If You See Blue,
Call DONAHUE
Call DONAHUE
Outer Banks Reckless Driving Lawyer
Charged With Reckless Driving in the Outer Banks?
Reckless driving in North Carolina is a criminal misdemeanor, not a simple ticket. A conviction adds 4 points to your North Carolina driving record and, for convictions on or after July 1, 2025, a 90% insurance surcharge that lasts five years for drivers insured in North Carolina.
In Dare and Currituck County, these charges most often come from high speed on US 158 and NC 12, aggressive lane changes and passing in summer traffic, and racing. Some follow a crash.
Daniel Donahue is a Board Certified Specialist in State and Federal Criminal Law, certified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He is the only board-certified criminal law specialist based in Dare County, and he handles reckless driving and other traffic cases in Dare and Currituck County courts.
Charged with reckless driving in Dare or Currituck County? Call or text Donahue Defense at 252-715-5785 before your court date.
What Counts as Reckless Driving in North Carolina
Under N.C.G.S. Section 20-140, reckless driving can be charged two ways:
- Driving carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others
- Driving without due caution and circumspection, at a speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property
Both apply on any highway or public vehicular area, which includes places such as parking lots open to the public.
Penalties and Sentencing
The basic charge is a Class 2 misdemeanor. It becomes more serious if someone is hurt. Sentences depend on your prior record under N.C.G.S. Section 15A-1340.23.
| Charge | Classification | Jail range by prior record | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reckless driving | Class 2 misdemeanor | 1 to 30 days with no prior convictions, up to 60 days with five or more | $1,000 |
| Reckless driving causing serious injury | Class 1 misdemeanor | 1 to 45 days with no prior convictions, up to 120 days with five or more | Set by the court |
| Reckless driving causing serious bodily injury | Class A1 misdemeanor | 1 to 60 days with no prior convictions, up to 150 days with five or more | Set by the court |
Court costs are added to any fine. A conviction also becomes part of your criminal record.
DMV Points and License Suspension
Reckless driving carries 4 DMV points under N.C.G.S. Section 20-16. Twelve points within three years can lead to a license suspension. DMV can also suspend your license for a reckless driving conviction plus a speeding conviction over 55 mph within 12 months.
Insurance: The Five-Year Surcharge
Under the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP), administered by the NC Commissioner of Insurance, reckless driving carries 4 insurance points and a 90% premium increase. For convictions on or after July 1, 2025, that increase lasts five policy years instead of three. On a $1,500 base premium, that is about $6,750 in extra premiums. See our breakdown of NC insurance points after a conviction.
If You Live Out of State
A North Carolina conviction can follow you home. Some states add out-of-state convictions to your home record. Virginia, for example, assigns demerit points to convictions from other states. See out-of-state tickets in the Outer Banks for how your home state may treat it.
How We Can Help
- Explain the DMV points, SDIP insurance points, and license consequences of each possible outcome, in dollars
- Obtain and review the evidence, including officer reports, radar or pacing records, and video
- Appear in court for you where the court allows, so out-of-state clients can handle the case from home
- Represent you in Dare and Currituck County courts
- Try your case when the facts and the law support it
- Communicate in Spanish through our legal assistant, Kaitlyn Fernandez
Reckless Driving FAQs
Is reckless driving a criminal charge in North Carolina?
Yes. It is a Class 2 misdemeanor, and more serious if it causes injury. A conviction creates a criminal record, unlike a speeding infraction.
How many points is reckless driving in NC?
It carries 4 DMV points on your North Carolina driving record and 4 SDIP insurance points, which means a 90% premium increase for drivers insured in North Carolina.
Can I be charged with reckless driving in a parking lot?
Yes. The statute covers public vehicular areas as well as highways, so the charge can be brought in places like parking lots open to the public.
Do I have to come to court?
It depends on your case. In many cases your lawyer can appear for you. We will tell you early if your case needs you in person.
Talk to an Outer Banks Reckless Driving Lawyer
If you are charged with reckless driving in Dare or Currituck County, call or text 252-715-5785. We will explain what each possible outcome could cost you, in court, on your license, and in insurance. Se habla español.
Please do not include confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail.
This page is general information about North Carolina law, not legal advice for your situation.