Calculate how traffic violation points on your license increase your car insurance premium. See the extra cost per year and total surcharge.
Traffic violations add points to your driving record, and those points translate directly to higher insurance premiums. A single speeding ticket can increase your rate by 15–30%, while a reckless driving charge can add 40–80%.
Points typically affect your insurance for 3 years from the violation date, though some states track them for longer. The more points you accumulate, the higher the surcharge — and excessive points can even lead to license suspension.
This calculator estimates the insurance premium increase from points on your license based on your current premium, the expected percentage increase per point, and how many years the points remain on your record.
Whether you drive a compact sedan, a full-size SUV, or a pickup truck, accurate points on license insurance figures help you plan smarter and avoid costly surprises at the pump or dealership. Use this tool regularly to track changes over time and adjust your transportation budget accordingly.
Understanding the insurance cost of traffic violations motivates safer driving and helps you decide whether to attend traffic school (to dismiss points) or contest a ticket. The long-term premium impact often exceeds the ticket fine itself. Results update instantly as you adjust inputs, making it easy to explore different scenarios and find the best option for your driving needs and budget.
Annual Increase = Premium × Increase % Total Extra Cost = Annual Increase × Years on Record
Result: $1,320 total surcharge over 3 years
One speeding ticket at 22% increase: $2,000 × 22% = $440/yr extra. Over 3 years: $440 × 3 = $1,320. The $200 speeding ticket actually costs $1,520 total.
Minor speeding (1–15 over): 1–2 points, 15–20% increase. Major speeding (20+ over): 3–4 points, 25–40% increase. Running red light: 2–3 points, 15–25%. Reckless driving: 4–6 points, 40–70%. DUI: 6–12 points, 50–100%+.
A $200 speeding ticket with a $440/yr surcharge for 3 years costs $1,520 total. A $500 reckless driving fine with $1,000/yr surcharge costs $3,500. Always consider the insurance impact, not just the fine.
Traffic school costs $20–50 and takes 4–8 hours. It can save $1,000–$3,000 in insurance surcharges. That's an effective hourly rate of $125–$750/hour for your time. Almost always worth it when available.
Accumulating too many points can trigger license suspension. Thresholds vary by state: typically 6–12 points within 1–2 years. A suspended license makes insurance astronomically expensive and may require SR-22 filing.
Average increase: 15–30% for a single speeding ticket. Minor speeding (1–15 mph over): 15–20%. Major speeding (20+ mph over or in a school zone): 25–40%. The increase lasts 3 years on average.
Typically 3 years from the violation date for insurance purposes. Some states keep points on your DMV record for longer (5–10 years), but most insurers only look back 3 years for rate calculations.
In many states, completing traffic school dismisses the ticket and prevents points from being added. Availability depends on the violation type and state law. Usually limited to once every 12–18 months.
DUI/DWI: 50–100%+. Reckless driving: 40–70%. At-fault accident: 30–60%. Major speeding: 25–40%. Minor speeding: 15–25%. Running a red light: 15–25%. Seatbelt violation: 0–10%.
No. Parking tickets don't add points to your driving record and don't affect insurance rates. However, unpaid parking tickets can lead to registration holds or boot/tow situations.
You can't negotiate the surcharge, but you can shop around. Different insurers price violations differently. You may find that switching insurers saves money even with points on your record.