Insurance and Driving Points

Most traffic & speeding violations in North Carolina carry the penalty of driver’s license points, which are administered and tracked by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). In addition to driver’s license points, a conviction of most traffic violations will also lead to insurance points being assessed by your insurance company, which will lead to higher insurance premiums.

Driver’s License Points

The NCDMV will assign points for convictions of North Carolina’s Motor Vehicle Laws in accordance with the schedule below. If you accumulate 12 or more points within a three-year period, the NCDMV may suspend your license. The first suspension of your driver’s license under the point system shall be for no more than 60 days. The second suspension shall not exceed six months and any subsequent suspension shall not exceed one year. If you are in danger of losing your license because you have accumulated too many driver’s license points, the NCDMV may allow you to attend the Driver Improvement Clinic and have three points removed from your record. This, however, does not remove the points from your insurance. You can only take this Driver Improvement Clinic once every five years.

Schedule of Driver’s License Points

5 Points– Passing a stopped school bus
4 Points– Reckless driving, Hit and run property damage only, Following too closely, Driving on wrong side of road, Illegal passing
3 Points- Running through a stop sign, Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour, Failing to yield right-of-way, Running through red light, No operator’s license or license expired more than one year, Failure to stop for siren, Driving through safety zone, No liability insurance, Failure to report accident where such report is required, Speeding in a school zone in excess of the posted school zone speed limit
2 Points- All other moving violations, Failure to properly restrain a child in a restraint or seat belt
1 Point- Littering from a motor vehicle

Insurance Points

North Carolina drivers will be assessed insurance points if convicted of a moving violation or if they have an at-fault accident during a three-year period. This three-year period is determined to be the three-year period immediately preceding the date of application, or the date of preparation of renewal of your insurance policy. A conviction includes pleas of guilty, no contest, suspended sentences, forfeiture of bail, and the payment of court costs and a fine. Each household may receive one Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) every three years without it counting as a conviction. Prayer for Judgment Continued upon the payment of costs, without more, does not constitute the entry of judgment.

Table of Insurance Points

12 Points- Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle, Felony prearranged highway racing or knowingly lending a motor vehicle to be used in a prearranged race, Felony failure to stop and render aid when involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury or death, Felony impaired driving, including driving a vehicle while under the influence of an impairing substance; driving a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more; and driving a commercial vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or more, Transportation of intoxicating liquors for the purpose of sale.
10 Points- Highway racing or knowingly lending a motor vehicle to be used in the race, Speeding to elude arrest
8 Points- Operating a motor vehicle during a period of revocation or suspension of either the driver’s license or vehicle registration
4 Points- Failure to stop and report when involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in property damage, Reckless driving, Passing a stopped school bus, Speeding in excess of 75 miles per hour (mph) when posted limit is less that 70 mph, Speeding in excess of 80 mph when limit is 70 mph or greater, Driving by a person under 21 after consuming alcohol or drugs
3 Points– Each at-fault accident that results in bodily injury (in excess of $1,800) or death or total property damage (including the insured’s property) of $3,000 or more
2 Points- Illegal passing, Speeding more than 10 mph over the limit if total speed was in excess of 55 mph but less than 76 mph, Speeding 10 miles or less in excess of limit in speed zone of 55 or greater, Following too closely, Driving on the wrong side of the road, Each at-fault accident that results in total damage to all property which is in excess of $1 ,800 but less than $3,000.
1 Point- Speeding 10 mph or less in excess of a speed limit of less than 55 mph, Any other moving violation

Contact the Law Offices of Banks Huntley and know that your speeding ticket or traffic violation will be handled in an expeditious and professional manner. Let us help put money back in your wallet and keep points off your driving record. Call our office for a Free Consultation at (704) 910-6278.

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