North Carolina's Reckless Driving Laws and Penalties

North Carolina's reckless driving laws essentially make it illegal to operate a vehicle in an unsafe manner. This article explains how North Carolina defines reckless driving and the penalties you'll face for a conviction.

What Is Considered Reckless Driving in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a person can be convicted of reckless driving for driving on a public roadway:

• "carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others," or
• "without due caution and circumspection and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property."

In other words, North Carolina's reckless driving law requires motorists to drive in a reasonably safe manner at all times. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-140, amended by SL 2025-71 (2025).)

In deciding whether a person's driving qualifies as reckless, a judge might look to factors like:

• traffic
• road and weather conditions
• whether the driver was paying attention (negligence), and
• the driver's speed.

But the facts of each case are different. So, whether a particular course of driving meets the legal definition of "reckless" will always depend on the particular circumstances.

Jail Time and Fines for North Carolina Reckless Driving Convictions

Reckless driving typically is a class 2 misdemeanor in North Carolina. But if the reckless driving causes serious injury, the driver will face a class 1 misdemeanor. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-140, amended by SL 2025-71 (2025).)

Reckless driving that causes serious bodily injury is a class A1 misdemeanor. Serious bodily injury is more severe than serious injury. Serious bodily injury is an injury that:

• creates a substantial risk of death
• causes serious permanent disfigurement or coma
• causes a permanent or protracted condition that causes extreme pain or permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ, or
• results in prolonged hospitalization.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-32.4, 20-140, amended by SL 2025-71 (2025).)

The maximum fine for a class 2 misdemeanor is $1,000. For class 1 and A1 misdemeanors, the amount of the fine is left to the judge’s discretion. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.23 (2025).)

The potential jail sentences for reckless driving are:

• Class 2 misdemeanor. Up to 30 days in jail if no prior convictions, and up to 60 days if the driver has a prior record.
• Class 1 misdemeanor. Up to 45 days in jail if no prior convictions, and up to 120 days if the driver has a prior record.
• Class A1 misdemeanor. Up to 60 days in jail if no prior convictions, and up to 150 days if the driver has a prior record.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.23 (2025).)

License Suspension for Reckless Driving in North Carolina

A reckless driving conviction leads to license suspension only in certain circumstances. These include offenses where the person:

• was driving more than 15 miles per hour over the speed limit when going at least 55 miles per hour
• was driving more than 80 miles per hour, or
• has at least 1 prior reckless or aggressive driving conviction that occurred within the past 12 months.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-16.1, 20-17 (2025).)

All reckless driving violations will add four demerit points to the motorist's driving record, and most likely, increase the motorist's insurance rates. Getting 12 or more points in a 3-year period will lead to a license suspension. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-16 (2025).)

Getting a DUI Charge Reduced to Reckless Driving in North Carolina

In North Carolina, it's possible for a driver who's charged with driving while impaired (DWI) to plea bargain for a lesser charge. When a DUI is plea-bargained down to a reckless driving charge, it's sometimes called a "wet reckless."

Getting Help From a North Carolina Defense Attorney

The consequences of a reckless driving conviction in North Carolina can be serious, especially if you have prior convictions. If you've been arrested for or charged with reckless driving, get in contact with an experienced criminal defense attorney. A qualified attorney can explain how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on how best to handle your situation.