Though citation and ticket have the same meaning, there are times where you’re more likely to hear one of them over the other. Let’s look a little more closely at each word, and then examine how a traffic infraction on your driving record can increase your car insurance.
Is a Citation a Ticket?
Yes, a citation is the same thing as a ticket. However, there are certain situations where one word is generally used instead of the other. Here is a quick overview to help you get a better understanding of these two words. Citation is a more formal term you’ll often see when you have to pay or contest your ticket. You’ll usually see the word “ticket” in reference to the type of infraction (speeding, parking, etc.). How a ticket or citation affects your car insurance premiums depends on the infraction and the state you’re in.
When Is the Word “Citation” Used?
The word “citation” is a bit more formal than the word “ticket.” It’s a directive for an official document requiring a person to respond to a minor offense, although you can get a citation for major offenses like drunken driving, too. Here are four common times when you may see the word “citation” instead of the word ticket:
When Is the Word “Ticket” Used?
Less formal than the word “citation,” “ticket” still means the same thing. It’s a legal document that details what you’re accused of doing and what you need to do to resolve the situation. Here are four times you’ll usually see (or hear) the word “ticket” instead of the word citation:
How Citations Affect Your Insurance
Your driving record has a significant impact on the price you pay for car insurance. If you have one or more traffic citations, you’ll likely pay more than someone who doesn’t have any. However, not every type of citation has the same effect on your car insurance. States assign demerit points to different moving violations, and, typically, the more points you have, the riskier you are to insure because those points represent multiple and possibly serious citations. If this was your first infraction in the past three years and it’s a minor speeding ticket, you may not see your insurance rates increase. Parking tickets and other non-moving violations may also not affect your insurance. However, if you previously had a safe driving discount, you might lose that discount after a speeding ticket. Additionally, some states dismiss your ticket if you take a safe driving course. You may also get your traffic ticket dismissed if you make the changes required by a “fix-it” ticket, such as a broken taillight or an expired driver’s license.
