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Understanding Your North Carolina Driving Record

Why Your Driving Record Matters

Your driving record is more than a list of tickets it’s your road reputation. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) tracks every moving violation, conviction, and license suspension. Insurance companies, employers, and courts all use this information to make decisions that affect your future.

At Stowe Law Firm, we review driving records every day to find opportunities, identify risks, and protect our clients from unnecessary penalties.

How to Get a Copy of Your Driving Record

You can request your official NC driving record directly from the North Carolina DMV in one of three ways:

  1. Online:Visit www.ncdot.gov/dmv and search “Driving Record.”
  2. By Mail:Submit form DL-DPPA-1 to:
    C. Division of Motor Vehicles, 3101 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697-3101
  3. In Person:Visit any NC DMV office and bring photo identification.

✅ Tip: Request a certified driving record for court use or insurance disputes.

Types of NC Driving Records

North Carolina offers two versions of a driving record:

Type

What It Shows

Best For

Unofficial Record

Lifetime record of all convictions, suspensions, and reinstatements.

Insurance and employment.

Certified Record

Official document verified by the DMV.

Court, hearings, or appeals.

Understanding Points and Penalties

Every moving violation adds points to your driving record.

  • Driver License Points:Accumulate through traffic convictions and can lead to license suspension.
  • Insurance Points:Calculated under the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) — they affect your insurance premium for up to three years.
Offense License Points Insurance Points
Speeding 10 mph or less (under 55) 1 0
Speeding 10–19 mph over limit 2 2
Reckless Driving 4 4
DWI (Driving While Impaired) 12 12
Driving While License Revoked 8 8

✅ Note: 12 license points within 3 years can trigger a suspension of your driving privileges.

How We Use Your Driving Record

At Stowe Law Firm, we analyze every record line-by-line to:

  • Identify outdated or incorrect entries.
  • Detect when convictions can be reduced or removed.
  • Determine eligibility for license restoration or expungement.
  • Build mitigation strategies for court and DMV hearings.

This record often holds the key to restoring your freedom behind the wheel.

💡 Pro Tips from Our Team

  • Keep a personal copy of your record at least once a year— small errors can have big consequences.
  • If you move or change insurance companies, confirm that your record is accurate before renewal.
  • If you’ve had multiple traffic citations, let your attorney review the record before pleading to any charge.

Next Steps

If your record includes suspensions, old convictions, or incorrect points, we can help.
Our firm routinely assists clients in clearing errors, restoring licenses, and minimizing insurance impact. Contact our office for a DMV record review consultation — it’s the first step toward clarity, confidence, and control.

This article is part of our Client Resources & Guides series, created to help you understand your rights and make informed decisions.
👉 Click here to explore more guides and insights from Stowe Law Firm.