G.S. 20-100. Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision

The full text of G.S. 20-100 (Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision), with plain-English commentary from North Carolina DWI defense attorneys Chris Adkins and Chris Purkey in the side column. Article 3: Motor Vehicle Act of 1937.

Attorney commentary

If a registered vehicle is completely destroyed by fire or collision, or junked and fully dismantled so it can no longer run, the owner may get credit toward a new registration for another vehicle. The credit equals the unexpired part of the original registration cost, counted from the first day of the month after the vehicle was destroyed.

The owner must give the Commissioner satisfactory proof of the loss, and the statute says the credit “may be allowed,” so it is not automatic.

Practical note: after a total loss, keep the insurance or salvage paperwork. It can help prove the date of destruction, and the plate and registration still need to be handled properly, as G.S. 20-61 requires for wrecked vehicles.

Commentary by Attorney Chris Adkins & Attorney Chris Purkey, Adkins & Purkey, PLLC · Reviewed November 2026 · General information, not legal advice.

§ 20-100. Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision.

Upon satisfactory proof to the Commissioner that any motor vehicle, duly licensed, has been completely destroyed by fire or collision, or has been junked and completely dismantled so that the same can no longer be operated as a motor vehicle, the owner of such vehicle may be allowed on the purchase of a new license for another vehicle a credit equivalent to the unexpired proportion of the cost of the original license, dating from the first day of the next month after the date of such destruction. (1937, c. 407, s. 64; 1939, c. 369, s. 1.)

Official text of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-100 as published by the North Carolina General Assembly (Chapter 20 PDF, retrieved November 10, 2026). Verify the current version on ncleg.gov ↗.

G.S. 20-100. Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision

§ 20-100. Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision.

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