North Carolina

North Carolina General Statutes — Chapter 20, Motor Vehicles

863 sections, each with the official text and a plain-English explanation of what it means for you.

• § 20-1 — Division of Motor Vehicles established
• § 20-10 — Age limits for drivers of public passenger-carrying vehicles
• § 20-10.1 — Mopeds
• § 20-100 — Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision
• § 20-101 — Certain business vehicles to be marked
• § 20-101.1 — Conspicuous disclosure of dealer administrative fees
• § 20-101.2 — Conspicuous disclosure of dealer finance yield charges
• § 20-101.3 — Conspicuous disclosure of dealer shop and other service-related fees
• § 20-102 — Report of stolen and recovered motor vehicles
• § 20-102.1 — False report of theft or conversion a misdemeanor
• § 20-102.2 — Report of failure to return hired motor vehicles
• § 20-103 — Reports by owners of stolen and recovered vehicles
• § 20-104 — Action by Division on report of stolen or embezzled vehicles
• § 20-105 — Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c
• § 20-106 — Recodified as G
• § 20-106.1 — Fraud in connection with rental of motor vehicles
• § 20-106.2 — Sublease and loan assumption arranging regulated
• § 20-107 — Recodified as G
• § 20-108 — Vehicles or component parts of vehicles without manufacturer's numbers
• § 20-109 — Altering or changing engine or other numbers
• § 20-109.1 — Surrender of titles to salvage vehicles
• § 20-109.1A — Application for unregisterable certificate of title
• § 20-109.2 — Surrender of title to manufactured home
• § 20-109.3 — Disposition of vehicles abandoned by charitable organizations
• § 20-11 — Issuance of limited learner's permit and provisional drivers license to person who is less than 18 years old
• § 20-11.1 — Repealed by Session Laws 1965, c
• § 20-110 — When registration shall be rescinded
• § 20-111 — Violation of registration provisions
• § 20-112 — Making false affidavit perjury
• § 20-113 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c
• § 20-114 — Duty of officers; manner of enforcement
• § 20-114.1 — Willful failure to obey law-enforcement or traffic-control officer; firemen as traffic-control officers; appointment, etc
• § 20-114.3 — : Repealed by Session Laws 2007-433, s
• § 20-115 — Scope and effect of regulations in this Part
• § 20-115.1 — Limitations on tandem trailers and semitrailers on certain North Carolina highways
• § 20-116 — Size of vehicles and loads
• § 20-117 — Flag or light at end of load
• § 20-117.1 — Requirements for mirrors and fuel container
• § 20-118 — Weight of vehicles and load
• § 20-118.1 — Officers may weigh vehicles and require overloads to be removed
• § 20-118.2 — Authority to fix higher weight limitations at reduced speeds for certain vehicles
• § 20-118.3 — Vehicle or combination of vehicles operated without registration plate subject to civil penalty
• § 20-118.4 — Firefighting equipment exempt from size and weight restrictions while transporting or moving heavy equipment for emergency response and preparedness and fire prevention; permits
• § 20-119 — Special permits for vehicles of excessive size or weight; fees
• § 20-119.1 — Use of excess overweight and oversize fees
• § 20-12 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1997-16, s
• § 20-12.1 — Impaired supervision or instruction
• § 20-120 — Operation of flat trucks on State highways regulated; trucks hauling leaf tobacco in barrels or hogsheads
• § 20-121 — When authorities may restrict right to use highways
• § 20-121.1 — Operation of a low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle on certain roadways
• § 20-121.2 — Operation of a neighborhood occupantless vehicle on certain roadways; regulations; equipment requirements
• § 20-122 — Restrictions as to tire equipment
• § 20-122.1 — Motor vehicles to be equipped with safe tires
• § 20-123 — Trailers and towed vehicles
• § 20-123.1 — Steering mechanism
• § 20-123.2 — Speedometer
• § 20-124 — Brakes
• § 20-125 — Horns and warning devices
• § 20-125.1 — Directional signals
• § 20-126 — Mirrors
• § 20-127 — Windows and windshield wipers
• § 20-128 — Exhaust system and emissions control devices
• § 20-128.1 — Control of visible emissions
• § 20-128.2 — Motor vehicle emission standards
• § 20-129 — Required lighting equipment of vehicles
• § 20-129.1 — Additional lighting equipment required on certain vehicles
• § 20-129.2 — Lighting equipment for mobile homes
