5 Most Common Traffic Tickets in Texas (and How to Handle Them)

Texas has more than 23 million licensed drivers, one of the busiest road networks in the country, and a long list of traffic laws enforced by local police, county sheriffs, and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Whether you are a new driver fresh out of drivers ed or a commuter with decades of experience, understanding the violations that lead to the most tickets can help you stay on the right side of the law and keep your record clean.

Below is a breakdown of the five most common traffic tickets Texas drivers receive, what they may cost, and what you can do if you get one.

What Are the 5 Most Common Traffic Tickets in Texas?

While every city and county in Texas sets its own fine schedule, the same handful of violations show up on tickets across the state. Here is a quick look at each one, along with typical fine ranges, before we dig into the details.

Violation	Typical Fine Range	Eligible for Defensive Driving Dismissal?
Speeding	$150 to $300+	Usually, unless 25+ mph over the limit or in a construction zone
Distracted driving (texting)	$25 to $99 (first offense); $100 to $200 (repeat)	May be eligible depending on the court
Running a red light or stop sign	$150 to $275	Usually yes
DWI (first offense)	Up to $2,000 fine plus jail time	No
Seatbelt violation	Up to $200	May be eligible depending on the court

Note: Fine amounts listed above are estimates. Actual fines vary by jurisdiction and do not include court costs, which can add $100 or more to the total amount owed.

How Does Speeding Lead to So Many Texas Tickets?

Speeding is consistently the most common moving violation in Texas. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the state ranks among the top five nationally for speeding-related citations.

Texas enforces two types of speed limits. "Prima facie" limits are the numbers posted on signs. If you exceed them, you are presumed to be driving at an unsafe speed. The "basic" speed law says you should never drive faster than conditions allow, even if you are under the posted limit. Either violation can result in a ticket.

Fines typically start around $150 and increase based on how far over the limit you were driving. School zones and construction zones carry enhanced penalties that can double the base fine. Driving 25 mph or more over the posted limit, or going at least 95 mph, disqualifies you from defensive driving dismissal under Texas law.

Beyond the fine itself, a speeding conviction may increase your auto insurance rates by 20% or more, depending on the insurer. Multiple convictions can add up fast: four moving violations within 12 months, or seven within 24 months, may result in a license suspension.

Why Is Distracted Driving Such a Common Ticket in Texas?

Under Texas Transportation Code §545.4251, it is illegal to read, write, or send an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped. The law covers texts, emails, social media posts, and similar messaging. It is a primary offense, meaning an officer can pull you over for this violation alone.

First-time offenders face fines between $25 and $99 plus court costs. A second or subsequent offense carries fines of $100 to $200. If texting while driving causes serious injury or death, the charge escalates to a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail.

Drivers under 18 face even stricter rules under Texas Transportation Code §545.424: they are banned from using any wireless device while driving, including hands-free options. Many Texas cities, including Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas, also have local ordinances that go beyond the state law by banning all handheld device use for drivers of any age.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that distracted driving contributes to roughly one in five crashes statewide, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and thousands of serious injuries each year. Putting the phone down is one of the simplest ways to avoid both a ticket and a potentially life-changing crash. For a deeper look at the risks, check out our guide on distracted driving.

What Happens if You Run a Red Light or Stop Sign in Texas?

Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign is another frequently cited violation. Fines typically range from $150 to $275 depending on the jurisdiction, and the conviction adds points to your driving record that can affect insurance rates.

Texas banned the use of red-light cameras statewide, so automated tickets from camera systems are no longer enforceable. However, officers stationed at busy intersections still actively enforce signal and stop-sign violations. Running a red light that results in a crash can also lead to additional charges, including reckless driving.

Intersection safety is a core part of what you learn in drivers ed courses. If you need a refresher on traffic laws and safe driving strategies, a defensive driving course can help reinforce safe habits.

Can You Really Get a Ticket for Not Wearing a Seatbelt?

Yes. Texas law requires every occupant of a vehicle to wear a seatbelt, including passengers in the back seat. Children under 8 years old, or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, must be secured in an appropriate child safety seat or booster.

A seatbelt violation can result in a fine of up to $200 per person not buckled up. If a child is not properly restrained, the driver faces the fine, and penalties may be more severe. While seatbelt tickets may seem minor compared to speeding or DWI, they still appear on your driving record and can factor into insurance rate calculations. Learn more about why buckling up matters in our guide to seatbelt facts.

What Can Slow Down Resolving a Texas Traffic Ticket?

• Missing your court date: Failure to appear can result in additional fines, a warrant for your arrest, and a license suspension.
• Not requesting defensive driving in time: You typically must request permission from the court before your appearance date. Waiting too long may forfeit this option.
• Multiple recent violations: Texas allows only one defensive driving dismissal every 12 months. If you have used yours recently, you cannot dismiss another ticket this way.
• High-speed violations: Exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph or more, or driving 95 mph or faster, makes you ineligible for defensive driving dismissal.
• Unpaid surcharges or prior suspensions: Outstanding obligations with DPS can complicate your ability to resolve a new ticket and may lead to further suspension.

How Can You Dismiss a Texas Traffic Ticket?

For most Class C misdemeanor traffic violations, Texas law allows eligible drivers to take a state-approved defensive driving course to have the ticket dismissed. Here is how the process generally works:

1. Contact the court listed on your citation and request permission to take a defensive driving course. This must typically be done before your scheduled appearance date.
2. Provide proof of a valid driver license and confirm that you have not used this option within the past 12 months.
3. Complete a Texas-approved course. The course must be at least six hours and approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). You can complete it entirely online at your own pace.
4. Obtain your driving record from DPS and submit it along with your course completion certificate to the court by the deadline.

Completing the course does not eliminate the fine or court costs. You are still responsible for those fees. However, it can keep the violation off your record and help you avoid the insurance rate increases that often follow a conviction. Some drivers also take defensive driving voluntarily to qualify for an insurance discount. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on fighting a ticket in Texas.

How Do Texas Traffic Ticket Penalties Compare to Other States?

Texas fines tend to fall in the middle of the national range. A standard speeding ticket in Texas costs roughly $150 to $300, compared to base fines that can exceed $500 in states like Virginia or California when additional assessments are added. However, Texas court costs and insurance impacts can push the total out-of-pocket cost of a single ticket well above $500 when everything is factored in.

One notable difference: Texas repealed its statewide points-and-surcharge program several years ago. While the state still tracks moving violations and can suspend your license for repeated offenses, drivers no longer face the annual surcharges that once added hundreds of dollars to the cost of a conviction. Many other states, including California, New York, and Florida, still operate active points systems with surcharges or assessments tied to point totals.

Stay Ahead of the Ticket

The easiest way to handle a Texas traffic ticket is to avoid getting one in the first place. Follow posted speed limits, put your phone away before you shift into drive, stop fully at every red light and stop sign, never get behind the wheel impaired, and buckle up every single trip.

If you do get a ticket, act quickly. Contact your court, explore your eligibility for defensive driving dismissal, and take a TDLR-approved course to protect your record and your wallet. I Drive Safely's online Texas defensive driving course is designed to be completed in six hours from any device, so you can get back to the road with confidence.