Article3. Motor Vehicle Act of 1937  


Part 1. General Provisions
§ 20-38.100. Reserved for future codification purposes
Part 2. Authority and Duties of Commissioner and Division
§ 20-39. Administering and enforcing laws; rules and regulations; agents, etc.; seal; fees
§ 20-39.1. Publicly owned vehicles to be marked; private license plates on publicly owned vehicles
§ 20-40. Offices of Division
§ 20-41. Commissioner to provide forms required
§ 20-42. Authority to administer oaths and certify copies of records
§ 20-43. Records of Division
§ 20-43.1. Disclosure of personal information in motor vehicle records
§ 20-43.2. Internet access to organ donation records by organ procurement organizations
§ 20-43.3. Reserved for future codification purposes
§ 20-43.4. Current list of licensed drivers to be provided to jury commissions
§ 20-44. Authority to grant or refuse applications
§ 20-45. Seizure of documents and plates
§ 20-46. Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 99
§ 20-47. Division may summon witnesses and take testimony
§ 20-48. Giving of notice
§ 20-49. Police authority of Division
§ 20-49.1. Supplemental police authority of Division officers
§ 20-49.2. Supplemental authority of State Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Enforcement officers
§ 20-49.3. Bureau of License and Theft; custody of seized vehicles
Part 3. Registration and Certificates of Titles of Motor Vehicles
§ 20-50. Owner to secure registration and certificate of title; temporary registration markers
§ 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 Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 574, s. 5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 Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 624, s. 4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 Repealed by Session Laws 2005-294, s. 10, effective July 1, 2013, and applicable to combined tax and registration notices issued on or after that date.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
§ 20-50.4. Division 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 obligations
§ 20-51. Exempt from registration
§ 20-52. Application for registration and certificate of title
§ 20-52.1. Manufacturer's certificate of transfer of new motor vehicle
§ 20-53. Application for specially constructed, reconstructed, or foreign vehicle
§ 20-53.1. Specially constructed vehicle certificate of title and registration
§ 20-53.2. Reserved for future codification purposes
§ 20-53.3. Appeal of specially constructed vehicle classification determination to Vehicle Classification Review Committee
§ 20-53.4. (Effective July 1, 2015) Registration of Mopeds
§ 20-54. Authority for refusing registration or certificate of title
§ 20-54.1. Forfeiture of right of registration
§ 20-55. Examination of registration records and index of seized, stolen, and recovered vehicles
§ 20-56. Registration indexes
§ 20-57. Division to issue certificate of title and registration card
§ 20-58. Perfection by indication of security interest on certificate of title
§ 20-58.1. Duty of the Division upon receipt of application for notation of security interest
§ 20-58.2. Date of perfection
§ 20-58.3. Notation of assignment of security interest on certificate of title
§ 20-58.4. Release of security interest
§ 20-58.4A. Electronic lien system
§ 20-58.5. Duration of security interest in favor of corporations which dissolve or become inactive
§ 20-58.6. Duty of secured party to disclose information
§ 20-58.7. Cancellation of certificate
§ 20-58.8. Applicability of §§ 20-58 to 20-58.8; use of term "lien"
§ 20-58.9. Repealed by Session Laws 1969, c. 838, s. 3
§ 20-58.10. Effective date of §§ 20-58 to 20-58.9
§ 20-59. Unlawful for lienor who holds certificate of title not to surrender same when lien satisfied
§ 20-60. Owner after transfer not liable for negligent operation
§ 20-61. Owner dismantling or wrecking vehicle to return evidence of registration
§ 20-62. Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 533, s. 9
§ 20-62.1. Purchase of vehicles for purposes of scrap or parts only
§ 20-63. (Effective July 1, 2015) Registration plates furnished by Division; requirements; replacement of regular plates with First in Flight plates or First in Freedom plates; surrender and reissuance; displaying; preservation and cleaning; alteration or concealment of numbers; commission contracts for issuance
§ 20-63.01. Bonds required for commission contractors
§ 20-63.02. Advisory committee of commission contractors
§ 20-63.1. Division may cause plates to be reflectorized