• § 20-13 — Suspension of license of provisional licensee
• § 20-13.1 — Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c
• § 20-13.2 — Grounds for revoking provisional license
• § 20-13.3 — Immediate civil license revocation for provisional licensees charged with certain offenses
• § 20-130 — Additional permissible light on vehicle
• § 20-130.1 — Use of red or blue lights on vehicles prohibited; exceptions
• § 20-130.2 — Use of amber lights on certain vehicles; limited use
• § 20-130.3 — Use of white or clear lights on rear of vehicles prohibited; exceptions
• § 20-131 — Requirements as to headlamps and auxiliary driving lamps
• § 20-132 — Acetylene lights
• § 20-133 — Enforcement of provisions
• § 20-134 — Lights on parked vehicles
• § 20-135 — Safety glass
• § 20-135.1 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c
• § 20-135.2 — Safety belts and anchorages
• § 20-135.2A — (See Editor's note) Seat belt use mandatory
• § 20-135.2B — Transporting children under 16 years of age in open bed or open cargo area of a vehicle prohibited; exceptions
• § 20-135.3 — Seat belt anchorages for rear seats of motor vehicles
• § 20-135.4 — Certain automobile safety standards
• § 20-136 — Smoke screens
• § 20-136.1 — Location of television, computer, or video players, monitors, and screens
• § 20-136.2 — Counterfeit supplemental restraint system components and nonfunctional airbags
• § 20-137 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c
• § 20-137.1 — Child restraint systems required
• § 20-137.10 — Abandoned and derelict vehicles to be tagged; determination of value
• § 20-137.11 — Title to vest in State
• § 20-137.12 — Secretary may contract for disposal
• § 20-137.13 — No liability for removal
• § 20-137.14 — Enclosed, antique, registered and certain other vehicles exempt
• § 20-137.2 — Operation of vehicles resembling law-enforcement vehicles unlawful; punishment
• § 20-137.3 — Unlawful use of a mobile phone by persons under 18 years of age
• § 20-137.4 — Unlawful use of a mobile phone
• § 20-137.4A — Unlawful use of mobile telephone for text messaging or email
• § 20-137.5 — Child passenger safety technician; limitation of liability
• § 20-137.6 — Declaration of purpose
• § 20-137.7 — Definitions of words and phrases
• § 20-137.8 — Secretary may adopt rules and regulations
• § 20-137.9 — Removal from private property
• § 20-138 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c
• § 20-138.1 — Impaired driving
• § 20-138.2 — Impaired driving in commercial vehicle
• § 20-138.2A — Operating a commercial vehicle after consuming alcohol
• § 20-138.2B — Operating a school bus, school activity bus, child care vehicle, ambulance, other EMS vehicle, firefighting vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle after consuming alcohol
• § 20-138.2C — Possession of alcoholic beverages while operating a commercial motor vehicle
• § 20-138.3 — Driving by person less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs
• § 20-138.4 — Requirement that prosecutor explain reduction or dismissal of charge in implied-consent case
• § 20-138.5 — Habitual impaired driving
• § 20-138.6 — Reserved for future codification purposes
• § 20-138.7 — Transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage
• § 20-139 — Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c
• § 20-139.1 — Procedures governing chemical analyses; admissibility; evidentiary provisions; controlled-drinking programs
• § 20-14 — Duplicate licenses
• § 20-140 — Reckless driving
• § 20-140.1 — Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c
• § 20-140.2 — Overloaded or overcrowded vehicle
• § 20-140.3 — Unlawful use of National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and other controlled-access highways
• § 20-140.4 — Special provisions for motorcycles and mopeds
• § 20-140.5 — Special mobile equipment may tow certain vehicles
• § 20-141 — Speed restrictions
• § 20-141.1 — Speed limits in school zones
• § 20-141.10 — Street takeover
• § 20-141.2 — Prima facie rule of evidence as to operation of motor vehicle altered so as to increase potential speed
• § 20-141.3 — Unlawful racing on streets and highways
• § 20-141.4 — Felony and misdemeanor death by vehicle; felony serious injury by vehicle; aggravated offenses; repeat felony death by vehicle
• § 20-141.5 — Speeding to elude arrest; seizure and sale of vehicles
• § 20-141.6 — Aggressive Driving
