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• Driver's License Points

If the driver is convicted of certain motor vehicle violations in North Carolina, driver's license points are placed against his driving record. If the driver accumulates seven points, he may be assigned to a Driver Improvement Clinic. The clinic fee is $50. Upon completion of the clinic, three points are then deducted from his driving record. If the driver accumulates as many as 12 points within a three-year period, his license may be suspended. Accumulating eight points within this three-year period following the reinstatement of the license can also result in a license suspension.

If the driver's license is suspended by the point system,
it may be taken for:
  • 60 days for the first suspension
  • 6 months for the second
  • 12 months for the third

When the driving privilege is reinstated, all previous driver's license points are cancelled.

Driver's License points are given for the following offenses:

Point Value:	Conviction:
5 Points	Passing a stopped school bus loading or unloading children
4 Points	Reckless driving
4 Points	Hit and run, property damage only
4 Points	Following too closely
4 Points	Driving on wrong side of road
4 Points	Illegal passing
3 Points	Running through stop sign
3 Points	Speeding more than 55 mph
3 Points	Speeding through school zone
3 Points	Failure to yield right of way
3 Points	No driver's license or license expired more than one year
3 Points	Running through red light
3 Points	Failure to stop for siren
3 Points	Speeding through safety zone
3 Points	Failure to report accident where such report is required
3 Points	No liability insurance
2 Points	All other moving violations
1 Point	Littering involving a motor vehicle

If you are driving a commercial vehicle different license points are assessed.
Driver's license point values for conviction of violations while operating a commercial vehicle:

Point Value:	Conviction:
8 Points	Passing a stopped school bus loading or unloading children
6 Points	Rail-highway crossing violation
5 Points	Reckless driving
5 Points	Hit and run, property damage only
5 Points	Following too closely
5 Points	Driving on wrong side of road
5 Points	Illegal passing
4 Points	Running through stop sign
4 Points	Speeding more than 55 mph
4 Points	Speeding through school zone
4 Points	Failure to yield right of way
4 Points	No driver's license or license expired more than one year
4 Points	Running through red light
4 Points	Failure to stop for siren
4 Points	Speeding through safety zone
4 Points	Failure to report accident where such report is required
4 Points	No liability insurance
4 Points	Possessing alcoholic beverage in passenger area
3 Points	All other moving violations
1 Point	Littering involving a motor vehicle

Any person who commits an offense for which points may be assessed for violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle may be assessed double the amount of any fine or penalty authorized by statute.

Insurance Points Check List:
If the driver is convicted of more than one violation arising from the same accident he will receive points for each violation.

Point Value:	Conviction:
12 Points	Manslaughter or negligent homicide
12 Points	Pre-arranged highway racing or lending a car for such purpose
12 Points	Driving with a BAC of .08% or more
12 Points	Driving a commercial vehicle with a BAC of .04% or more
12 Points	Hit and run driving involving bodily injury or death
12 Points	Transporting illegal intoxicating liquor
10 Points	Highway racing or lending a vehicle for such purpose, where the race is not pre-arranged
10 Points	Speeding to elude arrest (at any speed)
8 Points	Driving during a period of revocation or suspension of license or registration
4 Points	Hit and run driving involving property damage only
4 Points	Reckless driving
4 Points	Passing a stopped school bus while it displayed warning signs
4 Points	Speeding in excess of 75 mph where posted is less than 70 mph
4 Points	Speeding in excess of 80 mph where posted speed is 70 mph or greater
4 Points	Driving after consuming alcohol or drugs where driver is less than 21 years of age
2 Points	Illegal passing
2 Points	Following too closely
2 Points	Driving on wrong side of road
2 Points	Speeding more than 10 mph over posted speed limit, where driver's speed was in excess of 55 mph but less than 75 mph
2 Points	Speeding 10 mph or less in a posted speed zone of 55 mph or greater * * These points will not apply if driver has had no other moving traffic violations during the experience period (preceding three years). If driver enjoys this waiver, and then is convicted on another moving violation within 3 years, he then gets the points both from the new conviction and the waived conviction. This waiver will not apply to speeding in a school zone. A PJC will not count as a conviction and void this waiver.
2 Points	Speeding 10 mph or less where the posted speed is less than 55 mph These points will not apply if driver has had no other moving traffic violations during the experience period (preceding three years). If driver enjoys this waiver, and then is convicted on another moving violation within 3 years, he then gets the points both from the new conviction and the waived conviction. This waiver will not apply to speeding in a school zone. A PJC will not count as a conviction and void this waiver.
2 Points	Any other conviction of a moving violation * * Improper brakes is a moving violation and will generate 1 point

A PJC will not cause any insurance points to apply if there have been no previous PJCs for the insured household in the previous 3 years. The household would include any licensed driver residing in the home at the time of the accident. A new effective PJC can be had every three years. A second PJC within three years will cause the first conviction's points to go into effect, along with the points from the new PJC. This is only as to insurance points.

Points for Accidents:

Point Value:	Type of Accident:
3 Points	Major Accident At-fault accident causing $2500 or greater in property damage At-fault accident causes in excess of $1500 in bodily injury
2 Points	Intermediate Accident At-fault accident causing property damage only between $1500 and $2500
1 Points	Minor Accident At-fault accident causing property damage of $1500 or less or bodily injury of less than $1500

There is a waiver of points for "minor" accidents where there is only property damage, no conviction of a moving traffic offense, and no licensed operators in the insured household has had any at-fault accidents in the previous three years. The waiver will not operate if there is any bodily injury.

If an incident generates both accident points and conviction points, only the higher total of points between the accident and the conviction(s) arising out of the accident will apply. The experience period defined as the three years immediately preceding the date of application or the preparation of the renewal. Insurance points will be applied for THREE POLICY YEARS.

Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP):
A safe driver insurance plan (SDIP) represents an attempt to reflect in automobile insurance rating the proposition that, in the aggregate, drivers who have violated the motor vehicle laws, or who have caused one or more accidents in the past, are more likely to be involved in automobile accidents in the future. The North Carolina SDIP also applies to motorcycles and motorized scooters. N.C. G.S. �58-36-65 and N.C. G.S. �58-36-75 provides the statutory basis for the SDIP. Keep in mind the points are assessed against a policy based upon the points on the named insureds, listed drivers, and drivers in the households. As to listed drivers and drivers in the household, if their points have already been used in surcharging the premium on another policy, there will be no further surcharged on any other policy.

Upon conviction of certain traffic offenses, insurance points are assigned to a driver; and based upon the number of points, the total premium for all coverages, except UM/UIM, would be surcharged. Only the driver convicted of the traffic offense or found at fault in an accident is given points (unless the operator is a listed driver on the owner's policy; i.e. son on father's policy). It is important to know that all coverages are surcharged, not just liability coverages.

Surcharges Based on the Number of Points:

SDIP Points:	Percentage Surcharge:
1 Point	25%
2 Points	45%
3 Points	65%
4 Points	90%
5 Points	120%
6 Points	150%
7 Points	180%
8 Points	220%
9 Points	260%
10 Points	300%
11 Points	350%
12 Points	400%

This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.