Reckless Driving Laws by State (2026)
How each state charges reckless driving and the maximum penalties, from each state criminal code.
| State | Reckless driving |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Reckless driving is driving carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of persons or property, or without due caution and at a speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property. A first conviction is punished by imprisonment for not less than five days nor more than 90 days, or a fine of not less than $25.00 nor more than $500.00, or both. A second or subsequent conviction carries not less than 10 days nor more than six months, or a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, or both, and the court may prohibit the person from driving for a period not exceeding six months. Ala. Code 1975 § 32-5A-190 |
| Alaska | Reckless driving is driving a motor vehicle in a manner that creates a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm to a person or to property. It is a misdemeanor (a crime, not just a traffic violation), punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both. Committing reckless driving while failing to stop for a police officer turns the eluding offense into failure to stop in the first degree, a Class C felony. AS 28.35.400; 28.35.182(a), (e) |
| Arizona | Reckless driving is driving a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a class 2 misdemeanor (up to four months in jail and a fine up to $750), and the judge may order the driver's license suspended for up to ninety days. A second conviction within twenty-four months (after a prior reckless driving, DUI, aggressive driving, racing or vehicular homicide conviction) is a class 1 misdemeanor with at least twenty days in jail and a one-year license suspension. A.R.S. § 28-693(A), (C), (D), (E) |
| Arkansas | Reckless driving is driving any vehicle in such a manner as to indicate a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. On a first conviction it is punishable by 5 to 90 days in jail, a fine of $25 to $500, or both; if physical injury to a person results, 30 to 90 days, a fine of $100 to $1,000, or both. A second or subsequent offense within three years of the first carries 30 days to 6 months, a fine of $500 to $1,000, or both, and 60 days to 1 year (same fine range) if it involves physical injury. Ark. Code § 27-50-308(a), (b) |
| California | Reckless driving is driving a vehicle on a highway or in an off-street parking facility with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property; speeding alone does not prove it. It is a misdemeanor punishable by 5 to 90 days in county jail and/or a fine of $145 to $1,000. Reckless driving that causes bodily injury to someone else carries 30 days to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine of $220 to $1,000. If it causes certain serious injuries (such as loss of consciousness, a concussion, a broken bone or serious disfigurement), or causes great bodily injury by a driver with a prior reckless driving or DUI conviction, it can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony (16 months, 2 or 3 years under Penal Code § 1170(h)). Cal. Veh. Code §§ 23103(a)-(c), 23104, 23105; CALCRIM No. 2200 |
| Colorado | Reckless driving is driving a motor vehicle, bicycle, electric bike or scooter in a way that shows a wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense (ten to ninety days in jail, a $150 to $300 fine, or both). A second or later conviction is punishable by a fine of $50 to $1,000, ten days to six months in county jail, or both. C.R.S. §§ 42-4-1401; 42-4-1701(3)(a)(II)(A) |
| Connecticut | Reckless driving is driving on a public highway, certain private roads, school property or a parking area for ten or more cars recklessly, considering the width, traffic and use of the road and the weather; it includes driving at a speed that endangers someone else's life and driving faster than eighty-five miles per hour. A first offense is punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than three hundred dollars, up to thirty days in jail, or both; each later offense is punishable by a fine up to six hundred dollars, up to one year in jail, or both. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-222 |
| Delaware | Reckless driving is driving any vehicle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. A first offense is punished by a fine of $100 to $300, 10 to 30 days in jail, or both; a repeat offense within 3 years brings a fine of $300 to $1,000, 30 to 60 days, or both, and only a first-offense jail term may be suspended. Driving 90 miles an hour or more on a public roadway is also reckless driving under a separate subsection, with fines starting at $150 to $300 or a traffic safety course for a first offense and rising for repeat offenses within 3 years. 21 Del. C. § 4175 |
| District of Columbia | Reckless driving is driving on a D.C. highway at 20 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, or in any other manner that shows conscious disregard of the risk of property damage or bodily injury. A first or second conviction carries up to 90 days in jail, a fine, or both; a third conviction within 2 years carries up to one year. Aggravated reckless driving, driving 30 mph or more over the limit, or reckless driving that injures someone, hits another vehicle or causes $1,000 or more in damage, carries up to 180 days for a first or second conviction and up to 2 years for a third within 2 years. D.C. Code § 50-2201.04(b)-(e) |