• § 20-142 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c
• § 20-142.1 — Obedience to railroad signal
• § 20-142.2 — Vehicles stop at certain grade crossing
• § 20-142.3 — Certain vehicles must stop at railroad grade crossing
• § 20-142.4 — Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossing
• § 20-142.5 — Stop when traffic obstructed
• § 20-143 — through 20-143
• § 20-144 — Special speed limitation on bridges
• § 20-145 — When speed limit not applicable
• § 20-146 — Drive on right side of highway; exceptions
• § 20-146.1 — Operation of motorcycles
• § 20-146.2 — Rush hour traffic lanes authorized
• § 20-147 — Keep to the right in crossing intersections or railroads
• § 20-147.1 — Passenger vehicle towing other vehicles to keep right
• § 20-148 — Meeting of vehicles
• § 20-149 — Overtaking a vehicle
• § 20-15 — Authority of Division to cancel license or endorsement
• § 20-15.1 — Revocations when licensing privileges forfeited
• § 20-150 — Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing
• § 20-150.1 — When passing on the right is permitted
• § 20-151 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c
• § 20-152 — Following too closely
• § 20-153 — Turning at intersections
• § 20-154 — Signals on starting, stopping or turning
• § 20-155 — Right-of-way
• § 20-156 — Exceptions to the right-of-way rule
• § 20-157 — Approach of law enforcement, fire department or rescue squad vehicles or ambulances; driving over fire hose or blocking fire fighting equipment; parking, etc
• § 20-157.1 — Funeral processions
• § 20-158 — Vehicle control signs and signals
• § 20-158.1 — Erection of "yield right-of-way" signs
• § 20-158.2 — Control of vehicles on Turnpike System
• § 20-158.3 — Emergency entry to controlled access roads
• § 20-159 — Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c
• § 20-16 — Authority of Division to suspend license
• § 20-16.01 — Double penalties for offenses committed while operating a commercial motor vehicle
• § 20-16.1 — Mandatory suspension of driver's license upon conviction of excessive speeding; limited driving permits for first offenders
• § 20-16.2 — Implied consent to chemical analysis; mandatory revocation of license in event of refusal; right of driver to request analysis
• § 20-16.3 — Alcohol screening tests required of certain drivers; approval of test devices and manner of use by Department of Health and Human Services; use of test results or refusal
• § 20-16.3A — Checking stations and roadblocks
• § 20-16.4 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c
• § 20-16.5 — Immediate civil license revocation for certain persons charged with implied-consent offenses
• § 20-160 — Driving through safety zone or on sidewalks prohibited
• § 20-160.1 — Failure to yield causing serious bodily injury; penalties
• § 20-161 — Stopping on highway prohibited; warning signals; removal of vehicles from public highway
• § 20-161.1 — Regulation of night parking on highways
• § 20-161.2 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c
• § 20-162 — Parking in front of private driveway, fire hydrant, fire station, intersection of curb lines or fire lane
• § 20-162.1 — Prima facie rule of evidence for enforcement of parking regulations
• § 20-162.2 — through 20-162
• § 20-163 — Unattended motor vehicles
• § 20-164 — Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c
• § 20-165 — : Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c
• § 20-165.1 — One-way traffic
• § 20-166 — Duty to stop in event of a crash; furnishing information or assistance to injured person, etc
• § 20-166.1 — Reports and investigations required in event of accident
• § 20-166.2 — Duty of passenger to remain at the scene of an accident
• § 20-166.3 — Limit storage duration for vehicle damaged as a result of a collision
• § 20-167 — Vehicles transporting explosives
• § 20-167.1 — Transportation of spent nuclear fuel
• § 20-168 — Drivers of State, county, and city vehicles subject to the provisions of this Article
• § 20-169 — Powers of local authorities
• § 20-17 — Mandatory revocation of license by Division
• § 20-17.1 — Revocation of license of mental incompetents, alcoholics and habitual users of narcotic drugs
• § 20-17.1A — Restoration of license for person adjudicated to be restored to competency
• § 20-17.2 — : Repealed by Session Laws 2006-253, s
• § 20-17.3 — Revocation for underage purchasers of alcohol
• § 20-17.4 — Disqualification to drive a commercial motor vehicle