A Chart for License and Insurance Points for Driving-Related Violations in North Carolina
Insurance points and license points (or DMV points) are not the same in North Carolina. The law allows car insurance companies to consider insurance points for setting premiums or insurance rates. The DMV keeps track of license points. If you have too many license points, it can result in suspension or revocation of your license.
It is important to consult a qualified North Carolina lawyer right away if you are facing a traffic ticket, citation, or driving-related criminal charge such as a DWI, to help you minimize the potential impact on your insurance rates and your privilege to drive.
The following table shows the difference between insurance points and license or DMV points, and the possible increase in your insurance rate from common traffic tickets, citations, and driving-related criminal charges in North Carolina.
Failure to have a child in a seat belt or restraint
DMV Points: 2
Insurance Points: 0
Insurance Rate Increase: 0%
Littering from a motor vehicle
DMV Points: 1
Insurance Points: 1
Insurance Rate Increase: 30%
Speeding 10 mph or less over a speed limit under 55 mph*
DMV Points: 2
Insurance Points: 1
Insurance Rate Increase: 30%
Unsafe movement
DMV Points: 2
Insurance Points: 1
Insurance Rate Increase: 30%
Stop sign or stoplight violation
DMV Points: 3
Insurance Points: 1
Insurance Rate Increase: 30%
Following too closely, driving on the wrong side of the road, or illegal passing
DMV Points: 4
Insurance Points: 2
Insurance Rate Increase: 45%
Speeding more than 10 mph over the speed limit at a total speed of more than 55 mph and less than 76 mph
DMV Points: 3
Insurance Points: 2
Insurance Rate Increase: 45%
Speeding 10 mph or less over the speed limit in a speed zone of 55 mph or higher*
DMV Points: Varies
Insurance Points: 2
Insurance Rate Increase: 45%
Reckless driving
DMV Points: 4
Insurance Points: 4
Insurance Rate Increase: 80%
Hit-and-run resulting in property damage only
DMV Points: 4
Insurance Points: 4
Insurance Rate Increase: 80%
Passing a stopped school bus
DMV Points: 5
Insurance Points: 4
Insurance Rate Increase: 80%
Speeding in excess of 75 mph when the speed limit is less than 70 mph
DMV Points: 3
Insurance Points: 4
Insurance Rate Increase: 80%
Speeding in excess of 80 mph when the speed limit is 70 mph or higher*
DMV Points: 3
Insurance Points: 4
Insurance Rate Increase: 80%
Driving after consuming alcohol if under 21
DMV Points: Suspension
Insurance Points: 4
Insurance Rate Increase: 80%
Driving during revocation or suspension of license or registration
DMV Points: Suspension
Insurance Points: 8
Insurance Rate Increase: 195%
Aggressive driving
DMV Points: 5
Insurance Points: 8
Insurance Rate Increase: 195%
Highway racing or knowingly lending a motor vehicle for highway racing
DMV Points: Suspension
Insurance Points: 10
Insurance Rate Increase: 260%
Speeding to elude arrest
DMV Points: Suspension
Insurance Points: 10
Insurance Rate Increase: 260%
Manslaughter or negligent homicide by vehicle
DMV Points: Suspension
Insurance Points: 12
Insurance Rate Increase: 340%
Prearranged highway racing or knowingly lending a motor vehicle for prearranged highway racing
DMV Points: Suspension
Insurance Points: 12
Insurance Rate Increase: 340%
Hit-and-run resulting in bodily injury or death
DMV Points: Suspension
Insurance Points: 12
Insurance Rate Increase: 340%
DWI
DMV Points: Suspension
Insurance Points: 12
Insurance Rate Increase: 340%
Transporting illegal intoxicating liquor for sale
DMV Points: Suspension
Insurance Points: 12
Insurance Rate Increase: 340%
* No insurance points are assessed for a first conviction for speeding 10 mph or less over the posted speed limit if the violation did not occur in a school zone and there are no other moving violations in the last three years.
Have a Question for a North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney?
If you were hurt in a personal injury accident, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys in Raleigh, North Carolina for a free consultation. We can help you and your family recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and conscious pain and suffering. Even if the at-fault party’s insurance company blames you for the accident, our attorneys have experience in these cases to help ensure that you recover the maximum amount of compensation that you deserve for your damages.