You will get points added to your license if you pay a traffic ticket or unsuccessfully contest it in court. When you accumulate a certain number of these points, you may lose your driving privileges for a period of time.
A license suspension can be costly and largely inconvenient, and you should carefully weigh your actions when you get a traffic ticket.
The points vary according to the traffic offense
North Carolina’s laws assign different points according to the traffic violation, some of which are listed below. Usually, commercial drivers get more points for similar infractions.
- Passing a stopped school bus (5 pts)
- Reckless driving (4 pts)
- Illegal passing (4 pts)
- Not stopping for a siren (3 pts)
- Hit and run resulting in property damage (4 pts)
- Tailgating or following too close (4 pts)
While the list above is not near exhaustive, it is necessary to note that the points on your license add up over the years. For instance, you stand to lose your driving license for 60 days if you accumulate 12 points over a three-year period. If it is reinstated but you accumulate more than 8 points within three years after reinstatement, you could lose your license for another six months.
Explore your legal options
Paying off traffic tickets is not sustainable in the long run. It only adds to your points and racks up your insurance costs. The only way to avoid such consequences is to fight your traffic ticket in court and get it dismissed.
There are several potential defense strategies you can utilize when fighting a traffic ticket, from showing that it was necessary to avoid greater harm or that it arose from a mistake of fact, among others. Therefore, it may be advisable to get the appropriate legal assistance whenever you receive a traffic citation and are unsure about the best course of action.