Connecticut Traffic Violations

Traffic violations include violations of traffic law committed while driving a motor vehicle. Traffic violations include misdemeanors (e.g., unlawful acts committed while driving), non-criminal acts (e.g., most speeding offenses and signal violation), and felonies (e.g., some hit-and-run cases) when there is serious injury or potential harm.

The general framework for traffic violations involves potential financial (fines, fees, auto insurance), legal (points, suspension, criminal exposure), and civic consequences (safety, compliance, etc.). Title 14 of the General Statutes sets forth the primary traffic regulations, such as DUI (C.G.S. § 14-227a), reckless driving (C.G.S. § 14-222), and evasion of responsibility (C.G.S. § 14-224).

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in Connecticut?

Any infraction of Connecticut's driving laws is considered a traffic violation. Title 14 typically charges routine behavior as an infraction or offense, such as speeding, disregarding traffic signals, and failing to stop or yield.

In contrast, DUI is a criminal crime that carries both judicial fines and administrative license repercussions, whereas reckless driving (willful/wanton disregard) is a misdemeanor.

Additionally, using a handheld mobile device while driving is strictly forbidden in Connecticut, with associated penalties and a requirement that the infraction be noted on the driver's record.

Types of Traffic Violations in Connecticut

Under Connecticut law, drivers may be cited for several types of traffic violations, such as:

• Speeding or traveling unreasonably fast is a serious violation (this violation follows Title 14 rules, and points depend on the specific charge).
• Running a red light or stop sign can get you in trouble (this is regulated by §14-299 and§14-301).
• Driving without a license, while suspended, or without the necessary insurance(this infraction comes after financial-responsibility and Title 14 licensing crimes).
• Reckless or careless operation is considered a violation in Connecticut (this is regulated by § 14-222).
• Hit-and-run (“evading responsibility”) is a traffic violation (this is regulated by § 14-224, with steeper penalties if injury/death results).
• Failure to yield/right-of-way errors (multiple § 14-3xx provisions).
• Distracted driving/handheld device use (§ 14-296aa).
• DUI / administrative per offense (this offense can lead to a court case plus DMV action).

Traffic Violation Penalties in Connecticut

Connecticut’s point system is set by regulation. Key features:

• Point values are assigned by statute violated. For example, handheld device use (CGS § 14-296aa) is a one-point offense; failing to obey a traffic control signal or stop sign is two points; certain right-of-way errors are three points; and the most serious listed offenses can carry four or five points.
• DMV must send a warning letter when a driver’s total reaches six points.
• If a new conviction pushes the total above 10 points within 24 months, DMV issues a 30-day suspension. A later recurrence (again exceeding 10 points within five years of that suspension) triggers suspension until the total is reduced to 10 or below. Points remain on the record for 24 months from assessment.

Fines, criminal exposure, and special regimes

• Reckless driving (§ 14-222) is a misdemeanor; penalties include fines, possible jail, and license consequences, escalating for repeat convictions.
• DUI (§ 14-227a) triggers court sanctions and DMV administrative penalties: in most cases, a 45-day suspension begins about 30 days after arrest, followed by ignition-interlock requirements; this is separate from the court case.
• Since § 14-296aa is specifically listed as a one-point crime in the point schedule, handheld device offenses are punishable under that section and, surprisingly, result in at least one point even if the driver mails in payment.

Compounding the effects of repeat convictions are new cases that add points to the over 10-point suspension threshold and particular offenses (such as reckless driving or specific teen-driver laws) that impose longer suspensions or higher minimums on subsequent offenses..

How to Search for Traffic-Violation Records in Connecticut

You will generally consult two systems (sometimes three):

1. Court case (ticket) status — Connecticut Judicial Branch. To locate case status, conviction details, and dockets, use the Criminal/Motor Vehicle Case Look-Up platform. Convictions within the last ten years for both criminal and motor vehicle offenses are listed in the Judicial Branch's conviction lookup. To pay for or contest mail-in infractions, use the Centralized Infractions Bureau (CIB) ePay interface. Note that new tickets might not show up for seven to thirty days.
2. Your driving record (MVR) — Connecticut DMV. You can request your driving history online or by mail. You will need to pay a request fee is $20. A typical MVR contains identifiers, license class/status, convictions, point assessments, and suspension/reinstatement actions.
3. Infraction schedules and amounts. To check what the fine ranges are for typical Title 14 violations, you may look at the Judicial Branch's current mail-in infractions schedule (Chart A), which contains the total amounts owed per offense.

What you’ll typically see

• Court docket/lookup: case/citation number, charge and statutory cite, court location, events, disposition, and financials. Conviction lookups are limited to the 10-year public window.
• DMV records: convictions with point entries (by statute), open/closed suspensions, and restoration dates.

How to Search and Retrieve Records Offline in Connecticut

The Centralized Infractions Bureau (CIB) handles mail-in infractions, whereas the Superior Court (in the county) hears contested infractions and criminal traffic matters.

You may take along a government-issued photo ID, your name, date of birth, and the case/citation number. CIB can search for the ticket by name and date of birth if you misplaced it.

For disposed Superior Court files, you may request copies of records from the Superior Court Records Center via email (include name and docket number; use online case lookup to find it). Typical turnaround is 1–2 business days; copy fees apply.

For infraction tickets processed by CIB, contact CIB directly for payment status or documentation. Mail payments to the address listed by the Judicial Branch if paying by mail.

Ask the clerk/Records Center for certification if needed for employers or insurers (per-page fees apply).

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record in Connecticut?

The DMV keeps records of most violations for 3 years, and records of serious violations can be retained for up to 10 years on the driving history. The points are valid for suspension calculations for 24 months after the assessment.

Judicial Branch conviction lookup: You may find records for criminal and motor vehicle convictions in the last ten years in public internet conviction records. Except they are sealed, court files of these convictions may still be available through the Records Center or the clerk.