You can get points on your license for these offenses in NC. Will your insurance go up?

One in seven North Carolina drivers have lost their right to drive after not being able to pay traffic-related fines or fees.Photo byJ.M. Kotzker, P.C.

In North Carolina, traffic violations can result in points on your driving record, which may lead to license suspension and increased insurance rates.

Here’s an overview of the state’s point systems and their implications:

Driver's License Points

According to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), points are issued for certain motor vehicle violations. Accumulating points can lead to the suspension of your driving privileges. Below are the points assigned for common offenses:

• Passing a stopped school bus: 5 points
• Aggressive driving: 5 points
• Reckless driving: 4 points
• Hit and run (property damage only): 4 points
• Following too closely: 4 points
• Driving on the wrong side of the road: 4 points
• Illegal passing: 4 points
• Failure to yield right of way to pedestrians: 4 points
• Failure to yield right of way to motorcycles: 4 points
• Running through a stop sign: 3 points
• Speeding in excess of 55 mph: 3 points
• Failure to yield right of way: 3 points
• Running through a red light: 3 points
• No driver’s license or expired for more than one year: 3 points
• Failure to stop for a siren: 3 points
• Driving through a safety zone: 3 points
• No liability insurance: 3 points
• Failure to report an accident: 3 points
• Speeding in a school zone: 3 points
• Failure to properly restrain a child: 2 points
• All other moving violations: 2 points
• Littering involving a motor vehicle: 1 point

If you accumulate 12 points within three years, your license can be suspended. Subsequent suspensions can lead to longer suspension periods. However, once your driving privileges are reinstated, previous points are canceled.

Insurance Points

Insurance companies in North Carolina use a different point system called the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP), which affects how much your insurance rates can increase. Here are some examples:

• At-fault accident (damages ≤ $2,300): 1 SDIP point (40% rate increase)
• Driving while impaired (DWI): 12 SDIP points (340% rate increase)
• Hit-and-run resulting in bodily injury or death: 12 SDIP points (340% rate increase)

Reducing Points

Drivers can attend driver improvement clinics if they accumulate seven points on their driving record. Completing the course will reduce the driving record by three points. NCDMV will notify individuals who qualify for these clinics, and they must apply for a hearing and pay associated fees to be assigned a hearing date.

Checking Your Points

North Carolina drivers can view their points by logging into their MyDMV accounts at edmv.ncdot.gov. You’ll need your driver’s license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The points will be displayed under “Your Driving Status.”