Speeding in North Carolina seems simple on the surface, but can be very complicated.  A speeding conviction comes with any number of associated consequences. Speeding is a moving violation that can lead to driver’s license points and insurance points.

Depending on the speed and the circumstances surrounding the event, speeding can be an infraction or it can be a criminal charge.

I have been charged with speeding in North Carolina. How much does my speed matter?

Very much. The higher the speed, the more negative consequences you face.

• More points are assessed at higher speeds than lower speeds
• Fines for higher speeds are typically more than they are for lower speeds
• Higher speeds increase the likelihood of an accompanying charge of reckless driving
• A high enough speed can lead to an automatic license suspension
• A high enough speed can result in a criminal charge on its own

Other Speeding citations

• Speeding in a School Zone
• Speeding in a Work zone
• Too fast for conditions
• Speeding to elude arrest

Consequences of speeding in North Carolina

Driver’s license points – Any conviction of speeding will result in DMV points, the accumulation of which can results in your driver’s license being suspended. Examples of DMV points:

• Speeding in a school zone – 3 points
• Speeding more than 55 miles per hour – 3 points
• Speeding less than 10 miles per hour in a 35mph zone – 2 points

Insurance points – Insurance points are regulated by the state of North Carolina and are assessed with several moving violations including speeding. The assessment of insurance points raises your insurance rates. Examples of insurance points:

• Speeding under 10 over when the speed limit is 55mph – 2 points
• Going a speed of over 76mph when the speed limit is 70mph or less – 4 points
• Speeding to elude arrest – 10 points

Driver’s license suspense

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles can automatically suspend your licenses for certain speeding convictions, regardless of how many points you have. Examples of these instances are:

• Speeding over 15 miles per hour over the speed limit if you were already driving over 55mph
• A conviction of speeding in excess of 75 miles per hour (where speed limit is less than 70 MPH)
• Street Racing

Criminal Convictions

Some speeding can lead to not only an automatic suspension of your license, but also a criminal conviction. In fact, under certain circumstances, speeding in NC can rise to the level of a felony charge. An example of this is fleeing to elude arrest.

A speeding ticket can be a lot more than you bargained for. Because of this, if you get one, you should contact a traffic ticket lawyer.