain a speed that is reasonable under the circumstances: For example, the maximum speed limit on a rural highway is 65 mph. You could still get a speeding ticket for driving on that highway at 65 mph in a torrential rainstorm at night.

While driving, watch for changes in road conditions, weather, and posted speed limits. Adjust your speed to ensure you drive safely and legally.

How Speed Limit Laws Differ

States typically enforce one of three types of speed limits around the country, including:

  • Absolute speed limits are the most common type of speed law. If the sign clearly shows 55 mph, you violate the law if you go 56 mph or faster.
  • Presumed speed-limit violations are more complex. Some states, such as Texas, allow you to drive over the posted limit as long as you drive safely. For example, if you are going 40 mph in a 35 mph zone, you are technically speeding. It is a clear, dry morning with no other cars on a wide, straight road, but a red light camera catches you. Given those conditions, you could convince the judge that you were driving safely.
  • Basic speed limits mean you can be charged with speeding by violating the "basic" speed law, even if you were driving below the posted speed limit. An officer must simply decide that you were going faster than you should have been, considering the driving conditions at the time.

The legal defenses for speeding differ for each model. If you get a speeding ticket, understanding your state's law can help determine your next steps.

Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit

Speeding tickets often lead to insurance rate hikes and fines. Jail time and your driver's license may also be at risk if your speed was excessive or you have prior traffic offenses on your driving record.

You may want to fight a speeding ticket to avoid penalties and points on your license. A ticket lawyer can help you challenge the charge in traffic court.

State Speeding Laws

The chart below can help you find the statute for speeding laws and penalties in your state.

State State codes Fines and jail times License actions
Alabama Speeding is a misdemeanor (AL § 32-5A-8) with varying penalties:
  • First offense: Up to $100 and 10 days in jail
  • Second offense: Up to $200 and 30 days in jail
  • Third offense: Up to $500 and three months in jail
 Suspension or revocation by point system (AL § 32-5A-195(k))
Alaska Speed Restrictions (13 Alaska Admin Code 02.275 to 02.330) Breaking the speed limit is a non-criminal infraction subject to a maximum $300 fine (AS § 28.90.10). Suspension or revocation by point system (AS § 28.15.251)
Arizona Speed Restrictions (ARS § 28-701 to § 28-710) Speeding is usually a civil traffic violation (ARS § 28-121), and the penalties differ by specific violation: Excessive speeding is a Class 3 misdemeanor with up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine (ARS § 28-701.02). Suspension or revocation by point system (ARS § 28-3306 and Arizona Administrative Code R17-4-404)
Arkansas Speed Limits (AR Code Title 27, Ch. 51, Subchapter 2), including reasonable speed and maximum limits (AR § 27-51-201) You can face misdemeanor charges for speeding. For example, a Class C misdemeanor for driving more than 15 mph above the limit can carry the following penalties:
  • First offense: $100 fine and up to 10 days in jail
  • Second offense: $200 fine and up to 20 days in jail
  • Three or more offenses: $500 fine and up to six months in jail

(AR § 27-50-302 and AR § 27-50-304)

 Suspension by court order or point system (AR § 27-50-306)
California Speeding is an infraction with the following fines:
  • First offense: $100
  • Second offense: $200
  • Third offense: $250

(CA VEH § 42001)

 Suspension (CA VEH § 13200)
Colorado Speed Limits (CRS § 42-4-1101) Colorado considers speeding a Class A traffic infraction with fines from $15 to $100 (CRS § 42-4-1101 and CRS § 42-4-1701). Suspension through a point system (CRS § 42-2-127)
Connecticut Vehicle Highway Use: Speeding (GSC Title 14, Ch. 248), including: Speeding is an infraction in Connecticut (GSC § 14-219), and fines range from $35 to $90 (GSC § 51-164m). Suspension or revocation (GCS § 14-111b)
Delaware Speed Restrictions (DE Code Title 21, Part III, Ch. 41, Subchapter VIII) including: Delaware classifies speeding as a misdemeanor with the following fines:
  • First offense: $25 to $75
  • Subsequent offense: $57.50 to $95

