Question

What happens when you get a warning ticket?

A warning ticket, also called a paper warning, is a formal way for a police officer to tell someone that they broke the law while driving.

Usually, it involves a conversation with the officer, who will explain to the driver why they were pulled over. It can be issued for illegal road behavior, such as speeding, driving recklessly, driving through a red light, or parking illegally.

The officer will ask you for your ID and other relevant documents when you get pulled over for a minor violation. If he gets genuine and satisfactory answers to why you violated a traffic law, he may let you off with either a verbal or written warning.

Warning tickets do not require paying a fine and are not reported to your local DMV. Warnings are used internally by police departments to censure errant drivers and caution them to follow the law. However, Commercial License Holder (CDL) drivers can be affected by written warnings. This is because some written warnings can be recorded on their PSP Records (Pre-employment Screening Program).

Since warning tickets do not go on your driving record, they will not affect your auto insurance premiums. However, if you do have previous traffic violations on your record, it could still increase any future premiums you pay.