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Resources / NC Chapter 20 / Article 3 / Part 3. Registration and Certificates of Titles of Motor Vehicles

North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 20

G.S. 20-61. Owner dismantling or wrecking vehicle to return evidence of registration

The full text of G.S. 20-61 (Owner dismantling or wrecking vehicle to return evidence of registration), 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.

§ 20-61. Owner dismantling or wrecking vehicle to return evidence of registration.

Except as permitted under G.S. 20-62.1, any owner dismantling or wrecking any vehicle shall forward to the Division the certificate of title, registration card and other proof of ownership, and the registration plates last issued for such vehicle, unless such plates are to be transferred to another vehicle of the same owner. In that event, the plates shall be retained and preserved by the owner for transfer to such other vehicle. No person, firm or corporation shall dismantle or wreck any motor vehicle without first complying with the requirements of this section. The Commissioner upon receipt of certificate of title and notice from the owner thereof that a vehicle has been junked or dismantled may cancel and destroy such record of certificate of title. (1937, c. 407, s. 25; 1947, c. 219, s. 3; 1961, c. 360, s. 3; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 2007-505, s. 2.)

Official text of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-61 as published by the North Carolina General Assembly (Chapter 20 PDF, retrieved November 10, 2026). Verify the current version on ncleg.gov ↗.

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