Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Raleigh, NC (WNN)—Starting on October 1st, a new North Carolina law will allow cities and towns to install speed cameras in school zones across the state. Senate Bill 391, signed into law by NC Governor Josh Stein, aims to enhance child safety and reduce speeding in school zones.
Official photo of North Carolina Governor Josh Stein
Photo from: https://governor.nc.gov/josh-stein
Under the new law, drivers caught speeding by these cameras will pay a $250 fine. These tickets will not add points to their driver's license. All tickets must be issued within 60 days of the violation.
If you speed in a school zone, a camera might take a photo of your car. The ticket will include the date, time, and recorded speed must be signed by an officer. You will receive the ticket by first-class mail, sent to your vehicle's current registration address. The law states the ticket is considered served five days after being mailed.
The school zone sign at W.B. Beam Intermediate in Cherryville, N.C.
July 10th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)
Drivers who are issued a ticket will have 30 days to pay or appeal the fine. If you ignore it, you could be given a $50 late fee. Drivers also might be unable to renew their vehicle registration until the fine is paid. The law will require warning signs to be posted within 1,000 feet of school zones where cameras are in use.
The money collected from these fines will go to local governments and school systems. Specifically, 90% of the money left after covering program costs will go to local schools, and the remaining 10% will go to local governments.
While the law now allows these cameras, each city and town will decide if and where to install them. The decision to install these cameras rests with cities and towns, which will also be responsible for funding them. The bill indicates that money from fines will first be used to cover the camera program's costs.
Beyond speed cameras, Senate Bill 391 also mentions a change for drivers dealing with long DMV wait times. If your license expired on or after July 1st, 2025, it will now remain valid until December 31st, 2027, providing you with additional time for renewal. This does not apply if your license has been revoked, canceled, or suspended.
Finally, Senate Bill 391 also changes rules for tinted windows, effective December 1st, 2025. The bill removes the need for tinted windows to be inspected. Instead, drivers with tinted windows must roll down their driver's side window when an officer approaches. If the officer comes to the passenger side, that window must also be rolled down.
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