North Carolina General Statutes
Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937.
§ 20-121 - When authorities may restrict right to use highways.

20-121. When authorities may restrict right to use highways.
The Department of Transportation or local authorities may prohibit the operation of vehicles upon or impose restrictions as to the weight thereof, for a total period not to exceed 90 days in any one calendar year, when operated upon any highway under the jurisdiction of and for the maintenance of which the body adopting the ordinance is responsible, whenever any said highway by reason of deterioration, rain, snow or other climatic conditions will be damaged unless the use of vehicles thereon is prohibited or the permissible weights thereof reduced. The local authority enacting any such ordinance shall erect, or cause to be erected and maintained, signs designating the provisions of the ordinance at each end of that portion of any highway to which the ordinance is applicable, and the ordinance shall not be effective until or unless such signs are erected and maintained. (1937, c. 407, s. 84; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; 1977, c. 464, s. 34.)

Structure North Carolina General Statutes

North Carolina General Statutes

Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles

Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937.

§ 20-39 - Administering and enforcing laws; rules and regulations; agents, etc.; seal; fees.

§ 20-39.1 - Publicly owned vehicles to be marked; private license plates on publicly owned vehicles.

§ 20-40 - Offices of Division.

§ 20-41 - Commissioner to provide forms required.

§ 20-42 - Authority to administer oaths and certify copies of records.

§ 20-43 - Records of Division.

§ 20-43.1 - Disclosure of personal information in motor vehicle records.

§ 20-43.2 - Internet access to organ donation records by organ procurement organizations.

§ 20-43.3 - Authorization for the collection of data to enforce the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program.

§ 20-43.4 - Current list of licensed drivers to be provided to jury commissions.

§ 20-44 - Authority to grant or refuse applications.

§ 20-45 - Seizure of documents and plates.

§ 20-47 - Division may summon witnesses and take testimony.

§ 20-48 - Giving of notice.

§ 20-49 - Police authority of Division.

§ 20-49.1 - Supplemental police authority of Division officers.

§ 20-49.2 - Supplemental authority of State Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Enforcement officers.

§ 20-49.3 - Bureau of License and Theft; custody of seized vehicles.

§ 20-50 - Owner to secure registration and certificate of title; temporary registration markers.

§ 20-50.4 - 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.

§ 20-51 - Exempt from registration.

§ 20-52 - Application for registration and certificate of title.

§ 20-52.1 - Manufacturer's certificate of transfer of new motor vehicle.

§ 20-52.2 - Unregisterable certificate of title.

§ 20-53 - Application for specially constructed, reconstructed, or foreign vehicle.

§ 20-53.1 - Specially constructed vehicle certificate of title and registration.

§ 20-53.3 - Appeal of specially constructed vehicle classification determination to Vehicle Classification Review Committee.

§ 20-53.4 - Registration of mopeds; certificate of title.

§ 20-53.5 - Titling and registration of HMMWV.

§ 20-54 - Authority for refusing registration or certificate of title.

§ 20-54.1 - Forfeiture of right of registration.

§ 20-55 - Examination of registration records and index of seized, stolen, and recovered vehicles.

§ 20-56 - Registration indexes.

§ 20-57 - Division to issue certificate of title and registration card.

§ 20-58 - Perfection by indication of security interest on certificate of title.

§ 20-58.1 - Duty of the Division upon receipt of application for notation of security interest.

§ 20-58.2 - Date of perfection.

§ 20-58.3 - Notation of assignment of security interest on certificate of title.

§ 20-58.3A - Automatic expiration of security interest in manufactured home; renewal of security interests in manufactured homes.

§ 20-58.4 - Release of security interest.

§ 20-58.4A - Electronic lien system.

§ 20-58.5 - Duration of security interest in favor of corporations which dissolve or become inactive.

§ 20-58.6 - Duty of secured party to disclose information.

§ 20-58.7 - Cancellation of certificate.

§ 20-58.8 - Applicability of §§ 20-58 to ; use of term "lien".

§ 20-58.10 - Effective date of §§ 20-58 to 20-58.9.

§ 20-59 - Unlawful for lienor who holds certificate of title not to surrender same when lien satisfied.

§ 20-60 - Owner after transfer not liable for negligent operation.

§ 20-61 - Owner dismantling or wrecking vehicle to return evidence of registration.

§ 20-62.1 - Purchase of vehicles for purposes of scrap or parts only.

§ 20-63 - 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; a...

