Can North Carolina officers give warning tickets for any traffic offense? What you need to know

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Getting pulled over for speeding or having expired tags can result in a ticket, which often leads to fines, court appearances, and higher insurance rates.

However, officers sometimes issue warnings instead of tickets. According to Master Trooper Christopher Casey with N.C. State Highway Patrol, citations are issued for "clear cut, substantial violations of the law." The likelihood of receiving a warning depends on the severity of the offense.

Minor Infractions and Warnings

Possible Warning Scenarios:

• Minor Speeding: Driving "eight or nine miles" over the speed limit.
• Expired Tags: Officers may issue a warning for expired tags to make the driver aware of the issue without imposing a citation.

Serious Violations:

• Driving While Impaired (DWI): Always results in a charge or arrest.
• Reckless Driving: If the violation is severe, it will result in a citation or arrest.

Impact of Warning Tickets

Driving Record:

• No Record Impact: Warning tickets do not appear on your driving record.
• No Fines or Court Appearances: Unlike citations, warnings do not result in fines, court dates, insurance rate changes, or license points.

Law Enforcement Records:

• N.C. Highway Patrol: Does not keep records of warning tickets.
• Other Agencies: Some may track warnings, and multiple warnings for the same offense could eventually lead to a citation.

Receiving a warning for minor infractions such as slight speeding or expired tags can help drivers avoid more severe consequences. However, serious violations like DWI and reckless driving will always result in charges. Warning tickets do not affect your driving record, but repeated warnings in the same jurisdiction might lead to citations.