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North Carolina traffic tickets

Points, traffic school, deadlines and what a ticket does to your insurance in North Carolina.

Speeding ticket$201–$241state schedule
License at risk12 ptsin 36 months
Driver improvement clinicYesavailable, with limits
Insurance after 1 ticket+39%on $1,764 a year

What will my ticket really cost? Check my points

What kind of ticket did you get?

Which court is on your ticket?

One statewide schedule sets most fines. Pick the court named on your ticket.

Every other North Carolina county court

Phone, pay-online link and traffic school steps for 3 more courts. Tap a county to open it.

Durham County(919) 808-3000Pays online

Durham County District Court (Clerk of Superior Court). Fines follow the North Carolina statewide schedule.

Address
Durham County Courthouse, 510 South Dillard St., Durham, NC 27701
Phone
(919) 808-3000
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Traffic school
North Carolina has no ticket-dismissal course. Deferral and reduction options vary by district, so ask the prosecutor in court. The DMV driver improvement clinic can take 3 points off your record.

Pay or look up your ticket ↗ nccourts.gov ↗

Forsyth County(336) 779-6300Pays online

Forsyth County District Court (Clerk of Superior Court). Fines follow the North Carolina statewide schedule.

Address
Forsyth County Courthouse, 175 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Phone
(336) 779-6300
Hours
Clerk's office Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Traffic school
North Carolina has no ticket-dismissal course. Deferral and reduction options vary by district, so ask the prosecutor in court. The DMV driver improvement clinic can take 3 points off your record.

Pay or look up your ticket ↗ nccourts.gov ↗

Guilford County(336) 412-7300Pays online

Guilford County District Court (Clerk of Superior Court). Fines follow the North Carolina statewide schedule.

Address
Guilford County Courthouse, 201 South Eugene St., Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone
(336) 412-7300
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and 1:45-5:00 p.m.
Traffic school
North Carolina has no ticket-dismissal course. Deferral and reduction options vary by district, so ask the prosecutor in court. The DMV driver improvement clinic can take 3 points off your record.

Pay or look up your ticket ↗ nccourts.gov ↗

What are your options with a North Carolina ticket?

Paying is the fastest route, and it usually puts the ticket on your record. Here is every route North Carolina offers, and what each one changes.

  1. Waive court and pay

    For offenses on the statewide waiver list, sign the waiver of appearance, plead guilty or responsible, and pay the listed fine plus court costs before your court date.

    What it does: A conviction. The DMV adds the points for the offense and your insurer may add its own points.[3][5][22]

  2. Plead not guilty

    Appear in district court on the date on your ticket. Every not-guilty plea needs a court appearance.

    What it does: If found not guilty, no points. If convicted, the judge sets the fine and costs.[4]

  3. Ask the judge for a prayer for judgment continued (PJC)

    Appear in court, admit the offense and ask the judge to continue judgment. You still pay court costs.

    What it does: No fine. For DMV points, only a third or later PJC within 5 years counts as a conviction, and any PJC counts if you hold a CDL. For insurance, the first PJC in a household in 5 years adds no insurance points. Not allowed for passing a stopped school bus.[18][19][10][22][23]

    Cost: Court costs ($191 in district court)

  4. Request an online speeding reduction or a dismissal for a fixed problem

    Look up your ticket on Citation Services. Where the District Attorney offers it, you can request a speeding reduction or, for a correctable offense like an expired inspection, a dismissal with proof you fixed it.

    What it does: A reduction leaves a less serious conviction. A dismissal leaves no conviction.[22]

  5. Driver improvement clinic

    If the DMV writes to you at 7 points, apply for a hearing, pay the fees and attend the clinic.

    What it does: Takes 3 points off your DMV record once in 5 years. The conviction stays.[5][2]

    Cost: $83.50 clinic fee plus a hearing fee

What does the North Carolina state schedule charge for speeding?