§ 20-63.01 - Bonds required for commission contractors.

§ 20-63.02 - Advisory committee of commission contractors.

§ 20-63.1 - Division shall cause plates to be reflectorized.

§ 20-64 - Transfer of registration plates to another vehicle.

§ 20-66 - Renewal of vehicle registration.

§ 20-67 - Notice of change of address or name.

§ 20-68 - Replacement of lost or damaged certificates, cards and plates.

§ 20-69 - Division authorized to assign new engine number.

§ 20-70 - Division to be notified when another engine is installed or body changed.

§ 20-71 - Altering or forging certificate of title, registration card or application, a felony; reproducing or possessing blank certificate of title.

§ 20-71.1 - Registration evidence of ownership; ownership evidence of defendant's responsibility for conduct of operation.

§ 20-71.2 - Declaration of purpose.

§ 20-71.3 - Salvage and other vehicles titles and registration cards to be branded.

§ 20-71.4 - Failure to disclose damage to a vehicle shall be a misdemeanor.

§ 20-72 - Transfer by owner.

§ 20-72.1 - Transfer by owner when a certificate of title is unavailable; consumer remedies.

§ 20-73 - New owner must get new certificate of title.

§ 20-74 - Penalty for making false statement about transfer of vehicle.

§ 20-75 - When transferee is a charitable organization, dealer, or insurance company.

§ 20-75.1 - Conditional delivery of motor vehicles.

§ 20-76 - Title lost or unlawfully detained; bond as condition to issuance of new certificate.

§ 20-77 - Transfer by operation of law; sale under mechanic's or storage lien; unclaimed vehicles.

§ 20-78 - When Division to transfer registration and issue new certificate; recordation.

§ 20-78.1 - Terminal rental adjustment clauses; vehicle leases that are not sales or security interests.

§ 20-79 - Dealer license plates.

§ 20-79.01 - Special sports event temporary license plates.

§ 20-79.02 - Loaner/Dealer "LD" license plate for franchised dealer loaner vehicles.

§ 20-79.1 - Use of temporary registration plates or markers by purchasers of motor vehicles in lieu of dealers' plates.

§ 20-79.1A - Limited registration plates.

§ 20-79.2 - Transporter plates.

§ 20-79.3A - Requirements to establish a special registration plate.

§ 20-79.4 - Special registration plates.

§ 20-79.5 - Special registration plates for elected and appointed State government officials.

§ 20-79.6 - Special registration plates for members of the judiciary.

§ 20-79.7 - Fees for special registration plates and distribution of the fees.

§ 20-79.8 - Expiration of special registration plate authorization.

§ 20-81.3 - Recodified as § 20-79.7 by Session Laws 1991, c672, s3, as amended by Session Laws 1991, c726, s23.

§ 20-81.12 - Collegiate insignia plates and certain other special plates.

§ 20-83 - Registration by nonresidents.

§ 20-84 - Permanent registration plates; State Highway Patrol.

§ 20-84.2 - Definition; reciprocity; Commissioner's powers.

§ 20-85 - Schedule of fees.

§ 20-85.1 - Registration by mail; one-day title service; fees.

§ 20-86 - Penalty for engaging in a "for-hire" business without proper license plates.

§ 20-86.1 - International Registration Plan.

§ 20-87 - Passenger vehicle registration fees.

§ 20-87.1 - Interchange of passenger buses with nonresident common carriers of passengers.

§ 20-88 - Property-hauling vehicles.

§ 20-88.01 - 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.

§ 20-88.02 - Registration of logging vehicles.

§ 20-88.03 - Late fee; motor vehicle registration.

§ 20-88.1 - Driver education.

§ 20-91 - Audit of vehicle registrations under the International Registration Plan.

§ 20-94 - Partial payments.

§ 20-95 - Prorated fee for license plate issued for other than a year.

§ 20-96 - Detaining property-hauling vehicles or vehicles regulated by the Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Unit until fines or penalties and taxes are collected.

§ 20-97 - Taxes credited to Highway Fund; municipal vehicle taxes.

§ 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.

§ 20-106 - Recodified as G.S14-71.2 by Session Laws 2019-186, s1(c), effective December 1, 2019, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.

§ 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.S14-160.4 by Session Laws 2022-73, s4(a), effective December 1, 2022, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.

§ 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.

§ 20-110 - When registration shall be rescinded.

§ 20-111 - Violation of registration provisions.

§ 20-112 - Making false affidavit perjury.

