When you receive a traffic ticket, your concerns likely extend beyond the immediate fine. You might wonder about points on your license, insurance premium increases, and how long this mistake will follow you. These worries are entirely valid—a single traffic ticket can affect various aspects of your life for years to come.
At Browning & Long, PLLC, our experienced Charlotte traffic ticket lawyers understand your concerns. Our former prosecutors know the North Carolina traffic system inside and out, and we're here to help you understand the long-term impact of that ticket—and what you can do about it.
How Long NC Traffic Tickets Remain on Your Driving Record
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) assesses and keeps track of points on motorists’ driving records. Different traffic violations carry different point values. For example, speeding tickets generally add two to three points to your license, while passing a stopped school bus can add five points.
NC traffic tickets typically remain on your driving record for three to five years, though this varies depending on the severity of the offense. For standard speeding tickets and minor moving violations, these marks generally remain visible for three years from the date of conviction.
However, more serious offenses stay on your record longer. For example, reckless driving charges might remain for five years, while DWI convictions can stay on your record for seven years or more. Certain violations can have permanent consequences. For example, if you accumulate 12 points within three years, your license may be suspended, which may also permanently mark your driving history.
Insurance Consequences: When Will Your Rates Return to Normal?
The insurance impact of a traffic ticket often outlasts the DMV record, because the insurance points system is separate from the DMV point system.
In North Carolina, insurance companies typically consider violations for three to five years when calculating your premium rates. Depending on the violation, you may receive a range of 1–12 insurance points, with each point increasing your premium by a specific percentage. For example, just one insurance point can raise your rates by 30%, while three points can lead to a 60% increase.
This means that even a single NC speeding ticket could cost you thousands of dollars in increased premiums over several years. For a family with multiple vehicles, these increased costs significantly impact your household budget. What's particularly frustrating is that your insurance company may continue to charge higher rates even after the violation has been removed from your DMV record.
How Our Charlotte Lawyers Can Minimize the Impact of Your NC Traffic Ticket
Don't let a traffic ticket affect your record and your wallet for years to come. With the right approach, you can reduce the long-term consequences. Our Charlotte traffic ticket lawyers employ several strategies to help clients minimize the impact:
- Seeking a reduction to non-moving violations. Our attorneys can often negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges like speeding to non-moving violations, such as improper equipment. These violations typically don't add points to your driving record or affect your insurance rates.
- Requesting a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC). This legal option essentially puts your case on hold indefinitely without a formal judgment being entered. While a PJC appears on your record, it generally doesn't result in license points or insurance increases if appropriately used.
- Utilizing defensive driving courses. Completing traffic school or defensive driving programs demonstrates your commitment to safe driving—and may convince a prosecutor to reduce charges or allow the court to impose a more lenient penalty.
- Challenging the evidence. In some cases, we can raise your defenses and challenge the method used to detect your speed or other aspects of the traffic stop. If successful, this strategy could result in a complete dismissal of the charges.
