North Carolina DMV Points System: What is It? How does it Work?

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If you’ve ever been pulled over in North Carolina, you’re likely familiar with the state’s DMV points system and how it works. For those unfamiliar with the process, it’s important to understand how points are applied to your license and what kind of consequences they may lead to.

Driver Improvement Clinic

When a driver accumulates seven points, they may be required to attend a Driver Improvement Clinic. The clinic entails a fee of $50, and upon successful completion, three points are deducted from their driving record.

If a driver accumulates a total of 12 points within a span of three years, their license could potentially face suspension.

If you accumulate eight points within three years after your license is reinstated, it may lead to a suspension of your license as well.

Point System Suspension would be Taken If:

60 DaysFirst Suspensions
6 MonthsSecond Suspensions
12 MonthsThird Suspensions

Non-Commercial Vehicle Drivers License Points

North Carolina’s points system is divided into four different categories: commercial, non-commercial, insurance, and accident points. The following list shows all the points based on their type.

Non Commercial ConvictionPoints
Passing a School Bus That is Unloading or Loading Children5
Reckless Driving4
Hit & Run4
Driving on The Wrong Side of the Road4
Illegal Passing4
Running Through a Stop Sign3
Speeding Over 55 mph3
Speeding in a School Zone3
Failure to Yield to the Right of Way3
Drivers License Expired for More Than One Year or No Drivers License3
Running Through a Red Light3
Failure to Stop for a Siren3
Speeding Through Safety Zone3
Failure to Report an Accident3
No Vehicle Insurance3
Other Moving Violations 2
Littering Involving a Motor Vehicle1

Commercial Drivers License Points

Commercial ConvictionPoints
Passing a School Bus That is Unloading or Loading Children8
Rail Highway Crossing Violation6
Reckless Driving5
Hit & Run5
Following to Closely5
Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road5
Illegal Passport5
Running Through Stop Sign4
Speeding 55 mph4
Speeding Through a School Zone4
Failure to Yield on Right of Way4
License Expired More Than One Year or No License4
Running Through Red Light4
Failure to Stop for Siren4
Speeding Through Safety Zone4
No Liability Insurance4
Alcoholic Beverage in Passenger Area4
Other Moving Violation3
Littering Involveing a Motor Vehicle1

Insurance Points

Manslaughter or Negligent Homicide12
Highway Racing or Lending a Car for Racing12
Driving with BAC OF .08 or Higher12
Driving a Commercial Vehicle with .04% of BAC12
Hit & Run (Involving Bodily Injury or Death)12
Transporting Illegal Intoxicating Liquor12
Highway Racing or Lending a Vehicle for such Purpose (Not Pre-Arranged)10
Speeding to Elude Arrest10
Driving during a Period of Revocation or Suspension (License or Registration)8
Hit & Run Driving Involved Property Damage4
Reckless Driving4
Passing a School Bus While Displaying a School Bus4
Speeding in excess 75 mph in a 70 mph zone4
Speeding in excess 80 mph in a 70 mph or greater zone4
Driving After Consuming Alcohol (21 Year or Younger)4
Illegal Passing 2
Following to Closely2
Driving on the Wrong Side of Road2
When a driver exceeds the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph, and their speed is between 55 mph and 75 mph, they are considered to be speeding.2

Speeding 10 mph or less in a posted speed zone of 55 mph or greater
2Points are waived for drivers with no other moving traffic violations in the past 3 years. However, if a driver is later convicted of another moving violation within 3 years, they will receive points for both convictions. The waiver does not apply to speeding in a school zone, and a PJC does not count as a conviction or void the waiver.
Speeding 10 mph or less where the posted speed is less than 55 mph **2This waiver applies to drivers with no other moving traffic violations in the preceding three years. If a driver enjoys this waiver but is convicted of another moving violation within 3 years, they will receive points from both the new conviction and the waived conviction. However, this waiver does not apply to speeding in a school zone. Note that a PJC (Prayer for Judgment Continued) will not count as a conviction and will not void this waiver.

Any other conviction of a moving violation 
2Improper brakes are considered a moving violation and will result in the addition of 1 point to your driving record.

What is the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP)?

A safe driver insurance plan (SDIP) aims to incorporate the idea that drivers who have violated motor vehicle laws or caused accidents in the past are more prone to future automobile accidents. This approach allows automobile insurance ratings to reflect this proposition accurately.

The North Carolina DMV is an important tool for monitoring the safety of drivers in the state and increasing motorist responsibility. It rewards good driving behavior by offering discounts on auto insurance for maintaining a clean driving record while penalizing those who fail to abide by the rules of the road.