A traffic ticket (also called a citation) is a paper or electronic notice from police for a driving mistake, like speeding or not stopping at a stop sign. Most tickets are small, but how you handle them matters for your license and later for immigration.
Fines, points and court rules differ by state; see In your state below.
Read the ticket. Find the due date, the court name, and whether you must appear in court or may pay online.
Decide: pay or contest (fight it). Paying usually means you accept guilt, and points may be added. Contesting means you ask for a hearing and explain to a judge. Some people hire a traffic lawyer.
Some courts offer traffic school (a short class) to keep points off your record.
Pay or respond before the due date. Keep the receipt.
Many states give points on your driving record for each violation. Too many points can lead to a suspended license (you may not drive) and higher car insurance prices.
An unpaid ticket or a missed court date can lead to a suspended license, extra fees, and sometimes a bench warrant (an order from a judge to arrest you). Then a normal traffic stop can become an arrest, and an arrest is much more serious for immigration.
DUI (Driving Under the Influence; some states say DWI) means driving after alcohol or drugs. It is a crime, not just a ticket.
The US State Department can revoke (cancel) a visa after a DUI arrest, even before any court decision. This may not end your stay right away, but you would need a new visa to return after a trip abroad.
When you apply for a new visa, the consulate may send you to a doctor for a medical review, and the visa can take longer.
A DUI can affect a green card, a status extension, and citizenship.
If you are arrested, speak to a criminal lawyer and an immigration lawyer. Do not just plead guilty to finish quickly.
The safe rule: if you drink, do not drive. Use a taxi, Uber or a friend.
Green card and citizenship forms ask about your history with police and courts.
For citizenship (Form N-400), USCIS says you must send documents for a traffic incident if it involved alcohol or drugs, led to an arrest, or seriously injured someone. Check the current N-400 instructions for the full rule.
Answer every question honestly, even about small tickets. Hiding something is worse than the ticket.
Keep a folder with:
Court papers and the final disposition (the court's final decision)
Traffic school certificates
Throwing away the ticket after paying.
Missing a court date because you moved. Update your address with the DMV.
Driving on a suspended license. This is a crime in many states.