Coming change: From December 1, 2026, district court costs on a traffic ticket rise from $191 to $221 because the General Court of Justice fee goes up by $30.[24][23]

1–5 mph over$201[3][23]
6–10 mph over$206[3][23]
11–15 mph over$221[3][23]
16+ mph overAt 55 mph or slower$241[3][23][4]
16+ mph overOr faster than 80 mphOn your notice[4][7][6]

Court costs set by statute are added to every fine.[23][14][12][24]

Every fine on the North Carolina schedule (18)
TicketYou pay
Speeding, 1–5 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 1 to 5 mph overSame amount in any zone, as long as you weren't going faster than 80 mph.$201[3][23]
Speeding, 6–10 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 6 to 10 mph overTotal is the fine plus $191 in district court costs.$206[3][23]
Speeding, 11–15 mph overPrinted as: Speeding 11 to 15 mph overTotal is the fine plus $191 in district court costs.$221[3][23]
Speeding, 16+ mph overPrinted as: Speeding 16 mph or more over, at 55 mph or slowerIf you were going faster than 55 mph, more than 15 over requires a court appearance and brings a 30-day suspension.$241[3][23][4]
Speeding, 16+ mph overPrinted as: Speeding more than 15 mph over while going faster than 55 mph, or faster than 80 mphCourt appearance required.On your notice[4][7][6]
Speeding in a school zone or on school propertyTotal is the fine plus $191 in district court costs.$441[3][23][8]
Speeding in a posted work zoneMore than 15 over while going faster than 55 mph, or over 80 mph, requires court.$441[3][23][7]
Failure to stop for a stoplight, traffic signal or stop signTotal is the fine plus $191 in district court costs.$241[3][23]
Failure to yield right of wayFailure to yield to a pedestrian is $100.$226[3][23]
Driving while textingTexting while driving a school bus requires court.$291[3][23][11]
Seat belt, driver or front seat passengerTotal printed on the court cost chart, with a smaller set of costs.$180[3][12][23]
Passing a stopped school busCourt appearance required.At least $500[4][10]
Financial responsibility violation under G.S. 20-313(a)Other insurance law violations require court.$241[3][23][4][13]
Vehicle registration violationStolen, altered or fake plates or registration require court.$216[3][23]
Following too closelyTotal is the fine plus $191 in district court costs.$226[3][23]
Lane violationsTotal is the fine plus $191 in district court costs.$241[3][23]
Failing to move over for emergency or public service vehiclesTotal is the fine plus $191 in district court costs.$441[3][23]
Careless and reckless drivingCourt appearance required.On your notice[4]

How many points is a speeding ticket in North Carolina?

All 20 point values
  • Driving on the wrong side of the road4 pts[5]
  • Illegal passing4 pts[5]
  • Failure to yield to a pedestrian4 pts[5]
  • Running a red light3 pts[5]
  • Running a stop sign3 pts[5]
  • Failure to yield3 pts[5]
  • No proof of insurance3 pts[5]
  • No driver's license, or license expired more than 1 year3 pts[5]
  • Failure to properly restrain a child2 pts[5]
  • Handheld phone use0 pts[11]
  • No seat belt0 pts[12]
  • Expired registration0 pts[5]
How points work in North Carolina

The DMV adds points when you are convicted, dated to the day of the offense. Speeding faster than 55 mph, running a red light or stop sign and failing to yield are 3 points. Passing a stopped school bus is 5. Most other moving violations are 2. If two tickets come from one stop, only the one with the most points counts. Insurance companies use a separate point system.[5][2]

Commercial driver? Points and disqualifications work differently. How tickets affect a CDL →

When can you lose your license?

