Speed Limit Fines in Georgia: What You’ll Pay for Speeding

What Is the Fine for Speeding in Georgia?

Georgia law caps the fine for a first speeding offense on a sliding scale. It runs from no fine at all at 5 MPH over to $500 at 24 to 33 MPH over. The court that hears your case sets the actual figure within that cap. Court costs and surcharges are added on top and often cost more than the fine.

Drivers often ask what the fine for speeding is in Georgia. The answer is never a single number. Georgia's basic speeding statute sets the framework. It requires drivers to obey posted speed limits. It also requires drivers to maintain speeds reasonable for conditions. The broader traffic code requires obedience to all traffic control devices, including speed limit signs.

Georgia law sets the ceiling. Each municipal court, state court, and probate court then applies its own fine schedule under that ceiling. A 15 MPH over ticket can cost more in one county than in another. Court costs, technology fees, and local surcharges add up quickly.

Georgia Speed Limit Fines by MPH Over the Limit

Georgia law does not fix one price for a speeding ticket. It caps it. For a first speeding offense, the traffic code sets the highest fine a court may impose, and the judge sets the actual amount at or below that ceiling. These are the caps.

5 MPH over or less: No fine at all.

More than 5 and up to 10 MPH over: No more than $25.

More than 10 and up to 14 MPH over: No more than $100.

15 to 18 MPH over: No more than $125. This is also where license points start.

19 to 23 MPH over: No more than $150.

24 to 33 MPH over: No more than $500.

34 or more MPH over: The tiered caps stop here. The general misdemeanor limit of $1,000 applies, and the ticket also triggers the Super Speeder fee.

Two things sit outside these caps. Court costs, technology fees, and local surcharges are added on top, and they often cost more than the fine itself. Higher minimum or maximum fines can also apply where another Code section sets one for a particular violation, such as a school zone or work zone. Ask the court listed on your citation for the exact total before you pay.

The Georgia Super Speeder Law and Extra Fees

Georgia's Super Speeder Law imposes an extra $200 state fee. This fee applies to drivers convicted of traveling 75 MPH or faster on a two-lane road. It also applies to drivers convicted of traveling 85 MPH or faster on any road or highway. This fee is separate from and in addition to the local court fine.

The Georgia Department of Driver Services bills the Super Speeder fee directly to the driver after conviction. It does not appear on the original citation. DDS must send that notice within 30 days of receiving the ticket and conviction. Drivers who fail to pay within 90 days of receiving the notice face an automatic license suspension, plus a $50 reinstatement fee to get their driving privileges back.

Super Speeder is not a separate criminal charge. It is an administrative fee triggered automatically by the speed recorded on the citation. Drivers do not learn about it until they receive the Department of Driver Services notice weeks after paying their court fine. This surprise cost catches thousands of Georgia drivers off guard each year.

License Points and Insurance Consequences of Speeding Tickets

The fine itself is often the smallest cost of a Georgia speeding ticket. License points and insurance increases typically cost far more over time.

Georgia adds points to your license for a speeding conviction. The point schedule works like this:

• 15 to 18 MPH over: 2 points
• 19 to 23 MPH over: 3 points
• 24 to 33 MPH over: 4 points
• 34 or more MPH over: 6 points

Accumulating 15 points within a 24-month period triggers license suspension. For drivers under 21, a single conviction carrying 4 or more points results in suspension. Young drivers face especially harsh consequences for even one serious speeding ticket.

A speeding conviction can also raise auto insurance premiums by hundreds of dollars per year. Insurers typically review driving records at renewal. They may increase rates for three to five years after a conviction. Over that period, the total insurance cost increase often exceeds the original fine several times over.

When Speeding Becomes a Criminal Charge

Georgia has no such thing as a civil speeding infraction. Under the traffic code, speeding is a misdemeanor, even when the court lets you resolve it by mail. Excessive speed can also push the case into more serious criminal defense territory.

Under Georgia law, reckless driving is a misdemeanor. Reckless driving means driving in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property. Georgia law sets no speed at which speeding automatically becomes reckless driving. It is a judgment call, and prosecutors weigh the speed against traffic, weather, and road conditions. Very high speeds and heavy traffic make the charge more likely. A reckless driving conviction carries up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Racing on highways is also a misdemeanor. A conviction brings a mandatory license suspension, possible jail time, and a permanent criminal record.

