How to Get Out of a Speeding Ticket: The Ultimate Guide

There are a lot of Americans who drive a lot faster than they should. As a result, there are about 41 million speeding tickets given out all across the country every year.

Speeding tickets can be really expensive, too. While some states like Tennessee only charge speeders about $50, you can end up paying more than $2,000 for speeding in places like Illinois and Virginia.

It’s enough to make most Americans want to slow down and stay under the speed limit. It’s also enough to get some Americans to try and figure out how to get out of a speeding ticket when they get pulled over for driving too fast.

Here are some things you can do to try and convince a cop not to write you a speeding ticket.

Get Your License and Insurance Out Before Being Asked

You know the routine.

Any time you are pulled over by a police officer, you will need to give the officer your license and proof of insurance.

Rather than waiting for the cop to ask for it, you should get it ready as soon as you’re pulled over. This will save time later, and it will also show respect for the cop.

He or she will appreciate you thinking ahead and preparing yourself as a courtesy to them.

If it’s dark out, you should also consider turning on the light inside of your car so that the officer can clearly identify you.

Keep Your Hands on the Steering Wheel as the Cop Approaches

Many cops are concerned about their safety as they approach vehicles. They appreciate those who go out of their way to show that they are not a threat.

If you would like to do this, all you need to do is place your hands on your steering wheel once the cop starts to walk towards the front of your car.

Police officers will notice this and see that you are doing everything you can to be cooperative right from the start.

Knowing how to get out of a speeding ticket is all about showing a cop that you are not someone who deserves to be punished. That starts long before you even speak a single word to them.

Treat the Cop Respectfully Once He Reaches Your Window

This should almost go without saying, but you might be surprised by how many people starting blurting out excuses and being disrespectful when they get pulled over by a cop.

You might be really mad about the fact that the cop pulled you over. You might also be having your worst day in a long time.

But that shouldn’t stop you from saying, “Good afternoon, officer, how are you today?”

You have a much better chance of not getting a ticket when you are nice to a cop. At the same time, your chances of getting a ticket increase when you are immediately disrespectful to a cop who is just trying to do his or her job.

Avoid Making Excuses If the Cop Questions Your Actions

Most cops will give you a chance to come clean and tell them what you think you were doing wrong while driving.

You shouldn’t admit to speeding since that could potentially be used against you later. But you should steer clear of making excuses for how fast you were driving.

Don’t tell a cop you were driving fast because you’re late to pick your kids up from school. Don’t tell them you were driving fast because it’s your spouse’s birthday.

Instead, say something like, “I was under the impression I was keeping up with the regular flow of traffic back there.” It will acknowledge that you may have been speeding without trying to cover it up with some bogus excuse.

Resist the Urge to Yell at the Cop

When some people get pulled over for speeding, they go berserk. They shout things like:

• “My neighbor’s dad is a cop and he would never pull someone over for going 5 miles per hour over the speed limit!”
• “Don’t you cops have anything better to do these days than harass people for going a little bit fast on the highway?”
• “This is why so many people hate police officers!”

Do you think any of these things are going to get a cop to take mercy on you?

Yelling at a cop is not how to get out of a speeding ticket.

Ask Politely If a Warning Would Be a Sufficient Punishment

If you’ve tried to be nice and respectful towards a cop and it still sounds like you’re going to end up with a speeding ticket, you can throw a Hail Mary that just might work.

Many cops have the option of letting people off with a warning if they’re caught speeding a few miles over the speed limit. You can try and ask a cop if this would be an option for you.

The cop might not go for it. But if you have a clean driving record, they’re more likely to give you a warning rather than writing you a ticket.

Fight Your Ticket in Court If You Think You Have a Case

Some cops just aren’t willing to budge. No matter how nice you are to them, they’re going to write you a speeding ticket.

You might still be able to get that ticket dismissed. You can go to court with a lawyer and fight the ticket in front of a judge.

This won’t always work. But in many instances, a judge will reduce the amount of money you owe on a ticket or throw it out altogether.

Either way, it’s worth fighting a speeding ticket if you don’t think you deserved it in the first place. It could save you money in the end.

Learn More About How to Get Out of a Speeding Ticket

It’s not always easy to get out of getting a ticket. But knowing how to get out of a speeding ticket is half the battle. Try the tips listed here to see if it works the next time you find yourself pulled over for driving too fast.

Check out our blog for more tips on saving money in all kinds of different circumstances.