What a Louisiana speeding ticket costs and what you have to do
A Louisiana speeding ticket carries a fine between $100 and $500 depending on how far over the limit you were driving, plus court costs that vary by parish. You have 30 days from the ticket date to respond—either by paying the fine, requesting a court date, or asking for traffic school. Paying the fine means admitting guilt and accepting points on your driving record. Going to court or traffic school keeps points off your record but requires time and sometimes additional fees.
The ticket itself lists the parish court you must contact and a case number. That court handles your response, not the state police or the officer who issued the ticket. If you ignore the ticket entirely, the court can suspend your driver's license and issue a warrant for your arrest.
Key Takeaways
- You have 30 days from the ticket date to respond to the parish court listed on your ticket, or your license can be suspended.
- Paying the fine admits guilt and adds points to your record; traffic school or court can keep points off if you win or complete the program.
- Louisiana traffic school (defensive driving) costs around $50 to $100 and removes the ticket from your record if you finish before your court date.
- If you go to court, bring your ticket, proof of a clean driving record if you have one, and any evidence that the officer's measurement was wrong.
- Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit is usually a minor violation; 26 mph or more over can result in reckless driving charges instead.
The three ways to respond to your ticket
You can pay the fine by mail, phone, or in person at the parish court listed on your ticket. The court's phone number and mailing address are on the ticket itself. Paying means you accept the violation and the points—typically 2 to 4 points depending on how far over the limit you were. Those points stay on your Louisiana driving record for three years and can raise your insurance rates.
You can request a court date and contest the ticket in front of a judge. The judge will hear the officer's account and yours, and decide whether the evidence supports the speeding charge. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and no points are added. If you lose, you pay the fine plus court costs, and the points still go on your record. Court dates are usually scheduled 4 to 8 weeks after you request one.
You can enroll in a traffic school course (called defensive driving in Louisiana) before your court date. If you complete the course, the ticket is dismissed and removed from your record. The course costs $50 to $100 depending on the provider and takes 4 to 8 hours to finish—some are online, some in person. You must finish before your court date, so request this option as soon as you receive the ticket.
How to request traffic school or a court date
Call the parish court listed on your ticket and tell them you want to enroll in traffic school or request a court date. Have your ticket number and case number ready. The court will tell you whether traffic school is available for your violation (it is not available for very high speeds or repeat offenses within a certain time period) and give you a important date to enroll or appear in court.
If you choose traffic school, the court will give you a list of approved providers in your parish. You can take the course online through most providers, which means you can finish it from home. Once you complete the course, the provider sends proof to the court automatically. The ticket is then dismissed.
If you request a court date, the court will mail you a notice with the date, time, and location. Arrive 15 minutes early. Bring your ticket, your driver's license, and any evidence—photos of the speed limit sign, proof of a recent vehicle inspection, or documentation that your speedometer was recently calibrated if you believe it was inaccurate.
Points, insurance, and your driving record
Louisiana assigns points to speeding violations based on how far over the limit you were driving. Speeding 1 to 10 mph over the limit is 2 points. Speeding 11 to 20 mph over is 3 points. Speeding 21 to 30 mph over is 4 points. Speeding more than 30 mph over is 4 points and may be charged as reckless driving instead, which carries higher fines and possible jail time.
Points stay on your record for three years from the violation date. If you accumulate 12 or more points in a three-year period, your license is suspended for 30 days. Insurance companies can see points on your record and often raise your rates after a speeding ticket. Traffic school and court dismissals prevent points from being added, which is why they are worth pursuing if you have the time.
What happens if you miss the 30-day important date
If you do not respond within 30 days, the court issues a failure-to-appear warrant. Your license is suspended, and you can be arrested if you are pulled over. You can still respond after the important date by contacting the court and explaining why you missed it, but the court may impose additional penalties or require you to appear in person.
If your license is suspended because of a failure to appear, you must resolve the ticket and pay a reinstatement fee (usually $50 to $100) to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles before your license is restored. Contact the parish court when ready if you realize you have missed the important date.
Speeding in a school zone or construction zone
Speeding in a school zone (usually 20 mph during school hours) or a construction zone carries double the fine of regular speeding. A school zone speeding ticket can cost $200 to $1,000 depending on how far over the limit you were. Construction zone speeding fines are similarly increased. The points assigned are the same as regular speeding, but the financial penalty is much higher.
If you received a ticket in a school or construction zone, the violation type will be listed on your ticket. The same three response options (pay, traffic school, or court) still explore, but the urgency to contest or attend traffic school is higher because of the increased fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my ticket online?
Some Louisiana parish courts accept online payments through their websites, but not all. Call the parish court listed on your ticket or visit the court's website to see if online payment is available. If not, you can pay by mail or in person.
Will traffic school remove the ticket from my insurance record?
Traffic school removes the ticket from your Louisiana driving record, which means no points are added. However, your insurance company may still see that you were ticketed if they pulled your record before you completed the course. Once the ticket is dismissed, it should not affect future rate increases, but check with your insurer about their specific policy.
What if I was speeding because of an emergency?
Emergency situations are not a legal defense to speeding in Louisiana. However, you can explain the circumstances to the judge if you go to court, and the judge may consider it when deciding on penalties. It is unlikely to result in a dismissal, but it may influence the judge's decision.
Can I get a ticket dismissed if I have a clean driving record?
A clean driving record does not automatically dismiss a ticket, but it can help your case if you go to court. Bring documentation of your clean record to show the judge. Traffic school is still your best option for keeping points off your record.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on my record?
Points from a speeding ticket stay on your Louisiana driving record for three years from the violation date. After three years, the points are removed, but the conviction may still appear on background checks. Traffic school or a court dismissal prevents points from being added in the first place.