Written by Background Check Repair
Background Checks | June 10, 2024
Table of Contents
Many people wonder, “Do traffic violations show up on criminal background check results?” The answer depends on a number of factors that are determined at the state level.
If a person has racked up multiple speeding tickets or traffic violations and is concerned that the tickets will show up on a background check, the most important thing to understand is the difference between criminal and civil convictions. And, to know how to run a criminal history check, so that way users can search their own records for any citations and charges.
This one distinction (the difference between civil citations and pending criminal charges) impacts what the background check will show, and whether or not it can impact future employment possibilities.
Do traffic violations show up on criminal background check reports? In short, the answer is yes — and no. With speeding tickets, the answer depends on how fast and how dangerous the incident is and how the police report is written.
Most traffic violations are not criminal citations, meaning they will likely not appear on a search. However, criminal citations are likely to show up on a background check showing arrests (which is all background checks).
Traffic violations either show up as a criminal citation or a civil conviction.1
When someone is applying for an open job position, it can help to know exactly what will appear on criminal history reports.
After all, speeding tickets can happen to anyone. With red-light cameras and hidden speed cameras positioned in nearby neighborhoods, small streets, and highways, more and more people get speeding tickets online or through the mail. Sometimes, people may even get tickets without knowing they did, leading to multiple tickets in a very short period.
So, understanding the difference between criminal traffic violations (even arrests without convictions) and regular traffic violations is key to seeing what will show up on a check.
A criminal traffic citation will show up on a background check as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity of the violation and the recurring nature (like if a warrant is issued).
Some violations while driving a vehicle include repeating offenses, driving under the influence, driving without a license, leaving an accident, reckless or dangerous driving, or vehicular homicide or manslaughter.
Since criminal citations and driving records can appear to a potential employer (such as a pending court case), it’s crucial to know what is on the record, how to defend it, and how to explain the situation to a possible future boss.
Employers can find these offenses by doing a driving record screening (motor vehicles check). This record shows the traffic citations, dates of the citations, and the outcomes (verdict, fines paid, jail time, etc.), which can impact driving-centric jobs.
The good news is, that traffic violations are less likely to show up on a background check than serious offenses. There are three reasons that violations will be less likely to turn up on a records check than you would find with misdemeanors or felonies:
Most traffic violations are considered a very minor “crime.” Since this crime does not involve endangering anyone else and was not committed with the intent of hurting someone else, it is less likely to appear on a criminal record.
Understanding the differences between a civil and criminal traffic violation is essential to seeing what may appear on a background check.
A criminal traffic violation is a more serious offense than a common traffic violation. If a person is charged with a speeding ticket or offense for a civil infraction, this is less severe than criminal traffic citations. 2
Some of the most common criminal traffic citations include driving under the influence, reckless driving, and vehicular manslaughter. In any of these instances, it is considered a criminal traffic violation and although some can result in probation, others can be classified as felonies and involve an immediate arrest and jail time.
The way in which these offenses are charged and recorded on a criminal history will depend on numerous reasons. Since an employer can run a driving history background check, this will include everything from minor offenses to serious crimes. However, in all cases, a criminal traffic violation will appear on the background check.
A criminal violation on a permanent record will depend on the severity of the offense and the number of occurrences. If a driver is a repeat offender, there is a higher likelihood of their criminal traffic violation appearing on a background check. 3
A civil traffic violation is a driving infraction that includes both moving and non-moving violations that do not abide by the driving laws.4 Although these offenses do not endanger anyone in any way or have malicious intent, they can still cause unsafe driving scenarios.
Some examples of civil traffic violations include failing to slow down and yield at a yield sign, not stopping at a stop sign, not wearing a seat belt, parking in a Handicapped spot, running a red light, and many others. 5
The following table provides links to every state’s traffic laws to ensure individuals obey the speed limit, drive on the right side of the road, and avoid traffic citations. 6
Different instances on the road will count for either a criminal traffic violation or a civil conviction.
A criminal traffic violation involves police charging an individual with a crime, whereas a civil traffic ticket is typically a monetary fine.7
The following table provides an overview of the most common traffic violations and whether they will show up on a background check.
| Traffic Violation | Criminal Conviction | Civil Conviction | Will It Show Up on a Background Check? |
| Drinking & Driving Violations | Yes | No | Yes |
| Driving on the Right Side | No | No | No |
| Driving Without a License/Suspended License 8 | Yes – Depends on the state and circumstances | Yes | Yes |
| Driving Without Insurance / Insufficient Insurance | Yes – varies based on state laws | Yes | Yes |
| Driving Without Registration / Expired Registration | No | Yes | No |
| Illegal U-Turn | No | Yes | No |
| Running a Red Light/Stop Sign | No – only if the driver hits someone or another vehicle maliciously | Yes | No |
| Leaving the Scene of an Accident / Hit & Run | Yes | No | Yes |
| Mechanical Violations (broken lights) | No | Yes | No |
| Move Over Law | Yes | No | Yes |
| Reckless Driving | Yes | No | Yes |
| Seat Belt / Child Restraint Violations | No | Yes | No |
| Speeding | No | Yes | No |
| Speeding 15+ MPH over Limit 9 | Yes | No | No |
| Unlawful Vehicle Modifications | Depends on the state | No | No |
| Illegal Parking | No (except for disabled drivers) | Yes | No |
| Street Racing | No – except if injury occurs | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicular Homicide | Yes | No | Yes |
Understanding the answer to “Do traffic violations show up on background check results,” can help job seekers know how to address any instances that may cause a negative failed background screening report after an employment offer.
