Determine Your “Course” of Action

There are two scenarios for removing points from your driving record:

• If you accumulate seven points or more on your driving record you will be ordered by the DMV to attend a driver improvement clinic. Upon completion of the course, the DMV will remove three points from your driving record.
• Request permission from the court, before your hearing date, to participate in a deferral program with the intent of having points reduced or dismissed from your driving record. The rules on this vary by district. Either consult legal counsel for assistance, or contact the District Attorney's office for the county in which you were ticketed.

Enrollment in either scenario requires paying a $50 tuition fee.

Those Not Eligible To Dismiss a North Carolina Traffic Ticket

The following are ineligible to get points removed from their driving records:

• Those you hold a commercial driver's license.
• Non-commercial drivers who recently had points removed. The option to enroll in a driver improvement clinic to have points removed is limited to once every five years.
• Drivers ticketed for DWI.

Complete a NC Driving Safety Course

The court and/or DMV may issue a course completion date. Failing to honor this date may forfeit your chance for having your ticket dismissed or points removed from your driving record. Also, be sure the course you're attending meets court or NC DMV approval. If you're unsure, contact the court or DMV for confirmation.

Submit Requirements to the Court

In most cases, the school will submit your completion certificate to either the court or DMV. Double-check with your school. Or to be sure, inquire if you can deliver the completion certificate in person. Points will not be removed from your driving record until the completion certificate is received.

Check Your North Carolina Driving Record

After the completion certificate has been submitted, be sure to check your driving record against errors. Any erroneously added points could affect the status of your driver's license and cause a jump in auto insurance rates.

Get an Auto Insurance Discount

You always have the option to search for a new insurance provider with a coverage plan that better suits your budget. After getting a traffic ticket in NC, compare car insurance rates online to ensure you're getting the best deal. Often times, your auto insurance rate will increase at renewal time if you have additional points on your driving record.