G.S. ch. 20, art. 3
G.S. ch. 20, art. 3
in effectContents
section20-38.100. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-39. Administering and enforcing laws; rules and regulations; agents, etc.; seal; fees.section20-39.1. Publicly owned vehicles to be marked; private license plates on publicly owned vehicles.section20-40. Offices of Division.section20-41. Commissioner to provide forms required.section20-42. Authority to administer oaths and certify copies of records.section20-43. Records of Division.section20-43.1. Disclosure of personal information in motor vehicle records.section20-43.2. Internet access to organ donation records by organ procurement organizations.section20-43.3. Authorization for the collection of data to enforce the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program.section20-43.4. Current list of licensed drivers to be provided to jury commissions.section20-44. Authority to grant or refuse applications.section20-45. Seizure of documents and plates.section20-46. Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 99.section20-47. Division may summon witnesses and take testimony.section20-48. Giving of notice.section20-49. Police authority of Division.section20-49.1. Repealed by Session Laws 2024-57, s. 3E.2(e), effective July 1, 2025.section20-49.2. Supplemental authority of State Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Enforcement officers.section20-49.3. State Highway Patrol; custody of seized vehicles.section20-50. Owner to secure registration and certificate of title; temporary registration markers.section20-50.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 574, s. 5.section20-50.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 624, s. 4.section20-50.3. Repealed by Session Laws 2005-294, s. 10, effective July 1, 2013, and applicable to combined tax and registration notices issued on or after that date. See Editor's note.section20-50.4. Division to refuse to register vehicles on which county and municipal taxes and fees are not paid and when there is a failure to meet court-ordered child support obligations.section20-51. Exempt from registration.section20-52. Application for registration and certificate of title.section20-52.1. Manufacturer's certificate of transfer of new motor vehicle.section20-52.2. Unregisterable certificate of title.section20-53. Application for specially constructed, reconstructed, or foreign vehicle.section20-53.1. Specially constructed vehicle certificate of title and registration.section20-53.2. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-53.3. Appeal of specially constructed vehicle classification determination to Vehicle Classification Review Committee.section20-53.4. Registration of mopeds; certificate of title.section20-53.5. Titling and registration of HMMWV.section20-53.6. Titling of all-terrain vehicles and utility vehicles.section20-54. Authority for refusing registration or certificate of title.section20-54.1. Forfeiture of right of registration.section20-55. Examination of registration records and index of seized, stolen, and recovered vehicles.section20-56. Registration indexes.section20-57. Division to issue certificate of title and registration card.section20-58. Perfection by indication of security interest on certificate of title.section20-58.1. Duty of the Division upon receipt of application for notation of security interest.section20-58.2. Date of perfection.section20-58.3. Notation of assignment of security interest on certificate of title.section20-58.3A. Automatic expiration of security interest in manufactured home; renewal of security interests in manufactured homes.section20-58.4. Release of security interest.section20-58.4A. Electronic lien system.section20-58.5. Duration of security interest in favor of corporations which dissolve or become inactive.section20-58.6. Duty of secured party to disclose information.section20-58.7. Cancellation of certificate.section20-58.8. Applicability of §§ 20-58 to 20-58.8; use of term "lien".section20-58.9. Repealed by Session Laws 1969, c. 838, s. 3.section20-58.10. Effective date of §§ 20-58 to 20-58.9.section20-59. Unlawful for lienor who holds certificate of title not to surrender same when lien satisfied.section20-60. Owner after transfer not liable for negligent operation.section20-61. Owner dismantling or wrecking vehicle to return evidence of registration.section20-62. Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 533, s. 9.section20-62.1. Purchase of vehicles for purposes of scrap or parts only.section20-63. Registration plates furnished by Division; requirements; replacement of regular plates with First in Flight plates, First in Freedom plates, or National/State Mottos plates; surrender and reissuance; displaying; preservation and cleaning; alteration or concealment of numbers; commission contracts for issuance.section20-63.01. Bonds required for commission contractors.section20-63.1. Division shall cause plates to be reflectorized.section20-63.02. Advisory committee of commission contractors.section20-64. Transfer of registration plates to another vehicle.section20-64.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 6.section20-64.2. Repealed by Session Laws 2010-132, s. 4, effective December 1, 2010.section20-65. Repealed by Session Laws 1979, 2nd Session, c. 1280, s. 1.section20-66. Renewal of vehicle registration.section20-66.