NORTH CAROLINA DWI DEFENSEHuntersville • LocustCall / text (704) 880-9388

Resources / NC Chapter 20 / Article 3 / Part 10C. Operation of All-Terrain Vehicles

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 20

G.S. 20-171.15. Age restrictions

The full text of G.S. 20-171.15 (Age restrictions), 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.

§ 20-171.15. Age restrictions.

(a) It is unlawful for any parent or legal guardian of a person less than eight years of age to knowingly permit that person to operate an all-terrain vehicle.

(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2015-286, s. 3.13(a), effective October 22, 2015.

(c) It is unlawful for any parent or legal guardian of a person less than 16 years of age to knowingly permit that person to operate an all-terrain vehicle in violation of the Age Restriction Warning Label affixed by the manufacturer as required by the applicable American National Standards Institute/Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (ANSI/SVIA) design standard.

(d) It is unlawful for any parent or legal guardian of a person less than 16 years of age to knowingly permit that person to operate an all-terrain vehicle unless the person is under the continuous visual supervision of a person 18 years of age or older while operating the all-terrain vehicle.

(e) Subsection (c) of this section does not apply to any parent or legal guardian of a person born on or before August 15, 1997, who permits that person to operate an all-terrain vehicle and who establishes proof that the parent or legal guardian owned the all-terrain vehicle prior to August 15, 2005. (2005-282, s. 2; 2015-286, s. 3.13(a).)

Official text of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-171.15 as published by the North Carolina General Assembly (Chapter 20 PDF, retrieved November 10, 2026). Verify the current version on ncleg.gov ↗.

ADKINS & PURKEY, PLLC

Your next move starts here.

Talk with the firm about your charge, your license, and the path ahead.

Call (704) 880-9388Text the firm