A traffic ticket or citation is a document written by a police officer that alleges the driver (operator) of a motor vehicle committed a violation of state or local traffic laws while the motor vehicle was moving (also known as a moving violation).

A ticket or citation issued to the owner of a motor vehicle for violation of a state or local law that is alleged to have occurred while the vehicle was not moving (such as a parking violation)—and tickets or citations issued to pedestrians or operators of bikes, skateboards, or other non-motor vehicles for illegal use of streets, sidewalks, and other driveways—are known as nonmoving violations. A ticket or citation for illegal parking or another nonmoving violation usually requires the person to pay a fine by a certain date or appear in court to contest the charge.

A traffic ticket or citation usually requires the driver to pay a fine by a certain date or appear in court to contest the charge. In some states traffic violations are low-level misdemeanor criminal offenses—but in other states traffic tickets are classified as infractions or civil offenses. If a ticket or citation is classified as a criminal offense the driver's guilt or innocence will be determined by a jury or judge. But if a ticket or citation is classified as a civil infraction, violation, or offense the driver will be determined (adjudged) to be responsible or not responsible.

In Georgia, traffic tickets or citations for moving violations are issued by police officers when a driver is suspected of violating state or local traffic laws while the vehicle is in motion. Examples include speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence. Nonmoving violations, such as parking tickets, are issued to vehicle owners for infractions that occur while the vehicle is stationary. These can also extend to pedestrians or operators of non-motor vehicles like bicycles for improper use of roadways. Upon receiving a traffic ticket in Georgia, the recipient is typically required to either pay the fine by a specified date or appear in court to contest the charge. Traffic violations in Georgia can be classified as misdemeanors or infractions, depending on the severity of the offense. Misdemeanor offenses may require a court appearance and can result in a jury or judge determining guilt, while infractions are usually resolved by paying a fine or contesting the charge in court without the need for a jury. It's important to note that failing to respond to a traffic citation can result in additional penalties, including the possibility of a warrant for arrest in the case of criminal traffic offenses.