20-297. Retention and inspection of certain records.
(a) Vehicles. - A dealer must keep a record of all vehicles received by the dealer and all vehicles sold by the dealer. The records must contain the information that the Division requires and be made available for inspection by the Division within a reasonable period of time after being requested by the Division. A dealer may satisfy the record-keeping requirements contained in this subsection either by (i) keeping and maintaining written or paper records at the dealership facility where the vehicles were sold or at another site within this State provided that the location and the name of a designated contact agent are provided to the Division or (ii) maintaining electronic copies of the records required by this subsection, provided that the Division shall have access to these electronic records from a location within this State. For purposes of this section, the location where dealership written or electronic records are kept and maintained may be owned and operated by a party other than the dealer.
(b) Inspection. - The Division may inspect the pertinent books, records, letters, and contracts of a licensee relating to any written complaint made to the Division against the licensee.
(c) Records Format. - Any record required to be kept and maintained under this section may be converted to electronic form and retained by a dealer in electronic form without retention of the original or any copies of the record in paper or other nonelectronic form. (1955, c. 1243, s. 13; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1995, c. 163, s. 5; 2007-481, s. 3; 2016-74, s. 1.)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Article 12 - Motor Vehicle Dealers and Manufacturers Licensing Law.
§ 20-285 - Regulation of motor vehicle distribution in public interest.
§ 20-287 - Licenses required; penalties.
§ 20-288 - Application for license; license requirements; expiration of license; bond.
§ 20-291 - Representatives to carry license and display it on request; license to name employer.
§ 20-292 - Dealers may display motor vehicles for sale at retail only at established salesrooms.
§ 20-292.1 - Supplemental temporary license for sale of antique and specialty vehicles.
§ 20-294 - Grounds for denying, suspending, placing on probation, or revoking licenses.
§ 20-295 - Action on application; grace period while application for license renewal is pending.
§ 20-297 - Retention and inspection of certain records.
§ 20-297.1 - Franchise-related form agreements.
§ 20-299 - Acts of officers, directors, partners, salesmen and other representatives.
§ 20-300 - Appeals from actions of Commissioner.
§ 20-301 - Powers of Commissioner.
§ 20-301.1 - Notice of additional charges against dealer's account; informal appeals procedure.
§ 20-302 - Rules and regulations.
§ 20-305.1 - Automobile dealer warranty and recall obligations.
§ 20-305.2 - Unfair methods of competition; protection of car-buying public.
§ 20-305.5 - Recreational vehicle manufacturer warranty recall obligations.
§ 20-305.6 - Unlawful for manufacturers to unfairly discriminate among dealers.
§ 20-305.7 - Protecting dealership data and consent to access dealership information.
§ 20-307 - Article applicable to existing and future franchises and contracts.