(DE Code Title 21 § 4205)

 Suspension (DE Code Title 21 § 2733)
District of Columbia Speeding offenses are subject to a civil fine, including:
  • Unreasonable speed: $100
  • Speed limit violations: up to $300
(18 DC Mun. Regs. § 2600.1)		 Suspension or revocation by point system (DC Code § 50-1403.1)
Florida Unlawful speed (FS § 316.183, FS § 316.187, and FS § 316.189) Speeding in Florida is a non-criminal traffic infraction, and potential fines range from $25 to $250 based on the miles above the speed limit (FS § 318.18). Suspension or revocation through a point system or court order (FS § 316.655 and FS § 322.27)
Georgia Georgia charges speeding drivers with a misdemeanor that carries fines up to $500 (Georgia Code § 40-6-1). Suspension through a point system (Georgia Code § 40-5-57)
Hawaii Speeding is typically a traffic infraction in Hawaii with the following fines:
  • First offense: $200
  • Second offense: $300
  • Third offense: $500

(HRS § 291C-161)

 Court-ordered suspension or revocation (HRS § 291C-170)
Idaho Basic rule and maximum speed limits (Idaho Code § 49-654) Idaho's speeding infraction fines can be up to $300 (Idaho Code § 49-110). Suspension through a point system (Idaho Code § 49-326)
Illinois Speed Restrictions (625 ILCS § 5/11-601 to § 5/11-611) Illinois speeding violations (625 ILCS § 5/16-104) vary as follows:
  • First or second offense: Petty offense with a fine between $75 and $1,000 (730 ILCS § 5/5-4.5-75)
  • Third or subsequent offense: Class C misdemeanor with a fine between $75 and $1,500 and jail time for 30 days or less (730 ILCS § 5/5-4.5-65)
  • Excessive speeding: Class B misdemeanor for 26-35 miles in excess or Class A misdemeanor for more than 35 miles in excess (625 ILCS § 5/11-601.5)
 Suspension or revocation based on three traffic offenses within 12 months (625 ILCS § 5/6-206)
Indiana Speed Limits (IC § 9-21-5-1 to § 9-21-5-2) Speeding is a Class C infraction with a fine of $1,000 or less (IC § 34-28-5-4). Suspension (IC § 9-30-4-6.1)
Iowa Speed Restrictions (IA Code § 321.285 to § 321.295) Speeding is a simple misdemeanor (IA Code § 321.482) with a fine of $65 to $625 and up to 30 days in jail (IA Code § 903.1). Suspension (IA Code § 321.210)
Kansas Maximum speed limits (KSA § 8-1557 and KSA § 8-1558) Speeding in Kansas is a traffic infraction (KSA § 8-2116 and KSA § 8-2118). The fine can be up to $500 (KSA § 21-6611). Revocation, suspension, or restriction (KSA § 8-255)
Kentucky Speed; the secretary can increase the speed limit in certain areas by official order; parking (KRS § 189.390) Speeding is a violation (KRS § 532.020). Fines for speeding are up to $100 plus court costs, but the fines double in school areas with flashing lights (KRS § 189.394). Suspension or revocation (KRS § 186.560 and KRS § 186.570)
Louisiana Speeding is a misdemeanor with the following penalties:
  • First offense: up to $175 in fines and 30 days in jail
  • Second and additional offenses: up to $500 in fines and 90 days in jail

(LRS § 32:57)

 Suspension, revocation, or cancellation (LRS § 32:414)
Maine Rates of speed (29-A MRS § 2074) Speeding charges are non-criminal traffic infractions in Maine. You may face fines from $25 to $500 (29-A MRS § 101, 29-A MRS § 103, and 29-A MRS § 104). Suspension or revocation (29-A MRS § 2458)
Maryland Speed restrictions include: Speeding is a misdemeanor with fines of up to $500 (MD TR § 27-101). Suspension (MD TR § 16-208)
Massachusetts
  • Speed limits with reasonable and prudent speed standard (90 MGL § 17)
  • Speed limit for the Massachusetts Turnpike (90 MGL § 17A)
 Speeding is a civil motor vehicle infraction (90C MGL § 1). The minimum fine is $50. Offenses of at least 10 mph over the speed limit raise the fine by $10 per mile in excess (90 MGL § 20). Suspension or revocation (90 MGL § 20 and 90 MGL § 27)
Michigan Speed restrictions (MCL § 257.627 to § 257.633). In Michigan, speeding is a civil infraction. The number of miles per hour over the speed limit determines the fine amount (MCL § 257.627, MCL § 257.628, and MCL § 257.629c ). Suspension through a point system (MCL § 257.320)
Minnesota Speed limits, zones; radar (MN Stat. § 169.14) Minnesota classifies speeding as a petty misdemeanor, or the charge rises to a misdemeanor if you have three or more violations within 12 months (MN Stat. § 169.89). Penalties include:
  • Petty misdemeanor: a fine of up to $300
  • Misdemeanor: $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail
(MN Stat. § 609.02)		 Suspension or revocation (MN Stat. § 171.16 to § 171.17)
Mississippi Restrictions on speed (Miss. Code § 63-3-501 to § 63-3-521) Speeding is a misdemeanor with varying penalties:
  • First offense: $100 fine and up to 10 days in jail
  • Second offense: $200 fine and up to 20 days in jail
  • Third offense: $500 fine and up to six months in jail
(Miss. Code § 63-9-11)		 Suspension (Miss. Code § 63-1-53)
Missouri
  • Driving 5 mph above the speed limit is an infraction (MRS § 304.009) with up to $400 in fines.
  • Driving 20 mph or more above the speed limit or violating the careful and prudent standard is a Class B misdemeanor (MRS § 304.010 and MRS § 304.012), which carries a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail (MRS § 558.002 and MRS § 558.011).
 Suspension or revocation through a point system (MRS § 302.302 and MRS § 302.304)
Montana Speed restrictions (MCA § 61-8-303) Speeding is a misdemeanor (MCA § 61-8-711), and speed limit fines depend on your excess speed as follows:
  • Up to 10 mph: $40
  • 11-20 mph: $70
  • 21-30 mph: $120
  • 31 mph and over: $200
(MCA § 61-8-725)		 Suspension or revocation through a point system (MCA Title 61, Ch. 11)
Nebraska Speed limit violations (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-682.01) are traffic infractions. Nebraska handles them the same way as misdemeanors. The fine depends on how far you exceed the limit as follows:
  • 1-5 mph: $10
  • 6-10 mph: $25
  • 11-15 mph: $75
  • 16-20 mph: $125
  • 21-35 mph: $200
  • 36 mph or more: $30
 Revocation through a point system (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-499)
Nevada Restrictions on speed (NRS § 484B.600 to § 484B.633) Misdemeanor speeding charges (NRS § 484A.900) carry a fine of up to $1,000 and potential incarceration of six months (NRS § 193.150) Suspension through a point system (NRS § 483.473)
New Hampshire Speed limitations: basic rule and maximum limits (NH RSA § 265:60) Speeding is a violation (NH RSA § 265:2) with fines based on miles per hour above the limit, for example:
  • 1-10 mph: $50
  • 11-15 mph: $75
  • 16-20 mph: $100
  • 21-25 mph: $200
  • 26 mph or more: $350
(NH RSA § 265:60)		 Suspension by court order or point system or revocation for three traffic offenses in one year (NH RSA § 236:55 to § 236:57)
