Your Raleigh Traffic Offense Can Cost You More than Cash

The consequences for traffic offenses can be steep, and there are more than just fines at stake. Depending on the nature of the ticket and previous incidents, you may lose your license or face jail time. Because paying the fine is an admission of guilt, it’s important to manage any issue as it occurs. Otherwise, a seemingly small incident can wind up being a huge problem later due to North Carolina’s point accumulation system.

How North Carolina’s Point System Works

Per NCDOT guidelines, a driver who accrues seven points can be required to attend driving school. Presently, the fee is $50, and once it has been completed, three points are deducted from the driver’s total. However, anyone who receives 12 points in a three-year period is subject to suspension. Once the license has been reinstated, a driver may only accrue eight points within three years before having it suspended again. The first time a license is taken away, the penalty is a 60-day suspension. The penalties for a second and third suspension are 6 and 12 months, respectively.

Points are Assigned Based on Severity of the Traffic Offense

The number of points assigned range anywhere from one to five, depending on the nature of the violation.

5 Points

• Aggressive driving
• Passing a school bus that has stopped

4 Points

• Driving on wrong side of the road
• Driving recklessly
• Failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian, bicycle, motor scooter or motorcycle
• Following too closely
• Leaving the scene of an accident where only property damage occurred
• Passing illegally

3 Points

• Driving through a safety zone
• Driving with a license that expired more than one year ago
• Driving without a license
• Driving without liability insurance
• Failing to report an accident
• Failing to stop at a stop sign, red light, or for a siren
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Speeding at a rate greater than 55mph or in a school zone

2 Points

• Any moving violation not previously mentioned
• Failing to restrain a child with a proper booster seat or seatbelt

1 Point

• Littering from a vehicle

Some Things Can Cause You to Lose Your License Immediately

30 Days

• Driving more than 15 mph over the posted limit, while exceeding 55 mph (first time)

60 Days

• Driving more than 15 mph over the posted limit, while exceeding 55 mph (second time)
• Driving recklessly while speeding

12 Months

• Driving more than 15 mph over the posted limit, while exceeding 55 mph and attempting to evade law enforcement
• Driving recklessly (second time in 12 months)
• DWI (first time)
• Killing a person with a vehicle (when it’s a misdemeanor, such as in an accident or when another violation has occurred)
• Obtaining a license or permit under false pretenses
• Refusing to submit to a blood or breath test

36 Months

• Unlawful Racing Charges (racing, betting on a race, watching a race, or loaning a car for a race)

48 Months

• DWI (second time)

Permanent Suspension

• DWI (third time)
• Killing a person with a vehicle (when it’s a felony, such as intentionally or while under the influence)

Raleigh Traffic Offense Attorney

The list goes on. There are so many things that can cost you your license, and can have an impact on your ability to work or travel freely. Regardless of how small you think your violation is, you owe it to yourself to see if the charges can be dropped or reduced. It may not seem like much now, but as the points add up, you may face serious consequences that last a lifetime. Please contact us for a case evaluation using our online form or speak with one of our attorneys now by calling 919-833-5555.