NC Traffic Law Blog

A speeding ticket in North Carolina can be annoying, overwhelming, and sometimes scary, but it doesn’t have to be! In this article we will go through 6 steps you can take after you get a speeding ticket to be able to make an informed decision on what to do.

1. Review the Details of Your Ticket

The citation will include:

• The charged speed and speed limit.
  
  
• The court date and location.
  
  
• Whether your court appearance is required.
  
  
• Instructions for payment or response.
  

Note: Do Not Pay the Ticket Without Looking at All Options

Paying a speeding ticket is equivalent to pleading guilty. This can result in:

• Driver’s license points.
  
  
• Insurance points.
  
  
• Long-term premium increases.
  
  
• Loss of employment for CDL or fleet drivers.
  
  
• Ineligibility for future reductions or dismissals.
  
  

Always talk with a North Carolina traffic attorney before paying off a traffic citation. Often, hiring an attorney can be good not only for your driving record, but also for your wallet. Preventing your insurance rates from going up can save you thousands in the long run, based on the average NC family insurance plan.

Infractions vs. Misdemeanors

Many speeding violations in North Carolina are considered infractions, meaning they do not appear on your criminal record. However, sometimes a speeding ticket can be severe enough to be a misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense under state law. Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Driving 15 mph or more over the speed limit while exceeding 55 mph.
  
  
• Driving over 80 mph, regardless of the posted limit.
  
  
• Speeding in conjunction with reckless driving or attempting to evade law enforcement.
  
  

A misdemeanor conviction carries a criminal record, potential jail time, and steeper insurance and licensing consequences. An attorney can determine whether your violation could be classified as a misdemeanor and build a strategy to avoid a conviction that would appear on your criminal record.

2. Speak With a Traffic Lawyer

a. Case Dismissals and Reductions

Attorneys who regularly practice in specific North Carolina counties understand how local District Attorney’s offices operate. They often negotiate outcomes like:

• Dismissal of the citation.
  
  
• Reduction to a lower speed (e.g., 9 mph over).
  
  
• Reduction to a non-moving violation (e.g., Improper Equipment).
  
  
• Referral to driving school in exchange for a dismissal or reduction.
  

The average person often doesn’t have the legal knowledge—or leverage—to obtain these outcomes on their own. If you are interested in hiring an attorney for your traffic ticket, visit iTicket.law today. Or give us a call at (919) 200-0822 to speak with one of our staff about your case.

b. Avoiding Insurance Premium Increases

One of the most overlooked consequences of a speeding ticket is the potential impact on insurance. North Carolina uses the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) to assess insurance points, which can result in premium increases of up to 80% for certain violations. An experienced traffic attorney may be able to negotiate a reduction to a non-moving violation such as Improper Equipment, or an outright dismissal, which would help to prevent or minimize an increase to your insurance.

c. License Protection

The North Carolina DMV assigns driver’s license points for moving violations:

• Speeding over 55 mph: 3 points
  
  
• Speeding in a school zone: 3 points
  
  
• Reckless driving: 4 points
  

Accumulating 12 points in three years or having multiple convictions in the same year can lead to license suspension. As previously discussed, attorneys can often negotiate a reduced charge or dismissal, protecting your license from accumulating too many points or getting suspended. Worried about license suspension? Visit our License Restoration page.

d. Court Appearance May Be Waived

For many speeding infractions, an attorney can appear in court on your behalf, saving you from having to take a trip to the courthouse, and potentially having to miss work or other important events. This is especially valuable for out-of-county or out-of-state drivers, who would have to make their way all the way back to the county they got a ticket in, if they don’t have an attorney who can appear for them.

3. Consider the Consequences of Paying Off Your Ticket

Many drivers simply pay the fine, believing it to be the easiest option. However, this approach has significant hidden costs:

• Admission of guilt is automatic when you pay the ticket.
  
  
• Points are likely to be added to your driving and insurance records.
  
  
• Future violations may become harder to reduce.
  
  

Even if you plan to plead guilty or seek a reduction, an attorney can typically secure a better outcome than you would on your own—often at a cost comparable to or less than the long-term financial burden of increased insurance.

4. Look at Your Personal Circumstances

CDL Holders

If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a speeding conviction—even in your personal vehicle—can lead to:

• CDL disqualification.
  
  
• Employment termination.
  
  
• Substantial insurance impacts.
  
  

Legal representation is strongly advised to mitigate these consequences. In some cases, an attorney can obtain a dismissal or a reduction that preserves your CDL status.

Out-of-State Drivers

If you receive a ticket while visiting or passing through North Carolina:

• The violation will typically be reported to your home state.
  
  
• You may face penalties both in North Carolina and at home.
  
  
• Your presence may not be required in court if represented by an attorney.
  
  

Hiring a North Carolina-based lawyer allows out-of-state drivers to resolve their tickets without returning to the state, saving them the time and hassle of traveling back to the county where they received the ticket (and then back home again).

5. Run a Cost-Benefit Analysis: Is Hiring a Lawyer Actually Worth It?

In most speeding ticket cases, yes.

While attorney fees vary, at iTicket.law the price for a standard traffic ticket starts at just $99, but can be more depending on the county and the complexity of the case. Consider this:

• Avoiding even one insurance point can save you $1,600 over three years (based on the average NC family insurance plan).
  
  
• Avoiding license suspension can protect your job and ability to drive legally.
  
  
• Dismissal or reduction to a non-moving violation can reduce the impact to your record.
  
  

An attorney is not just a legal representative—they are an advocate working to minimize long-term financial, legal, and personal consequences. The attorneys at iTicket.law handle thousands of traffic tickets every month, cases just like yours.

Conclusion

Receiving a speeding ticket in North Carolina can be more than a minor hassle—it can have lasting implications for your driving record, insurance costs, and even your criminal history. While some drivers may be tempted to pay the fine and move on, this often leads to unintended and expensive outcomes.

Hiring an experienced speeding ticket lawyer at iTicket.law is a proactive and often cost-effective way to protect your interests. From securing favorable plea deals to avoiding insurance hikes and court appearances, legal counsel ensures your case is handled professionally and efficiently.

Before you pay that ticket, consider hiring an attorney. The investment today can save you thousands—and preserve your clean record for the future.