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 Virginia (VA), 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 often result in points being added to the driver's license, which can lead to increased insurance rates and the potential for license suspension after accumulating too many points. Nonmoving violations in VA typically involve parking infractions or vehicle compliance issues, such as expired tags, parking in prohibited zones, or having a broken taillight. The penalties for nonmoving violations are generally less severe than for moving violations and may not add points to a driver's record. Some nonmoving violations can be dismissed if the issue is corrected within a specified timeframe and proof of the correction is provided to the court. It's important to note that DUI offenses are treated with particular severity and can result in significant fines, license suspension, and even jail time.