TRAFFIC DEFENSE · GREENSBORO · HIGH POINT · GUILFORD & ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NC
Charged With High Speed in Greensboro?
In North Carolina, "high speed" isn't just a description; it's also a legal classification that triggers a possible one-year license revocation, and the Guilford County District Attorney’s office rarely reduces these charges. If you've been cited for high speed, here's exactly what that means and what your options actually are.
WHAT COUNTS AS HIGH SPEED IN NORTH CAROLINA
SPEEDING OVER THE LIMIT
26+ mph over
the posted limit
OR
ABSOLUTE SPEED
90mph or above
(regardless of limit)
High Speed Is About the Number, Not the Officer's Charge
Here is something that will surprise many people. A common misconception is that whether your ticket is classified as high speed will depend on what the officer wrote down. This is not the case; it all depends purely on the speed itself. If you were driving 26 mph or more above the posted speed limit, or 90 mph or above, regardless of what the speed limit was, you're in "high speed" territory under North Carolina law — even if the citation says something else. For example, if you are going down West Wendover, which has a posted speed limit of 45 mph, but you’re going 71, that is 26 mph over the speed limit and thus is classified as HIgh Speed.
This matters because high-speed cases come with consequences that go well beyond a normal speeding ticket — most notably, a potential one-year revocation of your driver's license upon conviction. And unlike many other traffic matters, the Guilford County District Attorney's Office generally does not reduce high-speed charges down to something that avoids this consequence.
IS YOUR TICKET “HIGH SPEED”?
Examples Across Different Speed Limits
The 26-over threshold means the same numeric gap matters differently depending on the posted limit. Here's how it plays out across common Guilford County speed zones.
| Posted Limit | 26+ Over Threshold | Example Speed | High Speed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 mph (city street) | 61 mph | 58 mph | No — but still elevated |
| 35 mph (city street) | 61 mph | 62 mph | Yes — High Speed |
| 55 mph (highway) | 81 mph | 78 mph | No |
| 55 mph (highway) | 81 mph | 82 mph | Yes — High Speed |
| 65 mph (I-40 / I-85) | 91 mph | 89 mph | Yes — 90+ rule applies regardless |
| 70 mph (rural interstate) | 96 mph | 93 mph | Yes — 90+ rule applies regardless |
COMMON CONFUSION
High Speed vs. Reckless Driving — They're Not the Same Thing
People often assume that “high speed” and “reckless driving” are the same thing, but they are not. They’re related, however, legally distinct, and that distinction will matter in your case.
HIGH SPEED
A classification based purely on speed, such as 26+ mph over the limit, or 90+ mph absolute. This classification exists regardless of what charge appears on your citation. Even if an officer charges you with something else, if your actual speed meets this threshold, the high-speed consequences (including the 1-year revocation risk) still apply.
RECKLESS DRIVING TO ENDANGER
A separate misdemeanor charge (N.C.G.S. § 20-140) based on an officer's judgment that you drove "carelessly and heedlessly" in willful or wanton disregard for others' safety. This can be charged at speeds well below the high-speed threshold, and carries its own penalties, including possible jail time, independent of whether high-speed rules apply.
The key takeaway: you can be in "high speed" territory (triggering the 1-year revocation risk) without being charged with reckless driving, and you can be charged with reckless driving at speeds that don't meet the high-speed threshold at all. These two issues need to be evaluated separately, and a defense strategy needs to address both if both are in play.
A REALISTIC PATH FORWARD
Driving School & Community Service: The Main Way Out
Because the Guilford County DA's office generally won't reduce a true high-speed charge to something that avoids the revocation, most people facing high speed need a different kind of solution, one that addresses the revocation consequence rather than trying to avoid the underlying finding altogether.
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1Confirm whether your speed actually meets the high-speed threshold.
Some tickets can be faulty and not written properly to reflect high speed and will fail to meet the 26-over or 90+ mph standard. This is the first thing we check.
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2If it does qualify, evaluate the driving school + community service pathway.
Completing an approved driving school course and community service can, in many cases, address the revocation consequences even when the underlying high-speed finding stands. Usually we use your driving school and community service as mitigating factors. We usually will have you do 1 hour of community service for every mile over the limit.
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3Timing matters will matter.
