North Carolina may have lower than average car insurance rates, but these premiums can increase significantly if you get involved in speeding. On average, after an initial speeding ticket, North Carolina drivers can expect their fees to rise by about 49% or 46%, depending on whether they have full coverage or minimum coverage. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to potentially lower these premiums (and we shared them below). We’ve also looked at some fines related to a speeding ticket in North Carolina, as well as some things to consider once you get that ticket.
How much is a speeding ticket in North Carolina?
The amount of speeding tickets in NC depends on the severity level. Minor speeding ticket fines in North Carolina range from $10 to $50 plus other court or administrative fees. For more serious speeding tickets, such as driving more than 80 mph or exceeding 15 mph while driving an applicable speed limit of 55 mph, the amount of fine will be determined by the judge at the discretion of the judge. If you are speeding up in your work or school zone, you could face an additional $250 fine over other fines.
On the surface, the cost of speeding tickets in North Carolina doesn’t seem too bad, especially for minor violations. However, a bigger financial fallout begins when the insurance company finds out about the ticket. This comes with renewal of your insurance policy, whether you tell them or not.
According to Quadrant Information Services, as of March 2025, North Carolina drivers with clean driving records will pay an average of $1,957 in full annual coverage and $595 in the lowest annual range. After receiving one speeding ticket in NC, the average annual cost is $2,914 for full coverage and $870 for the lowest range, representing an increase of 49% and 46%, respectively.
Additionally, drivers who have accumulated multiple speeding tickets and other traffic violations can suspend licenses that increase for habitual offenders from 60 days under the North Carolina Points System. Regardless of points, some severe speeding tickets can lead to immediate license revocation, and their length is determined by previous driving history. The cost to restore your driver’s license from a suspension or expiration in North Carolina is $70 and will cost an additional $50 service fee.
Cheapest Auto Insurance for North Carolina Drivers with Speeding Tickets
Our research shows that regardless of your insurance provider, it is extremely difficult to avoid a rate increase of about 50% following your initial speeding ticket in North Carolina. That said, the prices for some North Carolina providers are pretty cheap to begin with, so hiking nearly 50% is a bit painful. Based on average price in the base profile as of March 2025, these are the cheapest auto insurance providers for North Carolina drivers with speeding tickets on their driving records.
| company | North Carolina speeding ticket pre-price fees | Prices after speeding tickets in North Carolina | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,194 | $1,752 | 47% |
| progressive | $1,372 | $1,966 | 43% |
| Ellie | $1,739 | $2,609 | 50% |
| farmers | $1,975 | $2,954 | 50% |
| Geico | $1,908 | $3,361 | 76% |
| *All prices shown are the average annual full coverage rate. |
What to do after a speeding ticket in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, speeding tickets usually remain on driving records for three years from the date of conviction. Auto insurance premiums can rise during this probation period, as car insurance generally rises after a speeding ticket conviction. However, auto insurance premiums are affected by multiple factors and may reduce insurance costs during that time, so these strategies can be implemented to remove points from the record faster.
I’ll go to court
Going to court is mandatory or optional, depending on the situation of your speeding ticket. If it’s an option, you can abandon the appearance by admitting your guilt and paying a fine, and avoiding the appearance of the court. However, this will add a ticket to your driving record. If your court date is mandatory or you choose to display it, there are options that will help reduce the financial impact of your speeding ticket.
In North Carolina, drivers can request ticket cuts either in court or online if they are made at least seven days before the court date. Success is not guaranteed, but a good driving record is guaranteed by admitting guilt and showing understanding of the violation. Judges can reduce ticket severity and add fines and points to their insurance records.
Finally, you can challenge the speeding ticket and plead not guilty, but it may be difficult to do this without a lawyer. It may be difficult to successfully compete for tickets if there is no easy proven reason why speeding tickets should not be issued. Hiring a local legal counsel could improve your chances here, and the costs could be lower than long-term insurance hikes that a speeding conviction could cause.
Participate in the driver improvement course
North Carolina law allows drivers with 4 or 7 points on the 8-point scale to participate in the driver improvement course once every five years. You may need to first qualify and attend a hearing with the Administrative Hearing Officer. If you complete the course successfully, you will receive 3 points credits. Over time, these improvements in driving records can lead to lower premiums from your insurance company when you renew your policy.
Commit to driving safely
If your insurance provider offers instead of waiting three years for your points to fall from your driving record, you can take a more proactive approach by signing up for a telematics program. These programs track your daily driving habits and send data back to your provider. Simply put, the safer you drive, the more money you save. It may take a little while, but this is at least a good way to combat the increase in speeding ticket insurance rates. Keep in mind that some insurance companies may raise their fees if they detect unsafe driving habits. So, check with your preferred insurance company to learn more about your individual program.
Adjust your insurance contract
If you can afford a new premium, you can also consider adjusting your car insurance as long as it exceeds the local minimum insurance requirements (within legal requirements) or by removing the optional coverage type. Alternatively, you could consider saving on the deduction as long as you feel comfortable paying that amount from your pocket after an accident.
If you want to maintain coverage, you can instead look at eligibility for certain car insurance discounts that are not linked to your driving record, such as paperless claims and insurance contract bundles.
FAQ
Methodology
Using Quadrant Information Services, Bankrate analyzes all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states March 2025 rates, with Washington DC rates being weighted based on population density for each geographical region. The cited fees are based on 40-year-old male and female drivers with clean driving records, good credits and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 per person physical injury liability
- $300,000 for each accident
- Liability for property damages of $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured driver physical injury for $100,000 per person
- Uninsured driver’s physical injury for $300,000 per accident
- $500 collision deduction possible
- Comprehensive $500 deduction
To determine the minimum coverage limit, bank rates used minimum coverage to meet the requirements of each state. Our base profile driver owns a 2023 Toyota Camry, commutes five days a week and drives 12,000 miles a year.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparison purposes only.
Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating the base profile by applying the following incidents: clean records (base) and single speeding tickets.
