Thousands of speeding tickets are issued each day in the United States. Speeding is one of the most common violations drivers commit and speeding citations can have big consequences affecting your driving record, insurance rates, driving privileges, and overall safety on the road. Speeding, caused by reckless driving, has been involved in about a third of car accident deaths for more than two decades, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Here’s how long a speeding ticket stays on your record and how it affects you.

How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?

A speeding ticket stays on your driving record for about three years, though it varies based on the state you live in and the circumstances around your violation. In some states, it could remain on your record for longer than that.

A speeding ticket that goes on your driving record is recorded by your state's DMV. Your driving record is the document that keeps track of your driving history including any accidents or violations. Most states utilize a license point system.

In that case, for a speeding ticket, you will receive points on your license. The number of points varies based on your state's laws as well as how fast you were going over the speed limit. For example, in Alabama, you receive 2 points on your license for speeding 1 to 25 mph over the speed limit and 5 points for 26+ mph over the speed limit.

A speeding ticket not only stays on your license but also affects your auto insurance rate. The more speeding tickets you have, the harder it becomes to find cheap car insurance. Make sure you are following the traffic laws in order to avoid points on your license and to keep your auto insurance affordable.

How long do points stay on your license?

It depends on the state you live in, but points can start to fall off your record in two to three years. However, points may stay on your license for many more years than those in certain states.

Once you receive a certain number of points in a certain period of time, your driver's license will be suspended for a set number of days. You can receive points on your license for any type of driving violation.

For states that don’t use a point system, there is usually a certain length of time in which a speeding ticket or other violation will affect your driving privileges. For example, exceeding 12-14 points in a 2-year period can result in your license being suspended in Alabama.

Will my insurance rates increase after a speeding ticket?

Car insurance companies can check your driving record to see any violations you've committed to determining your car insurance rates. A speeding ticket can affect your car insurance rates. In most cases, it will affect your rates for three years, though that can vary based on your circumstances and your insurance company.

If you’ve maintained a clean driving record but had one mishap and got a speeding ticket, it's possible your insurance company could forgive it and not raise your rates because of it. But you shouldn't count on that.

Although speeding is not as serious of a violation as a DUI, it’s still a serious and dangerous offense. If your insurance company sees a speeding ticket on your driving record, you’re likely going to be considered a higher risk driver than those that don’t have any violations. Therefore, your company may raise your rates.

If you have a large number of violations on your record, your car insurance company could even drop you and cancel your policy.

There are also other types of tickets that can affect your car insurance rates in addition to speeding tickets. Most moving violations can cause your rates to increase. This includes car accidents. Parking tickets, however, will not affect your rates.

How much will my insurance increase after a speeding ticket?

A speeding ticket could cause your car insurance rates to increase a few hundred dollars per year. There are many things that can affect the amount of your car insurance increase for speeding including the following:

• Your insurance company
• Your overall driving record - how many violations you have and the types of violations
• If this ticket was the first offense or if it was a repeated offense
• How long ago your last moving violation was
• How many miles per hour you were driving over the speed limit
• Where the violation occurred

In the table below, you can see the average rate increases after a speeding ticket for 10 of the largest car insurance companies in the United States.

*USAA is only available to active and former military members and their families.

These rates are based on a 35-year-old single adult with one driver and one vehicle on a policy. The car used was a 2015 Toyota Highlander LE. Full coverage was used with 100/300/50 limits and a $500 collision and comprehensive deductible. One driver had 0 accidents or speeding tickets within the past three years and the other driver had 1 speeding ticket in the past 3 years. Both drivers had a good credit score. The rates displayed should only be used for comparative purposes as individual rates will differ. Rate data is provided by Quadrant Information Services.

Your rates will likely be the most expensive for the first year after getting the ticket, and gradually decrease until it no longer affects your car insurance rates.

What should you do if you get a speeding ticket?

If you've received a speeding ticket, you'll need to take care of it within a certain number of days. You should never ignore a speeding ticket, as this could land you even more points on your license, higher fines, license suspension and you could even be arrested! Your speeding ticket won't disappear on its own if you ignore it.

If the traffic ticket is accurate and you were going too fast, you'll need to pay the ticket as soon as possible. However, if you think you've been wrongfully convicted, you have the ability to fight the ticket in court. You will need to go before a judge to argue your case, a prosecutor will need to prove you were speeding and a decision will be made on if the ticket will be overturned.

If your ticket for a minor traffic violation is overturned, it will not add any points to your license and will not affect your car insurance premiums or lead to a license suspension, which would cause you to lose your driving privileges.

Some states require you to take additional steps after getting a speeding ticket, or multiple. You could be required to go to traffic school, to learn how to be a safe driver.

In most states, you can also reduce the number of points on your license or the amount of your speeding ticket fine. To do this, most states require you to complete a driving course such as a defensive driving class. In some cases, drivers have had a ticket completely dismissed in return for completing a course. If your ticket is dismissed, it will not go on your driver's record. The class, however, can go on your insurance record and you can talk to your insurance agent to see if there are any insurance discounts offered for drivers who have taken this kind of class.

How can you save money on car insurance with a speeding ticket?

Every car insurance company handles speeding tickets differently. One company may increase your rates more than another company; some companies may raise your rates less for a single speeding ticket but more for multiple convictions. You should also know that some insurance providers look at a shorter period of time than others when considering your traffic offenses, not all of them will look at your entire driving history.

Auto insurance companies will usually pull a new motor vehicle report at renewal time. This is when they check if you have any speeding tickets and possibly raise your rates. You can speak with your insurance agent to see how long the ticket will affect your rates. A speeding ticket may impact your car insurance rates from one to three years on average. The period can vary by company and state. You should also note that you will lose any good driver discount.

If you receive a speeding ticket, it may be time to shop for a new insurance company if you're concerned about your insurance costs.

To make sure you're getting the best price, get car insurance quotes from multiple different car insurance companies. You can compare the cost of each company to try and find a reputable company that offers you the lowest rates.

Even with speeding violations on your record, you shouldn't feel like you have no options for cheap insurance. Premiums for drivers with imperfect driving histories are typically higher, but many auto insurance companies are experienced in providing insurance for people in your situation.

You should also know that you can still get an auto insurance discount to help tame your insurance policy costs, even if you've received a ticket for speeding. If you are looking for the lowest rates, you can reduce your insurance coverage by getting only the minimum coverage to legally drive in your state.

To make sure you're getting the best price, get car insurance quotes from multiple different car insurance companies. You can compare the cost of each company to try and find a reputable company that offers you the lowest rates.

Visit our best car insurance rankings page to see which car insurance companies consumers say are the best companies in your area. Choose a few companies that fit your needs and get quotes from them to compare.

You want to make sure you are getting the best auto insurance at an affordable price. However, a history of speeding tickets can easily cause a rate increase. Call your local insurance agent today to find the best policy at an affordable price. Don't be afraid to ask questions like "How does having a speeding ticket affect my insurance?" and "What will my auto insurance increase be because of the ticket?"

You may want to shop each year your car insurance is up for renewal to see if any company can offer you a better rate. You can also try using Clearsurance’s car insurance calculator to get consumer recommendations.

Have you ever gotten a traffic ticket? Let us know in the comments section below if your insurance company increased your rates.

The content on this site is offered only as a public service to the web community and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. This site should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an insurance company or an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter. The comments and opinions expressed on this site are of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the insurance company or any individual attorney.