Louisiana speeding tickets carry fines, court costs, and insurance rate increases that vary by how far over the limit you were driving
A speeding ticket in Louisiana means you will pay a fine to the court, plus court costs that differ by parish. The fine itself depends on how many miles per hour over the posted limit you were going. Going 10 mph over costs less than going 25 mph over. You will also face a possible insurance rate increase, points on your driving record, and in some cases a mandatory traffic school course.
The ticket you receive from the officer is a citation — it tells you the speed limit, the speed you were clocked at, and the parish where the stop happened. That parish's court system will process the ticket and set the fine amount within state guidelines. You have the option to pay the fine, contest it in court, or in some parishes attend traffic school to avoid points on your record.
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana fines for speeding range from roughly $100 to $500 depending on how far over the limit you were driving, plus court costs that vary by parish.
- Points are added to your Louisiana driving record for speeding convictions, and accumulating 12 points in a three-year period can result in license suspension.
- Your insurance company will likely increase your rates after a speeding conviction, and the increase typically lasts three to five years.
- Some parishes allow you to attend traffic school instead of paying the fine, which keeps points off your record if you complete the course.
- You can contest the ticket in traffic court, but you will need to appear in person or hire an attorney to represent you.
How Louisiana calculates speeding fines
Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 32:58 sets the fine structure for speeding violations. The fine increases based on how many miles per hour over the limit you were traveling. For example, driving 1 to 10 mph over the limit carries a lower fine than driving 11 to 20 mph over, which carries a lower fine than driving 21 mph or more over the limit.
Each parish court adds its own court costs on top of the state fine. These costs cover the court's administrative expenses and can range from $50 to $150 depending on the parish. The total amount due is the state fine plus the parish court costs. You will receive a citation with the specific fine amount listed, or you can contact the traffic court in the parish where you received the ticket to ask what the fine will be before you pay it.
Points on your Louisiana driving record
A speeding conviction adds points to your Louisiana driving record through the state's point system. The number of points depends on how far over the limit you were going. Driving 1 to 10 mph over adds fewer points than driving 11 to 20 mph over, which adds fewer points than driving 21 mph or more over.
Louisiana suspends your driver's license if you accumulate 12 or more points within a three-year period. The suspension lasts until you complete a defensive driving course and pay a reinstatement fee. Points stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction, meaning a ticket from three years ago no longer counts toward the 12-point threshold.
Insurance rate increases after a speeding ticket
Insurance companies in Louisiana will increase your rates after a speeding conviction. The increase is not set by the state — each company decides how much to raise your premium based on their own underwriting rules. On average, a speeding ticket increases rates by 10 to 30 percent, though some companies charge more and some charge less.
The rate increase typically lasts three to five years, even though the points drop off your driving record after three years. Insurance companies use their own records of your violations, separate from the state's point system. You can shop for new insurance after a ticket, since different companies rate speeding violations differently. Some companies offer accident forgiveness or safe driver discounts that may offset part of the increase.
Traffic school as an alternative to paying the fine
Many Louisiana parishes allow you to attend a traffic school course instead of paying the fine. If you complete the course, the ticket is dismissed and no points are added to your record. The course typically costs $100 to $200 and takes four to eight hours to complete, either in person or online depending on the parish.
Not all parishes offer this option, and you are usually only allowed to use traffic school once every three years. You must request traffic school before your court date or by the important date listed on your citation. Contact the traffic court in the parish where you received the ticket to ask whether traffic school is available and how to register.
Contesting a speeding ticket in Louisiana traffic court
You have the right to contest the ticket in traffic court. You will need to appear in person on the date listed on your citation, or you can hire an attorney to appear on your behalf. The officer who issued the ticket must be present to testify about how your speed was measured — if the officer does not show up, the case is usually dismissed.
Common defenses include challenging how your speed was measured (radar or laser calibration errors, for example) or arguing that road or weather conditions made the speed limit unsafe to follow. You can also request discovery, which means asking the court to provide the officer's notes and any equipment maintenance records. If you lose in traffic court, you can appeal to district court, though this requires hiring an attorney and paying an appeal fee.
How a speeding ticket affects your vehicle registration
A speeding ticket does not directly prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration in Louisiana. However, if you do not pay the fine or fail to appear in court, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest and the state can suspend your driver's license. A suspended license can make it harder to renew your registration, since the state's system will flag your account.
If you have unpaid traffic tickets from Louisiana, you should resolve them before your registration renewal date. You can pay the fine online through the parish court's website, by mail, or in person at the courthouse. If you cannot pay the full amount, some courts offer payment plans — contact the traffic court in the parish where you received the ticket to ask about your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a speeding ticket cost in Louisiana?
The fine ranges from roughly $100 to $500 depending on how far over the speed limit you were driving, plus court costs of $50 to $150 that vary by parish. The citation you received lists the exact amount due. If you attend traffic school instead, the course costs $100 to $200.
Will a speeding ticket raise my insurance rates?
Yes. Most insurance companies increase rates by 10 to 30 percent after a speeding conviction, though the exact increase depends on your company and driving history. The increase typically lasts three to five years. You can shop for new insurance after a ticket, since different companies rate violations differently.
Can I go to traffic school to avoid points on my record?
Many Louisiana parishes allow traffic school as an alternative to paying the fine. If you complete the course, the ticket is dismissed and no points are added. You are usually only allowed to use this option once every three years. Contact the traffic court in your parish to ask if it is available.
What happens if I do not pay a speeding ticket in Louisiana?
If you do not pay or appear in court by the important date, the court can issue a warrant for your arrest and the state can suspend your driver's license. An unpaid ticket can also prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration. Contact the court to set up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once.
Can I fight a speeding ticket in court?
Yes. You can appear in traffic court on the date listed on your citation and challenge the ticket. The officer must be present to testify about how your speed was measured. Common defenses include equipment calibration errors or unsafe road conditions. If you lose, you can appeal to district court, though this requires an attorney.