| Florida | Reckless driving is driving any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property; fleeing a police officer in a vehicle is reckless driving per se. A first conviction is punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $25 to $500, or both; a second or later conviction by up to 6 months, a fine of $50 to $1,000, or both. Reckless driving that damages another person's property or injures someone is a first-degree misdemeanor, and reckless driving that causes serious bodily injury is a third-degree felony (up to 5 years). If alcohol or drugs contributed, the court must order a DUI substance abuse course and evaluation. Fla. Stat. § 316.192 |
| Georgia | Reckless driving is driving 'any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property.' It is a misdemeanor punished 'by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months, or by both,' and the court may suspend the sentence or order probation. It adds 4 points to a Georgia driving record, according to the Department of Driver Services points schedule, and a driver with 15 points in a 24-month period will be suspended. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-390; Georgia DDS Points Schedule |
| Hawaii | Reckless driving is operating any vehicle (or riding an animal) recklessly in disregard of the safety of persons or property. It is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291-2 |
| Idaho | Reckless driving is driving on a highway or property open to the public carelessly and heedlessly, without due caution, or at a speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property; it also includes passing where a lane line shows a sight-distance restriction and driving more than 20 mph over the limit in an active school or construction zone. It is a misdemeanor: a first conviction carries up to six months in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. A second conviction within five years carries up to one year in jail, a fine up to $2,000, or both, and the license must be suspended. The lesser offense of inattentive driving is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine up to $300, or both. Idaho Code § 49-1401(1)-(3) |
| Illinois | Reckless driving means driving with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property, or deliberately using a hill, bridge approach or railroad crossing to make a vehicle airborne. It is a Class A misdemeanor (less than one year in jail, fine up to $2,500). It is a Class 4 felony (1 to 3 years) if it causes bodily harm to a child or an on-duty school crossing guard. Causing great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement is aggravated reckless driving, a Class 4 felony, or a Class 3 felony (2 to 5 years) when the victim is a child or an on-duty school crossing guard. 625 ILCS 5/11-503(a)-(d); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-55, -45, -40 |
| Indiana | Reckless driving includes driving at an unreasonably high or unreasonably low speed under circumstances that endanger others. The basic offense is charged as a Class C misdemeanor (up to 60 days and a $500 fine), and reckless driving that results in bodily injury is charged as a Class A misdemeanor (up to one year). Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52(a)(1)(A), as applied in Wilson v. State, No. 25A-CR-877 (Ind. Ct. App. Oct. 31, 2025) (mem.); Class A charge noted in No. 24A-CT-3066 (Ind. Ct. App. Oct. 16, 2025) |
| Iowa | Reckless driving is driving any vehicle in a way that shows a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855, and the court may order up to thirty days in jail. Iowa Code §§ 321.277; 903.1(1)(a) (Iowa Code 2026) |
| Kansas | Reckless driving is driving any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a misdemeanor. A first conviction carries 5 to 90 days in jail, a fine of $25 to $500, or both; a second or later conviction carries 10 days to six months in jail, a fine of $50 to $500, or both. K.S.A. 8-1566 |
| Kentucky | Kentucky law requires drivers to operate carefully and forbids driving any vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner that endangers people or property on or near a highway or highway work zone. A reckless-driving violation can lead to revocation of the driver's license under KRS 186.560, and a reckless driver who causes physical injury to a person is fined $500. Failing to drive carefully under the general careful-driving rule carries a fine of $20 to $100. KRS 189.290(1), (4), (5); 189.990(1)(a), (32) |
| Louisiana | Reckless driving is called reckless operation of a vehicle in Louisiana: driving a motor vehicle, boat, aircraft or other conveyance in a criminally negligent or reckless manner. It is a misdemeanor. First offense: a fine of not more than $200, up to 90 days in jail, or both, plus an added $5 fine. Second or later offense: a fine of $25 to $500, 10 days to six months, or both, plus an added $10 fine. The section itself does not set license points or suspension. La. R.S. 14:99(A), (B), (C) |
