A traffic ticket can seem like a minor thing but a conviction for a moving violation can have major consequences to your driving record, your insurance rates and to your ability to drive. A moving violation on your driving record can result in an increase in the amount you pay for your car insurance. For some violations, the State will suspend your license and you will have to pay to have it reinstated after serving your suspension. The chart below illustrates insurance point values and percentage of rate increase for conviction of certain offenses.
|
DMV Schedule of Point Values |
|
| Passing Stopped School Bus |
5 |
| Aggressive Driving |
5 |
| Reckless Driving |
4 |
| Hit and Run – Property Damage Only |
4 |
| Following Too Close |
4 |
| Driving on Wrong Side of Road |
4 |
| Illegal Passing |
4 |
| Failure to Yield Right-of-Way to Pedestrian Pursuant to G.S. 20-158(b)(2)b |
4 |
| Failure to Yield Right-of-Way to Bicycle, Motor Scooter, or Motorcycle |
4 |
| Running Through Stop Sign |
3 |
| Speeding in Excess of 55 miles per hour |
3 |
| Failing to Yield Right-of-Way |
3 |
| Running Through Red Light |
3 |
| No Driver’s License or License Expired More Than One Year |
3 |
| Failure to Stop for Siren |
3 |
| Driving Through Safety Zone |
3 |
| No Liability Insurance |
3 |
| Failure to Report Accident Where Such Report is Required |
3 |
| Speeding in a School Zone in Excess of the Posted School Zone Speed Limit |
3 |
| Failure to Properly Restrain a Child in a Restraint or Seat Belt |
2 |
| All Other Moving Violations |
2 |
| Littering Pursuant to G.S. 14-399 When the Littering Involves the Use of a Motor Vehicle |
1 |
|
Sample of Insurance Surcharge Increase |
||
|
CHARGES |
LICENSE POINTS |
INSURANCE |
| Failure to Reduce Speed |
2 |
Up to 25% |
| Unsafe Movement |
2 |
Up to 25% |
| Speeding 55 mph or Less |
2 |
Up to 25% |
| Exceeding Safe Speed |
2 |
Up to 25% |
| Failure to Stop (Stop Sign/Light) |
3 |
Up to 45% |
| Speeding 56-75 mph |
3 |
Up to 45% |
| Following too Closely |
4 |
Up to 45% |
| Improper Passing |
4 |
Up to 45% |
| Speeding over 75 mph |
4 |
Up to 90% |
| Reckless Driving |
4 |
Up to 90% |
For most offenses, we can appear in court for you and resolve the charge without you having to be there.
Due to a recent change in North Carolina law, the court costs and fine need to be paid immediately upon resolution of the charge. It has become more efficient for you to call ahead for an estimate of all the charges so that you can make immediate payment. The attorney will hold the money in trust and pay the costs and fines for you on the day the charge is disposed of. This will save additional fines being added onto the total cost and potential license suspension for failure to pay the costs and fine. It is imperative that you do not ignore a moving violation.