Dangerous, negligent or careless driving behavior can result in both serious legal consequences and the temporary or permanent loss of driving privileges.
If a driver's license is suspended, their driving privilege is temporarily withdrawn for a specific period and may be reinstated once the terms of the suspension are fulfilled.
Once the terms of the suspension have been fulfilled, a driver can
apply for a license at
a driver license office. In addition to the requirements for getting a driver license, some suspensions require proof of insurance at the time of reinstatement.
Reasons for suspension
A driver's license will be suspended, at a minimum, for a year, if they are convicted of driving while impaired.
Refusal to perform a chemical breath or blood test will result in the immediate suspension of a driver license and an additional, minimum one-year suspension by NCDMV.
Restoring a license
NCDMV must receive a certificate of completion for a DWI substance use assessment that has been approved by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for a driver who is subject to G.S. 20-17.6 before the driver's license is restored.
Drivers convicted of driving while their license is suspended under G.S. 20-28(a) will result in points on their motor vehicle record. Drivers convicted of driving while license suspended after impaired driving under G.S. 20-28(a1) will result in an additional suspension.
An individual's driving privilege will be suspended for at least 30 days if they are convicted of:
- Driving any vehicle more than 15 mph over the speed limit while driving at a speed greater than 55 mph
- Driving any vehicle at a speed in excess of 75 miles per hour on a public road or highway where the maximum speed is less than 70 miles per hour.
- Driving at a speed greater than 80 mph
A license will be suspended for 60 days if an individual is convicted of:
- Two speeding charges within one year
- Speeding plus reckless driving on the same occasion
First offense
| 30 days
| G.S. 20.16.1(d)
| G.S. 20.16.1(d)
|
Second offense within 12 months
| 60 days
| G.S. 20.16.1(a)
| G.S. 20.16.1(a)
|
Convicted of reckless driving on the same occasion
| 60 days
| G.S. 20.16.1(c)
| G.S. 20.16.1(c)
|
Two convictions speeding over 55 mph in 12 months
| Up to 6 months
| 20-16.1 20-16(a)(9)
| 20-19(a)
|
If an individual is convicted in North Carolina of certain motor vehicle violations, driver license points are assessed on their driving record based on the date of the offense (Note: Insurance companies use a different point system to determine insurance rates).
- An individual's license may be suspended if they accumulate as many as 12 points within a three-year period.
- Eight points within three years following the reinstatement of a license can result in an additional suspension.
- When a driving privilege is reinstated, all previous points on an individual's record are canceled.
A driver can see the status of their license, including the number of points assessed on their record, through their MyDMV account.
Drivers convicted of moving violations while their license is suspended will face an additional suspension.
30-day civil suspension
| 30 days - extends until compliance with court
| G.S. 20-16.5
| G.S. 20-16.5
|
Failure to appear
| Indefinite
| G.S. 20-24.1
| G.S. 20-24.1
|
Failure to pay fine
| Indefinite
| G.S. 20-24.1
| G.S. 20-24.1
|
Violation of ignition interlock restriction
| 1 year
| G.S. 20-17.8(g)
| G.S. 20-17.8(g)
|
Administrative Hearings
Many suspensions either require or can be shortened by an administrative hearing.
Ignition interlock devices
North Carolina G.S. 20-17.8 and G.S. 20-179.3 define when a driver is required to have the ignition interlock restriction on a license after certain convictions or affidavits.
Connected to a vehicle's ignition system, an ignition interlock device requires an individual to breathe into the equipment, which prevents the vehicle from starting if the individual's breath alcohol concentration is outside the acceptable range.
Ignition interlock devices are installed at the expense of the driver.
Effective June 1, 2022, a person who is ordered by a court, or required by statute, to install an ignition interlock system to lawfully operate a motor vehicle, but who is unable to afford the cost of an ignition interlock system, may apply to an authorized vendor for a waiver of a portion of the costs of an ignition interlock system. A person who applies for a waiver of the portion of the costs of an ignition interlock system shall provide the completed Vendor Interlock Hardship to an authorized vendor.
Ignition interlock providers
Continuous alcohol monitoring
In certain cases, NCDMV may grant the use of a continuous alcohol monitor device. Call (919) 715-7000 for more information.
| Carolina Monitoring Associates | (252) 702-8837
|
Continuous Alcohol Monitoring LLC
| (800) 464-5917
|
| Offender Management Services | (803) 814-3216 |
| Reliant Management Group | (919) 754-9422 |
| Tarheel Monitoring | (910) 763-1490 |
Driver improvement clinics
Drivers may request to attend a driver improvement clinic if they accumulate four points (on the eight-point scale) or seven points (on the 12-point scale) on their driving record.
To receive point credit, an individual must qualify and have a conference with an administrative hearings officer.
Drivers can attend driving improvement clinics once every five years. Upon satisfactory completion, three points are deducted from the driving record.
Download 2026 Driver Improvement Clinics Schedule
Eligibility Hearings
The NCDMV sends a letter to any individual who might qualify for a driver improvement clinic. Upon notification, they must
apply for a hearing and pay the associated fee. NCDMV will then assign a hearing date.
Fees
Hearing fee
Clinic fee
Frequently asked questions
In some situations, a limited driving permit may be allowed during the suspension period. To determine if your suspension or revocation allows limited privileges based on statute, please review the
limited driving privilege statute.
A "Failure to Appear" suspension occurs when a driver fails to appear in court and does not comply with a citation under G.S. 20-24.1. A "Failure to Pay" suspension occurs when a driver fails to pay fines for a citation under G.S. 20-24.2.
If you have failed to appear to court or failed to pay the court, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles will suspend your driving privileges indefinitely until you have complied with the case.
You will need to contact the court in the county that you received the citation or where you failed to pay your fines.
Upon compliance,
contact NCDMV to determine if you are eligible to reinstate your license.
If your suspension/revocation requires a substance abuse assessment, visit the
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' website to find a provider in your area to perform the assessment and determine what classes are needed. Upon completion, the provider must submit a 508 Form to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.
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