What’s the difference between a parking ticket and a moving violation in Las Vegas?

Nevada moving violations…such as speeding or failure to signal…are misdemeanors in Nevada. As crimes, moving violations carry the following consequences:

• Moving violations go on the driver’s criminal record (though convictions may be sealed one year after the case ends).
• The penalties may include a fine of up to $1,000, Traffic School, and (in rare cases) jail.
• The Nevada DMV will add demerit points to the driver’s license.
• The driver’s insurance premiums will increase.
• If the driver does not pay the fine (or fight the ticket in court), the judge will issue a bench warrant for the driver’s arrest.

  

  Moving violations are more serious than parking tickets in Nevada. They carry harsher penalties and consequences for non-payment.

In contrast, most parking violations…such as parking too far from the curb…are not crimes in Nevada but rather civil infractions. Infractions are not as serious as moving violations:

• Parking tickets usually do not go on the person’s criminal record.
• The fines are usually $100 or less.
• Traffic school and jail are not possible penalties.
• There is no demerit point penalty for parking tickets.
• Insurance premiums will not go up.
• And if the driver does not pay the fine, the worst that can happen is a fine increase and suspension of the car’s registration.

Anyone who gets cited for a moving violation in Nevada is advised to fight the charge. It may be possible to persuade the prosecutor to either dismiss the charge or reduce it to a parking ticket. Parking tickets carry far laxer penalties and long-term consequences than moving violations do. Learn more about Las Vegas Nevada traffic laws.