Ticket Fines and Penalties in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Traffic Ticket Fines and Costs

Traffic ticket fines vary throughout the state, contingent on court. This means a citation fine for disobeying a red light in Appleton may not be the same in Madison. Fines especially vary between Municipal and Circuit Courts. Contact the court listed on the citation for questions regarding your fine amount.

If your ticket has gone missing, learn what steps to take in our Lost Traffic Ticket page.

Surcharges and Fees

Along with the traffic ticket fine, you'll also be assessed surcharges and fees as established in the state statutes. These are used to fund various state projects and programs. Depending on the violation and license type you may be assessed some of the following surcharges and fees:

• Traffic Ticket Base Deposit
• Court Support Services Fee ($68)―Offsets county court costs
• Court Cost ($25)
• Crime Lab and Drug Assessment Fee ($13)―Funds state crime lab activities
• Penalty Assessment (26% of base deposit)
• Jail Assessment (1% of base deposit or $10, whichever is greater)―Funds county jail repairs and construction
• Justice Information System Fee ($21.50 statewide; $25 in Milwaukee)―Funds the computerization of the criminal justice system
• Railroad Crossing Improvement Assessment (50% of base deposit for violations relating to dangerous railroad crossings)―Funds railroad crossing protection installation and maintenance
• Driver Improvement Surcharge ($365 for all DUI infractions)―Funds driver improvement programs
• Truck Driver Education Fee ($8)―Pertains to commercial drivers

Auto Insurance Increase

Increased auto insurance rates usually coincide with traffic ticket convictions. You can counter a rate hike by shopping for a new provider. Comparing different car insurance rates online is a fast and efficient way for finding coverage that best fits your budget.

WI Driver's License Suspension and Revocation

Suspension and revocation are the two terms most commonly associated with loss of Wisconsin driving privileges.

Suspended License―The temporary loss of driving privileges. You may resume driving again once all reinstatement requirements have been satisfied.
Revoked License―The termination of your WI driver's license, usually for an extended period of time. Reinstatement requires reapplying for a new driver's license.

Traffic violations that could cause your license to be suspended or revoked include:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Refusing to be tested for alcohol or drugs
• Accumulating 12 or more points
• Classification as a habitual offender
• Leaving the scene of an accident in which you were involved, without identifying yourself
• Being at fault in a motor vehicle accident resulting in death

There are also many factors unrelated to driving the could also cause the DMV to pull your license. You can read more in Wisconsin's Motorists' Handbook.

Penalties for WI Drivers younger Than 21

Wisconsin law requires all drivers younger than 21 to maintain "absolute sobriety." If a police officer determines that you're impaired by alcohol or drugs you could face immediate arrest without being tested. If convicted, your license will be revoked.

Penalties for Wisconsin Commercial Drivers

You must notify your employer within 30 days of a traffic violation, regardless of the type of vehicle you were driving.

Major Offenses

You will lose your MD CDL for one year if convicted of any of the following offenses:

• Driving any vehicle with a blood alcohol count (BAC) of 0.08% or higher
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a BAC of 0.04%
• Refusing to submit to a sobriety test
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Using the vehicle to commit a felony
• Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with a suspended, revoked or canceled CDL
• Causing a fatality through negligent driving

Serious Offenses

These violations include:

• Speeding 15 mph over the posted speed limit
• Reckless driving
• Improper lane changes
• Following a vehicle too closely
• Driving a CMV without holding a CDL
• Driving a CMV without having your CDL in your possession
• Driving a CMV without the proper CDL endorsement
• Violating a state law of texting while driving

A second conviction of any combination of these violations will lead to the loss of your driving privileges for 60 days, or 120 days for a third or subsequent conviction of any combination of these offenses.

CDL Disqualifications

You CDL will be disqualified from anywhere from 180 days to one year for the following convictions:

• Violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting nonhazardous materials
• Violating 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