Ticket Terminology

Speeding Tickets, Traffic Tickets

Ticket Terminology

Ticket Terminology can be confusing. We are going to try to clear them up for you.

Traffic and Non Traffic Citations

A Traffic Ticket is related to a vehicle.

This might include Speeding, Fail to Obey Traffic Control Device, Fail to Renew Registration, Safety belt and more.

A Non Traffic Ticket that does not involve a vehicle.

This might include Jaywalking, noise violations, or other items.

Ticket Terminology Traffic Tickets? Let us talk about Moving Violation and Non Moving violation.

Moving Violations affect your record and can cause your insurance rates to go up.

How Can You Tell If it is Non Moving or Moving?

There is a list of moving violations and non moving violations on the Washington Administrative Code, also known as the WAC.

WAC 308.104.160 has this list.

This list is not exhaustive and some non moving violations can affect your record.

Moving Violations

According to WAC 308-104-160 the term “moving violation” means any violation of vehicle laws listed in this section that is committed by the driver of a vehicle, while the vehicle is moving.

Non Moving Violations

Non-moving violation include Parking violations, equipment violations or paperwork violations relating to insurance, registration, licensing and inspection.

How do these affect your record?

There are different consequences to you and your record for each violation.

There are several factors to consider when addressing a ticket, do you:

Have a Commercial Drivers License?
Drive for work?
Have an Intermediate License?
What is the specific charge (reason for the ticket)?

A Moving Violation that is reported to the Department of License will appear on your Driving Abstract for 3 years. It may affect your insurance rates and possibly your work.

A Non Moving Violation may be reported to the Department of License. The consequences for a non moving violation are less than for a moving violation and may not affect your car insurance rates. Each insurance company and policy is different.

For example: according to RCW 46.61.688 a person violating the safety belt law will be issued a traffic infraction. If a committed finding is found for the safety belt violation it shall be reported on the driver’s abstract but shall not be available to insurance companies or employers.

There are many ways an experienced traffic attorney can fight your ticket for you.

      
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 September 11, 2026
 
 
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 September 3, 2026
 
 
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 September 3, 2026
 
 
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 August 18, 2026
 
 
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 August 17, 2026
 
 
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 August 15, 2026
 
 
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 August 14, 2026
 
 
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 August 12, 2026
 
 
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