Drivers receive citations for committing infractions, such as failing to stop at a stop sign or distracted driving. These can raise premiums by $100/month.

Written by Bonnie Stinson

Edited by Kianna Walpole

Updated on May 3, 2024

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What is a citation?
The different types of citations and tickets
What to do if you get a citation
The best insurance companies after a citation
FAQ
Meet our experts

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There is no formal distinction when it comes to a citation vs. a ticket. If you commit a traffic or driving infraction, such as speeding or running a red light, you’ll likely receive one of the two. Depending on your infraction, your

auto insurance

premiums can rise by $100/month.

What is a citation?

A citation is a legal document that you receive when you commit a traffic violation. The terms citation and ticket mean the same thing—citation is the official term law enforcement uses, whereas ticket is used more often by the general public. Typically, you’ll receive a citation or a ticket in one of two ways:

Paper citations are the traditional format, either tucked under your windshield wiper (as in a parking ticket) or handed to you directly by a police officer (as in a speeding ticket).

E-citations are now becoming more common. If you receive an e-citation via an officer’s tablet, first you’ll sign the form electronically to acknowledge that you understand your obligations and then you’ll receive a copy in your email inbox.

A citation/ticket will often include the following information:

What violation(s) you are receiving a citation for

A citation number (unique to you)

The legal consequences of your actions

Options for how to respond to the citation

How much time you have to respond before the consequences escalate

Citation charges will vary based on the type of infraction or violation you committed. For example, a parking citation will generally cost less than speeding or distracted driving charges—however, the overall price will depend on your state laws and regulations.

Learn more:

How long do speeding tickets stay on your record?

The different types of citations and tickets

There are two major types of violations for which you can receive a citation: moving and nonmoving violations. Both types of violations will go on your record, whether they were committed out of state or in the state where you’re licensed.

Moving violations

Moving violations occur when the car is in motion. Some of the most common include:

Speeding

Distracted driving

Reckless driving

DUI and DWI

Not stopping at a red light

or stop sign

Not using your turn signal

Not obeying posted traffic signals and signs

These types of charges will add penalty points to your record in most states. The number of points you receive depends on your state and the specific traffic law that you broke. Keep in mind that the more severe your charge, the harsher penalties and fines you may face.

Along with state-wide penalties, you can also experience higher than average car insurance rates. Here’s a look at the average monthly cost drivers with varying moving violations pay for car insurance in the US:

Violation	Average coverage cost	Total rate increase (%)
Failure to stop	$163	35%
Distracted driving	$168	39%
Driving without a seat belt	$211	74%
Failure to obey signal	$218	80%
DUI	$221	83%
Illegal turn	$233	93%
Speeding - Major	$247	104%
Careless driving	$275	127%

Nonmoving violations

These happen when the car is not in motion. Here are some examples of ticketable nonmoving violations:

Parking incorrectly or illegally

Broken headlights

Broken turn signals

Expired registration tags

No license plate

You can be cited for driving without insurance, driving without a seatbelt, and getting caught by a red light camera. But depending on your state, they might be considered either moving or nonmoving violations.

Violation	Average coverage cost	Total rate increase (%)
Failure to show documents	$147	28%
Improper parking	$159	31%
Defective equipment	$171	41%
Open container	$186	54%

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What to do if you get a citation

It’s important to take action on a citation immediately, as inaction can make things complicated and costly for you. After you receive your citation, you have three options: pay the fine, request mitigation, or appeal it in court.

Paying your citation

Depending on your state and municipality, you may have several ways to pay a fine, including: cash, check, money order, or through an online system.

If you’re struggling financially and can’t pay your fine, ask your local government about payment plan options for citations. Once payment is made, the violation will go on your driving record and you may get points on your license, depending on the infraction. You can also expect your insurance rates to go up at your next policy renewal.

Once you pay your citation, your infraction will appear on your
motor vehicle report
. However, some states allow drivers to complete specific programs to
remove points
once they’re added. For more information, visit your local DMV.

Requesting mitigation or appealing your citation

Depending on the nature of your violation, you may be required to appear in court, regardless of whether or not you plan to argue your case or plead guilty. In this case, your appointed court date and time will be located on your citation.