The difference between a routine speeding case and a reckless driving charge matters enormously. A speeding conviction usually means a fine and points. A reckless driving or racing conviction is the kind of misdemeanor that shows up on a criminal background check and can affect employment, housing, and professional licensing. Drivers facing charges in this range should take the situation seriously and consider their legal options carefully.

Can You Fight a Speeding Ticket in Georgia?

Georgia drivers have several options for contesting a speeding citation. Outcomes depend on the specific facts, the court, and the driver's history.

Challenge the speed measurement. Drivers can request a court date and question the officer's speed detection method. Radar, LIDAR, and pacing each have technical requirements. Georgia law requires every speed detection device to be certified for compliance before it is used and once a year after that, and the agency must hold a federal radio license. Warning signs must be posted at the city, county, or campus line. There is also a floor on local radar cases: a county, city, or campus officer cannot make a radar case unless you were more than 10 MPH over. That floor does not apply in properly marked school zones, historic districts, or residential zones, and it does not bind the Georgia State Patrol. Failures in any of these requirements can create grounds for dismissal.

Negotiate a reduction. Prosecutors in many Georgia courts will negotiate a speeding charge down to a lower speed tier or a non-moving violation. A reduction can eliminate license points and minimize insurance impact.

Enter a nolo contendere plea. Adults 21 and older may plead nolo contendere – no contest – once every five years in Georgia. A nolo plea avoids the addition of license points for that conviction. This option can be valuable for drivers who want to resolve the ticket quickly while protecting their driving record.

Complete a defensive driving course. In some cases, courts allow drivers to attend a certified defensive driving course to reduce points on their license.

An attorney familiar with Georgia traffic courts can evaluate whether the stop and speed measurement followed proper procedures. Technical defects – an expired radar calibration certificate, a missing warning sign – can sometimes resolve an entire case.

Talk to a Georgia Traffic Defense Attorney

A Georgia speeding ticket involves more than the fine printed on the citation. Court costs, Super Speeder fees, license points, and insurance increases can add up quickly. A single ticket can cost thousands of dollars in total costs over several years.

A traffic and criminal defense attorney can review the citation. An attorney can evaluate whether the stop and speed measurement were lawful. An attorney can also negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce fines and avoid license points. For Super Speeder or reckless driving charges, having counsel is especially important. A conviction carries consequences well beyond the base fine.

William C. Head, PC focuses on Georgia DUI defense, criminal defense, and traffic-related offenses. If you received a Georgia speeding ticket and want to understand your options, contact the firm for a free consultation. Every case is different. Results depend on the specific facts and circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Fine for Going 20 MPH Over the Speed Limit in Georgia?

Georgia law caps the fine for a first offense at $150 for 19 to 23 MPH over the limit. The court sets the actual amount at or below that. Court costs and surcharges are added on top, so the total out-of-pocket cost is usually higher than the fine. The violation also adds 3 points to your license.

How Much Is a Super Speeder Ticket in Georgia?

The Super Speeder fee is an additional $200 imposed by the state on top of the local court fine. It applies to convictions for 75 MPH or more on two-lane roads or 85 MPH or more on any road. Failure to pay within 90 days of the DDS notice results in license suspension and a $50 reinstatement fee.

Do You Get Points on Your License for a Speeding Ticket in Georgia?

Yes, convictions of 15 MPH or more over the posted limit carry license points. Points range from 2 points for 15 – 18 MPH over to 6 points for 34 or more MPH over. Accumulating 15 points in 24 months triggers license suspension.

Can a Georgia Speeding Ticket Be Dismissed?

Dismissal is possible in some cases. Technical defects – such as expired radar calibration, lack of operator certification, or missing speed detection signs – may lead to dismissal. An attorney can evaluate the specific facts and advise whether challenging the ticket is worthwhile.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Georgia?

The points count against you for 24 months from the date of the conviction. The conviction itself stays on your Georgia driving history well beyond that and cannot be expunged. Insurance companies typically review driving records for three to five years when setting premium rates.