Citation vs Ticket: Is There a Difference, and Does It Go on Your Record?
Updated · By the Law Figures editors
General information, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and change, so check the sources below or ask a lawyer licensed in your state before you act. Legal disclaimer
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Citation vs ticket: in everyday use there's no difference. A citation is the formal name for the written notice an officer gives you for a violation, and "ticket" is what most people call it. What matters is what the citation charges: a civil infraction goes on your driving record, while a criminal citation, for a misdemeanor, can also create a criminal record.
| Term | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Citation | The written notice of a violation, traffic or otherwise |
| Ticket | The everyday name for a citation |
| Infraction | A noncriminal violation, punished by a fine |
| Notice to appear | A citation that requires you to come to court on a date |
| Criminal citation, or cite and release | A misdemeanor charge written on a citation instead of an arrest |
| Warning | No charge; some states keep a record of warnings |
Names vary by state and city. The citation itself lists the code section, which tells you which kind it is.
Does a citation go on your record?
It depends which record:
| Outcome | Driving record (DMV) | Criminal record |
|---|---|---|
| Paid infraction, like ordinary speeding | Yes, often with points | No |
| Infraction dismissed or done through traffic school | Usually not, or kept off public view | No |
| Misdemeanor citation, convicted | Yes, if it's a driving offense | Yes |
| Misdemeanor citation, dismissed | No conviction recorded | The arrest or charge may still show |
| Parking ticket | No | No |
Insurers look at your driving record. Employers who run background checks usually see criminal records, and some also check driving records, especially for driving jobs.
Paying a citation is usually a plea
In most courts, paying the fine counts as a guilty plea or a plea of no contest, and the court enters a conviction. For an infraction, that means the points and the insurance effects. For a misdemeanor citation, you usually can't just pay; the citation tells you to appear. In federal court, a no contest plea needs the court's consent (Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(a)(1)), and many state courts have similar rules.
Points and how long they last
Many states use a point system: each conviction adds points, and too many within a period can suspend your license. How long points count and how long a violation stays on your record differ by state. Your state's motor vehicle agency publishes its table, and you can usually request a copy of your own record.
Options before you pay
- Contest it at a hearing or trial.
- Ask about traffic school or a defensive driving course to keep points off.
- Ask about deferral, where the ticket is dismissed if you have no new violations for a set time.
- Ask whether the charge can be amended to a non-moving violation.
- For a commercial license, check the federal and state rules first; options like traffic school are often not available.
Not sure if your citation is a crime? See is a traffic ticket a misdemeanor.