If you’ve ever been pulled over and heard the words ‘this is a moving violation,’ you probably knew it wasn’t good news. 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.
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)
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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
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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.