  1. 7 ptsin 36 monthsThe DMV may call you to a conference and offer a driver improvement clinic, which takes off 3 points.[5][2]
  2. 12 ptsin 36 monthsSuspension of up to 60 days for a first point suspension, up to 6 months for a second and up to 1 year for any later one[5][2]
  3. 8 ptsin 36 monthsWithin 3 years after a license is reinstated, 8 points can bring another suspension.[5][2]
Full wording of each rule
  • 7 points in 36 months: The DMV may call you to a conference and offer a driver improvement clinic, which takes off 3 points.
  • 12 points in 36 months: Suspension of up to 60 days for a first point suspension, up to 6 months for a second and up to 1 year for any later one. The DMV may offer up to 1 year of probation instead.
  • 8 points in 36 months: Within 3 years after a license is reinstated, 8 points can bring another suspension.
  • A 30-day suspension for one conviction of driving more than 15 mph over the limit while going faster than 55 mph, faster than 80 mph, or faster than 75 mph where the limit is under 70. A judge may grant limited driving privileges on a first offense.
  • Two convictions for speeding over 55 mph within 12 months, or speeding plus reckless driving on the same occasion, bring a 60-day suspension.
  • Passing a stopped school bus: a second conviction within 3 years means a 1-year revocation.

Getting your license back after a suspension costs $83.50 in North Carolina, before any course or court costs.[17][15]

Drivers under 21

A provisional licensee (under 18) can't be suspended for a first moving violation. A second within 12 months of the first can bring up to 30 days, a third up to 90 days and a fourth up to 6 months. Probation of up to 12 months may replace the suspension.[20]

Can driver improvement clinic keep a ticket off your record in North Carolina?

It can help. Finishing the DMV driver improvement clinic takes 3 points off your record.[5][2]

How often: One 3-point deduction in any 5 years.

Official list of approved schools ↗

Is it worth it for your ticket? Get a yes or no →

Who qualifies, CDL drivers and cost

Finishing the DMV driver improvement clinic takes 3 points off your record. The conviction stays.[5][2]

Who can use it: You must have 7 points (or 4 points within 3 years after a reinstatement). The DMV mails a letter to drivers who may qualify. You apply for a hearing, pay the hearing fee and meet with a hearing officer. The clinic fee is $83.50.[2][5]

Do school and work zones cost more?

School zones

Not doubled. Speeding in a posted school zone carries a fixed $250 penalty plus court costs, and it is 3 points.[8][3][5]

Work zones

Not doubled. Speeding in a highway work zone carries a $250 penalty on top of other penalties, but only where signs at the start and end of the zone state the penalty.[7][3]

When is your ticket due?

  1. Date on noticePay or respondset by the court[3][16][14][22]
    Details

    Pay the ticket (waivable offenses) or appear on the court date printed on it. If you miss it: If you miss court, the court reports you to the DMV and a $200 failure-to-appear fee is added.

  2. 20daysAppear or dispose of the charge within 20 days after a missed court datefrom the court date[16][14]
    Details

    Appear or dispose of the charge within 20 days after a missed court date. If you miss it: After 20 days the court reports you to the DMV and the $200 failure-to-appear fee applies.

  3. 40daysPay fines and costs ordered by the courtfrom conviction[16][14]
    Details

    Pay fines and costs ordered by the court. If you miss it: The court reports you to the DMV for revocation and adds a $50 late fee.

  4. 60daysLicense suspended if ignoredfrom the notice date[15][17]
    Details

    Revocation for failure to appear takes effect. If you miss it: Your license is revoked with no end date until you dispose of the charge or pay. Then the $83.50 restoration fee applies.

What happens if you don't respond

If you miss court and don't resolve the charge within 20 days, the court tells the DMV and adds a $200 fee. The DMV revokes your license starting 60 days after it mails the order. The revocation lasts until you dispose of the charge or pay what you owe, and then you pay an $83.50 restoration fee.[16][15][14][17][2]

Work out your exact dates → · Already missed it?

Will an out-of-state ticket follow you home?

The North Carolina point schedule applies only to violations in North Carolina, so an out-of-state ticket adds no NC license points. The DMV can still revoke your license for a serious out-of-state conviction, and an offense in another state that would be grounds for suspension here can bring a suspension.[5][21]

How out-of-state tickets work →

How much will it raise your insurance in North Carolina?

One speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium by about 39% on average in North Carolina[1], from a clean-record average of $1,764 a year.[1] If that increase stays for three years, that's about $2,064 on top of the fine.

