Does a Police Warning Go on Your Record? (ANSWERED)

A police warning, whether verbal or written, is a formal way for a police officer to inform someone that they have violated the law while driving¹. It usually involves a conversation with the officer, who will explain to the driver why they were pulled over¹.

General Rule. Does a Police Warning Go on Your Record?

As a general rule, a police warning does not go on your record. This applies to both verbal and written warnings¹²³⁴. A warning is not a conviction and it does not appear on your driving record as a violation or citation³.

5 Exceptions to the General Rule. Does a Police Warning Go on Your Record?

While the general rule is that police warnings do not go on your record, there are exceptions to this rule. Here are five potential exceptions.

 1. Written Warnings

When a written warning is given, there is a paper trail associated with it, and that is why written warnings will typically go on your record⁴. However, even if an officer gives a written warning for a traffic violation, it is extremely unlikely the warning will go on your DMV record⁵.

2. Serious Traffic Violations

For serious infractions like reckless driving or drunk driving, the officer will issue a ticket⁶. But when the charge is minor, the officer can let the person off with a warning instead of a ticket and it generally does not go on the person’s driving record⁶.

3. State-Specific Laws

The rules of the road are not uniform across the United States. Each state government enacts its own traffic laws, valid within its borders⁶. That means that a road trip across the country will involve a host of different sets of driving rules. Violation of any of them can cost the driver a citation, or traffic ticket⁶.

4. Commercial Drivers

While a warning ticket does not affect regular drivers, it might affect drivers with commercial licenses¹. The specifics of how a warning ticket affects a commercial driver can vary based on the state and the specific circumstances.

5. Insurance Premiums

While a warning ticket does not go on your record and thus does not affect your DMV record, it might still affect your insurance premiums¹. Some insurance companies might take into account the number of warning tickets a driver has received when determining their insurance premiums.

In conclusion, while the general rule is that a police warning does not go on your record, there are exceptions to this rule. It’s always best to follow the law to avoid any potential issues.