North Carolina DMV Point System – Traffic Tickets

If you’ve been involved in a traffic accident or have incurred a traffic violation, you might receive points on your driving record as well. Working with a Mooresville, NC, traffic violation lawyer may help you minimize the number of points on your record for lower insurance rates and less likelihood of license suspension.

What Is the Points System?

There are two separate points systems in North Carolina. One points system is used by the DMV to determine whether to take away a driver’s license due to excessive numbers of driving offenses. The second system is used by insurance companies to determine premiums for drivers with violations on their records. The same violation might result in different numbers of points on the two systems.

The DMV Points System

The DMV points system may be easier to understand because there are fewer points involved. Once a driver reaches 12 or more points in three years, their license is suspended.

The first offense warrants a 60-day suspension, the second suspension lasts six months, and the third or further suspensions last one year. If a driver gets eight more points three years after their license was suspended, their license may be suspended again.

Here are some common types of violations that result in DMV points being added to an individual’s driving record:

• One Point: This is usually reserved for littering while using a vehicle.
• Two Points: Moving violations not specified in other point tiers and not properly restraining a child in a seat belt or car seat may result in two points.
• Three Points: Moderate offenses like running a red light or stop sign, driving without a license or car insurance, or speeding through school zones usually result in three points being added to a driving record.
• Four Points: More dangerous offenses like reckless driving, driving on the opposite side of the road, passing illegally, and not giving the proper right of way to pedestrians or cyclists can result in four-point violations.
• Five Points: This category includes things like passing a stopped school bus and aggressive driving.

There are also offenses that result in an automatic suspension, including:

• Speeding in areas with 70-80 mph speed limits
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Highway racing
• Speeding to avoid being arrested
• Hit-and-runs that result in another person being injured or dying
• Accidents causing more than $1,800 worth of injury or $3,000 worth of property damage

The SDIP System

The North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan, also known as the SDIP, was created to encourage safe driving among North Carolina residents by allowing insurance companies to charge higher premiums to drivers who have committed traffic violations. This is also a points-based system, but if an accident results in multiple offenses, each offense can add more points to an individual’s driving record. Here are some examples of offenses:

• One to Two Points: Less egregious speeding offenses, smaller moving violations, and accidents resulting in fewer than $1,800 in bodily injury or $3,000 in property damage often result in one to two points or a 30-45% premium increase.
• Three to Four Points: A more serious accident with greater bodily injury or property damage is typically worth three points and a 60% rate increase. Speeding in areas with high speed limits, reckless driving, and hit-and-runs with only property damage are often assigned four points and an 80% rate increase.
• Eight to Ten Points: These point tiers are usually reserved for highway racing, avoiding arrest by going over the speed limit, aggressive driving, or driving while your driver’s license is already suspended. These can result in a 195-260% rate increase, depending on the offense.
• Twelve Points: Grave offenses like manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and hit-and-runs resulting in another person’s injury or death are assigned the maximum penalty of twelve points and a 340% rate increase.

FAQs About North Carolina DMV Point System

How Does the Point System Work in NC Driving?

There are two kinds of point systems in North Carolina. One system is used by the DMV. In this system, if you accumulate 12 or more points, the DMV can suspend your license. The other system is called the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP), which assigns points to drivers based on their driving records to determine their insurance premiums. There are certain offenses that result in an automatic suspension by the DMV, regardless of points.

How Long Does It Take for Points to Come Off Your License in NC?

Most violations “fall off” of your record after three years. There is still evidence of the violation, but the points no longer apply to your driver’s license. There is no way to make these points leave your record faster, but if your license is suspended, you might need to take an additional driver’s education course to get it reinstated.

What Happens When You Get 7 Points on Your License in NC?

Accumulating seven points on a driver’s license in North Carolina does not mean it gets revoked, but the driver might have to enroll in a Driver Improvement Clinic. If the driver successfully completes the clinic, then three points can be eliminated from their record. A driver can take this course once every five years. It is important to contact a traffic accident attorney as soon as possible after a violation to help you receive as few points as possible.

What Traffic Violation Has the Most Points?

Traffic violations that incur the most points based on the DMV system include passing a stopped school bus and aggressive driving, each granting five points to a driver’s license. There are other offenses that result in automatic suspension regardless of the number of points a driver has on their record, including DWIs, speeding on roads with 70 mph speed limits or higher, highway racing, and hit-and-runs causing injury or death to another person.

Protect Your Rights by Hiring a Mooresville, NC, Traffic Violation Lawyer

The points systems in North Carolina are complicated, and points on your license can result in severe consequences. Don’t let a serious accusation affect your driving rights without seeking legal counsel. To help protect your interests after a traffic violation, contact The Law Office Of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., for a consultation.