| Maine | Maine's version of reckless driving is called driving to endanger: driving a motor vehicle anywhere, with criminal negligence, in a way that endangers people or another's property. It is a Class E crime (up to 6 months in jail and a fine up to $1,000), and the court must suspend the license for not less than 30 days nor more than 180 days. If it causes serious bodily injury to another person it is a Class C crime (up to 5 years), with a license suspension of at least 180 days and up to 2 years. 29-A M.R.S. § 2413(1), (1-A), (3); 17-A M.R.S. § 1604(1) |
| Maryland | Reckless driving is driving in wanton or willful disregard for the safety of people or property, or driving at least 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. It is punishable by up to 60 days in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. The lesser offense of negligent driving (driving in a careless or imprudent way that endangers property or people) carries a fine up to $750. Md. Code, Transp. § 21-901.1 |
| Massachusetts | Operating a motor vehicle recklessly, or negligently so that the lives or safety of the public might be endangered, is a criminal offense punishable by a fine of $20 to $200, two weeks to two years in jail, or both. On conviction, the registrar generally must revoke the license immediately unless the court recommends otherwise. G.L. c. 90, § 24(2)(a)-(b) |
| Michigan | Reckless driving is driving on a highway, frozen public lake, parking area or other place open to the public in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days, a fine up to $500, or both. Reckless driving that causes serious impairment of a body function is a felony punishable by up to 5 years and a fine of $1,000 to $5,000; if it causes a death, it is a felony up to 15 years and a fine of $2,500 to $10,000, and the vehicle may be forfeited or immobilized. MCL 257.626(2)-(4) |
| Minnesota | Reckless driving is driving while aware of and consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the driving may harm others or their property, or racing on a street or highway. It is a misdemeanor (up to 90 days and/or $1,000), and a gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days and/or $3,000) if it causes great bodily harm or death to another. The lesser offense of careless driving (driving carelessly or heedlessly in disregard of others' rights or in a way that endangers people or property) is also a misdemeanor. Minn. Stat. § 169.13, subds. 1, 2 |
| Mississippi | Driving 'in such a manner as to indicate either a wilful or a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property' is reckless driving, a misdemeanor. A first conviction is punished by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $100; a second or later conviction by up to ten days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both (§ 63-3-1201). Miss. Code Ann. §§ 63-3-1201, 63-9-11 |
| Missouri | Missouri's reckless-driving offense is called careless and imprudent driving: every driver must use the highest degree of care and drive in a careful and prudent manner, at a speed that does not endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person; stunt driving is also prohibited. It is a criminal offense, a class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine), or a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000) when an accident is involved. A state careless and imprudent driving conviction counts 4 points against the license (2 points for a city or county ordinance violation). RSMo §§ 304.012 (effective 8/28/2025), 302.302; §§ 558.002, 558.011 |
| Montana | Reckless driving is operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, including while passing a stopped school bus showing flashing red signals. It is a criminal offense punishable on a first conviction by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $100 to $500, or both, and on a second or later conviction by 5 days to 6 months in jail, a fine of $500 to $1,000, or both. Reckless driving that results in the death or serious bodily injury of another person is punishable by a fine up to $10,000, up to 1 year of incarceration, or both. MCA §§ 61-8-301, 61-8-715 |
| Nebraska | Reckless driving is driving in a manner that shows an indifferent or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property; it is a criminal offense, a Class III misdemeanor (up to three months, $500, or both) on a first conviction. Willful reckless driving (a willful disregard for safety) is also a Class III misdemeanor on a first conviction, but the court must ban driving and revoke the license for 30 days to one year. A second conviction for either offense is a Class II misdemeanor with a 60-day to two-year driving ban and license revocation, and impoundment of a vehicle the offender owns for two months to one year. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-6,213, 60-6,214, 60-6,215, 60-6,216, 60-6,217 |
| Nevada | Reckless driving is driving a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property (unauthorized speed contests and trick-driving displays are also covered). It is a misdemeanor: a first offense carries a fine of $250 to $1,000, or that fine plus up to 6 months in jail; a second offense $1,000 to $1,500; and a third or later offense $1,500 to $2,000, each with up to 6 months possible. Speed-contest and similar reckless-driving violations also bring a 6-month to 2-year license suspension and vehicle impoundment. Reckless driving that causes death or substantial bodily harm is a category B felony punishable by 1 to 6 years and a $2,000 to $5,000 fine, with up to 10 years if the driver was going 50 mph or more over the limit or was in a pedestrian safety, school or school crossing zone. NRS 484B.653(1), (3)-(5), (9) |
| New Hampshire | Reckless driving is driving a vehicle recklessly (as defined in the criminal code) or so that the lives or safety of the public are endangered. In New Hampshire it is a 'violation', not a crime: the fine is not less than $500 plus penalty assessment for a first offense and $750 plus penalty assessment for a later offense, up to $1,000 plus penalty assessment. The driver's license is revoked for 60 days on a first offense and for 60 days to one year on a later offense. RSA 265:79, I (amended eff. Jan. 1, 2026) |
| New Jersey | Reckless driving is a motor vehicle offense in New Jersey (Title 39), not a crime under the criminal code. It means driving heedlessly, in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, in a manner so as to endanger, or be likely to endanger, a person or property (R.S. 39:4-96). A first offense is punishable by imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for not more than 60 days, or a fine of not less than $50 or more than $200, or both; a second or subsequent conviction by imprisonment for not more than three months, or a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500, or both (R.S. 39:4-96). R.S. 39:4-96 |
| New Mexico | Reckless driving in New Mexico is driving any vehicle carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, without due caution and circumspection, and at a speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property. A first conviction is punished by imprisonment for not less than five days nor more than ninety days, or a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100), or both; a second or subsequent conviction by imprisonment for not less than ten days nor more than six months, or a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. After a conviction, the director may suspend the driver's license or permit for not to exceed ninety days. NMSA 1978, § 66-8-113 |
| New York | Reckless driving is driving a motor vehicle, motorcycle or other motor-propelled vehicle in a way that unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of a public highway or parking lot, or unreasonably endangers its users. It is a misdemeanor. Under the general penalty for Vehicle and Traffic Law misdemeanors, a first conviction carries a fine up to $300, up to 30 days in jail, or both; a second violation within 18 months up to $525, up to 90 days, or both; and a third within 18 months up to $1,125, up to 180 days, or both, with a minimum $100 fine for a third or later reckless driving conviction. N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §§ 1212, 1801(1) |
| North Carolina | Reckless driving is driving on a highway or public vehicular area carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of others' rights or safety, or without due caution and at a speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property. It is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail depending on prior convictions and a fine up to $1,000. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-140(a), (b), (d); § 15A-1340.23 |
| North Dakota | Reckless driving is driving a vehicle recklessly in disregard of the rights or safety of others, or without due caution and at a speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property. It is a class B misdemeanor (up to 30 days and $1,500). Reckless driving that causes injury to another person is aggravated reckless driving, a class A misdemeanor (up to 360 days and $3,000). N.D.C.C. § 39-08-03; § 12.1-32-01 |
| Ohio | Ohio's reckless driving offense is called reckless operation: driving a vehicle on a street or highway in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property. It is a minor misdemeanor (fine up to $150, no jail), a misdemeanor of the fourth degree with one prior predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense conviction within one year, and a misdemeanor of the third degree with two or more within one year. R.C. 4511.20(A)-(B); 2929.28 |
| Oklahoma | Reckless driving is driving a motor vehicle "in a careless or wanton manner without regard for the safety of persons or property" (or in violation of the speed rules of § 11-801). It is a criminal offense: a first conviction is punishable by five (5) to ninety (90) days in jail, a fine of $100.00 to $500.00, or both; a second or subsequent conviction by ten (10) days to six (6) months, a fine of $150.00 to $1,000.00, or both. 47 O.S. § 11-901 |
| Oregon | Reckless driving is recklessly driving a vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public in a manner that endangers the safety of persons or property; it also covers intentionally breaking traction or spinning the tires in front of two or more spectators. It is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $6,250. A license suspension for reckless driving is one of the suspensions whose violation makes driving while suspended a crime (ORS 811.182). ORS 811.140, 811.182(4); 161.615 |
| Pennsylvania | Reckless driving is driving a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a summary traffic offense punishable by a $200 fine. 75 Pa.C.S. § 3736(a)-(b) |
| Rhode Island | Reckless driving is operating a motor vehicle recklessly so that the lives or safety of the public might be endangered. It is a misdemeanor for the first conviction and a felony for the second and each later conviction. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-4 |