These requirements often times need to be completed and documented properly, usually before your next court date by us. Waiting until the last minute can cause issues or limit your options. The faster you complete your requirements, the faster we can resolve your case.
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4If a revocation does occur, plan for a limited driving privilege.
Even if your license is revoked, a limited driving privilege (LDP) may allow you to continue driving for work, school and other essential purposes during the revocation period. We may also be able to extend your hours of driving to allow you to drive for work or other obligations. See our limited driving privilges section to learn more.
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5Existing clients
can check our client portal for current community service requirements and documentation or call our office directly for guidance specific to your case.
I-40, I-85 & OUT-OF-STATE-DRIVERS
High Speed Tickets on Greensboro's Interstates
A significant share of high-speed citations in Guilford County happens on I-40 and I-85, where speed limits of 65–70 mph mean the absolute 90 mph threshold is often reached well before a driver feels like they're "way over" the limit. We regularly help both local drivers and out-of-state travelers passing through Greensboro on these corridors.
If you're from out of state, the same general principle applies as with other tickets: you typically don't need to return to North Carolina for an attorney to handle a high-speed citation, though the stakes are higher given the revocation risk, making it even more important to have someone evaluate your specific situation before anything is resolved.
WHY CHOOSE OUR FIRM
We Know Exactly How Guilford County Handles These Cases
⚖️
Board Certified in Criminal Law
Brennan Aberle and Julie Connolly are among fewer than 4% of NC attorneys certified as Criminal Law Specialists by the NC State Bar.
🗣️
Julie Connolly and paralegal Jeremy Cruz speak fluent Spanish for direct communication with Spanish-speaking clients.
🎯
We Verify The Threshold First
Not every "high speed"-looking ticket actually meets the legal threshold. We check the math before assuming the worst-case consequences apply.
🏛️
13+ Years in the Triad
Aberle and Connolly have practiced law in the Piedmont Triad for a combined average of 13 years, with direct experience in how the Guilford County DA's office handles high-speed cases.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Your High Speed Ticket Questions Answered
Can a high-speed charge be reduced in Guilford County?
Generally, the Guilford County DA's office does not reduce charges that genuinely meet the high-speed threshold (26+ over or 90+ mph) down to a level that avoids the revocation consequence. However, we always first verify whether the cited speed actually meets that threshold; sometimes it doesn't, due to how the citation was written or measured, which can change the entire analysis.
What does a 1-year license revocation for high speed actually mean day-to-day?
It means your license is revoked for one year following a high-speed conviction. However, a limited driving privilege may be available depending on your circumstances, allowing driving for work, school, medical needs, and other essential purposes during specific times. The revocation doesn't necessarily mean you can't drive at all for a year, but it does mean navigating the limited privilege process. See our limited privileges section.
Can I get a PJC for a high-speed ticket?
Generally, no high-speed charges are typically not eligible for a standard Prayer for Judgment Continued. This is one of the key differences between high-speed cases and routine speeding tickets. See our PJC page for more on how PJCs work for tickets that do qualify.
What if my speedometer or the officer's radar was wrong?
Radar and laser devices require proper calibration and certification, and officers must be trained in their use. Challenges to the accuracy or calibration of the speed-measuring device, or to whether it was used correctly, are part of what we evaluate, particularly when the cited speed is close to the high-speed threshold, where even a small measurement issue could change the classification entirely.
I was charged with reckless driving, not "high speed." Does this page still apply to me?
Possibly. Whether the high-speed rules apply depends on your actual speed, not the name of the charge on your citation. If your speed was 26+ mph over the limit or 90+ mph, the high-speed consequences can apply even if "high speed" doesn't appear anywhere on your paperwork. We check this as part of reviewing any speeding-related citation.
How quickly do I need to start the driving school process?
As soon as possible. Because documentation of completed driving school and community service often needs to be in place at or before your court date, and scheduling these courses takes time, waiting until close to your court date can limit your options. Call us as soon as you receive a high-speed citation so we can map out the timeline.
WHERE WE PRACTICE
Serving Greensboro, High Point & all of Guilford County
Cited for High Speed in Greensboro?
The Clock Is Already Running.
Call now for a free consultation. The sooner we start, the more options we have to address the revocation risk.