In addition to criminal penalties that the court might mandate, conviction of certain traffic offenses will result in the loss of your driving privilege.
Your driving privilege will be revoked for at least 30 days if you are convicted of:
- driving any vehicle more than 15 mph over the speed limit, if you are driving at a speed higher than 55 mph.
Your driving privilege will be taken for 60 days if you are convicted of:
- a second charge of speeding over 55 mph and more than 15 mph above the speed limit within one year; or
- speeding plus reckless driving on the same occasion.
The DMV can also suspend your license for the following:
- Two convictions of speeding over 55 mph during the same year;
- One conviction of speeding over 55 mph and one conviction of reckless driving within a year;
- A conviction of willful racing with another motor vehicle, whether it is pre-arranged or unplanned.
- A suspended court sentence or part of a sentence mandating that you must not operate a motor vehicle for a specified period of time; and/or
- A conviction for speeding over 75 mph.
In cases like the above, the DMV may suspend your driving privilege as soon as it receives the conviction report from the court. If your driving privilege is revoked, you may have the right to a hearing in the judicial district where you reside. To request a hearing, call or write to the DMV in Raleigh. You will be notified by mail of the time and place for the hearing. At the hearing you may state any facts that you think should entitle you to driving privileges or to a reduction of the suspension period.
If you believe your driving privilege should not have been taken and the hearing gives you no help, you may appeal the DMV's decision within thirty (30) days to the Superior Court of the county where you live. The court will review your case to see if there were proper grounds for taking your driving privilege.