| South Carolina | Reckless driving is driving a vehicle in a manner that indicates a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $200 or up to thirty days in jail. For a second or later offense within five years, the Department of Motor Vehicles must suspend the driver's license for three months. S.C. Code § 56-5-2920 |
| South Dakota | Reckless driving is driving on a highway, alley, public park, recreational area, or school or university property carelessly and heedlessly in disregard of the rights or safety of others, or without due caution and at a speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail, a $2,000 fine, or both. SDCL 32-24-1; 22-6-2 |
| Tennessee | Reckless driving is driving any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It also covers riding a motorcycle with the front tire raised off the ground in willful and wanton disregard for safety, and driving into a flooded road after knowingly ignoring a clearly visible flood warning sign or barricade. It is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 6 months and/or $500), and the court must also assess a $50 fine. Street drag racing is a separate, more serious offense (a Class E felony). Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 55-10-205(a)-(d); 40-35-111(e)(2); 55-10-502(a) (drag racing, as described by the Fiscal Review Committee) |
| Texas | Reckless driving is driving a vehicle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, on a highway or public place and also in business parking areas. It is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200, confinement in county jail for not more than 30 days, or both. Tex. Transp. Code § 545.401 |
| Utah | Reckless driving is operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, which includes driving 105 miles per hour or more on a highway or committing three or more traffic violations within three miles of continuous driving. It is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Utah Code §§ 41-6a-528, 76-3-204(2), 76-3-301(1)(d) |
| Vermont | Vermont does not use the term reckless driving; it charges negligent operation and grossly negligent operation. Negligent operation (driving on a public highway without ordinary care) is punishable by up to one year and $1,000 (up to two years and $3,000 for a repeat offense or if someone is seriously hurt or killed). Grossly negligent operation, a gross deviation from reasonable care, is punishable by up to two years and $5,000, up to four years and $10,000 for a repeat offense, and up to 15 years and $15,000 if it causes serious bodily injury or death. 23 V.S.A. § 1091 |
| Virginia | Reckless driving is driving on a highway recklessly or at a speed or in a manner that endangers the life, limb or property of any person, regardless of the speed limit. Driving 20 mph or more over the posted limit, or faster than 85 mph anywhere, is reckless driving by speed. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500. It becomes a Class 6 felony if the driver's license was suspended or revoked for a moving violation and the reckless driving was the sole and proximate cause of another person's death. Va. Code §§ 46.2-852, 46.2-862, 46.2-868(A)-(B), 18.2-11 |
| Washington | Reckless driving is driving any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $5,000. The Department of Licensing must suspend the driver's license for at least 30 days. A version taking effect January 1, 2029 adds a 150-day probation after the suspension during which the person may drive only a vehicle with an intelligent speed assistance device. RCW 46.61.500 |
| West Virginia | Reckless driving is driving on a street, highway, parking area or certain public property in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a misdemeanor: a first conviction carries 5 to 90 days in jail, a fine of $25 to $500, or both; a second or later conviction carries 10 days to 6 months in jail, a fine of $50 to $1,000, or both. Reckless driving that causes serious bodily injury carries 30 days to 1 year in jail, a fine of $50 to $1,000, or both. W. Va. Code § 17C-5-3(a), (c), (d) |
| Wisconsin | Reckless driving is endangering the safety of any person or property by the negligent operation of a vehicle. A first violation is a civil forfeiture of $50 to $400 (not a crime); a second or subsequent violation is punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000, up to one year in county jail, or both. Reckless driving that causes bodily harm is punishable by a fine of $600 to $4,000 and 60 days to 2 years in county jail, and reckless driving that causes great bodily harm is a Class H felony (up to 6 years). Higher penalties apply in highway work zones. Wis. Stat. §§ 346.62(2)-(4), 346.65(1), (3), (5), (5m) |
| Wyoming | Reckless driving is driving any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. It is a misdemeanor; the reckless driving section itself sets no penalty, so the general traffic penalty applies: a fine of not more than $200 for a first conviction, up to $300 for a second conviction within one year, and up to $500 and/or six (6) months in jail for a third within one year. Reckless driving is listed as a "serious traffic violation" for commercial driver's license purposes. W.S. 31-5-229, 31-5-1201(a)-(b), 31-7-102(a)(xli)(B) |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.