New Jersey Rates of speed (NJ Stat. § 39:4-98 to § 39:4-98.9) Speeding in New Jersey is a motor vehicle offense with a $50 to $200 fine and up to 15 days in jail (NJ Stat. § 39:4-104 and NJ Stat. § 39:4-203). Suspension through a point system (NJ Stat. § 39:5-30.5 to § 39:5-30.9)
New Mexico Speed regulation (NMSA 1978 § 66-7-301) New Mexico considers speeding a penalty assessment misdemeanor. The fine is between $15 and $200. (NMSA 1978 § 66-8-7 and NMSA 1978 § 66-8-116) Suspension through point system (NMS Section 66-5-30)
New York Speed restrictions (NY Vehicle & Traffic Code Article 30; click VAT, scroll to Article 30 under Title 7, and click § 1180 and § 1180-A) Speeding is a traffic infraction with a fine and jail sentence based on miles per hour above the limit as follows:
  • 1-10 mph: $45-$150
  • 10-30 mph: $90-$300 and up to 15 days in jail
  • Over 30 mph: $180-$600 and up to 30 days in jail
(NY Vehicle & Traffic Code § 1180)		 Suspension or revocation (NY VAT § 510)
North Carolina Speed restrictions (NCGS § 20-141) A speeding infraction fine is $100 (NCGS Section 20-176). Suspension (NCGS Section 20-16)
North Dakota Speed restrictions (ND Code § 39-09-01 to § 39-09-09) Speeding is a non-criminal offense or infraction in North Dakota (ND Code § 39-07-06) with penalties based on miles per hour above the applicable speed limit (ND Code § 39-06.1-06). Suspension through a point system (ND Code § 39-06.1-10)
Ohio Speed limits (ORC § 4511.21) Ohio classifies speeding as a misdemeanor (ORC § 4511.21 and ORC § 4511.99) with penalties as follows:
  • First and second offense: $150 fine
  • Third offense: $250 fine and up to 30 days of jail time
  • Fourth offense or more: $500 fine and up to 60 days of jail time
(ORC § 2929.24 and ORC § 2929.28)		 Suspension through a point system (ORC § 4510.036 and ORC § 4510.037)
Oklahoma Speed restrictions (Okla. Stat. § 47-11-801 to § 11-810) Speeding is a misdemeanor with fines determined by miles per hour above the limit. For example:
  • 1-10 mph: $5
  • 11-15 mph: $20
  • 16-20 mph: $35
  • 21-25 mph: $75
  • 26-30 mph: $135
  • 31-35 mph: $155
  • 36 mph and over: $205
Potential jail time is based on the offense:
  • First offense: 10 days
  • Second offense: 20 days
  • Third offense: six months
(Okla. Stat. § 47-11-801 and Okla. Stat. § 47-801e)		 Suspension (Okla. Stat. § 47-6-206)
Oregon Rules of the Road for Drivers: Speed (ORS § 811.100 to § 811.127) Oregon considers speeding offenses as Class A through Class D traffic violations based on speed above the limit. Fines range from $250 to $2,000 (ORS § 811.109 and ORS § 153.018). Suspension (ORS § 811.109 and ORS § 809.280)
Pennsylvania Rules of the Road: Speed Restrictions (PA Vehicle Code Chapter 33, Subchapter F) including: Speeding is a summary offense in Pennsylvania with total fines based on the violation and speed, including:
  • $42.50 for exceeding a 65 mph limit
  • $35 for other speeding violations
  • An extra $2 for every mph over 5 mph above limit
(75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3362)		 Suspension through a point system (75 Pa. C.S.A. § 1539)
Rhode Island Speed Restrictions (RI Code Chapter 31-14) including: Speeding is a civil violation with penalties based on the Rhode Island fee schedule, including:
  • First offense of 1-10 mph above speed limit: $95
  • Second offense of 1-10 mph above speed limit: $95 plus an extra $10 per mile in excess ($105 minimum)
  • First offense of 11 mph or more above the speed limit: $95 plus $10 per mile in excess for a first offense ($205 minimum)
  • First offense of 11 mph or more above the speed limit: $95 plus $15 per mile in excess for a second offense ($260 minimum)

