News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve answers viewer questions and shares tips about the rules of the road, helping Central Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated.
On Tuesday, Trooper Steve was asked what the difference is between a moving violation and a non-moving violation.
“If you’ve ever been pulled over and heard the words ‘this is a moving violation,’ you probably knew it wasn’t good news,” he said. “But many Florida drivers aren’t exactly sure what separates a moving violation from a non-moving one, and that difference can affect your license, your insurance, and your wallet.”
A moving violation occurs when your vehicle is in motion, and your driving behavior affects roadway safety.
[WATCH: Stop sign vs. stop bar: Trooper Steve explains the difference]
Common examples include:
- Speeding
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to yield
- Improper lane changes
- Following too closely
- Passing a stopped school bus
Because these violations involve how you operate your vehicle, they often carry heavier consequences, including:
- Points added to your driver’s license
- Possible insurance rate increases
- License suspension if too many points accumulate (in Florida, that’s 12 points in 12 months from violation)
A non-moving violation usually involves paperwork, equipment, or administrative issues, not the act of driving itself.
Examples include:
- Parking tickets
- Expired tags or registration
- Broken headlights or taillights (equipment violation)
- Tint violations
- Seatbelt violations
- Failure to carry proof of insurance
These violations typically:
- Do not add points to your license
- Carry lower fines
- Rarely affects insurance rates
- May be correctable once the issue is fixed
[WATCH: Trooper Steve discusses how to handle traffic tickets when moving out of state]
Points from moving violations can quickly add up if you happen to be a bad driver. That’s why moving violations often have long-term consequences, while non-moving violations are usually resolved once the citation is addressed.
However, ignoring any ticket can still result in license suspension, additional fees or a hold on your vehicle registration. The easy way to remember, if your wheels were rolling, it’s likely a moving violation. If your paperwork or equipment was the issue, it’s likely non-moving.
Understanding the difference between moving and non-moving violations can help Florida drivers avoid unexpected points, rising insurance costs and unnecessary stress.
[WATCH: When should you actually stop? Trooper Steve on Patrol breaks it down]