What is a Moving Violation? Understanding Traffic Offenses and Their Impact
Why You Can Trust EverQuote
EverQuote powers millions of shopper requests every month, teaming up with industry-leading insurance specialists to address real-world challenges faced by people every day. We partner with the largest insurance providers in the nation, and our content is carefully crafted by experts and reviewed by licensed insurance agents for accuracy and relevance.
Drivers can receive moving violations if they don’t follow certain traffic laws. Your state may have its own rules that dictate moving violations and the penalties you’ll face afterward. In many cases, moving violations create unsafe driving conditions and therefore come with consequences to match the severity of the violation.
Learn more about what is a moving violation, the potential consequences of these traffic violations, and how they can affect your insurance policy.
Understanding Moving Violations
What is a moving traffic violation? In general, moving violations are offenses committed while a motor vehicle is in motion. However, the specific moving violation meaning can vary across locations.
Some states consider moving violations minor infractions, while others include misdemeanors. Other states also consider some felonies moving violations, sometimes split into separate categories that indicate the severity of the moving violation and the subsequent penalties.
Moving vs. Non-Moving Violations
Moving and non-moving violations are both types of traffic offenses. The primary difference between the two is whether the vehicle involved is driving or stationary.
Moving violations occur when the vehicle is in motion. They typically involve a type of unsafe driving. Therefore, they are likely to have a bigger impact on your driving record, driving privileges, and auto insurance rates.
Non-moving violations occur when a vehicle is not in motion. This can include parking violations, expired registrations, or past-due vehicle inspections. Since typically these violations don’t put others’ safety directly at risk, they may only have short-term consequences such as fines.
Common Types of Moving Violations
Common moving violations include speeding, reckless driving, and driving under the influence.
Speeding happens when you exceed the speed limit. Penalties are usually given depending on how much you exceeded the speed limit by. For example, the penalties for going over the speed limit by 5 mph are not as severe as the penalties for going over the speed limit by 20 mph.
Reckless driving is when you knowingly drive in a manner that puts yourself and others in danger. This could include excessive speeding or driving under the influence, as well as any other unsafe driving practices. The penalties for these offenses are often higher than for other violations because you are willingly putting others in danger.
Driving under the influence occurs when you drive while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. These types of moving violations are also often considered misdemeanors or felonies.
Additional Moving Violations To Know
Other types of traffic violations include:
- Running a red light or a stop sign
- Failure to yield
- Improper lane changes and unsafe passing
- Improper use of turn signals
- Distracted driving
- Driving without insurance
- Driving with a canceled, revoked, or suspended license
Consequences of Moving Violations on Insurance
The consequences for moving violations depend on your state’s traffic laws, the severity of the violation, and your past driving history. Penalties on your driving record might include:
- Fines – Fines will depend on the type of violation and how many times you have committed the same violation.
- Points on your driving record – Some states use a point system that assigns points to your license based on the severity of a violation. If you get too many points, you could face additional penalties such as license suspension.
- License suspension or revocation – Severe violations can result in the loss of your driving privileges either temporarily or permanently.
Violations listed on your driving record, as well as the subsequent penalties, factor into how insurance companies determine how much risk you pose as a driver. If you have moving violations on your record, you’ll generally pay more in insurance premiums than drivers with no moving violations.
Particularly high-risk drivers with multiple or severe violations, such as reckless driving or DUI, may struggle to find auto insurance for a bad driving record.
Preventing Moving Violations
You have the power to prevent moving violations. In most cases, moving violations and traffic tickets are given to drivers who have knowingly violated a traffic law. For example, you may choose to push past the speed limit, which results in you getting a speeding ticket.
The most important preventative measure to avoid moving violations is to be a responsible driver. Make sure you understand the traffic laws where you are traveling, and consciously follow these laws and drive safely.
Limit distractions when driving, such as using your cell phone, eating, having loose items in your vehicle, etc. Make sure you stay aware of your surroundings at all times. In addition, defensive driving techniques help you avoid unsafe maneuvers or collisions.
Ensure Your Coverage: Compare Car Insurance Options
Even if you have moving violations on your driving record, you can still find an insurance company with the best rates by comparing your options. Insurance rates can vary by location, driver profile, vehicle type, and many other factors. Use the free online quote comparison tool at EverQuote to compare custom options for you.