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Distracted Driving Ticket Fines by State

Distracted driving fines range from about $20 to $750 by state, plus court costs and points. Here is what a ticket costs.

Distracted driving fines range from about $20 to $750 by state, plus court costs and points. Here is what a ticket costs.

Fines for texting or handheld phone use vary widely: about $20-$50 for a first offense in California and a few others, $75-$200 in most states, and up to $750 in Utah. Many states add court costs and driver’s license points, and repeat offenses climb quickly.

Secondary-offense states often issue the citation only alongside another stop, but the fine still applies. See the state chart for the fine in your state.

Reviewed by D. Porter, traffic law writer

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a distracted driving ticket?

Typically $20-$750 for a first offense depending on the state, plus court costs and possible points.

Do distracted driving tickets add points?

In many states yes — points can raise insurance rates on top of the fine.

Are fines higher for repeat offenses?

Yes — most states increase the fine sharply for second and later offenses.

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