Traffic Violation Points and the Impact on Your Car Insurance

In North Carolina, insurance companies follow the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP).  Drivers who are convicted of moving traffic violations or are charged with causing an accident will be charged higher premiums in accordance with their driving records.  SDIP points are charged as follows for convictions and at-fault accidents during a three-year period:  

  Points             Percentage Increase 

• 1                           30% 
• 2                           45% 
• 3                           60% 
• 4                           80% 
• 5                           110% 
• 6                           135% 
• 7                           165% 
• 8                           195% 
• 9                           225% 
• 10                         260% 
• 11                         300% 
• 12                         340% 

 Offenses North Carolina Lists for Insured Drivers to Receive Insurance Points

12 Points   

• Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle 
• Prearranged highway racing or knowingly lending a motor vehicle to be used in a prearranged race
• Hit and run resulting in bodily injury or death 
• Driving with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or more 
• Driving a commercial vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .04 or more 
• Driving While Impaired 
• Transporting illegal intoxicating liquors for sale 

10 Points 

• Highway racing or lending a car for highway racing 
• Speeding to elude arrest 

8 Points 

• Operating a motor vehicle during a period of revocation or the driver’s license or vehicle registration.
• Aggressive driving  

4 Points

• Reckless driving
• Hit and run resulting in property damage only 
• Passing a stopped school bus 
• Speeding in excess of 75 mph when posted limit is less that 70 mph
• Speeding in excess of 80 mph when posted limit is 70 mph or greater
• Driving by a person under 21 after consuming alcohol or drugs 

3 Points 

• Each at-fault accident that results in bodily injury (in excess of $1,8000.00) or total property damage (including the insured’s property) of $3,000.00 

2 Points 

• Illegal passing
• Speeding more than 10 mph over the limit, if total speed was in excess of 55 mph but less than 76 mph
• Speeding 10 miles or less in excess of a speed zone of 55 mph or greater
• Following too closely 
• Driving on the wrong side of the road 
• Each at-fault accident that results in total damage to all property, which is in excess of $1,800.00 less than $3,000.00 

1 Point 

• Speeding 10 mph or less in excess of speed limit of less than 55 mph* 
• Each at-fault accident that results in total damage of $1,800.00 less* 
• Any other moving violation

 *Points will not be assigned for these violations unless the same driver has been convicted of one or more moving violations during the experience period/last three years.

0 Points 

• Speeding 10 mph or less in excess over the posted speed limit provided the violation did not occur in a school zone and there is not another moving violation for the experience period.  Note: an isolated PJC will not count as a prior conviction for the purpose of this exception. 

---