Got a Speeding Ticket in Indiana? Here's Your Step-by-Step Action Plan
An Indiana speeding ticket isn't the end of the world—but how you handle it affects your wallet, license, and insurance. Follow these steps.
1. Read the Ticket Carefully
- Note: court date, county, violation code, speed alleged, posted limit
- Check: mandatory appearance? (Required for >25 over, work zone, school zone, CDL holders)
2. Choose Your Plea (By Due Date)
| Option | What Happens | Best For |
|---|
| Plead Guilty & Pay | Pay fine + court costs (~$150–$300). Points added. Done. | Low speed, clean record, no CDL |
| Plead Guilty + Traffic School | Pay fine + school fee ($50–$100). No points if eligible (once/3 yrs). | First ticket, want clean record |
| Plead Not Guilty → Trial | Court date set. Officer must appear. You present defense. | Factual dispute, radar calibration issue, mistaken ID |
| Request Deferral/Diversion | Some courts: pay fee, no violation for 6–12 mo → dismissed. | Clean record, cooperative prosecutor |
3. Points System (Indiana BMV)
- 1–15 over: 2 pts
- 16–25 over: 4 pts
- 26+ over: 6 pts
- Work/school zone: +2 pts
- 20 pts in 24 mo = license suspension
- Points expire after 2 years; conviction stays 10 yrs.
4. Consider a Traffic Attorney
- Cost: $150–$500+
- Worth it if: CDL holder, >25 over, prior points, accident involved, license at risk
- Attorney often negotiates reduction to non-moving violation (e.g., "defective equipment") = 0 points
5. Pay or Appear
- Online: mycase.in.gov (most counties)
- By mail: Check/money order to clerk
- In person: Clerk's office
- Miss deadline: License suspension, warrant, extra fees
6. After Resolution
- Check driving record (mybmv.bmv.in.gov) in 30 days
- Notify insurance if required (some policies require disclosure)
- If points added: consider Defensive Driving Course (once/3 yrs) for 4-point credit
Out-of-State Drivers
Indiana reports to your home state via Driver License Compact (45 states + DC). Your state applies its own points/penalties.
Act by the due date. Ignoring it makes everything worse.
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