Points v. Points

Unlike most states, North Carolina has two systems for assigning points for traffic violations.
The type of points will affect you in very different ways.

Department of Motor Vehicle Points (DMV)
Driving is a privilege . . . or To Drive or Not to Drive?

DMV points generally affect your privilege to drive. In most cases twelve is the magic number. DMV will look back at your previous three year driving history to determine points. If in the last three years you have accumulated twelve DMV points, your license may be suspended.

The length of the suspension varies depending on the number of previous suspensions. If you have had a prior suspension, the number of DMV points required to trigger another suspension is lowered from twelve to eight. When your license is reinstated after a period of suspension or revocation the DMV points are reset to zero.

Common offenses and the points for regular, non-commercial drivers.*

Offense	Point Values
Passing a stopped school bus	5
Aggressive Driving	5
Reckless Driving	4
Hit and Run, property damage	4
Following too Close	4
Illegal Passing	4
Running a stop sign	3
Speeding in excess of 55 mph	3
Failing to yield right of way	3
Running through red light	3
No driver’s license	3
No liability insurance	3
Speeding in a school zone	3
Failure to properly restrain child in a restrain or seat belt	2
All other moving violations	2

Source: North Carolina General Statute §20-16

Please see the Commercial Driver’s License Tab for more information.

Safe Driver Incentive Plan
Hitting you where it hurts . . .

The second set of points that can be assigned to you as a result of a conviction for a traffic violation are insurance points. These points determine the rate that your insurance company may increase your liability insurance due to the conviction. For most people, these points are the biggest concern due to the potential financial consequences. This is also a good reason to speak with an attorney to try to diminish the potential impact on your wallet.

Insurance companies also consider your three year driving history in determining points.

Below is a sample of certain traffic offenses and the corresponding points. Notice that they are completely different than DMV Points.

Traffic offenses and the corresponding points
Notice that they are completely different than DMV Points

Offesnse	Point Vallues
Driving while impaired	12
Aggressive Driving	8
Driving while license revoked	8
Hit and Run with property damage only	4
Passing a stopped school bus	4
Reckless Driving	4
Speeding greater than 75 mph where the speed limit is less than 70mph	4
Illegal Passing	2
Speeding 10 mph or more over the speed limit where the speed limit is between 56 mph and 75 mph	2
Speeding less than 10 mph or less where the speed limit is less than 55 mph	1
Any other moving violation	1

Percent that your insurance will increase for each point assigned

Points	Increase
One Point	25%
Two Points	45%
Three Points	60%
Four Points	80%
Five Points	105%
Six Points	130%
Seven Points	160%
Eight Points	190%
Nine Points	225%
Ten Points	260%
Eleven Points	300%
Twelve Points	340%

Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance