Wisconsin traffic tickets
Points, traffic school, deadlines and what a ticket does to your insurance in Wisconsin.
Speeding ticket$205.80–$546state schedule
License at risk12 ptsin 12 months
Traffic safety courseYesavailable, with limits
Insurance after 1 ticket+25%on $2,016 a year
What will my ticket really cost? Check my points
What kind of ticket did you get?
- Speeding
- School zone
- Work zone
- Red light
- Stop sign
- Texting
- No insurance
- Expired registration
- Seat belt
- School bus
- Failure to yield
- Parking
Which court is on your ticket?
One statewide schedule sets most fines. Pick the court named on your ticket.
Wisconsin county courts
Phone, pay-online link and traffic school steps for 5 courts. Tap a county to open it.
Brown County(920) 448-4155Pays online
Brown County Circuit Court (traffic). Fines follow the Wisconsin statewide schedule.
- Address
- Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court, 100 South Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301
- Phone
- (920) 448-4155
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays
Dane County(608) 266-4311Pays online
Dane County Circuit Court (traffic). Fines follow the Wisconsin statewide schedule.
- Address
- Dane County Courthouse, Room 1000, 215 S Hamilton St., Madison, WI 53703
- Phone
- (608) 266-4311
- Hours
- 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday
Milwaukee County(414) 278-5362Pays online
Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Traffic Court. Fines follow the Wisconsin statewide schedule.
- Address
- Clerk of Circuit Court Criminal Division, Room 221, Safety Building, 821 W. State St., Milwaukee, WI 53233
- Phone
- (414) 278-5362
- Hours
- 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Racine County262-636-3333Pays online
Racine County Circuit Court, Traffic Court. Fines follow the Wisconsin statewide schedule.
- Address
- Racine County Clerk of Circuit Courts, 730 Wisconsin Ave., Racine, WI 53403
- Phone
- 262-636-3333
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Waukesha County(262) 548-7497Pays online
Waukesha County Circuit Court, Criminal and Traffic Division. Fines follow the Wisconsin statewide schedule.
- Address
- Circuit Court Business Center, 515 W Moreland Blvd., PO Box 1627, Waukesha, WI 53187-1627
- Phone
- (262) 548-7497
What are your options with a Wisconsin ticket?
Paying is the fastest route, and it usually puts the ticket on your record. Here is every route Wisconsin offers, and what each one changes.
What does the Wisconsin state schedule charge for speeding?
The amount on the ticket is mostly surcharges.[4]
Every fine on the Wisconsin schedule (26)
| Ticket | State fine | With court costs |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding, 1–10 mph overPrinted as: Speeding in excess of fixed limits, 1 to 10 mph above (346.57(4))3 points. | $205.80[4] | $205.80 |
| Speeding, 11–15 mph overPrinted as: Speeding in excess of fixed limits, 11 to 15 mph above4 points. | $205.80[4] | $205.80 |
| Speeding, 16–19 mph overPrinted as: Speeding in excess of fixed limits, 16 to 19 mph above4 points. | $231[4] | $231 |
| Speeding, 20–24 mph overPrinted as: Speeding in excess of fixed limits, 20 to 24 mph above6 points. | $256.20[4] | $256.20 |
| Speeding, 25–29 mph overPrinted as: Speeding in excess of fixed limits, 25 to 29 mph above6 points. | $281.40[4] | $281.40 |
| Speeding, 30–34 mph overPrinted as: Speeding in excess of fixed limits, 30 to 34 mph above6 points. | $325.50[4] | $325.50 |
| Speeding, 35–39 mph overPrinted as: Speeding in excess of fixed limits, 35 to 39 mph above6 points. | $388.50[4] | $388.50 |
| Speeding, 40–44 mph overPrinted as: Speeding in excess of fixed limits, 40 to 44 mph above6 points. | $483[4] | $483 |
| Speeding, 45+ mph overPrinted as: Speeding in excess of fixed limits, 45 mph or more above6 points. | $546[4] | $546 |
| Speeding over a 65 mph limit, 1 to 10 mph above3 points. | $231[4] | $231 |
| Speeding in a work zone or emergency response area, 1 to 10 mph above3 points. | $243.60[4] | $243.60 |
