North Carolina General Statutes
Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937.
§ 20-171.21 - Penalties.

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.