What Arizona speeding tickets cost
Arizona speeding ticket fines depend on how far over the limit you were driving and whether you were in a school zone or construction zone. A ticket for driving 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit costs $70 to $100. For 11 to 20 mph over, expect $100 to $200. The fine jumps to $200 to $300 for 21 to 40 mph over the limit, and $300 to $500 for 41 mph or more over the limit.
These are base fines only. Arizona courts add surcharges and assessments on top of the base amount. A typical surcharge adds 83% to the base fine, meaning a $100 ticket becomes roughly $183 after surcharges. School zone and construction zone violations roughly double the base fine before surcharges are added.
The actual total you pay depends on which court handles your ticket — municipal courts in different cities explore their own assessment schedules. A ticket in Phoenix may cost more or less than the same violation in Tucson because of local court fees.
Key Takeaways
- Base fines range from $70 for 1–10 mph over the limit to $300–$500 for 41 mph or more over the limit.
- Court surcharges and assessments typically add 80% or more to the base fine amount.
- School zone and construction zone speeding violations roughly double the base fine before surcharges.
- The total cost varies by which city and court issued the ticket because each court adds different local fees.
- Points on your license and insurance rate increases often cost more over time than the ticket itself.
How Arizona calculates the base fine
Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-701 sets the speed limits and Section 28-704 sets the penalty structure. The base fine increases in $10 to $100 increments depending on how many miles per hour over the posted limit you were traveling. The statute does not allow judges discretion on the base amount — it is fixed by law based on the speed differential.
A 5 mph overage costs less than a 15 mph overage, which costs less than a 35 mph overage. The law treats speeding in 10 mph bands, so the difference between 11 mph over and 20 mph over is significant. Going 21 mph over the limit moves you into a much higher penalty tier.
School zone and construction zone penalties
Speeding in a school zone (within 300 feet of a school during school hours) or a construction zone carries a mandatory minimum fine that is roughly double the standard speeding fine for the same speed. A ticket for 15 mph over the limit in a normal zone might be $150 base; the same speed in a school zone could be $300 base before surcharges.
Construction zones on Arizona highways are marked with orange signs and reduced speed limits. Violating the posted construction zone speed limit triggers the enhanced penalty. The intent is to protect workers and students, so Arizona treats these violations more seriously than ordinary speeding.
Court surcharges and local assessments
After the base fine is set, the court adds a state surcharge and a local assessment. The state surcharge is 83% of the base fine in most Arizona courts. The local assessment varies by city and county — Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and smaller municipalities each have different fee schedules.
A $100 base fine becomes roughly $183 after the state surcharge alone. Then the local court adds its own assessment, which might be $25 to $75 depending on the city. The total can easily reach $250 to $300 for a straightforward speeding ticket.
Some courts also charge a "criminal justice enhancement" fee and a "public defender" fee even if you do not use a public defender. These are mandatory additions set by local ordinance.
Points on your Arizona driving record
A speeding ticket adds points to your Arizona driving record. The number of points depends on how far over the limit you were. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over adds 1 point. Speeding 11 to 20 mph over adds 2 points. Speeding 21 to 40 mph over adds 3 points. Speeding 41 mph or more over adds 8 points.
Eight points in 12 months triggers a mandatory license suspension in Arizona. Three points in 12 months may result in a warning letter from the Arizona Department of Transportation. Insurance companies also see these points and typically raise your premium by 10% to 25% for three to five years after the violation.
The insurance increase often costs more than the ticket itself over time. A $250 ticket might result in an extra $500 to $1,500 in insurance costs over the next three years.
Options after receiving a ticket
You can pay the ticket, request a hearing, or request traffic school. Paying the ticket means accepting the violation and the points on your record. A hearing before a judge allows you to contest the ticket, though you bear the burden of proof.
Arizona traffic school (also called defensive driving school) is available for certain violations. Completing an approved course may result in the court dismissing the ticket or reducing the fine. Not all violations are may be able to access — serious speeding or repeat offenses within a short time may disqualify you. The school itself costs $50 to $100 and takes four to eight hours to complete.
If you request a hearing, the officer who issued the ticket must appear. If they do not show, the ticket is typically dismissed. Many people request a hearing straightforward because officer no-shows are common, though you should be prepared to defend yourself if the officer does appear.
Differences between Arizona cities
Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, and Scottsdale each operate their own municipal courts with different fee schedules. A speeding ticket in Phoenix may total $280, while the same violation in a smaller city might total $240 because the local assessment is lower.
State highways and interstate freeways are patrolled by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and tickets are handled in the county superior court rather than a city municipal court. County court fees are typically lower than city court fees, so a ticket on I-10 might cost less than a ticket on a city street in Phoenix.
The base fine and surcharge are the same statewide, but the local assessment is where costs vary. Knowing which court issued your ticket tells you roughly what the total will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to traffic school to remove the ticket from my record?
Traffic school can result in dismissal or reduction of the ticket, but only if you are may be able to access. First-time offenders and drivers with no violations in the past 24 months are usually may be able to access. Repeat offenders or serious speeding violations may not be. The court will tell you whether traffic school is an option when you receive the ticket or contact the court.
What happens if I do not pay the ticket?
Failure to pay results in a license suspension after 30 days. Arizona also reports unpaid tickets to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which can prevent you from renewing your registration. The court may also issue a warrant for your arrest. Paying the ticket or requesting a hearing within the important date is necessary to avoid these consequences.
Does a speeding ticket in Arizona affect my insurance?
Yes. Insurance companies see the violation on your driving record and typically raise your premium by 10% to 25% for three to five years. The increase depends on your current rate and the insurance company's underwriting rules. Some companies penalize speeding more heavily than others.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on my Arizona record?
A speeding violation stays on your Arizona driving record for three years from the date of conviction. After three years, it no longer affects your insurance rates or license status, though the record itself may remain in the system longer for historical purposes.
What is the difference between a speeding ticket and a criminal charge?
Most speeding violations are civil infractions, not criminal charges. However, speeding 41 mph or more over the limit or speeding in a school zone can be charged as a criminal misdemeanor, which carries jail time and a permanent criminal record. If you are charged criminally, you should speak with a criminal defense attorney.