§ 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., of traffic-control officers.

§ 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.

§ 20-120 - 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.

§ 20-130 - 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.

§ 20-135.2 - 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.

§ 20-137.1 - Child restraint systems required.

§ 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 electronic mail.

§ 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.

§ 20-137.10 - 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.

§ 20-138.1 - 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.

§ 20-138.7 - Transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage.

§ 20-139.1 - Procedures governing chemical analyses; admissibility; evidentiary provisions; controlled-drinking programs.

§ 20-140 - Reckless driving.

§ 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.

§ 20-141.2 - 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.

§ 20-142.1 - 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.

§ 20-144 - 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.

§ 20-150 - Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing.

§ 20-150.1 - When passing on the right is permitted.

§ 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., near law enforcement, fire department, or rescue squad vehicle or ambulance.

§ 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.

§ 20-160 - 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.

§ 20-162 - 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 20-162.3 - Transferred to §§ 20-219.2, 20-219.3 by Session Laws 1973, c1330, s36.

§ 20-163 - Unattended motor vehicles.

§ 20-165.1 - One-way traffic.

§ 20-166 - Duty to stop in event of a crash; furnishing information or assistance to injured person, etc.; persons assisting exempt from civil liability.

§ 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.

§ 20-170 - This Article not to interfere with rights of owners of real property with reference thereto.

§ 20-171 - Traffic laws apply to persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.

§ 20-171.1 - Definitions.

§ 20-171.2 - Bicycle racing.

§ 20-171.6 - Short title.

§ 20-171.7 - Legislative findings and purpose.

§ 20-171.8 - Definitions.

§ 20-171.9 - Requirements for helmet and restraining seat use.

§ 20-171.15 - Age restrictions.

§ 20-171.16 - Passengers.

§ 20-171.17 - Prohibited acts by sellers.

§ 20-171.18 - Equipment requirements.

§ 20-171.19 - Prohibited acts by owners and operators.

§ 20-171.20 - Safety training and certificate.

§ 20-171.21 - Penalties.

§ 20-171.22 - Exceptions.

§ 20-171.23 - Motorized all-terrain vehicles of law enforcement officers and fire, rescue, and emergency medical services permitted on certain highways.

§ 20-171.24 - Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by municipal and county employees permitted on certain highways.

§ 20-171.25 - Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by certain employees of natural gas utilities permitted on public highways and rights-of-way.

§ 20-171.26 - Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by disabled sportsmen.

§ 20-172 - Pedestrians subject to traffic-control signals.

§ 20-173 - Pedestrians' right-of-way at crosswalks.

§ 20-174 - Crossing at other than crosswalks; walking along highway.

§ 20-174.1 - Standing, sitting or lying upon highways or streets prohibited.

§ 20-174.2 - Local ordinances; pedestrians gathering, picketing, or protesting on roads or highways.

§ 20-175 - Pedestrians soliciting rides, employment, business or funds upon highways or streets.

§ 20-175.1 - Public use of white canes by other than blind persons prohibited.

§ 20-175.2 - Right-of-way at crossings, intersections and traffic-control signal points; white cane or guide dog to serve as signal for the blind.

§ 20-175.3 - Rights and privileges of blind persons without white cane or guide dog.

§ 20-175.5 - Use of motorized wheelchairs or similar vehicles not exceeding 1000 pounds gross weight.

§ 20-175.6 - Electric personal assistive mobility devices.

§ 20-175.15 - Definitions.

§ 20-175.16 - Personal delivery devices authorized; operation; equipment.

§ 20-175.17 - Local regulation.

§ 20-175.18 - Insurance.

§ 20-176 - Penalty for misdemeanor or infraction.

§ 20-177 - Penalty for felony.

§ 20-178 - Penalty for bad check.

§ 20-178.1 - Payment and review of civil penalty imposed by Department of Public Safety.

§ 20-179 - Sentencing hearing after conviction for impaired driving; determination of grossly aggravating and aggravating and mitigating factors; punishments[Effective until January 1, 2023]

§ 20-179.1 - Presentence investigation of persons convicted of offense involving impaired driving.

§ 20-179.3 - Limited driving privilege.

§ 20-179.5 - Affordability of ignition interlock system.

§ 20-181 - Penalty for failure to dim, etc., beams of headlamps.

§ 20-183 - Duties and powers of law-enforcement officers; warning by local officers before stopping another vehicle on highway; warning tickets.