The missouri speeding ticket cost depends on exactly how fast you were going over the limit, where you were ticketed, and the court costs your county adds on top. This guide breaks down the real missouri speeding ticket cost in plain English — the exact base fine for each speed bracket, the fees added at the courthouse, the school-zone and work-zone penalties, and the point and insurance hit that follow. All figures are estimates for general guidance, verified against Missouri sources as of June 2026.
In This Missouri Guide:
Missouri Speeding Ticket Cost by Speed Bracket
Here is the typical missouri speeding ticket cost in Missouri, broken down by how far over the posted limit you were caught driving. These are base fines from the Missouri fine schedule — your final total will be higher once court costs and fees are added.
| How Fast Over the Limit | Typical Base Fine |
|---|---|
| 1-10 mph over | 73 to 83 (1-5 mph over is approximately 73 as an infraction with 0 points under RSMo 304.009; 6-10 mph over is approximately 83 as a Class C misdemeanor per the Missouri statewide fine schedule) |
| 11-20 mph over | 108 to 133 (11-15 mph over is approximately 108; 16-19 mph over is approximately 133 per the Missouri courts fine schedule; both are Class C misdemeanors) |
| 21+ mph over | 158 to 208 (20-25 mph over is approximately 158 to 208 as a Class B misdemeanor; 26+ mph over requires a mandatory court appearance and may result in up to 1000 in fines) |
| Court costs & fees (added) | 35 to 100 (a statewide surcharge of at least 35 applies to any moving violation conviction; total court costs vary by jurisdiction and commonly range up to 100) |
How Missouri speed limits work: Missouri uses both a basic speed law and absolute speed limits simultaneously; RSMo 304.010 requires drivers to operate at a speed that does not endanger others regardless of the posted limit (basic speed law) while posted maximums are enforced as absolute limits; Missouri does NOT use prima facie or presumed speed limits
What a Missouri Speeding Ticket Really Costs
The number printed on your citation is rarely the full missouri speeding ticket cost. Once you add court costs and mandatory fees (about 35 to 100 (a statewide surcharge of at least 35 applies to any moving violation conviction; total court costs vary by jurisdiction and commonly range up to 100)), the out-the-door total is higher than the base fine. And the fine is only the upfront part — the points and the multi-year insurance increase usually cost you more over time than the ticket itself.
First offense vs. repeat: A first speeding offense is typically a Class C misdemeanor (6-19 mph over) or Class B misdemeanor (20+ mph over) with standard fines and points; repeat offenses accumulate points toward suspension (8 points in 18 months triggers suspension) and revocation (12 points in 12 months); work zone repeat offenders face a higher 300 add-on versus 250 for first offense; there is no separate statutory enhancement for repeat speeding alone but point accumulation escalates consequences significantly
Beyond the fine, a Missouri speeding ticket adds about 0 points for 1-5 mph over (infraction under RSMo 304.009); 3 points for speeding under state law; 2 points for speeding under a municipal ordinance; 4 points for Careless and Imprudent Driving points to your license and stays on your record for 3 years from conviction date for standard speeding tickets; 5 years for serious violations or those resulting in suspension or revocation. See our Missouri driving points guide for the full point and suspension rules.
School Zones, Work Zones & Enhancements
School zone: An additional 25 fine is added on top of the base fine for school zone violations; some municipalities may double or triple the standard fine depending on local ordinance
Work zone: Under RSMo 304.582 an additional 250 is added to the base fine for a first speeding conviction in a work zone when workers are present; a second or subsequent conviction adds 300; signs must be posted warning of the minimum 250 fine
When a Missouri Speeding Ticket Becomes Reckless or Criminal
Going far over the limit can turn a simple ticket into a criminal charge. In Missouri, Missouri has no fixed statutory mph threshold for reckless driving; the equivalent charge is Careless and Imprudent Driving (C&I) which is fact-dependent but in practice speeds of 30+ mph over the limit commonly trigger the charge; C&I is a Class B misdemeanor carrying up to 1000 in fines and up to 6 months jail and 4 points on the license A criminal speed charge carries much higher fines, more points, and possible jail time, so the Missouri speeding ticket cost is far higher at the top brackets.