| School zone speeding, 1–10 mph overPrinted as: Speeding in a school or safety zone, 1 to 10 mph above (346.57(4)(a) to (c))11 to 15 over is $50, 16 to 19 over $80, 20 or more over $100. | $40[4] | $218 |
| Violation of traffic-control signal by vehicle3 points. | $205.80[4] | $205.80 |
| Failure to stop or improper stop at stop sign3 points. | $205.80[4] | $205.80 |
| Failure to yield right-of-way from stop sign4 points. | $205.80[4] | $205.80 |
| Auto following too closely3 points. | $231[4] | $231 |
| Unsafe lane deviation4 points. | $205.80[4] | $205.80 |
| Unlawful U-turn3 points. | $205.80[4] | $205.80 |
| Failure to give signal3 points. | $205.80[4] | $205.80 |
| Illegally passing certain stopped vehicles3 points. | $294[4] | $294 |
| Texting or emailing while driving4 points. | $218.40[4][10] | $218.40 |
| Using a phone in a work zone where workers are at risk4 points. | $193.20[4][10] | $193.20 |
| Mandatory seat belt for driver and passengers age 4 and olderFlat $10 with no surcharges or costs. | $10[4] | $10 |
| Failure to stop for school bus4 points. | $798[4] | $798 |
| Operating a motor vehicle without insuranceForfeiture up to $500. | $231[4][11] | $231 |
| Non-registration of an automobileThe court also orders you to register the vehicle and pay the fee. | $205.80[4] | $205.80 |
With court costs is an estimate. It uses the same add-ons Wisconsin's own schedule shows on other tickets, which adds 26% of the fine plus $168.[4][10][11] Your notice shows the exact total.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Wisconsin?
- Speeding, 1–10 mph over3 pts[4]
- Speeding, 11–19 mph over4 pts[4]
- Speeding 20 or more mph over6 pts[4]
- Running a red light3 pts[4]
- Running a stop sign3 pts[4]
- Failure to yield4 pts[4]
- Unsafe lane change4 pts[4]
- Texting while driving4 pts[4]
How points work in Wisconsin
The DMV adds demerit points when you are convicted. Points are counted by violation date, not conviction date. 12 or more points in any 12 months suspends your license. Drivers signed up for eNotify get a warning at 6 to 11 points. With a probationary license, permit or no license, points double for the second and later convictions.[2]
Commercial driver? Points and disqualifications work differently. How tickets affect a CDL →
When can you lose your license?
- 12 ptsin 12 monthsRegular license or CDL[2]
- 12 ptsin 12 monthsProbationary license, instruction permit or no license[2]
Full wording of each rule
- 12 points in 12 months: Regular license or CDL: 2-month suspension at 12 to 16 points, 4 months at 17 to 22, 6 months at 23 to 30 and 1 year above 30.
- 12 points in 12 months: Probationary license, instruction permit or no license: 6-month suspension at 12 to 30 points and 1 year above 30.
Getting your license back after a suspension costs $50 in Wisconsin, before any course or court costs.[9]
Drivers under 21
Drivers with a probationary license or instruction permit get double points for the second and later convictions, except for equipment violations under chapter 347.[2]
Can Traffic safety course keep a ticket off your record in Wisconsin?
It can help. Cuts 3 points from your record. It does not dismiss the ticket.[2][3]
How often: One point reduction every 3 years.
Is it worth it for your ticket? Get a yes or no →
Who qualifies, CDL drivers and cost
Cuts 3 points from your record. It does not dismiss the ticket. If you are suspended at 12, 13 or 14 points, finishing the course may release the suspension.[2][3]
Who can use it: Anyone can take it. Courses are in person at Wisconsin technical colleges. No online course counts for point reduction. You have 30 days after finishing to ask the DMV for the reduction.[2][3]
Do school and work zones cost more?
School zones
If a child is present in a posted school zone, the speeding deposit is doubled. The 26% surcharge rises with it.[4]
Work zones
Speeding deposits double in a highway work zone, railroad or utility work area, or emergency response area.[4]
When is your ticket due?