Pending traffic tickets will show on a person’s driving record. If the charge is a criminal offense, such as driving with a revoked license or malicious driving, this can show on a person’s criminal history during a criminal background check.
If the traffic violation was a civil conviction, such as running a red light by ancient or illegally parking, this will not show up on a criminal background check. However, if an employer runs a specific driver background check, traffic violations will appear.
In simple terms, no — a traffic ticket is not directly conducive to a criminal conviction. A traffic ticket can be a harmful offense, whereas a criminal conviction shows malicious intent.10
A traffic violation will only go on a person’s permanent criminal record if the conviction was criminal. For example, if a person was charged with reckless driving, driving without a license, or leaving the scene after an accident, this classifies as criminal activity.
Criminal traffic violations (since they are felony and misdemeanor convictions), pending cases, and a history of imprisonment are commonly shown on a background check.
Traffic warnings do not show on a background check. Warnings are typically reported to the local law enforcement agency to keep track of a person’s record and patterns without actually inputting any of this offense into the driving record history.
Parking tickets do not go on a person’s driving record since they do not indicate any malicious intent as a driver, willful ignorance, or safe driving concerns.
Civil violations while driving do not show on background checks, but they will show up on a driver’s background check conducted by an employer.
Individuals do not have to tell a potential future employer about any speeding tickets or citations from a fee-based offense, such as illegal parking, overstaying parking, and red light cameras.
Individuals who have multiple criminal convictions when it comes to driving will more likely have a harder time getting a job that involves transportation when compared to those who have a clean driving record. A bad driving record typically includes moving violations, multiple accidents, or severe charges (i.e., reckless driving, driving while under the influence, manslaughter).
Traffic tickets will not show on an FBI background investigation, but any instance of criminal offenses while driving will. A simple infraction, such as speeding or running a stop sign, will not show on a background check if the criminal check solely focuses on criminal activity.
Traffic violations and misdemeanors will only deter an employer from hiring you in certain job positions, such as truck drivers, transportation workers, and others operating in the automotive industry.
Since driving without a license is a felony, this will show on a background check. Especially if the person is applying for a DOT position.
1Do Employee Background Checks Include Traffic Violations? Apply. Retrieved from <https://applya.com/employment-screening/do-employee-background-checks-include-traffic-violations/>
2Giallanza, M. (2021). How do Violations Show up on a Criminal Background Check? MetroData. Retrieved from <https://www.metro-check.com/2021/08/24/how-do-violations-show-up-on-a-criminal-background-check/>
3Klazema, M. (2018) Do Traffic Tickets Show on Criminal Background Checks? Background Checks. Retrieved from <https://www.backgroundchecks.com/blog/do-traffic-tickets-show-on-criminal-background-checks>
4The Difference Between a Civil Traffic Infraction and a Criminal Traffic Offense. (2013). The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger. Retrieved from <http://www.tampaflcriminaldefenselawyers.com/Blog/2013/May/The-Difference-Between-a-Civil-Traffic-Infractio.>
5Civil Traffic Ticket vs. Criminal Traffic Ticket. (2012). The Wiseman Law Firm. Retrieved from <https://www.wisemantriallaw.com/blog/2012/august/the-difference-between-a-civil-traffic-ticket-ci/>
6State Traffic Laws. FindLaw. Retrieved from <https://www.findlaw.com/traffic/traffic-tickets/state-traffic-laws.html>
7Was Your Ticket a Civil Traffic Ticket or a Traffic Offense or Both? Content Law. Retrieved from <https://www.contant-law.com/criminal-defense/civil-traffic-ticket-violations/>
8Vallet, M. (2021). Driving Without a License: Penalties by State. Retrieved from <https://www.carinsurance.com/Articles/driving-without-license-penalties-by-state.aspx>
9Klazema, M. (2021). Will My Speeding Ticket Show Up on a Background Check? Background Checks. Retrieved from <https://www.backgroundchecks.com/blog/will-my-speeding-ticket-show-up-on-a-background-check#>
10Is a Traffic Ticket a Criminal Offense? (2021). Foley Griffin Attorneys at Law. Retrieved from <https://www.foleygriffin.com/blog/2021/april/is-a-traffic-ticket-a-criminal-offense-/>
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it