Do Police Clearance Reports Include Traffic Offenses?
Do Police Clearance Reports Include Traffic Offenses?. When applying for a police clearance certificate, one common question is whether traffic violations are included in the report. This article will clarify the difference between criminal records and traffic offenses, and whether they affect your police clearance status.
What is a Police Clearance Certificate?
A police clearance certificate (PCC), also known as a police character certificate, is an official document issued by law enforcement authorities. It confirms whether or not a person has a criminal record in the issuing country. PCCs are typically required for:
- Visa or immigration applications
- Employment (especially overseas jobs)
- Adoption or legal proceedings
- Business registrations or licensing
Its primary function is to verify that the individual does not have any criminal convictions on record.
Are Traffic Violations Considered Criminal Offenses?
In most cases, traffic offenses are not considered criminal offenses and therefore are not included in a police clearance certificate. Minor violations such as:
- Speeding tickets
- Illegal parking
- Running a red light
…are generally handled by traffic authorities or administrative bodies, not criminal courts.
These infractions result in fines or penalties, but they do not show up in police clearance reports unless they escalate to a more serious level (e.g., reckless driving causing injury).
When Can a Traffic Offense Appear in a Police Clearance?
Although uncommon, some serious traffic related violations can appear on a police clearance certificate if they fall under criminal law. These include:
- Drunk driving or DUI
- Hit-and-run incidents
- Driving with a revoked license
- Vehicular manslaughter
These offenses are typically treated as criminal cases and would be documented in an individual’s criminal history.
Why Police Clearance Reports Focus on Criminal History
The core purpose of a police clearance is to assure employers, immigration officials, or other institutions that a person does not pose a criminal risk. As such, the report strictly focuses on:
- Past convictions
- Arrests for criminal activities
- Pending criminal charges
Since routine traffic tickets are considered civil or administrative matters, they are excluded unless they are directly tied to criminal conduct
Conclusion
police clearance report focuses solely on an individual’s criminal record and does not typically include minor traffic violations. Only serious traffic offenses that are classified as criminal acts, such as DUI or hit-and-run, may appear. For most purposes, routine traffic tickets won’t affect your police clearance certificate.