Utah Speeding Ticket Fines, Points, and Your Options (2026)
General information, not legal advice. Read the full disclaimer.
Short answer: Under Utah's 2026 Uniform Fine Schedule, the suggested fine for an ordinary speeding infraction runs from $130 (1–10 mph over) to $480 (31+ mph over), plus a 35% surcharge listed in the schedule. School-zone, construction-zone, and 100+ mph tickets cost more. A speeding conviction also adds 35 to 75 points to your Driver License Division record. You can pay, contest the ticket, or — if you qualify — use Deferred Traffic Prosecution or a plea in abeyance to keep points off your record.
Who this guide is for
Anyone in Utah who just got a speeding ticket and wants to know what it will cost, how many points it adds, and what choices they have before the deadline on the citation.
What the fine schedule says
The Uniform Fine Schedule is a guideline for judges and courts, not a fixed price — the court has authority to impose a just sentence, and the actual amount can differ. The schedule's suggested fines for speeding under Utah Code § 41-6a-601 are:
| Speed over the limit | Suggested fine |
|---|---|
| 1–10 mph over | $130 |
| 11–15 mph over | $160 |
| 16–20 mph over | $210 |
| 21–25 mph over | $280 |
| 26–30 mph over | $380 |
| 31+ mph over | $480 (mandatory court appearance) |
Each of these is listed with a 35% surcharge, so the amount you actually pay is higher than the fine alone.
Higher-cost categories. The schedule marks the construction-zone and 100+ mph amounts as minimum mandatory fines rather than recommendations:
- Construction or maintenance zones (§ 41-6a-209): $260 (1–10 over) up to $960 (31+ over).
- School zones, first offense (§ 41-6a-604): $260 (21–29 mph in the zone), $420 (30–39), $760 (40+). Second or later offense within three years: $320, $560, and $960. These carry a mandatory appearance.
- 100+ mph (§ 41-6a-601(4)(b)): minimums from $315 (16–20 over) to $720 (31+ over).
If you can pay the recommended fine without appearing, the schedule says the amount may increase by $50 if you fail to appear or pay within 14 days of the citation, and by another $75 after 40 days. The recommended fine for moving violations that result in an accident may also increase by $30.
How many points a speeding ticket adds
According to the Driver License Division:
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over | 35 |
| Speeding 11–20 mph over | 55 |
| Speeding 21+ mph over | 75 |
Points stay on your record for 3 years from the violation. For drivers 21 and older, 200 or more points in 3 years can lead to a suspension of 3 months to 1 year; for drivers 20 and under, the threshold is 70 points. See Utah Traffic Tickets and the Points System: Points Per Violation for the full chart, how points come off, and the defensive driving course.
Your options
Your citation lists a deadline to pay or appear. If you miss it, the court can issue a warrant and can suspend your driver's license. If you need more time, contact the court before the deadline.
- Pay the fine. Paying admits the charge and the points go on your record. Many infractions can be paid online or by mailing the bail amount to the court on your citation, though not every court uses the online system and some tickets require an appearance.
- Contest the ticket. You generally must appear in court and enter a not guilty plea. You can then talk with the prosecutor, and if there's no agreement, a trial is scheduled.
- Deferred Traffic Prosecution (DTP). Designed to keep points off your record. Key rules from Utah Courts: you must apply within 21 days of the citation; be at least 21; hold a valid Utah (non-commercial) license; and generally have no traffic convictions in the past 24 months. You plead no contest, pay a $5 registration fee plus your fine within 14 days (and, if required, a $40 online traffic school within 28 days), then keep a clean record for one year, after which the plea is withdrawn and the case dismissed. DTP has exclusions, including speeding 20 to 30 mph over the limit, so check your case in MyCase.
- Plea in abeyance. You plead guilty or no contest and the court holds the plea for up to a year; if you meet the conditions the charge is dismissed, and Utah Courts says no points are assessed on your driving record. Both the prosecutor and the defendant must agree, and it isn't available for DUI. For commercial driver license (CDL) holders, a plea in abeyance can still appear as a citation on the driving record.
- Online dispute resolution (ODR). Many courts let you negotiate with the prosecutor online, with any agreement approved by a judge.
Does the speed matter for your options?
Yes. A ticket for 20–30 mph over may be excluded from DTP, a 31+ mph ticket carries a mandatory appearance, and school-zone tickets have higher fines and mandatory appearances too. Higher speeds also add more points (75 for 21+ mph over).
Why it's worth thinking before you pay
Paying a ticket generally counts as a conviction for points purposes, and convictions are reported to the Driver License Division within ten days of conviction or payment. If you're carrying other points, one 21+ mph ticket (75 points) can move you much closer to a suspension. See Utah Traffic Tickets and the Points System: Points Per Violation.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a speeding ticket in Utah?
The 2026 Uniform Fine Schedule suggests $130 for 1–10 mph over, $160 for 11–15, $210 for 16–20, $280 for 21–25, $380 for 26–30, and $480 for 31+, each with a 35% surcharge listed. Zones and 100+ mph have higher minimums.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Utah?
35 (1–10 mph over), 55 (11–20 mph over), or 75 (21+ mph over), per the Driver License Division.
Can I take traffic school to keep points off?
Through Deferred Traffic Prosecution, traffic school may be required as a condition if the court requires it ($40 online). A defensive driving course can also reduce your existing points by up to 50, once every three years.
What happens if I ignore a speeding ticket?
The court can issue a warrant for your arrest and suspend your driver's license.
Is a plea in abeyance better than paying?
It can keep points off your record, but it requires the prosecutor's agreement, and the conditions must be met. Check with the court where the charge was filed.
Do these fines apply to a ticket from a city police officer or the Highway Patrol?
The Uniform Fine Schedule applies to all Utah courts when a criminal fine may be imposed, but individual courts can have their own bail schedules, so check the citation.