FIVE (5) THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU PAY OFF YOUR SPEEDING TICKET IN NORTH CAROLINA:
1. A speeding conviction will usually result in insurance points and a higher premium.
Except in a limited number of cases, your insurance company is likely to charge points for your speeding conviction that will result in a higher premium. Points assessed by insurance companies for common speeding violations are as follows:
|
Offense |
Insurance Points |
|---|---|
|
Speeding in excess of 75 mph when the speed limit is less than 70 mph (e.g., 76 in a 65 mph zone) |
4 |
|
Speeding in excess of 80 mph when the speed limit is 70 mph or greater (e.g., 81 in a 70 mph zone) |
4 |
|
Speeding more than 10 mph over the speed limit and in excess of 55 mph but less than 76 mph (e.g., 66 in a 55 mph zone) |
2 |
|
Speeding 10 mph or less in excess of speed limit of 55 mph or greater (e.g., 64 in a 55 mph or 74 in a 65 mph zone) |
2 |
|
Speeding 10 mph or less in excess of speed limit of less than 55 mph (e.g., 34 in a 45 mph zone) |
1 |
The chart below shows how the accumulation of insurance points can result in higher premiums:
|
Points |
% of Rate Increase |
Cost if Basic Rate is $300 |
Points |
% of Rate Increase |
Cost if Basic Rate is $300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
25% |
$375 |
7 |
160% |
$780 |
|
2 |
45% |
$435 |
8 |
190% |
$870 |
|
3 |
60% |
$480 |
9 |
225% |
$975 |
|
4 |
80% |
$540 |
10 |
260% |
$1,080 |
|
5 |
105% |
$615 |
11 |
300% |
$1,200 |
|
6 |
130% |
$690 |
12 |
340% |
$1,320 |
(Both of the preceding charts come directly from a brochure entitled "It Pays to be a Safe Driver" published by the North Carolina Department of Insurance. For a PDF version of this brochure click here.)
2. A speeding conviction will result in driver's license points.
In addition to insurance points, a speeding conviction will result in assignment of points to your record by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. The accumulation of too many driver's license points in a 12 month period can result in suspension of your driving privilege. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles assigns points as follows:
|
Offense |
DMV Points |
|---|---|
|
Speeding in excess of 55 mph |
3 |
|
Speeding in a School Zone |
3 |
|
All Other Moving Violations |
2 |
3. A conviction for speeding more than 15 mph over the limit and at a speed greater than 55 mph-for example, 71 mph in a 55 mph zone--will result in at least a 30 day suspension of your driving privilege.
4. A second conviction for speeding more than 15 mph over the limit and at a speed greater than 55 mph will result in a 60 day suspension.
5. In addition to the foregoing suspensions, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles can suspend your privilege to drive for the following:
· Two convictions for speeding over 55 mph in a 12 month period;
· One conviction for driving over 55 mph and one conviction of reckless driving in a 12 month period; and/or
· A conviction for speeding 75 mph or more