How a Ticket Affects Your Insurance in Missouri
In Missouri, a speeding ticket typically raises your car-insurance premium by about UNVERIFIED (no Missouri-specific percentage data confirmed; industry-wide a speeding conviction typically raises premiums but the exact percentage varies by insurer and driving history) for three years or more — often costing far more than the ticket itself.
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Insurers treat a speeding conviction as a sign of higher risk, so the surcharge can outlast the points on your license. A ticket can raise your premium for years — compare cheaper car insurance at Car Cover Guide before you decide whether to just pay your Missouri ticket.
How a Missouri Speeding Fine Is Calculated
The Missouri speeding ticket cost is built from several parts, which is why two drivers going the same speed can owe different totals. The base fine is set by how far over the limit you were — that is the number in the table above. On top of that, courts add court costs and administrative fees, and many counties tack on local surcharges or assessments that fund court technology, victim programs, or state safety funds. The result is an out-the-door total that is usually well above the base fine.
Speed limits themselves work in one of a few ways. Under an absolute speed limit, going even one mph over is a violation. Under a prima facie limit, you can argue the posted speed was unsafe for the conditions, while a basic speed law simply requires a speed that is reasonable and prudent.
Knowing which rule Missouri uses can matter if you decide to contest the ticket. Whatever the base fine, the real Missouri speeding ticket cost includes the points and the multi-year insurance increase, not just the amount on the citation.
If you are comparing the Missouri speeding ticket cost against your other options, remember the cheapest path is not always paying the fine. A higher fine you can dismiss through traffic school may cost less overall than a smaller fine you simply pay, because paying locks in the points and the insurance increase. Run your numbers before you decide.
What to Do About Your Missouri Speeding Ticket
Once you have a Missouri speeding ticket, you generally have three choices, and the right one depends on the points involved, your driving record, and your insurance:
- Pay it — the fastest option, but paying is an admission of guilt that adds points and can raise your premium for years.
- Fight it — contesting can get the ticket reduced or dismissed, especially if the officer does not appear or the evidence is weak. See how to fight a speeding ticket in Missouri.
- Take traffic school — if you qualify, a state-approved course can keep points off your record. See the Missouri traffic school guide.
Before deciding, it helps to know the full cost — use our speeding ticket cost calculator and the Missouri points guide to see how close a ticket puts you to a suspension. There is no single right answer for everyone; the best choice depends on how many points the ticket adds, what your record looks like, and how much your insurance would rise.
Other Missouri rules to know: Speeding 1-5 mph over the limit is classified as an infraction with zero points under RSMo 304.009 which is unique compared to many states; Missouri does not have a statute specifically called reckless driving but instead uses Careless and Imprudent Driving as the equivalent charge; speeding 26+ mph over the limit triggers a mandatory court appearance; points reduce by one-third after 1 year of clean driving and by one-half after 2 years and reset to zero after 3 years with no violations; 8 points in 18 months triggers license suspension and 12 points in 12 months triggers revocation
Official Missouri Sources & Resources
- Missouri DMV: https://dor.mo.gov/faq/driver-license/tickets-points.html
- Missouri Court Fine Schedule: https://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=310
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex
Statute reference: RSMo 304.010 (speed limits and basic speed law); RSMo 304.009 (1-5 mph over infraction); RSMo 302.302 (point assessment schedule); RSMo 304.582 (work zone enhanced penalties)
This Missouri speeding ticket cost guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Always confirm the exact amount on your citation with the court listed on it.
More Missouri Traffic Ticket Guides
- Missouri Driving Points & Suspension
- How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Missouri
- Missouri Traffic School & Dismissal
- Speeding Ticket Cost Calculator
- All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal advice. Fines, points, and procedures are estimates for general guidance and change when state laws change. Always verify the exact amount and process with your state DMV or the court listed on your citation, and consult a licensed traffic attorney in your state for advice on your specific situation.