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1389, s. 2.section20-67. Notice of change of address or name.section20-68. Replacement of lost or damaged certificates, cards and plates.section20-69. Division authorized to assign new engine number.section20-70. Division to be notified when another engine is installed or body changed.section20-71. Altering or forging certificate of title, registration card or application, a felony; reproducing or possessing blank certificate of title.section20-71.1. Registration evidence of ownership; ownership evidence of defendant's responsibility for conduct of operation.section20-71.2. Declaration of purpose.section20-71.3. Salvage and other vehicles - titles and registration cards to be branded.section20-71.4. Failure to disclose damage to a vehicle shall be a misdemeanor.section20-72. Transfer by owner.section20-72.1. Transfer by owner when a certificate of title is unavailable; consumer remedies.section20-73. New owner must get new certificate of title.section20-74. Penalty for making false statement about transfer of vehicle.section20-75. When transferee is a charitable organization, dealer, or insurance company.section20-75.1. Conditional delivery of motor vehicles.section20-76. Title lost or unlawfully detained; bond as condition to issuance of new certificate.section20-77. Transfer by operation of law; sale under mechanic's or storage lien; unclaimed vehicles.section20-78. When Division to transfer registration and issue new certificate; recordation.section20-78.1. Terminal rental adjustment clauses; vehicle leases that are not sales or security interests.section20-79. Dealer license plates.section20-79.1. Use of temporary registration plates or markers by purchasers of motor vehicles in lieu of dealers' plates.section20-79.01. Special sports event temporary license plates.section20-79.1A. Limited registration plates.section20-79.1B. Print-on-demand temporary registration plates.section20-79.2. Transporter plates.section20-79.02. Loaner/Dealer "LD" license plate for franchised dealer loaner vehicles.section20-79.3. Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 440, s. 5.section20-79.3A. Requirements to establish a special registration plate.section20-79.4. Special registration plates.section20-79.5. Special registration plates for elected and appointed State government officials.section20-79.6. Special registration plates for members of the judiciary.section20-79.7. Fees for special registration plates and distribution of the fees.section20-79.8. Expiration of special registration plate authorization.section20-81.3. Recodified as § 20-79.7 by Session Laws 1991, c. 672, s. 3, as amended by Session Laws 1991, c. 726, s. 23.section20-81.12. Collegiate insignia plates and certain other special plates.section20-82. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 163, s. 3.section20-83. Registration by nonresidents.section20-84. Permanent registration plates; State Highway Patrol.section20-84.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1999-220, s. 4.section20-84.2. Definition; reciprocity; Commissioner's powers.section20-85. Schedule of fees.section20-85.1. Repealed by Session Laws 2024-30, s. 20(b), effective July 1, 2024.section20-86. Penalty for engaging in a "for-hire" business without proper license plates.section20-86.1. International Registration Plan.section20-87. Passenger vehicle registration fees.section20-87.1. Interchange of passenger buses with nonresident common carriers of passengers.section20-88. Property-hauling vehicles.section20-88.1. Driver education.section20-88.01. Revocation of registration for failure to register for or comply with road tax or pay civil penalty for buying or selling non-tax-paid fuel.section20-88.02. Registration of logging vehicles.section20-88.03. Late fee; motor vehicle registration.section20-89. Repealed by Sessions Laws 1981, c. 976, s. 7.section20-90. Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 976, s. 8.section20-91. Audit of vehicle registrations under the International Registration Plan.section20-91.1. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-491, s. 2, effective January 1, 2008.section20-91.2. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-491, s. 2, effective January 1, 2008.section20-92. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 10.section20-93. Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 976, s. 10.section20-94. Partial payments.section20-95. Prorated fee for license plate issued for other than a year.section20-96. Detaining property-hauling vehicles or vehicles regulated by the Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Unit until fines or penalties and taxes are collected.section20-97. Taxes credited to Highway Fund; municipal vehicle taxes.section20-98. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-491, s. 2, effective January 1, 2008.section20-99. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-491, s. 2, effective January 1, 2008.section20-100. Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision.section20-101. Certain business vehicles to be marked.section20-101.1. Conspicuous disclosure of dealer administrative fees.section20-101.2. Conspicuous disclosure of dealer finance yield charges.section20-101.3. Conspicuous disclosure of dealer shop and other service-related fees.section20-102. Report of stolen and recovered motor vehicles.section20-102.1. False report of theft or conversion a misdemeanor.section20-102.2. Report of failure to return hired motor vehicles.section20-103. Reports by owners of stolen and recovered vehicles.section20-104. Action by Division on report of stolen or embezzled vehicles.section20-105. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.section20-106. Recodified as G.S. 14-71.2 by Session Laws 2019-186, s. 1(c), effective December 1, 2019, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.section20-106.1. Fraud in connection with rental of motor vehicles.section20-106.2. Sublease and loan assumption arranging regulated.section20-107. Recodified as G.S. 14-160.4 by Session Laws 2022-73, s. 4(a), effective December 1, 2022, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.section20-108. Vehicles or component parts of vehicles without manufacturer's numbers.section20-109. Altering or changing engine or other numbers.section20-109.1. Surrender of titles to salvage vehicles.section20-109.1A. Application for unregisterable certificate of title.section20-109.2. Surrender of title to manufactured home.section20-109.3. Disposition of vehicles abandoned by charitable organizations.section20-110. When registration shall be rescinded.section20-111. Violation of registration provisions.section20-112. Making false affidavit perjury.section20-113. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 13.section20-114. Duty of officers; manner of enforcement.section20-114.1. Willful failure to obey law-enforcement or traffic-control officer; firemen as traffic-control officers; appointment, etc., of traffic-control officers.section20-114.3. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-433, s. 3(a), (b), effective October 1, 2007.section20-115. Scope and effect of regulations in this Part.section20-115.1. Limitations on tandem trailers and semitrailers on certain North Carolina highways.section20-116. Size of vehicles and loads.section20-117. Flag or light at end of load.section20-117.1. Requirements for mirrors and fuel container.section20-118. Weight of vehicles and load.section20-118.1. Officers may weigh vehicles and require overloads to be removed.section20-118.2. Authority to fix higher weight limitations at reduced speeds for certain vehicles.section20-118.3. Vehicle or combination of vehicles operated without registration plate subject to civil penalty.section20-118.4. Firefighting equipment exempt from size and weight restrictions while transporting or moving heavy equipment for emergency response and preparedness and fire prevention; permits.section20-119. Special permits for vehicles of excessive size or weight; fees.section20-119.1. Use of excess overweight and oversize fees.section20-120. Operation of flat trucks on State highways regulated; trucks hauling leaf tobacco in barrels or hogsheads.section20-121. When authorities may restrict right to use highways.section20-121.1. Operation of a low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle on certain roadways.section20-121.2. Operation of a neighborhood occupantless vehicle on certain roadways; regulations; equipment requirements.section20-122. Restrictions as to tire equipment.section20-122.1. Motor vehicles to be equipped with safe tires.section20-123. Trailers and towed vehicles.section20-123.1. Steering mechanism.section20-123.2. Speedometer.section20-124. Brakes.section20-125. Horns and warning devices.section20-125.1. Directional signals.section20-126. Mirrors.section20-127. Windows and windshield wipers.section20-128. Exhaust system and emissions control devices.section20-128.1. Control of visible emissions.section20-128.2. Motor vehicle emission standards.section20-129. Required lighting equipment of vehicles.section20-129.1. Additional lighting equipment required on certain vehicles.section20-129.2. Lighting equipment for mobile homes.section20-130. Additional permissible light on vehicle.section20-130.1. Use of red or blue lights on vehicles prohibited; exceptions.section20-130.2. Use of amber lights on certain vehicles; limited use.section20-130.3. Use of white or clear lights on rear of vehicles prohibited; exceptions.section20-131. Requirements as to headlamps and auxiliary driving lamps.section20-132. Acetylene lights.section20-133. Enforcement of provisions.section20-134. Lights on parked vehicles.section20-135. Safety glass.section20-135.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 30.section20-135.2. Safety belts and anchorages.section20-135.2A. (See Editor's note) Seat belt use mandatory.section20-135.2B. Transporting children under 16 years of age in open bed or open cargo area of a vehicle prohibited; exceptions.section20-135.3. Seat belt anchorages for rear seats of motor vehicles.section20-135.4. Certain automobile safety standards.section20-136. Smoke screens.section20-136.1. Location of television, computer, or video players, monitors, and screens.section20-136.2. Counterfeit supplemental restraint system components and nonfunctional airbags.section20-137. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 379, s. 18.2.section20-137.1. Child restraint systems required.section20-137.2. Operation of vehicles resembling law-enforcement vehicles unlawful; punishment.section20-137.3. Unlawful use of a mobile phone by persons under 18 years of age.section20-137.4. Unlawful use of a mobile phone.section20-137.4A. Unlawful use of mobile telephone for text messaging or email.section20-137.5. Child passenger safety technician; limitation of liability.section20-137.6. Declaration of purpose.section20-137.7. Definitions of words and phrases.section20-137.8. Secretary may adopt rules and regulations.section20-137.9. Removal from private property.section20-137.10. Abandoned and derelict vehicles to be tagged; determination of value.section20-137.11. Title to vest in State.section20-137.12. Secretary may contract for disposal.section20-137.13. No liability for removal.section20-137.14. Enclosed, antique, registered and certain other vehicles exempt.section20-138. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 435, s. 23.section20-138.1. Impaired driving.section20-138.2. Impaired driving in commercial vehicle.section20-138.2A. Operating a commercial vehicle after consuming alcohol.section20-138.2B. Operating a school bus, school activity bus, child care vehicle, ambulance, other EMS vehicle, firefighting vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle after consuming alcohol.section20-138.2C. Possession of alcoholic beverages while operating a commercial motor vehicle.section20-138.3. Driving by person less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs.section20-138.4. Requirement that prosecutor explain reduction or dismissal of charge in implied-consent case.section20-138.5. Habitual impaired driving.section20-138.6. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-138.7. Transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage.section20-139. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 435, s. 23.section20-139.1. Procedures governing chemical analyses; admissibility; evidentiary provisions; controlled-drinking programs.section20-140. Reckless driving.section20-140.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.section20-140.2. Overloaded or overcrowded vehicle.section20-140.3. Unlawful use of National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and other controlled-access highways.section20-140.4. Special provisions for motorcycles and mopeds.section20-140.5. Special mobile equipment may tow certain vehicles.section20-141. Speed restrictions.section20-141.1. Speed limits in school zones.section20-141.2. Prima facie rule of evidence as to operation of motor vehicle altered so as to increase potential speed.section20-141.3. Unlawful racing on streets and highways.section20-141.4. Felony and misdemeanor death by vehicle; felony serious injury by vehicle; aggravated offenses; repeat felony death by vehicle.section20-141.5. Speeding to elude arrest; seizure and sale of vehicles.section20-141.6. Aggressive Driving.section20-141.10. Street takeover.section20-142. Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 368, s. 2.section20-142.1. Obedience to railroad signal.section20-142.2. Vehicles stop at certain grade crossing.section20-142.3. Certain vehicles must stop at railroad grade crossing.section20-142.4. Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossing.section20-142.5. Stop when traffic obstructed.section20-144. Special speed limitation on bridges.section20-145. When speed limit not applicable.section20-146. Drive on right side of highway; exceptions.section20-146.1. Operation of motorcycles.section20-146.2. Rush hour traffic lanes authorized.section20-147. Keep to the right in crossing intersections or railroads.section20-147.1. Passenger vehicle towing other vehicles to keep right.section20-148. Meeting of vehicles.section20-149. Overtaking a vehicle.section20-150. Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing.section20-150.1. When passing on the right is permitted.section20-151. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 283, s. 2.section20-152. Following too closely.section20-153. Turning at intersections.section20-154. Signals on starting, stopping or turning.section20-155. Right-of-way.section20-156. Exceptions to the right-of-way rule.section20-157. Approach of law enforcement, fire department or rescue squad vehicles or ambulances; driving over fire hose or blocking fire fighting equipment; parking, etc., near law enforcement, fire department, or rescue squad vehicle or ambulance.section20-157.1. Funeral processions.section20-158. Vehicle control signs and signals.section20-158.1. Erection of "yield right-of-way" signs.section20-158.2. Control of vehicles on Turnpike System.section20-158.3. Emergency entry to controlled access roads.section20-159. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.section20-160. Driving through safety zone or on sidewalks prohibited.section20-160.1. Failure to yield causing serious bodily injury; penalties.section20-161. Stopping on highway prohibited; warning signals; removal of vehicles from public highway.section20-161.1. Regulation of night parking on highways.section20-161.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 420, s. 1.section20-162. Parking in front of private driveway, fire hydrant, fire station, intersection of curb lines or fire lane.section20-162.1. Prima facie rule of evidence for enforcement of parking regulations.section20-163. Unattended motor vehicles.section20-164. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.section20-165. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 379, s. 6.section20-165.1. One-way traffic.section20-166. Duty to stop in event of a crash; furnishing information or assistance to injured person, etc.; persons assisting exempt from civil liability.section20-166.1. Reports and investigations required in event of accident.section20-166.2. Duty of passenger to remain at the scene of an accident.section20-166.3. Limit storage duration for vehicle damaged as a result of a collision.section20-167. Vehicles transporting explosives.section20-167.1. Transportation of spent nuclear fuel.section20-168. Drivers of State, county, and city vehicles subject to the provisions of this Article.section20-169. Powers of local authorities.section20-170. This Article not to interfere with rights of owners of real property with reference thereto.section20-171. Traffic laws apply to persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.section20-171.1. Definitions.section20-171.2. Bicycle racing.section20-171.3. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-171.4. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-171.5. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-171.6. Short title.section20-171.7. Legislative findings and purpose.section20-171.8. Definitions.section20-171.9. Requirements for helmet and restraining seat use.section20-171.10. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-171.11. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-171.12. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-171.13. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-171.14. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-171.15. Age restrictions.section20-171.16. Passengers.section20-171.17. Prohibited acts by sellers.section20-171.18. Equipment requirements.section20-171.19. Prohibited acts by owners and operators.section20-171.20. Safety training and certificate.section20-171.21. Penalties.section20-171.22. Exceptions.section20-171.23. Motorized all-terrain vehicles of law enforcement officers and fire, rescue, and emergency medical services permitted on certain highways.section20-171.24. Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by municipal and county employees permitted on certain highways.section20-171.25. Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by certain employees of natural gas utilities permitted on public highways and rights-of-way.section20-171.26. Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by disabled sportsmen.section20-172. Pedestrians subject to traffic-control signals.section20-173. Pedestrians' right-of-way at crosswalks.section20-174. Crossing at other than crosswalks; walking along highway.section20-174.1. Standing, sitting or lying upon highways or streets prohibited; obstruction of emergency vehicles; civil liability.section20-174.2. Local ordinances; pedestrians gathering, picketing, or protesting on roads or highways.section20-175. Pedestrians soliciting rides, employment, business or funds upon highways or streets.section20-175.1. Public use of white canes by other than blind persons prohibited.section20-175.2. Right-of-way at crossings, intersections and traffic-control signal points; white cane or guide dog to serve as signal for the blind.section20-175.3. Rights and privileges of blind persons without white cane or guide dog.section20-175.4. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.section20-175.5. Use of motorized wheelchairs or similar vehicles not exceeding 1000 pounds gross weight.section20-175.6. Electric personal assistive mobility devices.section20-175.7. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-175.8. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-175.9. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-175.10. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-175.11. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-175.12. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-175.13. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-175.14. Reserved for future codification purposes.section20-175.15. Definitions.section20-175.16. Personal delivery devices authorized; operation; equipment.section20-175.17. Local regulation.section20-175.18. Insurance.section20-176. Penalty for misdemeanor or infraction.section20-177. Penalty for felony.section20-178. Penalty for bad check.section20-178.1. Payment and review of civil penalty imposed by Department of Public Safety.section20-179. Sentencing hearing after conviction for impaired driving; determination of grossly aggravating and aggravating and mitigating factors; punishments.section20-179.1. Presentence investigation of persons convicted of offense involving impaired driving.section20-179.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 496, s. 8.section20-179.3. Limited driving privilege.section20-179.4. Repealed by Session Laws 2009-372, s. 16, effective December 1, 2009, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.section20-179.5. Affordability of ignition interlock system.section20-180. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.section20-181. Penalty for failure to dim, etc., beams of headlamps.section20-182. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 912, s. 2.section20-183. Duties and powers of law-enforcement officers; warning by local officers before stopping another vehicle on highway; warning tickets.
Source: North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov)URL: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_20.htmlFetched: 10/19/2026