Resources / NC Chapter 20 / Article 3
North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 20
NC Chapter 20, Article 3: Motor Vehicle Act of 1937
Article 3: Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. Full text of all 305 sections in force, each with attorney commentary from Adkins & Purkey, PLLC.
Part 2. Authority and Duties of Commissioner and Division.
20-39Administering and enforcing laws; rules and regulations; agents, etc.; seal; fees20-39.1Publicly owned vehicles to be marked; private license plates on publicly owned vehicles20-40Offices of Division20-41Commissioner to provide forms required20-42Authority to administer oaths and certify copies of records20-43Records of Division20-43.1Disclosure of personal information in motor vehicle records20-43.2Internet access to organ donation records by organ procurement organizations20-43.3Authorization for the collection of data to enforce the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program20-43.4Current list of licensed drivers to be provided to jury commissions20-44Authority to grant or refuse applications20-45Seizure of documents and plates20-47Division may summon witnesses and take testimony20-48Giving of notice20-49Police authority of Division20-49.2Supplemental authority of State Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Enforcement officers20-49.3State Highway Patrol; custody of seized vehicles
Part 3. Registration and Certificates of Titles of Motor Vehicles.
20-50Owner to secure registration and certificate of title; temporary registration markers20-50.4Division 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 obligations20-51Exempt from registration20-52Application for registration and certificate of title20-52.1Manufacturer’s certificate of transfer of new motor vehicle20-52.2Unregisterable certificate of title20-53Application for specially constructed, reconstructed, or foreign vehicle20-53.1Specially constructed vehicle certificate of title and registration20-53.3Appeal of specially constructed vehicle classification determination to Vehicle Classification Review Committee20-53.4Registration of mopeds; certificate of title20-53.5Titling and registration of HMMWV20-53.6Titling of all-terrain vehicles and utility vehicles20-54Authority for refusing registration or certificate of title20-54.1Forfeiture of right of registration20-55Examination of registration records and index of seized, stolen, and recovered vehicles20-56Registration indexes20-57Division to issue certificate of title and registration card20-58Perfection by indication of security interest on certificate of title20-58.1Duty of the Division upon receipt of application for notation of security interest20-58.2Date of perfection20-58.3Notation of assignment of security interest on certificate of title20-58.3AAutomatic expiration of security interest in manufactured home; renewal of security interests in manufactured homes20-58.4Release of security interest20-58.4AElectronic lien system20-58.5Duration of security interest in favor of corporations which dissolve or become inactive20-58.6Duty of secured party to disclose information20-58.7Cancellation of certificate20-58.8Applicability of §§ 20-58 to 20-58.8; use of term “lien”20-58.10Effective date of §§ 20-58 to 20-58.920-59Unlawful for lienor who holds certificate of title not to surrender same when lien satisfied20-60Owner after transfer not liable for negligent operation20-61Owner dismantling or wrecking vehicle to return evidence of registration20-62.1Purchase of vehicles for purposes of scrap or parts only20-63Registration 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 issuance20-63.01Bonds required for commission contractors20-63.02Advisory committee of commission contractors20-63.1Division shall cause plates to be reflectorized20-64Transfer of registration plates to another vehicle20-66Renewal of vehicle registration20-67Notice of change of address or name20-68Replacement of lost or damaged certificates, cards and plates20-69Division authorized to assign new engine number20-70Division to be notified when another engine is installed or body changed20-71Altering or forging certificate of title, registration card or application, a felony; reproducing or possessing blank certificate of title20-71.1Registration evidence of ownership; ownership evidence of defendant’s responsibility for conduct of operation
Part 3A. Salvage Titles.
20-71.2Declaration of purpose20-71.3Salvage and other vehicles – titles and registration cards to be branded20-71.4Failure to disclose damage to a vehicle shall be a misdemeanor
Part 4. Transfer of Title or Interest.
20-72Transfer by owner20-72.1Transfer by owner when a certificate of title is unavailable; consumer remedies20-73New owner must get new certificate of title20-74Penalty for making false statement about transfer of vehicle20-75When transferee is a charitable organization, dealer, or insurance company20-75.1Conditional delivery of motor vehicles20-76Title lost or unlawfully detained; bond as condition to issuance of new certificate20-77Transfer by operation of law; sale under mechanic’s or storage lien; unclaimed vehicles20-78When Division to transfer registration and issue new certificate; recordation20-78.1Terminal rental adjustment clauses; vehicle leases that are not sales or security interests
Part 5. Issuance of Special Plates.
20-79Dealer license plates20-79.01Special sports event temporary license plates20-79.02Loaner/Dealer “LD” license plate for franchised dealer loaner vehicles20-79.1Use of temporary registration plates or markers by purchasers of motor vehicles in lieu of dealers’ plates20-79.1ALimited registration plates20-79.1BPrint-on-demand temporary registration plates20-79.2Transporter plates20-79.3ARequirements to establish a special registration plate20-79.4Special registration plates20-79.5Special registration plates for elected and appointed State government officials20-79.6Special registration plates for members of the judiciary20-79.7Fees for special registration plates and distribution of the fees20-79.8Expiration of special registration plate authorization20-81.12Collegiate insignia plates and certain other special plates
Part 6. Vehicles of Nonresidents of State; Permanent Plates; Highway Patrol.
Part 6A. Rental Vehicles.
Part 7. Title and Registration Fees.
20-85Schedule of fees20-86Penalty for engaging in a “for-hire” business without proper license plates20-86.1International Registration Plan20-87Passenger vehicle registration fees20-87.1Interchange of passenger buses with nonresident common carriers of passengers20-88Property-hauling vehicles20-88.01Revocation of registration for failure to register for or comply with road tax or pay civil penalty for buying or selling non-tax-paid fuel20-88.02Registration of logging vehicles20-88.03Late fee; motor vehicle registration20-88.1Driver education20-91Audit of vehicle registrations under the International Registration Plan20-94Partial payments20-95Prorated fee for license plate issued for other than a year20-96Detaining property-hauling vehicles or vehicles regulated by the Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Unit until fines or penalties and taxes are collected20-97Taxes credited to Highway Fund; municipal vehicle taxes20-100Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision20-101Certain business vehicles to be marked20-101.1Conspicuous disclosure of dealer administrative fees20-101.2Conspicuous disclosure of dealer finance yield charges20-101.3Conspicuous disclosure of dealer shop and other service-related fees
Part 8. Anti-Theft and Enforcement Provisions.
20-102Report of stolen and recovered motor vehicles20-102.1False report of theft or conversion a misdemeanor20-102.2Report of failure to return hired motor vehicles20-103Reports by owners of stolen and recovered vehicles20-104Action by Division on report of stolen or embezzled vehicles20-106.1Fraud in connection with rental of motor vehicles20-106.2Sublease and loan assumption arranging regulated20-108Vehicles or component parts of vehicles without manufacturer’s numbers20-109Altering or changing engine or other numbers20-109.1Surrender of titles to salvage vehicles20-109.1AApplication for unregisterable certificate of title20-109.2Surrender of title to manufactured home20-109.3Disposition of vehicles abandoned by charitable organizations20-110When registration shall be rescinded20-111Violation of registration provisions20-112Making false affidavit perjury20-114Duty of officers; manner of enforcement20-114.1Willful failure to obey law-enforcement or traffic-control officer; firemen as traffic-control officers; appointment, etc., of traffic-control officers
Part 9. The Size, Weight, Construction and Equipment of Vehicles.
20-115Scope and effect of regulations in this Part20-115.1Limitations on tandem trailers and semitrailers on certain North Carolina highways20-116Size of vehicles and loads20-117Flag or light at end of load20-117.1Requirements for mirrors and fuel container20-118Weight of vehicles and load20-118.1Officers may weigh vehicles and require overloads to be removed20-118.2Authority to fix higher weight limitations at reduced speeds for certain vehicles20-118.3Vehicle or combination of vehicles operated without registration plate subject to civil penalty20-118.4Firefighting equipment exempt from size and weight restrictions while transporting or moving heavy equipment for emergency response and preparedness and fire prevention; permits20-119Special permits for vehicles of excessive size or weight; fees20-119.1Use of excess overweight and oversize fees20-120Operation of flat trucks on State highways regulated; trucks hauling leaf tobacco in barrels or hogsheads20-121When authorities may restrict right to use highways20-121.1Operation of a low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle on certain roadways20-121.2Operation of a neighborhood occupantless vehicle on certain roadways; regulations; equipment requirements20-122Restrictions as to tire equipment20-122.1Motor vehicles to be equipped with safe tires20-123Trailers and towed vehicles20-123.1Steering mechanism20-123.2Speedometer20-124Brakes20-125Horns and warning devices20-125.1Directional signals20-126Mirrors20-127Windows and windshield wipers20-128Exhaust system and emissions control devices20-128.1Control of visible emissions20-128.2Motor vehicle emission standards20-129Required lighting equipment of vehicles20-129.1Additional lighting equipment required on certain vehicles20-129.2Lighting equipment for mobile homes20-130Additional permissible light on vehicle20-130.1Use of red or blue lights on vehicles prohibited; exceptions20-130.2Use of amber lights on certain vehicles; limited use20-130.3Use of white or clear lights on rear of vehicles prohibited; exceptions20-131Requirements as to headlamps and auxiliary driving lamps20-132Acetylene lights20-133Enforcement of provisions20-134Lights on parked vehicles20-135Safety glass20-135.2Safety belts and anchorages20-135.2A(See Editor’s note) Seat belt use mandatory20-135.2BTransporting children under 16 years of age in open bed or open cargo area of a vehicle prohibited; exceptions20-135.3Seat belt anchorages for rear seats of motor vehicles20-135.4Certain automobile safety standards20-136Smoke screens20-136.1Location of television, computer, or video players, monitors, and screens20-136.2Counterfeit supplemental restraint system components and nonfunctional airbags20-137.1Child restraint systems required20-137.2Operation of vehicles resembling law-enforcement vehicles unlawful; punishment20-137.3Unlawful use of a mobile phone by persons under 18 years of age20-137.4Unlawful use of a mobile phone20-137.4AUnlawful use of mobile telephone for text messaging or email20-137.5Child passenger safety technician; limitation of liability
Part 9A. Abandoned and Derelict Motor Vehicles.
20-137.6Declaration of purpose20-137.7Definitions of words and phrases20-137.8Secretary may adopt rules and regulations20-137.9Removal from private property20-137.10Abandoned and derelict vehicles to be tagged; determination of value20-137.11Title to vest in State20-137.12Secretary may contract for disposal20-137.13No liability for removal20-137.14Enclosed, antique, registered and certain other vehicles exempt
Part 10. Operation of Vehicles and Rules of the Road.
20-138.1Impaired 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 programs20-140Reckless driving20-140.2Overloaded or overcrowded vehicle20-140.3Unlawful use of National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and other controlled-access highways20-140.4Special provisions for motorcycles and mopeds20-140.5Special mobile equipment may tow certain vehicles20-141Speed restrictions20-141.1Speed limits in school zones20-141.2Prima facie rule of evidence as to operation of motor vehicle altered so as to increase potential speed20-141.3Unlawful racing on streets and highways20-141.4Felony and misdemeanor death by vehicle; felony serious injury by vehicle; aggravated offenses; repeat felony death by vehicle20-141.5Speeding to elude arrest; seizure and sale of vehicles20-141.6Aggressive Driving20-141.10Street takeover20-142.1Obedience to railroad signal20-142.2Vehicles stop at certain grade crossing20-142.3Certain vehicles must stop at railroad grade crossing20-142.4Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossing20-142.5Stop when traffic obstructed20-144Special speed limitation on bridges20-145When speed limit not applicable20-146Drive on right side of highway; exceptions20-146.1Operation of motorcycles20-146.2Rush hour traffic lanes authorized20-147Keep to the right in crossing intersections or railroads20-147.1Passenger vehicle towing other vehicles to keep right20-148Meeting of vehicles20-149Overtaking a vehicle20-150Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing20-150.1When passing on the right is permitted20-152Following too closely20-153Turning at intersections20-154Signals on starting, stopping or turning20-155Right-of-way20-156Exceptions to the right-of-way rule20-157Approach 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 ambulance20-157.1Funeral processions20-158Vehicle control signs and signals20-158.1Erection of “yield right-of-way” signs20-158.2Control of vehicles on Turnpike System20-158.3Emergency entry to controlled access roads20-160Driving through safety zone or on sidewalks prohibited20-160.1Failure to yield causing serious bodily injury; penalties20-161Stopping on highway prohibited; warning signals; removal of vehicles from public highway20-161.1Regulation of night parking on highways20-162Parking in front of private driveway, fire hydrant, fire station, intersection of curb lines or fire lane20-162.1Prima facie rule of evidence for enforcement of parking regulations20-163Unattended motor vehicles20-165.1One-way traffic20-166Duty to stop in event of a crash; furnishing information or assistance to injured person, etc.; persons assisting exempt from civil liability20-166.1Reports and investigations required in event of accident20-166.2Duty of passenger to remain at the scene of an accident20-166.3Limit storage duration for vehicle damaged as a result of a collision20-167Vehicles transporting explosives20-167.1Transportation of spent nuclear fuel20-168Drivers of State, county, and city vehicles subject to the provisions of this Article20-169Powers of local authorities20-170This Article not to interfere with rights of owners of real property with reference thereto20-171Traffic laws apply to persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles
Part 10A. Operation of Bicycles.
Part 10B. Child Bicycle Safety Act.
20-171.6Short title20-171.7Legislative findings and purpose20-171.8Definitions20-171.9Requirements for helmet and restraining seat use
Part 10C. Operation of All-Terrain Vehicles.
20-171.15Age restrictions20-171.16Passengers20-171.17Prohibited acts by sellers20-171.18Equipment requirements20-171.19Prohibited acts by owners and operators20-171.20Safety training and certificate20-171.21Penalties20-171.22Exceptions20-171.23Motorized all-terrain vehicles of law enforcement officers and fire, rescue, and emergency medical services permitted on certain highways20-171.24Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by municipal and county employees permitted on certain highways20-171.25Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by certain employees of natural gas utilities permitted on public highways and rights-of-way20-171.26Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by disabled sportsmen
Part 11. Pedestrians’ Rights and Duties.
20-172Pedestrians subject to traffic-control signals20-173Pedestrians’ right-of-way at crosswalks20-174Crossing at other than crosswalks; walking along highway20-174.1Standing, sitting or lying upon highways or streets prohibited; obstruction of emergency vehicles; civil liability20-174.2Local ordinances; pedestrians gathering, picketing, or protesting on roads or highways20-175Pedestrians soliciting rides, employment, business or funds upon highways or streets
Part 11A. Blind Pedestrians – White Canes or Guide Dogs.
20-175.1Public use of white canes by other than blind persons prohibited20-175.2Right-of-way at crossings, intersections and traffic-control signal points; white cane or guide dog to serve as signal for the blind20-175.3Rights and privileges of blind persons without white cane or guide dog
Part 11B. Pedestrian Rights and Duties of Persons with a Mobility Impairment.
Part 11C. Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices.
Part 11D. Personal Delivery Devices.
20-175.15Definitions20-175.16Personal delivery devices authorized; operation; equipment20-175.17Local regulation20-175.18Insurance
Part 12. Sentencing; Penalties.
20-176Penalty for misdemeanor or infraction20-177Penalty for felony20-178Penalty for bad check20-178.1Payment and review of civil penalty imposed by Department of Public Safety20-179Sentencing hearing after conviction for impaired driving; determination of grossly aggravating and aggravating and mitigating factors; punishments20-179.1Presentence investigation of persons convicted of offense involving impaired driving20-179.3Limited driving privilege20-179.5Affordability of ignition interlock system20-181Penalty for failure to dim, etc., beams of headlamps20-183Duties and powers of law-enforcement officers; warning by local officers before stopping another vehicle on highway; warning tickets
Repealed, recodified or reserved
§ 20-38.100. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-46. Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 99.§ 20-49.1. Repealed by Session Laws 2024-57, s. 3E.2(e), effective July 1, 2025.§ 20-50.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 574, s. 5.§ 20-50.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 624, s. 4.§ 20-50.3. 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.§ 20-53.2. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-58.9. Repealed by Session Laws 1969, c. 838, s. 3.§ 20-62. Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 533, s. 9.§ 20-64.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 6.§ 20-64.2. Repealed by Session Laws 2010-132, s. 4, effective December 1, 2010.§ 20-65. Repealed by Session Laws 1979, 2nd Session, c. 1280, s. 1.§ 20-66.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1389, s. 2.§ 20-79.3. Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 440, s. 5.§ 20-80 through 20-81.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 672, s. 1, as amended by Session Laws 1991, c. 726, s. 23.§ 20-81.3. Recodified as § 20-79.7 by Session Laws 1991, c. 672, s. 3, as amended by Session Laws 1991, c. 726, s. 23.§ 20-81.4 through 20-81.11. Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 672, s. 1, as amended by Session Laws 1991, c. 726, s. 23.§ 20-82. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 163, s. 3.§ 20-84.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1999-220, s. 4.§ 20-85.1. Repealed by Session Laws 2024-30, s. 20(b), effective July 1, 2024.§ 20-89. Repealed by Sessions Laws 1981, c. 976, s. 7.§ 20-90. Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 976, s. 8.§ 20-91.1. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-491, s. 2, effective January 1, 2008.§ 20-91.2. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-491, s. 2, effective January 1, 2008.§ 20-92. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 10.§ 20-93. Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 976, s. 10.§ 20-98. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-491, s. 2, effective January 1, 2008.§ 20-99. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-491, s. 2, effective January 1, 2008.§ 20-105. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.§ 20-106. 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.§ 20-107. 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.§ 20-113. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 13.§ 20-114.3. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-433, s. 3(a), (b), effective October 1, 2007.§ 20-135.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 30.§ 20-137. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 379, s. 18.2.§ 20-138. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 435, s. 23.§ 20-138.6. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-139. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 435, s. 23.§ 20-140.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.§ 20-142. Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 368, s. 2.§ 20-143 through 20-143.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 368, s. 2.§ 20-151. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 283, s. 2.§ 20-159. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.§ 20-161.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 420, s. 1.§ 20-162.2 through 20-162.3.. Transferred to §§ 20-219.2, 20-219.3 by Session Laws 1973, c.§ 20-164. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.§ 20-165. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 379, s. 6.§ 20-171.3. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-171.4. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-171.5. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-171.10. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-171.11. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-171.12. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-171.13. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-171.14. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-175.4. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.§ 20-175.7. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-175.8. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-175.9. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-175.10. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-175.11. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-175.12. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-175.13. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-175.14. Reserved for future codification purposes.§ 20-179.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 496, s. 8.§ 20-179.4. Repealed by Session Laws 2009-372, s. 16, effective December 1, 2009, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.§ 20-180. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.§ 20-182. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 912, s. 2.
Source: N.C. General Assembly, Chapter 20 (retrieved November 10, 2026).