- Date on noticePay or respondset by the court[6][7][13]
Details
Pay the deposit or enter a plea before the court date on the citation. If you miss it: The court can treat it as a no contest plea and enter a default judgment, or issue a warrant.
- 10daysAsk for a jury trial and pay the jury feefrom the court date[13][14]
Details
Ask for a jury trial and pay the jury fee. If you miss it: The case is tried by a judge instead.
- 20daysPay a default judgmentfrom conviction[7][8]
Details
Pay a default judgment. If you miss it: Your license can be suspended or a warrant issued.
- 180daysAsk to reopen a default judgment for mistake or excusable neglectfrom the court date[7]
Details
Ask to reopen a default judgment for mistake or excusable neglect. If you miss it: After 6 months the judgment stands.
What happens if you don't respond
If you don't pay or appear, the court can enter a default judgment as if you pleaded no contest, or issue a warrant. The judgment gives you at least 20 days to pay. If it stays unpaid, the court can suspend your license for 30 days or until you pay, up to 1 year, or order jail of up to 90 days. You can ask to reopen a default within 6 months if you had a good reason.[7][8]
Work out your exact dates → · Already missed it?
Will an out-of-state ticket follow you home?
- Shares convictions with other states (Driver License Compact)No[1]
- Can suspend you over unpaid out-of-state tickets (Nonresident Violator Compact)No[1]
Wisconsin adds no points for out-of-state convictions, but records them and acts on any that require a mandatory suspension or revocation under Wisconsin law.[2]
How out-of-state tickets work →
How much will it raise your insurance in Wisconsin?
One speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium by about 25% on average in Wisconsin[1], from a clean-record average of $2,016 a year.[1] If that increase stays for three years, that's about $1,512 on top of the fine.
Averages from ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026, not a quote. Insurers differ, and many look back three to five years.
Where are the official pages?
What else do people ask?
How do points work in Wisconsin?
The DMV adds demerit points when you are convicted. Points are counted by violation date, not conviction date. 12 or more points in any 12 months suspends your license. Drivers signed up for eNotify get a warning at 6 to 11 points. With a probationary license, permit or no license, points double for the second and later convictions.
How many points before your license is at risk in Wisconsin?
12 points in 12 months: Regular license or CDL: 2-month suspension at 12 to 16 points, 4 months at 17 to 22, 6 months at 23 to 30 and 1 year above 30.
Can traffic school keep a ticket off my record in Wisconsin?
Traffic safety course: Cuts 3 points from your record. It does not dismiss the ticket. If you are suspended at 12, 13 or 14 points, finishing the course may release the suspension. Limit: One point reduction every 3 years.
Will an out-of-state ticket follow me home to Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is not a member of the Driver License Compact. Wisconsin adds no points for out-of-state convictions, but records them and acts on any that require a mandatory suspension or revocation under Wisconsin law.
How much does a speeding ticket raise insurance in Wisconsin?
About 25% on average for full coverage, according to ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026. Your insurer's rate can differ a lot from the average.
Sources
Wisconsin law and DMV sources (14)
- AAMVA DLC/NRVC Member Joinder Dates (rev. April 2026), AAMVA.
- Wisconsin's point system, Wisconsin DOT / DMV.
- Traffic safety courses, Wisconsin DOT / DMV.
- Revised Uniform State Traffic Deposit Schedule, 2026 (updated edition reflecting Act 179 changes), Wisconsin Judicial Conference.
- Wisconsin Court System: Fees and forfeitures, Wisconsin Court System.
- Wis. Stat. §345.26 (deposit for traffic violations), Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau.
- Wis. Stat. §345.37 (procedure on default of appearance), Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau.
- Wis. Stat. §345.47 (judgment, nonpayment suspension), Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau.
- Wis. Stat. §343.21 (license and reinstatement fees), Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau.
- Wis. Stat. §346.89 (inattentive driving and phone use), Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau.
- Wis. Stat. §344.62 (required liability insurance), Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau.
- Wisconsin Court System: Pay court fees/fines online, Wisconsin Court System.
- Dane County Clerk of Courts: Traffic Citations, Dane County Clerk of Courts.
- Waukesha County: Traffic Citation FAQs, Waukesha County Circuit Courts.
Insurance sources (4)
- State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
- How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).