Key Takeaways:
- Red light camera tickets won’t raise your car insurance rates in most states.
- Most states treat camera tickets like non-moving violations. That means they put them on the same level as parking tickets, or tickets you get for an expired registration or a broken tail light.
- Red light camera tickets can go on your driving record, but that doesn’t mean they will. In fact, they often won’t.
- Yes, you can fight speeding or red light camera tickets or citations.
Receiving a letter in the mail that says a camera caught you speeding or running a red light can be a real shock.
Not only do you have to pay a fine for the traffic offense, but you might have to pay more for car insurance because of it, too.
Plus, the infraction may go on your driving record or result in points being added to your driver’s license.
In this article, you will learn more about this situation and receive answers to these questions:
- How do speeding camera tickets impact your car insurance rates?
- How can you fight red light camera tickets?
- Are points added to your license after you get a red light camera ticket?
- Do speeding camera tickets go on your driving record?
Do red light camera and camera speeding tickets affect your car insurance rates?
Neither red light camera nor camera speeding tickets will raise your car insurance rates in most states. This is because “automated enforcement citations are generally civil or administrative violations that do not result in points and are not made part of the driver’s record,” according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS.
You’ll only see your insurance rates go up from a camera ticket if it puts points on your license or if it’s added to your driving record. But that happens in just three states at the moment:
- In Arizona, drivers get two points for red light camera violations and three points for speeding camera violations.
- California gives drivers one point for red light camera infractions.
- In Oregon, a red light camera ticket is considered a Class B traffic violation.
What about other states? Fifteen states currently don’t have red light or speeding cameras. And the states that do have these cameras classify the infractions as non-moving violations, meaning no insurance increases.
So, if you get a red light camera ticket, your auto insurance rates won’t increase unless you live in Arizona, California or Oregon.
And what if your rates do go up in the wake of a red light camera or speed camera ticket? Shop around and compare quotes from several top insurance companies. Another insurer may not penalize you in the same way for getting a photo ticket.
Are tickets from red light cameras or speeding cameras moving or non-moving violations?
Most states treat camera tickets like non-moving violations. That means they put them on the same level as parking tickets, or tickets you get for an expired registration or a broken tail light.
A few states, however, treat photo tickets like moving violations. That means they put them on the same level as a ticket you’d get after being pulled over for going through a traffic signal or going over the speed limit. Fortunately, only three states consider red light camera tickets to be moving violations: Oregon, Arizona and California.
If you live in a state that considers red light or speed camera tickets to be non-moving violations, you’re in luck. Getting one of these camera tickets won’t result in driver’s license points or an infraction on your driving record. That means your auto insurance rates won’t go up.
If you live in a state that treats photo-enforcement tickets like moving violations, though, you might deal with points, a mark on your driving record and insurance increases.
Can you fight citations from speeding cameras?
Yes, you can fight speeding or red light camera tickets or citations.
That doesn’t mean doing so is worth your while. For example, if you’re pretty sure a ticket won’t make your car insurance rates go up, you might be better off paying the fine.
If you think fighting is the way to go, though, here is some advice on how to fight a red light camera ticket:
Make sure there’s proof
Get the photo or video footage that shows you ran a red light or drove over the speed limit. Then make sure it clearly shows you, your car and your license plate. If it doesn’t, you have a case for dismissing the charges.
Speak up if you broke the law for a reason
It’s not usual for someone to go through a red light or go over the speed limit for a good reason. Maybe you did it to avoid an accident, or to get out of the way of an ambulance, fire truck or police car. Or maybe you had an emergency yourself. If any of those are true for you, tell the judge. It might lead to the dismissal of your red light camera ticket.
Are points added to your driver’s license after you get a photo ticket?
Whether points are added to your driver’s license or not after you get a photo ticket depends on where you live. If your state considers photo tickets moving violations, you’ll probably get license points. If your state considers photo tickets non-moving violations, you shouldn’t get license points.
If you’re pulled over by a cop and ticketed for running a red light or speeding, it’s a moving violation. All states consider those offenses to be moving violations and penalize you for them by adding points to your driver’s license and record.
Do red light camera tickets go on your driving record?
Red light camera tickets can go on your driving record, but that doesn’t mean they will. In fact, they often won’t.
This is because most states treat photo tickets as non-moving violations. Non-moving violations — parking tickets, for example — don’t go on your driving record. Neither do camera citations.
If your state — California, Oregon and Arizona — treats photo tickets as moving violations, though, they might go on your driving record. And in that case, they’ll stay on your record for three to 10 years, depending on the severity.
Car insurance go up after a red light camera ticket? Get a better rate.
How states handle red light or speed camera tickets
Twenty-three states plus the District of Columbia currently have red light photo-enforcement cameras in place in at least one location, according to IIHS.
Twenty-four states plus the District of Columbia currently have speed photo-enforcement cameras in place in at least one location, according to IIHS.
Here’s how these states penalize drivers who are caught on camera speeding or running red lights:
Alabama
Red Light Camera Penalties: Minimum fine of $60 to $110, depending on location. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Minimum fine of $60 to $100, depending on location. Not added to driving record.
Arizona
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $250. Up to two points added to driver’s license.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $250. Up to two points added to driver’s license.
Arkansas
Red Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Up to $100 fine. Not added to driving record. No driver’s license points.