(RI Stat. § 31-41.1-4)

 Suspension or revocation (RI Stat. § 31-11-7)
South Carolina Restrictions on Speed (SC Code Title 56, Ch. 5; scroll to Article 11) The fines for a speeding misdemeanor are based on the miles per hour above the limit, for example:
  • 1-10 mph: $15-$25
  • 11-14 mph: $25-$50
  • 15-24 mph: $50-$75
  • 25 mph and over: $75-$200
(SC Statute § 56-5-1520)		 Suspension through a point system (SC Statute § 56-1-740)
South Dakota Speed Regulation (SD Codified Laws Chapter 32-25) including:
  • Reasonable and prudent speed (SD Statute § 32-25-3)
  • Speed limits (SD Statute § 32-25-1.1, § 32-25-4, § 32-25-7.1, § 32-25-9.2, § 32-25-12, and § 32-25-14)
 Speeding is a Class 2 misdemeanor (SD Statute § 32-25-1.1) with up to $500 in fines and 30 days of jail time (SD Statute § 22-6-2). Suspension, revocation, or cancellation through a point system (SD Statute § 32-12-49)
Tennessee Speeding is a Class C misdemeanor (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-152) with a maximum penalty of $50 in fines and 30 days of jail time (Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111). Suspension through a point system (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-505)
Texas Speed restrictions (TTC § 545.351 to § 545.365), including reasonable and prudent speed limits (TTC § 545.351 and TTC § 545.352) In Texas, speeding is a misdemeanor (TTC § 542.301). The fine may be up to $200 (TTC § 542.401). Suspension or revocation by licensing agency (TTC § 521.292)
Utah Speed Restrictions (UT Code § 41-6a-601 to § 41-6a-609) Speeding is an infraction (UT Code § 41-6a-601) with a fine based on the miles per hour above the speed limit, for example:
  • 1-10 mph: $170
  • 11-15 mph: $220
  • 16-20 mph: $320
  • 21-25 mph: $470
  • 26-30 mph: $670
  • 31 mph and over: $870
(UT Code § 76-3-301.5 and UCJA Appendix C: Utah Uniform Fine Schedule)		 Suspension through a point system (UT Code § 53-3-220)
Vermont Speeding offenses are traffic violations with fines up to $1,000 (23 VSA § 2302). Suspension or revocation through a point system (23 VSA § 2500 to § 2507)
Virginia Maximum speed limits (VA Code § 46.2-870 to § 46.2-883) Speeding is a traffic infraction that carries a processing fee plus fines based on the miles per hour above the speed limit as follows:
  • $6 for each mile above the speed limit
  • $7 for each mile above the speed limit in a work zone or school crossing
(VA Code § 16.1-69.40:1 and Virginia Uniform Fee Schedule)		 License penalties based on a uniform demerit points system (VA Code § 46.2-492)
Washington Speed restrictions: Basic rules and maximum limits (RCW § 46.61.400) Speeding is a traffic infraction with a fine of up to $250 (RCW § 46.63.110). Suspension based on frequent violations (RCW § 46.20.291)
West Virginia Speed limitations generally; penalty (W. Va. Code § 17C-6-1) Speeding is a misdemeanor with the following fines:
  • First offense: $100
  • Second offense: $200
  • Third offense or more: $500

(W. Va. Code § 17C-6-1)

 Suspension based on frequency of violations (W. Va. Code § 17B-3-6)
Wisconsin Speed restrictions (Wis. Stat. § 346.57 to § 346.60) The civil forfeiture penalty for speeding in Wisconsin ranges from $30 to $300 (Wis. Stat. § 346.60). Suspension by courts (Wis. Stat. § 343.40)
Wyoming Speed Regulations (W.S. § 31-5-301 to § 31-5-306) Speeding is a misdemeanor with fines based on miles per hour above the limit as follows:
  • 1-5 mph: $5 for each mile above the limit with a maximum of $25
  • 6-10 mph: $30 plus $2 for each mile (beyond 6 mph) above the limit
  • 11-20 mph: $45 plus $5 for each mile (beyond 10 mph) above the limit
  • Over 20 mph: $95 plus $5 for each mile (beyond 20 mph) above the limit

The fines increase for speeding in construction and school zones.

(W.S. § 31-5-1201)

 Suspension (W.S. § 31-7-129)

Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.

Get Legal Help With a Speeding Ticket

Motorists often pay speeding ticket fines without further legal complications. But you could face license suspension or other sanctions. Consider speaking with a local traffic lawyer for legal advice and to prepare to fight your speeding ticket.

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