Moving traffic violations are violations committed by the driver or operator of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is moving—such as exceeding the speed limit, failing to stop at a stop sign or red light, failing to yield when required, making an illegal or improper turn, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI/DWI).

In contrast, nonmoving violations are usually violations that occur when a vehicle is not moving (parking violations) or not required to be moving (mechanical violations) to constitute a violation—such as expired license plates/tags; parking in front of a fire hydrant, in a no parking zone, or in a place that blocks a sidewalk; a cracked windshield; a broken taillight; or an illegal window tint (too dark).

Laws vary from state to state but the fines and penalties for nonmoving violations are usually less serious than for moving violations. Some nonmoving violations (usually vehicle mechanical problems) that are correctable may be dismissed if the driver fixes the problem within a short, specified period and shows proof the mechanical problem was fixed. And in many states nonmoving violations may not cause penalty points to be added to your driver's license or record.

In Illinois, moving traffic violations encompass offenses such as speeding, running a stop sign or red light, failing to yield, making illegal turns, and driving under the influence (DUI). These violations are considered more serious and can result in fines, points on the driver's license, increased insurance rates, and even suspension or revocation of driving privileges. Illinois operates on a points system, where accumulating too many points can lead to license suspension. DUI offenses carry particularly severe penalties, including mandatory fines, possible jail time, and mandatory driver's education courses. Nonmoving violations in Illinois typically involve parking infractions or vehicle compliance issues, such as expired tags, parking in prohibited areas, or having a broken taillight. These are generally penalized with fines and do not usually add points to the driver's license. Some nonmoving violations can be dismissed if corrected within a specified timeframe and proof of repair is provided to the court. It's important to note that while nonmoving violations are less severe than moving violations, they can still impact a driver's record and should be addressed promptly.