North Carolina Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are offenses committed while operating a motor vehicle. In North Carolina, these types of offenses range from non-criminal infractions to misdemeanors and felonies. Speeding, traffic sign violations, reckless driving, and certain hit-and-run or repeat DWI offenses are all motor vehicle infringements.

Understanding how traffic violations work in the state matters is crucial across several dimensions. Legally, they have long-term consequences on your license status and personal freedom. They often result in fines, accumulating DMV points, and an increase in insurance rates. They also encourage how to practice safe driving in the state.

The courts oversee the enforcement of penalties, including the adjudication and maintenance of dockets. Also, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is responsible for administering point assessments, imposing license suspensions, and maintaining driving records.

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in North Carolina?

The North Carolina DMV tracks moving violations with a point-based system. Accumulating 12 points in 3 years may lead to license suspension. After license reinstatement, if you accrue 8 points in 3 years, it automatically leads to another suspension. Points remain invalid when driving privileges are reinstated, but convictions remain on the driving record.

Insurance companies use a separate point system, the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP). A criminal offense such as reckless driving (G.S. 20-140) is classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor. Also, DWI offenses (G.S. 20-138.1) trigger a specialized sentencing with aggravating or mitigating factors under G.S. 20-179.

Types of Traffic Violations in North Carolina

North Carolina categorizes various forms of traffic violations:

• Speeding. Point penalties vary based on the speed at which the driver was going and the circumstances. An automatic license revocation may apply with certain speed offenses or combinations. This applies when a driver receives two speeding convictions within a year or commits reckless driving alongside speeding at the same time.
• Running a red light or stop sign. Disregarding traffic or stop signs is an infraction governed by G.S. 20-158. Violations result in driver's license fines.
• Driving without a license or insurance. Operating an unlicensed or uninsured vehicle may lead to financial responsibility. This violates G.S. 20-309, which requires drivers to maintain liability coverage.
• Reckless driving. This is defined as driving “heedlessly” or “with willful disregard for safety to endanger others,” and it is categorized as a Class 2 misdemeanor under G.S. 20-140.
• Hit-and-run or leaving the scene. What a driver is expected to do by law after a crash is codified in G.S. 20-166. Penalties escalate based on severity, which may involve injury or death and may lead to license revocation.
• Failure to yield. G.S. 20-155 governs right-of-way rules at intersections, traffic circles, and when emerging. This is treated as a traffic infraction and punishable by fines; in addition, a violation of this rule accumulates points on the driver’s license.
• Distracted driving. Texting while driving is prohibitedstatewide (G.S. 20-137.4A). Bus drivers are also banned from using mobile phones while using the road (G.S. 20-137.4), including drivers under the age of 18 (G.S. 20-137.3). A 2025 “Hands Free NC” bill is proposed to ban handheld phone use while driving, but it has not yet been enacted as of October 8, 2025.
• DWI. Under G.S. 20-138.1, a blood alcohol concentration level limit is specified for both standard and commercial drivers. Standard drivers may not exceed the 0.08 threshold, while commercial drivers are set at 0.04; this also includes drug impairment. Sentencing for DWI offenses is governed by G.S. 20-179, and evidence is also required to back up the claims of impairment. This law outlines punishments based on aggravating and mitigating factors.

Traffic Violation Penalties in North Carolina

North Carolina handles driver license points, suspensions, revocations, criminal exposure, and insurance penalties under the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP):

Points, suspensions, and revocations. In North Carolina, if a driver accumulates 12 points within 3 years, it may lead to license suspension. Certain offenses, such as racing or combinations of speeding and reckless driving, automatically result in license revocation.

An implied-consent violation, such as refusing chemical tests or testing over the legal limit, attracts punishments such as a 30-day civil revocation. Failure to appear in court or pay monetary fines may lead to indefinite license holds under state statute.

Criminal exposure (reckless driving). Per G.S. 20-140, these crimes constitute a misdemeanor. A hit-and-run (G.S. 20-166) offense is classified as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the degree of harm. Under G.S. 20-179, DWI sentencing uses a tiered system (Levels A1, I–V) set by aggravating and mitigating factors.

Furthermore, penalties range from community service and fines to jail time and long-term license revocations. Refusing a chemical test attracts a minimum 1-year license revocation separate from any criminal DWI penalties.

In North Carolina, the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) affects insurance rates. SDIP points are assessed for violations or at-fault accidents during an “experience period,” producing premium surcharges separate from DMV points (even one SDIP point may increase insurance rates).

How to Search for Traffic Violation Records in North Carolina

In North Carolina, traffic violation records may be accessed via the following ways:

A) Court dockets & tickets

Individuals may use the North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal (eCourts) to search case details and the calendar. Also, anyone may make online payments for eligible traffic citations via the PayNCticket (paying online is a guilty/responsible plea that closes the case). Although not all counties offer full functionality, the state is yet to roll out the eCourts platform in certain jurisdictions.

B) Driving records (DMV)

You may order a 3-year, 7-year, or complete driving record from the (myNCDMV/PayIt portal), by mail, or in person. Certified and non-certified copies are available, and electronic copies carry a PayIt transaction fee. Certain information is available on the record, including convictions, driver-control actions, wrecks, and license status as recorded by NCDMV.

C) What the records include. – Court portals: The public may find information such as the citation/case number, charge (G.S. 20-158), plea, disposition, fines, and costs. Other details that are available through the North Carolina Courts portal include upcoming court dates and scanned copies of records.

– DMV abstracts: These records provide information about the driving history, such as the convictions (with points where applicable), suspensions/revocations, and crash entries. Pending charges typically do not appear until they are resolved in court.

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record in North Carolina?

A traffic violation may stay on your record depending on the following:

DMV points and look-backs.

The DMV tracks your points history over a 3-year period, and if you accumulate 12 points during this period, you may face license suspension. Points reset to zero upon reinstatement, but convictions remain on the record, visible via a 3-year, 7-year, or complete abstract. Insurance companies use the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP), and points under this plan (experience period) affect your insurance premiums for a period of 3 years.

For DWI sentencing, a prior related offense committed within 7 years is considered a gross aggravating factor under G.S. 20-179 and increases penalties. North Carolina law does not allow expunction of a DWI conviction (an “offense involving impaired driving” under G.S. 20-4.01(24a)), but a dismissed judgment may be eligible.

Chapter 15A of the NC law governs expunction of records, but this depends on the type of offense and disposition. Many non-DWI traffic convictions may remain on your DMV or court record unless you qualify for relief under specific statutes. Dismissed charges that are non-DWI offenses may qualify for expungement under G.S. 15A-146. You may consult the clerk of court to verify if your charges qualify for expungement.