Traffic Citations

Even simple traffic citations can have a serious effect on your insurance rates and North Carolina driving privileges. Convictions for "petty" violations such as speeding, improper lane usage, or following too closely can have far-reaching implications, and multiple convictions may result in a suspension or revocation of your license.
No area of the law affects each of us every day as the traffic laws. If you operate a motor vehicle on the streets and highways of North Carolina for any length of time, the odds favor your receipt of a traffic citation as a part of your driving experience. The citation will itemize criminal misdemeanors and infractions with which you are charged for allegedly violating one or more of the State's motor vehicle statutes, and its final disposition may affect your privilege to drive, and impact your insurance rates.
The citation is an order for you to appear in court at an appointed date and time and is commonly used for minor violations. Its purpose is to avoid requiring a law enforcement officer to take a violator into immediate physical custody and it is important that you read both sides of the form. If the listed charges are waivable, you may elect to waive the court appearance by paying the indicated fine and costs of court or you may decide to contest the charges by going to court. If you elect to pay the fine, you admit that you are "guilty as charged" and the system can access points on your driving record.
If you elect to contest the charges for which you are cited, you may do so by going to court. There you will have the right to enter a plea of "not guilty". A plea of not guilty means that you are informing the court that you deny guilt or that you have a defense for your case and the law enforcement officer who issued the citation must present testimony that proves you committed the charged offense(s).
Some citations list serious charges which require a court appearance. These charges are said to be non-waivable. If any or all of your charges are non-waivable offenses, you will not be allowed to enter a guilty plea or pay a fine and you appearance in court is mandatory.

• Waivable/nonwaivable offenses list.