§ 20-64. Transfer of registration plates to another vehicle
§ 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. Renewal of vehicle registration
§ 20-66.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1389, s. 2
§ 20-67. Notice of change of address or name
§ 20-68. Replacement of lost or damaged certificates, cards and plates
§ 20-69. Division authorized to assign new engine number
§ 20-70. Division to be notified when another engine is installed or body changed
§ 20-71. Altering or forging certificate of title, registration card or application, a felony; reproducing or possessing blank certificate of title
§ 20-71.1. Registration evidence of ownership; ownership evidence of defendant's responsibility for conduct of operation
Part 3A. Salvage Titles
§ 20-71.2. Declaration of purpose
§ 20-71.3. Salvage and other vehicles - titles and registration cards to be branded
§ 20-71.4. Failure to disclose damage to a vehicle shall be a misdemeanor
Part 4. Transfer of Title or Interest
§ 20-72. Transfer by owner
§ 20-73. New owner must get new certificate of title
§ 20-74. Penalty for making false statement about transfer of vehicle
§ 20-75. When transferee is dealer or insurance company
§ 20-75.1. Conditional delivery of motor vehicles
§ 20-76. Title lost or unlawfully detained; bond as condition to issuance of new certificate
§ 20-77. Transfer by operation of law; sale under mechanic's or storage lien; unclaimed vehicles
§ 20-78. When Division to transfer registration and issue new certificate; recordation
§ 20-78.1. Terminal rental adjustment clauses; vehicle leases that are not sales or security interests
Part 5. Issuance of Special Plates
§ 20-79. (Effective July 1, 2015) Dealer license plates
§ 20-79.01. Special sports event temporary license plates
§ 20-79.1. Use of temporary registration plates or markers by purchasers of motor vehicles in lieu of dealers' plates
§ 20-79.1A. Limited registration plates
§ 20-79.2. (Effective July 1, 2015) Transporter plates
§ 20-79.3. Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 440, s. 5
§ 20-79.3A. Requirements to establish a special registration plate
§ 20-79.4. Special registration plates
§ 20-79.5. Special registration plates for elected and appointed State government officials
§ 20-79.6. Special registration plates for members of the judiciary
§ 20-79.7. Fees for special registration plates and distribution of the fees
§ 20-79.8. Expiration of special registration plate authorization
§§ 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
§ 20-81.12. Collegiate insignia plates and certain other special plates
§ 20-82. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 163, s. 3
Part 6. Vehicles of Nonresidents of State; Permanent Plates; Highway Patrol
§ 20-83. Registration by nonresidents
§ 20-84. Permanent registration plates; State Highway Patrol
§ 20-84.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1999-220, s. 4
Part 6A. Rental Vehicles
§ 20-84.2. Definition; reciprocity; Commissioner's powers
Part 7. Title and Registration Fees
§ 20-85. Schedule of fees
§ 20-85.1. Registration by mail; one-day title service; fees
§ 20-86. Penalty for engaging in a "for-hire" business without proper license plates
§ 20-86.1. International Registration Plan
§ 20-87. Passenger vehicle registration fees
§ 20-87.1. Interchange of passenger buses with nonresident common carriers of passengers
§ 20-88. Property-hauling vehicles
§ 20-88.01. Revocation of registration for failure to register for or comply with road tax or pay civil penalty for buying or selling non-tax-paid fuel
§ 20-88.02. Registration of logging vehicles
§ 20-88.1. Driver education
§ 20-89. Repealed by Sessions Laws 1981, c. 976, s. 7
§ 20-90. Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 976, s. 8
§ 20-91. Audit of vehicle registrations under the International Registration Plan
§ 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
§ 20-94. Partial payments
§ 20-95. Prorated fee for license plate issued for other than a year
§ 20-96. Detaining property-hauling vehicles or vehicles regulated by the Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Unit until fines or penalties and taxes are collected
§ 20-97. Taxes credited to Highway Fund; municipal vehicle taxes
§ 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
§ 20-100. Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision
§ 20-101. Certain business vehicles to be marked
§ 20-101.1. Conspicuous disclosure of dealer administrative fees
§ 20-101.2. Conspicuous disclosure of dealer finance yield charges
Part 8. Anti-Theft and Enforcement Provisions
