What to Do After Getting a Speed Camera Ticket

Speed cameras use radar or LiDAR technology to measure vehicle speed. When a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit by a set threshold (typically 6 to 11 mph over), the camera captures images of the vehicle and license plate. A citation is then mailed to the registered vehicle owner. Unlike traditional speeding tickets issued by an officer, speed camera tickets are almost always civil violations, meaning they carry fines but typically no points on your license and no impact on your insurance rates.

Speed camera fines vary significantly by state and sometimes by how much you exceeded the limit. Common fine ranges include: New York City charges $50 for school zone speed cameras. Chicago charges $35 for going 6 to 10 mph over the limit and $100 for 11 mph or more over. Maryland has a flat $40 fine for speed cameras. Washington DC charges $50 to $300 depending on speed. Most speed camera fines are lower than traditional officer-issued speeding tickets because they are classified as civil rather than criminal violations.

Your speed camera ticket will include instructions to view the evidence, which typically consists of: photographs showing your vehicle from the front and rear, the detected speed and posted speed limit, the date, time, and exact location, and often a short video clip of the violation. Review this evidence carefully. If the speed detection seems inaccurate, the images are unclear, or the location does not match where you were driving, these could be grounds for contesting the ticket.

After reviewing the evidence, you have several options. You can pay the fine online, by mail, or in person before the deadline. You can contest the ticket by requesting a hearing if you believe the ticket is unjust. In some jurisdictions, you can take a defensive driving course to dismiss or reduce the ticket. The best choice depends on the fine amount, the strength of your potential defense, and your state's specific rules.

There are important differences between camera-issued and officer-issued speeding tickets. Camera tickets are civil violations in nearly every state, meaning no points on your license. They are issued to the vehicle owner, not the driver. They do not require you to be pulled over or sign anything. They typically carry lower fines than traditional tickets. They cannot result in license suspension (except in extreme cases of unpaid fines). These differences make speed camera tickets less severe than traditional tickets in most cases.