Traffic Violations
North Carolina uses a Safe Drive Incentive Plan (SDIP), which imposes penalties for convictions leading to an increase in insurance rates. This is one reason why you should never plead guilty to a traffic infraction without seeing if there is a possibility of a better plea.
Following are examples of some of the potential charges you can face.
| Charge | Points | Potential Insurance Surcharges | ||
| Failure to Reduce Speed | 1 | 25% | ||
| Failure to Stop (Stop Sign/Light) | 1 | 25% | ||
| Speeding (Depends on speed) | 1, 2 or 4 | 25, 45 or 90% | ||
| Illegal Passing | 2 | 45% | ||
| Following Too Closely | 2 | 45% | ||
| Reckless Driving | 4 | 90% | ||
| Driving While License Revoked | 8 | 220% |
In North Carolina, separate driver's license points are assigned for certain motor vehicle violations. If you accumulate twelve points within a three-year period, your license may be suspended. Your license can also be suspended for certain speeding violations, for instance speeding more than 15 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Following are the points assigned for various infractions.
| Charge | Points | |
| Passing a stopped school bus loading/unloading children | 5 | |
| Reckless Driving | 4 | |
| Following too closely | 4 | |
| Hit and Run (property damage only) | 4 | |
| Driving on wrong side of road | 4 | |
| Illegal passing | 4 | |
| Running through stop sign | 3 | |
| Speeding more than 55 mph | 3 | |
| Failure to yield right of way | 3 | |
| No driver's license | 3 | |
| Running through red light | 3 | |
| Speeding through work zone | 3 | |
| Most other moving violations | 2 |
Cary NC 27511
Phone: 919 872-2328
Cell: 919 608-9627
e-Fax: 919 882-9972
