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The NC DMV Point System
By now you’ve probably heard a lot about “NC points.” But what are NC points? And why does it matter? The phrase NC points is slightly a misnomer. In North Carolina, convictions for traffic violations can result in two different types of points: DMV points (points on your driver’s license) and insurance points (points that make your insurance rate increase). Generally, when a person is convicted of a traffic violation they are punished with both insurance and DMV points. If you’ve ever wondered how many points a speeding ticket is or how a traffic ticket might affect your insurance then look no further!
How do DMV points affect my NC driver’s license?
Your NC driver’s license will be suspended if:
- You accumulate 8 points or more in the 3 years following a license suspension OR
- You accumulate 12 points or more in 3 years
The length of the suspension is determined by the number of suspensions you’ve previously had. Generally, the length of suspension is as follows:
- First suspension: 60 days maximum
- Second suspension: 6 months maximum
- Any subsequent suspensions: 1 year
How do insurance points affect my insurance rates?
- 1 point: 30% increase
- 2 points: 45% increase
- 3 points: 60% increase
- 4 points: 80% increase
- 8 points: 195% increase
- 10 points: 260% increase
- 12 points: 340% increase
NC DMV and Insurance Points (including, but not limited to):
| Offense | NC DMV Points | Insurance Points |
| Littering while driving | 1 DMV Point | 1 Insurance Point |
| Speeding (10 mph or less over limit when speed limit is less than 55 | 2 DMV Points | 1 Insurance Point |
| Speeding (10 mph or less over limit when speed limit is greater than 55) | 2 DMV Points | 2 Insurance Points |
| Speeding in a school zone | 3 DMV Points, generally | Insurance Points Depend on Speed |
| Speeding over 55 mph | 3 DMV Points | Insurance Points Depend on Speed |
| Speeding (80 mph or higher when limit is 70 mph or higher) | 3 DMV Points | 4 Insurance Points |
| Speeding (75 mph or higher when limit is less than 70 mph) | 3 DMV Points | 4 Insurance Points |
| At fault accident (property damage > $1,800, but < $3,000) | 3 DMV Points | 2 Insurance Points |
| Failing to report an accident (where required) | 3 DMV Points | |
| Lack of liability car insurance | 3 DMV Points | |
| Failing to stop for a siren | 3 DMV Points | 1 Insurance Point |
| Running a red light | 3 DMV Points | 1 Insurance Point |
| Running a stop sign | 3 DMV Points | 1 Insurance Point |
| Failing to yield right-of-way to another vehicle | 3 DMV Points | 1 Insurance Point |
| Failing to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian | 4 DMV Points | 1 Insurance Point |
| Driving on the wrong side of the road | 4 DMV Points | 2 Insurance Points |
| Following too closely behind another car | 4 DMV Points | 2 Insurance Points |
| Hit and run with property damage | 4 DMV Points | 4 Insurance Points |
| Reckless driving | 4 DMV Points | 4 Insurance Points |
| Aggressive driving | 5 DMV Points | 8 Insurance Points |
| Passing a stopped school bus | 5 DMV Points | 4 Insurance Points |
| Driving while revoked or suspended | License Suspended | 8 Insurance Points |
| Speeding to elude arrest | License Revoked | 10 Insurance Points |
| Highway racing | License Revoked | 10 Insurance Points |
| DWI | License Revoked | 12 Insurance Points |
| Manslaughter/negligent homicide | License Revoked | 12 Insurance Points |
| Prearranged racing | License Revoked | 12 Insurance Points |
If you have any questions about your driving record or your options after receiving a traffic citation contact us today for a free consultation!
About Ryan Stowe
Ryan Stowe is the principal attorney at Stowe Law Firm, PLLC. Mr. Stowe is proud to be practicing in his hometown of Salisbury, NC, and is a first generation Rowan County attorney. Mr. Stowe takes pride in being a criminal defense attorney. He focuse…
