Running a Red Light in Texas: How Much Will the Ticket Cost?

Under Texas law, failure to stop at a traffic signal is a Class C misdemeanor. Expect to pay around $86 to $290 or more, depending on the county and your individual circumstances. However, there are cases where you can ignore a red light ticket or have it dismissed. 

Here’s what you should know.

Running a Red Light Ticket Cost in Texas per County

Driving through a red light is against the law, no matter your circumstances. What you’ll have to pay depends largely on the jurisdiction. Below are some figures to give you an idea: 

Note that these are just the base fines. Depending on the county, you may also have to pay administrative fees worth a hundred dollars or more.

For example, the base fine for running a red light in Tarrant County is $139.90. That may not seem like much, but the total cost will be $232 after adding the court fees. Similarly, El Paso County charges $134 in court fees in addition to a base fine of $86. 

Expect to Pay Higher Insurance Premiums 

The cost of a red light ticket goes beyond fines and court fees. This traffic offense will also appear on your record, leading to higher insurance premiums. 

According to recent data, Texas drivers charged with a red light violation pay around $43 more per month for car insurance than those with a clean driving record. 

What about Red Light Cameras in Texas? 

The fines for running a red light only apply if you get pulled over. Red light camera tickets are no longer punishable under Texas law. 

Texas legislators banned red light cameras in June 2019, deeming them illegal. Some municipalities were allowed to keep them, but any tickets issued cannot be legally enforced. The same applies to speed cameras. 

However, be aware that red light cameras are still legal in other states, such as California. So, if you’re caught on camera running a red light outside of Texas, you’ll be required to pay the fine.

What to Do If You Get a Red Light Ticket in Texas: 3 Options

If you received a red light ticket, you can pay it, contest it in court, or request an administrative hearing to have it dismissed. You can also get your ticket dismissed by taking a defensive driving course. In most cases, it’s in your best interest to get your red-light ticket dismissed. Let’s take a look at each option.

1. Pay the Fine 

The easiest way to deal with a red-light ticket is to admit guilt and pay the fine. 

If you go this route, the violation will appear on your record, bringing you closer to license suspension. Plus, you can expect to see your insurance rates go up. 

2. Complete a Defensive Driving Course to Dismiss the Ticket

Texans charged with minor traffic offenses can dismiss the ticket by taking a six-hour Texas defensive driving course. This option is available to those who:

• Plead guilty to the charge and pay the ticket.
• Have a valid non-commercial driver’s license.
• Haven’t taken defensive classes for ticket dismissal over the past 12 months.
• Had minimum liability coverage at the time of the offense.
• Were charged with minor moving violations, such as disobeying traffic signals.
• Did not commit the offense in a construction zone with workers present.
• Didn’t leave the scene of an accident.
• Didn’t attempt to elude or flee a police officer.
• Haven’t been on a deferred disposition probation in the past year.

Note that you may not take the course if you run a red light while speeding 25 mph or more over the posted limit. This kind of behavior can result in excessive speeding or reckless driving charges, which don’t qualify for driver safety school. 

If you meet the eligibility criteria, pay your fine and fill out a request form with the court. Wait for approval, then choose a TDLR defensive driving course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). 

When you’re done studying, you’ll receive a certificate of completion within 14 days. (At Traffic Safety Institute, we provide it instantly, and submit it to the TDLR within 24 hours.)

Submit this document to the court within 90 days from the date you received permission to attend defensive driving. The court will dismiss your ticket, preventing your insurance rates from increasing. 

Read: How to Get a Traffic Ticket Dismissed in Texas

3. Contest the Ticket 

Alternatively, request a court hearing to fight your ticket. Our advice is to choose this option only if you have strong evidence against the officer’s claims. Just be aware that you may end up paying more in legal fees (assuming you hire a traffic attorney) than the fine amount. 

Depending on your circumstances, you may use one of the following defenses to prove your innocence or reduce the charges you face:

• The traffic light was malfunctioning.
• The red light wasn’t visible (e.g., it was obstructed by trees).
• Heavy rain, fog, or ice made it unsafe to stop.
• You received a red light camera ticket.
• Your brakes failed unexpectedly.
• Another vehicle forced you through.
• The officer’s report has errors or contradictions.
• You were having an emergency.

Let’s assume you missed the red light because you were rushing to the hospital. In such cases, the judge won’t dismiss your ticket, but they may be more lenient and reduce the fine. 

Why Choose Traffic Safety Institute

Generally, it’s not worth fighting a red light ticket in court unless you’re about to have your license suspended. A better option is to complete defensive driver training to dismiss the ticket. 

Defensive driving classes will teach you about accident prevention, hazard recognition, vehicle safety, traffic laws, and related topics.  By the time you finish the course, you’ll become a safer, more confident driver and refresh your knowledge of traffic regulations. You’ll also be better equipped to handle emergencies on the road. (Learn more about defensive driving class benefits.)

At Traffic Safety Institute, we’re committed to offering a seamless learning experience for drivers of all skill levels. Here’s what makes us different:

✅ TDLR-approved and accepted by all Texas courts
✅ Study online at your own pace, from any device
✅ Fastest course allowed by law — only six hours
✅ Free instant electronic certificate 
✅ Same-day certificate submission to the Texas TDS and TDLR
✅ Sign up and take the course for FREE — no credit card required
✅ Pay a flat fee of only $31 when the course is over

Quick tip: Take the course voluntarily to qualify for defensive driving discounts of 2-10% for three consecutive years. 

➡️ Start defensive driving for FREE to dismiss your ticket!  

Bonus: Need one more reason to join? Get extra savings with our defensive driving promo code! Enter it at checkout, and we’ll automatically apply the discount. 

FAQs about Running a Red Light in Texas

Looking for more information about running a red light in Texas? Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions: