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NC General Statutes Chapter 20: Full Text with DWI Commentary
The complete text of Chapter 20 of the North Carolina General Statutes (Motor Vehicles), organized by Article and section, with plain-English commentary in the side column from North Carolina DWI defense attorneys Chris Adkins and Chris Purkey, and links to the North Carolina appellate decisions that interpret each DWI statute.
710Sections in force, each on its own page
34Articles
39Core DWI and implied-consent sections
Nov. 10, 2026Text retrieved from the N.C. General Assembly
The DWI and implied-consent sections
These are the Chapter 20 sections that come up most in impaired-driving cases, from the offense itself (G.S. 20-138.1) through implied consent, chemical analysis, sentencing, license revocation, limited driving privileges and vehicle seizure.
20-4.01Definitions20-16.2Implied consent to chemical analysis; mandatory revocation of license in event of refusal; right of driver to request analysis20-16.3Alcohol 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 refusal20-16.3AChecking stations and roadblocks20-16.5Immediate civil license revocation for certain persons charged with implied-consent offenses20-17.6Restoration of a license after a conviction of driving while impaired or driving while less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs20-17.8Restoration of a license after certain driving while impaired convictions; ignition interlock20-17.8ATampering with ignition interlock systems20-19Period of suspension or revocation; conditions of restoration20-20.1Limited driving privilege for certain revocations20-28Unlawful to drive while license revoked, after notification, or while disqualified20-28.2Forfeiture of motor vehicle for impaired driving after impaired driving license revocation; forfeiture for felony speeding to elude arrest20-28.3Seizure, impoundment, forfeiture of motor vehicles for offenses involving impaired driving while license revoked or without license and insurance, and for felony speeding to elude arrest20-28.4Release of impounded motor vehicles by judge20-28.5Forfeiture of impounded motor vehicle or funds20-28.7Responsibility of Division of Motor Vehicles20-28.8Reports to the Division20-28.9Authority for the State Surplus Property Agency to administer a statewide or regional towing, storage, and sales program for vehicles forfeited20-38.1Applicability20-38.2Investigation20-38.3Police processing duties20-38.4Initial appearance20-38.5Facilities20-38.6Motions and district court procedure20-38.7Appeal to superior court20-138.1Impaired driving20-138.2Impaired driving in commercial vehicle20-138.2AOperating a commercial vehicle after consuming alcohol20-138.2BOperating a school bus, school activity bus, child care vehicle, ambulance, other EMS vehicle, firefighting vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle after consuming alcohol20-138.2CPossession of alcoholic beverages while operating a commercial motor vehicle20-138.3Driving by person less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs20-138.4Requirement that prosecutor explain reduction or dismissal of charge in implied-consent case20-138.5Habitual impaired driving20-138.7Transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage20-139.1Procedures governing chemical analyses; admissibility; evidentiary provisions; controlled-drinking programs20-141.4Felony and misdemeanor death by vehicle; felony serious injury by vehicle; aggravated offenses; repeat felony death by vehicle20-179Sentencing hearing after conviction for impaired driving; determination of grossly aggravating and aggravating and mitigating factors; punishments20-179.3Limited driving privilege20-179.5Affordability of ignition interlock system
All Articles of Chapter 20
Article 1Division of Motor Vehicles (9 sections)Article 1AReciprocity Agreements as to Registration and Licensing (11 sections)Article 1BReciprocal Provisions as to Arrest of Nonresidents (3 sections)Article 1CDrivers License Compact (10 sections)Article 2Uniform Driver’s License Act (77 sections)Article 2AAfflicted, Disabled or Handicapped Persons (3 sections)Article 2BSpecial Identification Cards for Nonoperators (3 sections)Article 2CCommercial Driver License (18 sections)Article 2DImplied-Consent Offense Procedures (7 sections)Article 3Motor Vehicle Act of 1937 (305 sections)Article 3ASafety and Emissions Inspection Program (20 sections)Article 3BPermanent Weigh Stations and Portable Scales (2 sections)Article 3CVehicle Equipment Safety Compact (9 sections)Article 3DAutomatic License Plate Reader Systems (4 sections)Article 6AMotor Carriers of Migratory Farm Workers (4 sections)Article 7Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Motor Vehicles (9 sections)Article 7APost-Towing Procedures (7 sections)Article 7BNotification of Towing (1 sections)Article 9AMotor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act of 1953 (40 sections)Article 10Financial Responsibility of Taxicab Operators (1 sections)Article 10ATransportation Network Companies (10 sections)Article 10BPeer-to-Peer Vehicle Sharing (2 sections)Article 11Liability Insurance Required of Persons Engaged in Renting Motor Vehicles (4 sections)Article 12Motor Vehicle Dealers and Manufacturers Licensing Law (37 sections)Article 12AMotor Vehicle Captive Finance Source Law (10 sections)Article 13The Vehicle Financial Responsibility Act of 1957 (11 sections)Article 13ACertification of Automobile Insurance Coverage by Insurance Companies (2 sections)Article 14Driver Training School Licensing Law (10 sections)Article 15Vehicle Mileage Act (12 sections)Article 15ANew Motor Vehicles Warranties Act (12 sections)Article 15BNorth Carolina Motor Vehicle Repair Act (10 sections)Article 16Professional Housemoving (19 sections)Article 17Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Unit (24 sections)Article 18Regulation of Fully Autonomous Vehicles (4 sections)