EXCLUSIVE

"Cosby Show" star Malcolm-Jamal Warner learned the hard way ... you can't block a highway down South whenever you please -- 'cause cops'll be all over your face faster than puddin' pops on a hot summer day.

McIntosh County Sheriff's department in Georgia tells TMZ, Malcolm and a group of people appeared to be shooting some kind of commercial in the middle of I-95 Friday ... causing a huge traffic jam.

According to law enforcement, deputies questioned Malcolm and discovered he had no permits to shoot, especially on the interstate ... so they handed out $95 tickets to each person involved.

Since they were out of state drivers, we're told Malcolm and his crew had to pay the tickets immediately at the station.

Not required, but clearly appreciated ... the photos (above) Malcolm took with deputies.