§ 20-102. Report of stolen and recovered motor vehicles
§ 20-102.1. False report of theft or conversion a misdemeanor
§ 20-102.2. Report of failure to return hired motor vehicles
§ 20-103. Reports by owners of stolen and recovered vehicles
§ 20-104. Action by Division on report of stolen or embezzled vehicles
§ 20-105. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39
§ 20-106. Receiving or transferring stolen vehicles
§ 20-106.1. Fraud in connection with rental of motor vehicles
§ 20-106.2. Sublease and loan assumption arranging regulated
§ 20-107. Injuring or tampering with vehicle
§ 20-108. Vehicles or component parts of vehicles without manufacturer's numbers
§ 20-109. Altering or changing engine or other numbers
§ 20-109.1. Surrender of titles to salvage vehicles
§ 20-109.2. Surrender of title to manufactured home
§ 20-110. When registration shall be rescinded
§ 20-111. Violation of registration provisions
§ 20-112. Making false affidavit perjury
§ 20-113. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 13
§ 20-114. Duty of officers; manner of enforcement
§ 20-114.1. Willful failure to obey law-enforcement or traffic-control officer; firemen as traffic-control officers; appointment, etc., of traffic-control officers
§ 20-114.3. Repealed by Session Laws 2007-433, s. 3(a), (b), effective October 1, 2007
Part 9. The Size, Weight, Construction and Equipment of Vehicles
§ 20-115. Scope and effect of regulations in this title
§ 20-115.1. Limitations on tandem trailers and semitrailers on certain North Carolina highways
§ 20-116. Size of vehicles and loads
§ 20-117. Flag or light at end of load
§ 20-117.1. Requirements for mirrors and fuel container
§ 20-118. Weight of vehicles and load
§ 20-118.1. Officers may weigh vehicles and require overloads to be removed
§ 20-118.2. Authority to fix higher weight limitations at reduced speeds for certain vehicles
§ 20-118.3. Vehicle or combination of vehicles operated without registration plate subject to civil penalty
§ 20-118.4. Firefighting equipment exempt from size and weight restrictions while transporting or moving heavy equipment for emergency response and preparedness and fire prevention; permits
§ 20-119. Special permits for vehicles of excessive size or weight; fees
§ 20-119.1. Use of excess overweight and oversize fees
§ 20-120. Operation of flat trucks on State highways regulated; trucks hauling leaf tobacco in barrels or hogsheads
§ 20-121. When authorities may restrict right to use highways
§ 20-121.1. Operation of a low-speed vehicle on certain roadways
§ 20-122. Restrictions as to tire equipment
§ 20-122.1. Motor vehicles to be equipped with safe tires
§ 20-123. Trailers and towed vehicles
§ 20-123.1. Steering mechanism
§ 20-123.2. Speedometer
§ 20-124. Brakes
§ 20-125. Horns and warning devices
§ 20-125.1. Directional signals
§ 20-126. Mirrors
§ 20-127. Windows and windshield wipers
§ 20-128. Exhaust system and emissions control devices
§ 20-128.1. Control of visible emissions
§ 20-128.2. Motor vehicle emission standards
§ 20-129. Required lighting equipment of vehicles
§ 20-129.1. Additional lighting equipment required on certain vehicles
§ 20-129.2. Lighting equipment for mobile homes
§ 20-130. Additional permissible light on vehicle
§ 20-130.1. Use of red or blue lights on vehicles prohibited; exceptions
§ 20-130.2. Use of amber lights on certain vehicles
§ 20-130.3. Use of white or clear lights on rear of vehicles prohibited; exceptions
§ 20-131. Requirements as to headlamps and auxiliary driving lamps
§ 20-132. Acetylene lights
§ 20-133. Enforcement of provisions
§ 20-134. Lights on parked vehicles
§ 20-135. Safety glass
§ 20-135.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 756, s. 30
§ 20-135.2. Safety belts and anchorages
§ 20-135.2A. (See Editor's note) Seat belt use mandatory
§ 20-135.2B. Transporting children under 16 years of age in open bed or open cargo area of a vehicle prohibited; exceptions
§ 20-135.3. Seat belt anchorages for rear seats of motor vehicles
§ 20-135.4. Certain automobile safety standards
§ 20-136. Smoke screens
§ 20-136.1. Location of television, computer, or video players, monitors, and screens
§ 20-136.2. Air bag installation
§ 20-137. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 379, s. 18.2
§ 20-137.1. Child restraint systems required
§ 20-137.2. Operation of vehicles resembling law-enforcement vehicles unlawful; punishment
§ 20-137.3. Unlawful use of a mobile phone by persons under 18 years of age
§ 20-137.4. Unlawful use of a mobile phone
§ 20-137.4A. Unlawful use of mobile telephone for text messaging or electronic mail
