Stand Up For Your Future After A Traffic Ticket
Have you received a speeding ticket or citation for an illegal lane change? Many people mistakenly believe a traffic ticket is a minor legal issue. After all, almost everyone receives a citation for speeding or some other driving offense sooner or later. In most cases, no one was hurt and you may figure the best way to deal with it is to pay it and forget it.
Think again.
“Just Paying The Ticket” Means Pleading Guilty
One or two minor speeding tickets may seem harmless, but each traffic offense on your record adds “points” to your record. Fines and penalties for future offenses may be harsh. Your car insurance is also likely to increase.
I am attorney Zachary S. Rivenbark and my knowledge of the law can be a great advantage as you seek to resolve your traffic offense citation with the least amount of harm. I offer free phone consultations for minor traffic offenses, including:
- Speeding tickets
- Seat belt violations
- Careless or reckless driving
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Passing a school bus
- Texting while driving
- Distracted driving
- Failure to move over for an emergency vehicle
Understanding North Carolina’s DMV Point System
When you are cited for a moving violation, it is easy to get confused by how the state tracks your offense. North Carolina actually utilizes two completely separate point systems that can impact your future.
First, there are driver’s license points issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) which are assessed against your driving record and can directly lead to a license suspension if you accumulate too many. This state-run registry tracks your driving privileges. Racking up points can temporarily strip away your right to drive.
Second, there are insurance points, which dictate your insurance risk level. Even if your license remains fully valid and active, insurance points can cause your monthly premiums to skyrocket for years. These points are handled separately under the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP), meaning your wallet can take a major hit even if the DMV allows you to keep your license.
Common Traffic Violations And Their Point Values
Different driving infractions carry different weights depending on how dangerous the state considers the action. Accumulating 12 DMV points within a three-year period will trigger an automatic suspension of your driving privileges.
To help you understand your risk, here is a breakdown of how the DMV in North Carolina assigns points for common traffic violations:
- 5 Points: Passing a stopped school bus or aggressive driving
- 4 Points: Reckless driving, tailgating or illegal passing
- 3 Points: Running a red light, blowing through a stop sign or speeding over 55 mph
- 2 Points: Most other minor speeding violations or failing to properly restrain a child
Protecting your record from these point additions is essential to maintaining both your freedom to drive and your financial health.
How Long Do Points Remain On Your Record In North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the marks left by a moving violation are not permanent, but they do require time to clear. For most standard citations and minor speeding offenses, both DMV points and insurance points linger on your record for three years from the date of your conviction.
However, state guidelines increase this timeframe to five years for more severe infractions (such as reckless driving, passing a stopped school bus or multiple speeding violations) that carry higher point values. This means a single mistake can actively penalize your household budget and threaten your driving privileges for several years before your record resets.
A Single Traffic Conviction Can Negatively Impact Your Life
If you are in a tight position with a recent citation, let me help you find a better path forward. Partnering with a local traffic defense attorney serving Pender and Duplin counties is the key to working through difficult court negotiations, minimizing long-term record penalties and safeguarding your underlying right to drive.
Schedule A Consultation With A Burgaw Traffic Lawyer Now
Call the Law Office of Zachary S. Rivenbark at 910-663-1658 or send an email message through this website at your earliest opportunity about your traffic matter.