🚨 New NC Law: Insurance Points for Reckless Driving and Passing a Stopped School Bus Now Last 5 Years 🚨
Effective July 1, 2025
At Middle Creek Insurance, we stay up to date so you don’t get caught off guard. A major change in North Carolina insurance law just went into effect on July 1, 2025, and if you drive in this state, you need to know about it.
❗ What’s Changed?
Two serious traffic violations — Reckless Driving and Passing a Stopped School Bus — will now carry insurance points for 5 years instead of 3.
| Offense | Old Duration | New Duration (as of July 1, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Reckless Driving | 3 years | 5 years |
| Passing a Stopped School Bus | 3 years | 5 years |
That means a single conviction will affect your auto insurance premiums for an additional two years.
💸 Why It Matters
North Carolina uses the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) to determine your auto insurance rates. Accumulating points — even just one or two — can significantly increase your annual premiums.
For example:
- 4 insurance points (for reckless driving) can raise your rate by 80%.
- Those increases now stick around for 5 full years.
🛑 School Bus Safety in Focus
Passing a stopped school bus has always been a serious violation, but the new law makes the consequences longer-lasting. This aims to improve school zone safety and encourage more caution around children.
✅ What You Can Do
- Drive defensively — especially near school buses and in school zones.
- Remind youthful drivers about when to stop for buses. Students are more likely to be driving near schools during drop off and pick up hours.
- Avoid aggressive driving behavior that could be considered reckless.
- If you’ve had past violations, ask us about options for lowering your rate — such as bundling policies.
Have questions about how this change could affect your insurance? Contact your Middle Creek Insurance agent today. We’re here to help you stay protected and informed.
📞 919-524-2149
🌐 Middle Creek Insurance – Independent Insurance Agency
📍 Serving Wake County and beyond with personal, honest insurance guidance.