§ 20-137.5. Child passenger safety technician; limitation of liability
Part 9A. Abandoned and Derelict Motor Vehicles
§ 20-137.6. Declaration of purpose
§ 20-137.7. Definitions of words and phrases
§ 20-137.8. Secretary may adopt rules and regulations
§ 20-137.9. Removal from private property
§ 20-137.10. Abandoned and derelict vehicles to be tagged; determination of value
§ 20-137.11. Title to vest in State
§ 20-137.12. Secretary may contract for disposal
§ 20-137.13. No liability for removal
§ 20-137.14. Enclosed, antique, registered and certain other vehicles exempt
Part 10. Operation of Vehicles and Rules of the Road
§ 20-138. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 435, s. 23
§ 20-138.1. Impaired driving
§ 20-138.2. Impaired driving in commercial vehicle
§ 20-138.2A. Operating a commercial vehicle after consuming alcohol
§ 20-138.2B. Operating a school bus, school activity bus, child care vehicle, ambulance, other EMS vehicle, firefighting vehicle, or law enforcement vehicle after consuming alcohol
§ 20-138.2C. Possession of alcoholic beverages while operating a commercial motor vehicle
§ 20-138.3. Driving by person less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs
§ 20-138.4. Requirement that prosecutor explain reduction or dismissal of charge in implied-consent case
§ 20-138.5. Habitual impaired driving
§ 20-138.6. Reserved for future codification purposes
§ 20-138.7. Transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage
§ 20-139. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 435, s. 23
§ 20-139.1. Procedures governing chemical analyses; admissibility; evidentiary provisions; controlled-drinking programs
§ 20-140. Reckless driving
§ 20-140.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39
§ 20-140.2. Overloaded or overcrowded vehicle
§ 20-140.3. Unlawful use of National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and other controlled-access highways
§ 20-140.4. Special provisions for motorcycles and mopeds
§ 20-140.5. Special mobile equipment may tow certain vehicles
§ 20-141. Speed restrictions
§ 20-141.1. Speed limits in school zones
§ 20-141.2. Prima facie rule of evidence as to operation of motor vehicle altered so as to increase potential speed
§ 20-141.3. Unlawful racing on streets and highways
§ 20-141.4. Felony and misdemeanor death by vehicle; felony serious injury by vehicle; aggravated offenses; repeat felony death by vehicle
§ 20-141.5. Speeding to elude arrest; seizure and sale of vehicles
§ 20-141.6. Aggressive Driving
§ 20-142. Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 368, s. 2
§ 20-142.1. Obedience to railroad signal
§ 20-142.2. Vehicles stop at certain grade crossing
§ 20-142.3. Certain vehicles must stop at railroad grade crossing
§ 20-142.4. Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossing
§ 20-142.5. Stop when traffic obstructed
§§ 20-143 through 20-143.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 368, s. 2
§ 20-144. Special speed limitation on bridges
§ 20-145. When speed limit not applicable
§ 20-146. Drive on right side of highway; exceptions
§ 20-146.1. Operation of motorcycles
§ 20-146.2. Rush hour traffic lanes authorized
§ 20-147. Keep to the right in crossing intersections or railroads
§ 20-147.1. Passenger vehicle towing other vehicles to keep right
§ 20-148. Meeting of vehicles
§ 20-149. Overtaking a vehicle
§ 20-150. Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing
§ 20-150.1. When passing on the right is permitted
§ 20-151. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 283, s. 2
§ 20-152. Following too closely
§ 20-153. Turning at intersections
§ 20-154. Signals on starting, stopping or turning
§ 20-155. Right-of-way
§ 20-156. Exceptions to the right-of-way rule
§ 20-157. Approach 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 ambulance
§ 20-157.1. Funeral processions
§ 20-158. Vehicle control signs and signals
§ 20-158.1. Erection of "yield right-of-way" signs
§ 20-158.2. Control of vehicles on Turnpike System
§ 20-158.3. Emergency entry to controlled access roads
§ 20-159. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39
§ 20-160. Driving through safety zone or on sidewalks prohibited
§ 20-160.1. Failure to yield causing serious bodily injury; penalties
§ 20-161. Stopping on highway prohibited; warning signals; removal of vehicles from public highway
§ 20-161.1. Regulation of night parking on highways
§ 20-161.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 420, s. 1
§ 20-162. Parking in front of private driveway, fire hydrant, fire station, intersection of curb lines or fire lane
