What to Do When a Criminal Charge Impacts Your License in North Carolina

If your driver’s license is revoked or suspended, it can upend your entire life and create numerous daily challenges. License suspension can occur because of points accumulation from moving violations over time, or it can occur in one moment because of a criminal conviction. It’s important to know what to do when a criminal charge impacts your license in North Carolina.

What Criminal Charges Can Affect Your Driver’s License in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, your driver’s license is primarily affected by traffic violations and offenses, although there are other cases where criminal charges can lead to driver’s license suspension. Your license might be suspended or revoked for the following reasons:

Speeding

Certain speeding offenses are charged as misdemeanors in North Carolina, including driving more than 15 miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit or driving 80 mph. These offenses also result in up to 30 days of suspension of your driver’s license for a first offense.

A second offense or a first offense alongside a reckless driving conviction could lead to up to a 60-day suspension. If you are convicted twice for these speeding offenses within a year, your license could be suspended for up to six months.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is a Class 2 misdemeanor and can result in four points on your license. You could lose your license for an accumulation of points, including this offense, or you could lose your license for a reckless driving charge and a speeding charge in the same offense.

Driving While Impaired

Your license can be suspended for a driving while impaired (DWI) offense. If you are convicted of a first-time offense, this suspension is for one year. A second offense results in a four-year suspension. Even if you were not convicted, you could face an automatic one-year suspension if you refused the blood or breath chemical test after an arrest.

There were 24,694 DWI convictions in fiscal year 2024 in North Carolina. In 2023, there were 12,146 alcohol-related crashes in the state. These crashes resulted in 8,103 injuries and 377 deaths.

While the injuries in these crashes only made up 7.0% of injuries in all crashes, the alcohol-related fatalities made up 22.4% of fatalities. Alcohol-related crashes are disproportionately likely to result in fatalities. This is one reason why DWI offenses are taken so seriously.

Driving on a Revoked License

It’s important to follow the restrictions of a revoked or suspended license. Driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor, and it can result in the suspension of your license for one year. A third offense can lead to permanent revocation.

Missed Court Date

If you miss a required court date, including one for criminal charges, your license may be suspended. This suspension can be indefinite until your obligation is met.

What Can You Do to Reinstate Your License?

To reinstate your license in North Carolina, you usually have to follow the requirements in place for the suspension until the suspension period is over, or you meet the terms. Then, you can apply for reinstatement.

You may be able to reinstate it before then by challenging the offense you are being charged with. There are options to reinstate your license after a suspension or revocation, including:

• DMV hearing. When your license has been revoked or suspended after an arrest for a DWI or because of offenses like speeding or reckless driving, you likely need a hearing with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) to advocate for the restoration of your driving privileges.
• Criminal defense. When criminal charges impact your driver’s license, one effective way to prevent further consequences is to avoid a conviction for the offense. If the case against you is dropped or you are found not guilty, then your driving privileges will likely be reinstated.

In some cases, both methods are necessary to reinstate your license. The right option for your case will depend on your unique charges. It is much easier to navigate these cases with experienced legal representation, as they will know the options in your unique case and the most effective way to quickly reinstate your driver’s license.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Get Your License Back After Suspension in North Carolina?

How much it costs to get your license back after a suspension in North Carolina relies on the reason for the suspension. For most reinstatements, you pay an $83.50 fee for restoration and a $50 service fee, so you would pay $133.50 in fees. If the suspension of your license was for a DWI conviction, there is an additional fee after the DWI suspension period for $167.75. This means you pay $301.25 in fees in total.

How Can You Remove Points From Your Driving Record in North Carolina?

Drivers can attend a driver improvement clinic in North Carolina after accumulating a certain number of points on their driving record. After successful completion of the hearing, three points are deducted from their record. Participation in the clinic is only possible once every five years. Not everyone qualifies. The NCDMV sends letters to those who qualify, who then must request a hearing and pay a fee. This process can minimize the risk of license suspension.

How Long Can Your License Be Suspended in North Carolina?

How long your license can be suspended in North Carolina depends on the severity of the offense or violation you committed. For a DWI conviction, suspension can be between one and four years or permanent revocation. Speeding offenses can lead to suspension for up to 30 days or up to six months.

How Long Does a Reckless Driving Offense Stay on Your Record in North Carolina?

A reckless driving offense stays on your driving record for three years in North Carolina, as all driving record points are assessed within a three-year period. However, a reckless driving offense is also a criminal offense. If you are convicted of reckless driving, that offense stays on your criminal record forever unless you take steps to remove it.

Hire a Traffic Violation Lawyer at Christina Rivenbark & Associates in North Carolina

When you hire a traffic violation lawyer from Christina Rivenbark & Associates in North Carolina, we can walk you through your options to address moving violations, criminal charges, and other incidents that lead to points on your license and potential suspensions. Contact us today.