California
Red Light Camera Penalties: Minimum fine of $100 plus one driver’s license point.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Colorado
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $75. Not added to driving record. No driver’s license points.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $40. Not added to driving record. No driver’s license points.
Connecticut
Red Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: $75 fine and $150 for every following consecutive offense.
Delaware
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $110. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
District of Columbia
Red Light Camera Penalties: $150 fine. No driver’s license points.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Fine is tied to speed. No driver’s license points.
Florida
Red Light Camera Penalties: $158 fine. No driver’s license points.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Georgia
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $70. Not added to driving record. No driver’s license points.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: $75 fine for first offense. $125 fine for second and subsequent offenses.
Hawaii
Red Light Camera Penalties: $97 to $200 fine. No driver’s license points.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Illinois
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $100. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Fine is tied to speed. Not added to driving record.
Indiana
Red Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Written warning for first violation, $75 second violation and $150 for all consecutive violations.
Iowa
Red Light Camera Penalties: Fine of $65 to $110, depending on location. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Fine of $5 to $500, depending on location and speed. Not added to driving record.
Louisiana
Red Light Camera Penalties: Fine of $100 to $125, depending on location. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Fine depends on location and speed. Not added to driving record.
Maryland
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $100. Not added to driving record. No driver’s license points.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $40. Not added to driving record. No driver’s license points.
Missouri
Red Light Camera Penalties: Fine and points depend on location.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: $100 fine in most locations, up to $200 in others.
New Mexico
Red Light Camera Penalties: Fine of $66 to $100, depending on location.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: $100 fine.
New York
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $50. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $50. Not added to driving record.
North Carolina
Red Light Camera Penalties: Fine of $50 to $100, depending on location. No driver’s license points.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Ohio
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $150. No driver’s license points.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Oregon
Red Light Camera Penalties: Class B traffic violation. Maximum fine of $1,000.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Considered a traffic violation. Fine is tied to speed.
Pennsylvania
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $100. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Warning for first offense. $75 fine for second offense. $150 fine for third and subsequent offenses.
Rhode Island
Red Light Camera Penalties: $85 fine. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: $50 for first and second offenses. $95 fine for third and subsequent offenses. Not added to driving record.
Tennessee
Red Light Camera Penalties: $50 fine. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: $50 fine.
Utah
Red Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: No driver’s license points.
Virginia
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $50. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Not applicable.
Washington
Red Light Camera Penalties: Maximum fine of $250. Not added to driving record.
Speed Light Camera Penalties: Fine can’t be more than the fine for a parking violation in the same location. Not added to driving record.
State by state list of safety camera laws and regulations
| State | Speed camera legality | Red light camera legality | Permitted regions | Ticket affects insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Legal | Legal | Specified jurisdictions | Yes |
| Alaska | No state law | No state law | ||
| Arizona | Legal | Legal | Statewide | Yes |
| Arkansas | Legal | No state law | Speed cameras are allowed at school zones, railroad crossings and highway work zones | |
| California | No state law | Legal | Statewide | Yes |
| Colorado | Legal | Legal | Statewide | No |
| Connecticut | Legal | No state law | Statewide | |
| Delaware | Legal | Legal | Statewide | No |
| Florida | Legal | Legal | Statewide for red light cameras, school zones for speeding cameras | Varies by insurance company |
| Georgia | Legal | Legal | Statewide for red light cameras, school zones for speeding cameras | No |
| Hawaii | No state law | Legal | Counties of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Honolulu and city of Honolulu for red light cameras | Yes |
| Idaho | No state law | No state law | ||
| Illinois | Legal | Legal | Specified jurisdiction | No |
| Indiana | Legal | No state law | Highway work sites when workers are present for speeding cameras | |
| Iowa | Legal | Legal | Specified jurisdiction | No |
| Kansas | No state law | No state law | ||
| Kentucky | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Louisiana | Legal | Legal | Specified jurisdiction | No |
| Maine | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Maryland | Legal | Legal | Statewide for red light cameras, specified jurisdictions for speeding cameras | No |
| Massachusetts | No state law | No state law | ||
| Michigan | No state law | No state law | ||
| Minnesota | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Mississippi | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Missouri | Legal | Legal | Specified jurisdiction | Yes |
| Montana | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Nebraska | No state law | No state law | ||
| Nevada | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| New Hampshire | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| New Jersey | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| New Mexico | Legal | Legal | Specified jurisdiction | Yes |
| New York | Legal | Legal | Specified jurisdiction | No |
| North Carolina | No state law | Legal | Specified jurisdiction for red light cameras | No |
| North Dakota | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Ohio | Legal | Legal | Statewide | No |
| Oklahoma | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Oregon | Legal | Legal | Statewide | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Legal | Legal | Statewide for red light cameras, active work zones for speeding cameras | No |
| Rhode Island | Legal | Legal | Statewide for red light cameras, school zones at designated times for speeding cameras | No |
| South Carolina | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| South Dakota | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Tennessee | Legal | Legal | Statewide for red light cameras, school zones for speeding cameras | No |
| Texas | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Utah | Legal | No state law | School zones for speeding cameras | |
| Vermont | No state law | No state law | ||
| Virgina | Legal | Legal | Statewide for red light cameras, school crossing and highway construction zones for speeding cameras | No |
| Washington | Legal | Legal | Statewide for red light cameras, specified jurisdiction for speeding cameras | No |
| West Virginia | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Wisconsin | Illegal | Illegal | ||
| Wyoming | No state law | No state law |
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