§ 20-162.1. Prima facie rule of evidence for enforcement of parking regulations
§§ 20-162.2 through 20-162.3. Transferred to §§ 20-219.2, 20-219.3 by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 36
§ 20-163. Unattended motor vehicles
§ 20-164. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39
§ 20-165. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 379, s. 6
§ 20-165.1. One-way traffic
§ 20-166. Duty to stop in event of a crash; furnishing information or assistance to injured person, etc.; persons assisting exempt from civil liability
§ 20-166.1. Reports and investigations required in event of accident
§ 20-166.2. Duty of passenger to remain at the scene of an accident
§ 20-167. Vehicles transporting explosives
§ 20-167.1. Transportation of spent nuclear fuel
§ 20-168. Drivers of State, county, and city vehicles subject to the provisions of this Article
§ 20-169. Powers of local authorities
§ 20-170. This Article not to interfere with rights of owners of real property with reference thereto
§ 20-171. Traffic laws apply to persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles
Part 10A. Operation of Bicycles
§ 20-171.1. Definitions
§ 20-171.2. Bicycle racing
§ 20-171.3. Reserved for future codification purposes
§ 20-171.4. Reserved for future codification purposes
§ 20-171.5. Reserved for future codification purposes
Part 10B. Child Bicycle Safety Act
§ 20-171.6. Short title
§ 20-171.7. Legislative findings and purpose
§ 20-171.8. Definitions
§ 20-171.9. Requirements for helmet and restraining seat use
§ 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
Part 10C. Operation of All-Terrain Vehicles
§ 20-171.15. Age restrictions
§ 20-171.16. Passengers
§ 20-171.17. Prohibited acts by sellers
§ 20-171.18. Equipment requirements
§ 20-171.19. Prohibited acts by owners and operators
§ 20-171.20. Safety training and certificate
§ 20-171.21. Penalties
§ 20-171.22. Exceptions
§ 20-171.23. Motorized all-terrain vehicles of law enforcement officers and fire, rescue, and emergency medical services permitted on certain highways
§ 20-171.24. Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by employees of listed municipalities and counties permitted on certain highways
§ 20-171.25. Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by certain employees of natural gas utilities permitted on public highways and rights-of-way
§ 20-171.26. Motorized all-terrain vehicle use by disabled sportsmen
Part 11. Pedestrians' Rights and Duties
§ 20-172. Pedestrians subject to traffic-control signals
§ 20-173. Pedestrians' right-of-way at crosswalks
§ 20-174. Crossing at other than crosswalks; walking along highway
§ 20-174.1. Standing, sitting or lying upon highways or streets prohibited
§ 20-174.2. Local ordinances; pedestrians gathering, picketing, or protesting on roads or highways
§ 20-175. Pedestrians soliciting rides, employment, business or funds upon highways or streets
Part 11A. Blind Pedestrians - White Canes or Guide Dogs
§ 20-175.1. Public use of white canes by other than blind persons prohibited
§ 20-175.2. Right-of-way at crossings, intersections and traffic-control signal points; white cane or guide dog to serve as signal for the blind
§ 20-175.3. Rights and privileges of blind persons without white cane or guide dog
§ 20-175.4. Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39
Part 11B. Pedestrian Rights and Duties of Persons with a Mobility Impairment
§ 20-175.5. Use of motorized wheelchairs or similar vehicles not exceeding 1000 pounds gross weight
Part 11C. Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices
§ 20-175.6. Electric personal assistive mobility devices
Part 12. Sentencing; Penalties
§ 20-176. Penalty for misdemeanor or infraction
§ 20-177. Penalty for felony
§ 20-178. Penalty for bad check
§ 20-178.1. Payment and review of civil penalty imposed by Department of Public Safety
§ 20-179. Sentencing hearing after conviction for impaired driving; determination of grossly aggravating and aggravating and mitigating factors; punishments
§ 20-179.1. Presentence investigation of persons convicted of offense involving impaired driving
§ 20-179.2. Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 496, s. 8
§ 20-179.3. Limited driving privilege
§ 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
§ 20-181. Penalty for failure to dim, etc., beams of headlamps
§ 20-182. Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 912, s. 2
§ 20-183. Duties and powers of law-enforcement officers; warning by local officers before stopping another vehicle on highway; warning tickets