Averages from ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026, not a quote. Insurers differ, and many look back three to five years.

Where are the official pages?

What else do people ask?

How do points work in North Carolina?

The DMV adds points when you are convicted, dated to the day of the offense. Speeding faster than 55 mph, running a red light or stop sign and failing to yield are 3 points. Passing a stopped school bus is 5. Most other moving violations are 2. If two tickets come from one stop, only the one with the most points counts. Insurance companies use a separate point system.

How many points before your license is at risk in North Carolina?

12 points in 36 months: Suspension of up to 60 days for a first point suspension, up to 6 months for a second and up to 1 year for any later one. The DMV may offer up to 1 year of probation instead.

Can traffic school keep a ticket off my record in North Carolina?

Driver improvement clinic: Finishing the DMV driver improvement clinic takes 3 points off your record. The conviction stays. Limit: One 3-point deduction in any 5 years.

Will an out-of-state ticket follow me home to North Carolina?

North Carolina is a member of the Driver License Compact, so convictions in other member states are reported to North Carolina. The North Carolina point schedule applies only to violations in North Carolina, so an out-of-state ticket adds no NC license points. The DMV can still revoke your license for a serious out-of-state conviction, and an offense in another state that would be grounds for suspension here can bring a suspension.

How much does a speeding ticket raise insurance in North Carolina?

About 39% on average for full coverage, according to ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026. Your insurer's rate can differ a lot from the average.

Sources

North Carolina law and DMV sources (24)
  1. AAMVA DLC/NRVC Member Joinder Dates (rev. April 2026), AAMVA.
  2. License Suspension, North Carolina DMV (NCDOT).
  3. Traffic Offenses for Which Court Appearance May Be Waived, AOC-TRAFFIC WAIVER Rev. 12/18, Conference of Chief District Court Judges / NC Administrative Office of the Courts.
  4. Traffic Offenses for Which Court Appearance Is Mandatory, AOC-TRAFFIC MANDATORY Rev. 12/18, Conference of Chief District Court Judges / NC Administrative Office of the Courts.
  5. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-16 Authority of Division to suspend license (point schedule), North Carolina General Assembly.
  6. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-16.1 Mandatory suspension upon conviction of excessive speeding, North Carolina General Assembly.
  7. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-141 Speed restrictions, North Carolina General Assembly.
  8. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-141.1 Speed limits in school zones, North Carolina General Assembly.
  9. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-176 Penalty for misdemeanor or infraction, North Carolina General Assembly.
  10. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-217 Motor vehicles to stop for properly marked and designated school buses, North Carolina General Assembly.
  11. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-137.4A Unlawful use of mobile telephone for text messaging or email, North Carolina General Assembly.
  12. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-135.2A Seat belt use mandatory, North Carolina General Assembly.
  13. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-313 Operation of motor vehicle without financial responsibility, North Carolina General Assembly.
  14. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-304 Costs in criminal actions, North Carolina General Assembly.
  15. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-24.1 Revocation for failure to appear or pay fine, penalty or costs, North Carolina General Assembly.
  16. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-24.2 Court to report failure to appear or pay fine, penalty or costs, North Carolina General Assembly.
  17. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-7 Issuance and renewal of drivers licenses (restoration fee), North Carolina General Assembly.
  18. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-4.01 Definitions (conviction), North Carolina General Assembly.
  19. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-36-75 Safe Driver Incentive Plan (insurance points), North Carolina General Assembly.
  20. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-13 Suspension of license of provisional licensee, North Carolina General Assembly.
  21. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-23 Revoking resident's license upon conviction in another state, North Carolina General Assembly.
  22. Traffic Violations help topic, North Carolina Judicial Branch.
  23. Court Costs and Fees Chart, Criminal, effective January 1, 2025, North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts.
  24. Session Law 2026-37 (House Bill 1173), Section 1: G.S. 7A-304(a)(4) General Court of Justice fee, North Carolina General Assembly.
Insurance sources (4)
  1. State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  2. Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  3. How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  4. How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).