If you’re heading to court, make sure to bring any related documentation and evidence, especially if you plan to plead not guilty, as well as a method of payment. If you plead guilty to the charge, you’ll pay the fine and the violation will be added to your record. Plead not guilty, and the judge will review the evidence and make the final determination.

When you request a mitigation negotiation, you’ll admit to the violation and ask for leniency. The judge may decide not to put the citation on your record. You may have to pay some or all of the fine. This isn’t available in all cases, however.

Don’t ignore your court or payment dates
If you don’t show up for your scheduled hearing, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and your
license could be suspended
or revoked. Similarly, refusal to pay the fine associated with a traffic ticket can go on your criminal record and hurt you more in the long run.

The best insurance companies after a citation

Insurance companies consider driver license points when calculating your car insurance premium. If you’ve repeatedly committed traffic offenses, you’ll be perceived as a risky driver and charged more for coverage—or even denied coverage.

There are insurance providers that offer policies for high-risk drivers who have a moving violation on their record. If you’re looking for affordable car insurance after a citation,

shop around

and get quotes from a range of companies before you renew.

To help you get started, Jerry experts reviewed thousands of real policies for drivers with a range of violations. After compiling the data, we found these providers to be among the top insurance companies for drivers with a poor record:

Insurance company	Average monthly cost
Madison Mutual	$138
Clearcover	$171
Direct Auto	$176
National General	$185
Safeco	$191
Gainsco	$200
Allstate	$201
Progressive	$212
Nationwide	$232
Travelers	$210

However, keep in mind these are just average costs. Your quotes may differ based on your violation, previous history, and state regulations.

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FAQ

Citation vs. ticket–is there a difference?

Nope, they’re the same thing! A ticket is just what most people call it, but a citation is a technical term for the document you’re given when you commit a traffic offense.

How much does a speeding ticket cost?

Expect to pay about $150 for a speeding ticket. However, rates vary from one city to the next. You’ll be charged a higher fine for more severe speeding incidents.

Can I pay the fines on my citation online?

In nearly all states, you can pay your fines online. Your citation should have information about where you can go to pay the fee. Contact your local DMV to inquire about online payment options.

How can I find affordable car insurance if I have prior citations?

If you have prior citations, you should

shop around

for custom quotes to see which company offers the lowest rates for your driving profile. Your current company may not be the most affordable one going forward.

Can going to traffic school help my insurance rates?

In some states, you may be able to improve your insurance rates after receiving a citation by attending traffic school or taking an approved defensive driving course. Check the laws in your state to confirm whether this is an option for you.

Keep in mind that going to traffic school may not remove the citation from your driving record. It could instead allow you to "mask" the citation from insurance companies, though the police, DMV, and employers may still be able to view the incident on your record.

How long does a ticket affect your insurance?

Your insurance rates are based on your driving record—and tickets may stay on your record for three to 10 years, depending on your state. For instance, most

speeding tickets

stay on your record for three years before they fall off. The good news is that each insurer is different and factors in various things when determining premium rates.

What happens if you don’t pay for a traffic ticket?

Not paying a traffic ticket can trigger late fees, additional fines, and court fees. You could even face

license suspension

or an arrest warrant, depending on the severity of the incident.

Meet our experts

Bonnie Stinson

Bonnie Stinson is an insurance writer with 8+ years of experience as a content writer. They specialize in making complex topics like insurance and technology easy to understand. Bonnie has written over 1,300 articles to help people become confident car owners, from how to choose the right car and build a car insurance policy to dealing with stressful situations like car accidents and unexpected repairs.

Before joining Jerry’s editorial team, Bonnie worked as a digital media strategist and user experience researcher, producing content for Furnishr, STACKEDD Magazine, InfinityCore Health, and the global non-profit Giraffe Heroes.

Kianna Walpole

Expert Insurance Writer & Editor

Kianna Walpole is an insurance writer and editor with a comprehensive background in consumer behavior and online publishing. With experience in car insurance, maintenance, and repair, she is dedicated to building informative content that helps customers reduce costs while achieving the best service. Prior to joining the Jerry editorial team, Kianna worked as a junior editor in the content marketing industry, using consumer data and key insights to create and edit content for an array of large-scale clients in the real estate, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries.