Ticket Fines and Penalties in Connecticut

Connecticut Traffic Ticket Fines and Costs

Traffic ticket fines cost the same throughout the state, but they vary by violation. Check your traffic ticket for the section titled “Amount Due” (near the bottom right).

Each year, the state provides a Violations and Infractions Schedule; you can access this list online or obtain a small booklet version at your local library, policy station, DMV office, or Superior Court. The state updates this schedule every year on October 1.

Misplaced your ticket? Refer to Lost CT Traffic Ticket.

Court Costs and Other Surcharges

Like traffic ticket fines, court costs are the same throughout the state.

You can check the state’s Court Fees and Forms section, or contact your court for an exact amount.

DUI Surcharges

Surcharges related to DUI-violations depend on the offense number:

• First Offense: $500-$1,000
• Second Offense: $1,000-$4,000
• Third Offense: $2,000-$8,000

Refer to CT DUI for more information about penalties like jail time, community service, license suspension and revocation, and ignition interlock devices.

Operator Retraining Program

Generally, judges or the DMV order drivers who are―

• 24 years old or younger and have two moving or suspension violations, or
• 25 years old or older and have three moving or suspension violations

Failure to Respond Costs

Your traffic ticket includes a section titled “Answer Date.” You face a variety of penalties if you don’t pay or plead not guilty by that date (such as license suspension), but you also face extra costs:

• $60 to reopen the case. Pay this to the Clerk of Court, and note that it’s in addition to your traffic ticket fine.
• $175 to reinstate your driver’s license.

Auto Insurance Rate Increase

It’s common for auto insurance providers to increase their policyholders’ rates when they plead no contest or are found guilty of traffic violations―so, these increased rates essentially are additional costs associated with your traffic ticket.

Fortunately, your auto insurance company isn’t the only auto insurance company; start comparing insurance rates online to find more affordable rates.

Connecticut Traffic Ticket Penalties

Similar to traffic ticket fines, court costs, and other fees, penalties are fairly uniform throughout the state.

CT Driver’s License Suspension, Revocation, and Cancellation

Connecticut will suspend your driver’s license for a number of violations―both directly and indirectly related to traffic violations.

License Suspension: When you’re license is suspended, it means the state takes away your driving privileges for a certain amount of time. Depending on the circumstances, you might have to meet certain reinstatement requirements (in addition to waiting out the suspension period) before the DMV restores your driving privileges.

License Revocation: License revocations are similar to suspensions, but generally the last longer or indefinitely and involve more serious offenses.

Refer to Suspended CT License for detailed information about license suspensions; meanwhile, note the following are a few reasons for automatic suspension:

• DUI-related offenses.
• Reckless driving.
• Racing.
• Failing to fully stop when signaled.
• Assault with a vehicle.
• Manslaughter with a vehicle.
• Driving with an already suspended license.

Point Accumulation

If you accumulate:

• Six points, the DMV will send a warning letter.
• 10 or more points, you’ll lose your license for 30 days.
• Another 10 or more points, you’ll lose your license for up to 24 months.

Refer to the CT Point System for more information.

Penalties for Drivers Younger than 21

Per the state’s Zero Tolerance Law, drivers younger than 21 caught operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.02% or higher face license suspension.

16- and 17-Year-Old Drivers

16- and 17-year-old drivers and teens with learner’s permits face license suspension for violating the Zero Tolerance Law as well as offenses like:

• Violating any license restrictions.
• Speeding.
• Reckless driving.
• Street racing.
• Using a cell phone or other device for phone calls or text messages.

Some of these violations carry only 48-hour license suspensions. The officer takes the teen’s license, and after 48 hours pass the teen and his or her parents or guardians can retrieve it from the police department.

Check Chapter Three of the Connecticut Driver’s Manual for more information about young drivers.

Penalties for Connecticut Commercial Drivers

All CT CDL drivers must notify their employers with 30 days of getting traffic tickets.

Below are the penalties for CDL drivers as mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Major Offenses

You face a one-year license suspension or disqualification if you:

• Drive any vehicle with a BAC of .08% or higher.
• Drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a BAC of .04%.
• Refuse a sobriety test.
• Leave the scene of an accident.
• Commit of a felony with the vehicle.
• Drive a CMV with a suspended, revoked, or canceled CDL.
• Cause a fatality through negligent driving.

Serious Offenses

If you commit any of the following, it’s considered a serious offense:

• Speed 15 mph over the limit.
• Drive recklessly.
• Improperly change lanes.
• Drive too closely behind another vehicle.
• Drive a CMV without holding a CDL.
• Drive a CMV without having your CDL in your possession.
• Drive a CMV without the proper CDL endorsement.
• Violate a state law of texting while driving.

Second offenses bring 60-day license suspensions; third offenses bring 120-day suspensions.

CDL Disqualifications

You’ll lose your CDL for 180 days if you:

• Violate a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting nonhazardous materials.
• Violate a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded, or while driving a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers.

Visit FMCSA or refer to the Connecticut Commercial Driver’s Manual for more detailed information.