reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-97 - Taxes credited to Highway Fund; municipal vehicle taxes.

§ 20-97. Taxes credited to Highway Fund; municipal vehicle taxes.
(a) State Taxes to Highway Fund. – All taxes levied under this Article are compensatory taxes for the use and privileges of the public highways of this State. The taxes collected shall be credited to the State Highway Fund. Except as provided in this section, no county or municipality shall levy any license or privilege tax upon any motor vehicle licensed by the State.
(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 29.27A(a), effective July 1, 2016.
(b1) Municipal Vehicle Tax. – A city or town may levy an annual municipal vehicle tax upon any vehicle resident in the city or town. The aggregate annual municipal vehicle tax levied, including any annual municipal vehicle tax authorized by local legislation, may not exceed thirty dollars ($30.00) per vehicle. A city or town may use the net proceeds from the municipal vehicle tax as follows:
(1) General purpose. – Not more than five dollars ($5.00) of the tax levied may be used for any lawful purpose.
(2) Public transportation. – Not more than five dollars ($5.00) of the tax levied may be used for financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining local public transportation systems. This subdivision only applies to a city or town that operates a public transportation system as defined in G.S. 105-550.
(3) Public streets. – The remainder of the tax levied may be used for maintaining, repairing, constructing, reconstructing, widening, or improving public streets in the city or town that do not form a part of the State highway system.
(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2015-241, s. 29.27A(a), effective July 1, 2016.
(d) Municipal Taxi Tax. – Cities and towns may levy a tax of not more than fifteen dollars ($15.00) per year upon each vehicle operated in the city or town as a taxicab. The proceeds of the tax may be used for any lawful purpose.
(e) No Additional Local Tax. – No county, city or town may impose a franchise tax, license tax, or other fee upon a motor carrier unless the tax is authorized by this section. (1937, c. 407, s. 61; 1941, c. 36; 1943, c. 639, ss. 3, 4; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1977, c. 433, s. 1; c. 880, s. 1; 1979, c. 173, s. 1; c. 216, s. 1; c. 217; c. 248, s. 1; c. 398; c. 400, s. 1; c. 458; c. 530, s. 1; c. 790; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1152; c. 1153, s. 1; c. 1155, s. 1; c. 1189; c. 1308, s. 1; 1981, cc. 74, 129, 210, 228, 310, 311, 312, 315, 368, 370, s. 10; c. 415, s. 10; cc. 857, 858, 991; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), cc. 1202, 1250; 1983, cc. 9, 75; c. 106, s. 1; c. 188, ss. 1, 2; 1993, c. 321, s. 146, c. 479, s. 4; c. 456, s. 1; 1997-417, s. 2; 2009-166, s. 2(b); 2015-241, s. 29.27A(a).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-100 - Vehicles junked or destroyed by fire or collision.

§ 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.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-101 - Certain business vehicles to be marked.

§ 20-101. Certain business vehicles to be marked.
(a) A motor vehicle that is subject to 49 C.F.R. Part 390, the federal motor carrier safety regulations, shall be marked as required by that Part.
(b) A motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds that is used in intrastate commerce shall have (i) the name of the owner and (ii) the motor carrier's identification number preceded by the letters "USDOT" and followed by the letters "NC" printed on each side of the vehicle in letters not less than three inches in height. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply if any of the following are true:
(1) The motor vehicle is subject to 49 C.F.R. Part 390.
(2) The motor vehicle is of a type listed in 49 C.F.R. 390.3(f).
(3) The motor vehicle is licensed at the farmer rate under G.S. 20-88.
(c) A motor vehicle that is subject to regulation by the North Carolina Utilities Commission shall be marked as required by that Commission and as otherwise required by this section.
(d) A motor vehicle equipped to tow or transport another motor vehicle, hired for the purpose of towing or transporting another motor vehicle, shall have the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle, and the name of the business or person being hired if different, printed on each side of the vehicle in letters not less than three inches in height. This subsection shall not apply to motor vehicles subject to 49 C.F.R. Part 390. (1937, c. 407, s. 65; 1951, c. 819, s. 1; 1967, c. 1132; 1985, c. 132; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 756, s. 12; 2000-67, s. 25.8; 2001-487, s. 50(d); 2007-404, s. 1; 2009-376, s. 3; 2012-41, s. 1; 2017-108, s. 15.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-101.1 - Conspicuous disclosure of dealer administrative fees.

§ 20-101.1. Conspicuous disclosure of dealer administrative fees.
(a) A motor vehicle dealer shall not charge an administrative, origination, documentary, procurement, or other similar administrative fee related to the sale or lease of a motor vehicle, whether or not that fee relates to costs or charges that the dealer is required to pay to third parties or is attributable to the dealer's internal overhead or profit, unless the dealer complies with all of the following requirements:
(1) The dealer shall post a conspicuous notice in the sales or finance area of the dealership measuring at least 24 inches on each side informing customers that a fee regulated by this section may or will be charged and the amount of the fee.
(2) The fact that the dealer charges a fee regulated by this section and the amount of the fee shall be disclosed whenever the dealer engages in the price advertising of vehicles.
(3) The amount of a fee regulated by this section shall be separately identified on the customer's buyer's order, purchase order, or bill of sale.
(b) Nothing contained in this section or elsewhere under the law of this State shall be deemed to prohibit a dealer from, in the dealer's discretion, deciding not to charge an administrative, origination, documentary, procurement, or other similar administrative fee or reducing the amount of the fee in certain cases, as the dealer may deem appropriate.
(c) Notwithstanding the terms of any contract, franchise, novation, or agreement, it shall be unlawful for any manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to prevent, attempt to prevent, prohibit, coerce, or attempt to coerce, any new motor vehicle dealer located in this State from charging any administrative, origination, documentary, procurement, or other similar administrative fee related to the sale or lease of a motor vehicle. It shall further be unlawful for any manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, notwithstanding the terms of any contract, franchise, novation, or agreement, to prevent or prohibit any new motor vehicle dealer in this State from participating in any program relating to the sale of motor vehicles or reduce the amount of compensation to be paid to any dealer in this State, based upon the dealer's willingness to refrain from charging or reduce the amount of any administrative, origination, documentary, procurement, or other similar administrative fee related to the sale or lease of a motor vehicle.
(d) This section does not apply to a dealer fee related to the online registration of a motor vehicle when the dealer fee is separately stated on the buyer's order, purchase order, retail installment sales agreement, lease, or bill of sale. (2001-487, s. 123.5; 2001-492, s. 1; 2014-108, s. 4(a).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-101.2 - Conspicuous disclosure of dealer finance yield charges.

§ 20-101.2. Conspicuous disclosure of dealer finance yield charges.
(a) A motor vehicle dealer shall not charge a fee or receive a commission or other compensation for providing, procuring, or arranging financing for the retail purchase or lease of a motor vehicle, unless the dealer complies with both of the following requirements:
(1) The dealer shall post a conspicuous notice in the sales or finance area of the dealership measuring at least 24 inches on each side informing customers that the dealer may receive a fee, commission, or other compensation for providing, procuring, or arranging financing for the retail purchase or lease of a motor vehicle, for which the customer may be responsible.
(2) The dealer shall disclose conspicuously on the purchase order or buyer's order, or on a separate form provided to the purchaser at or prior to the closing on the sale of the vehicle, that the dealer may receive a fee, commission, or other compensation for providing, procuring, or arranging financing for the retail purchase or lease of a motor vehicle, for which the customer may be responsible.
(b) Nothing contained in this section or elsewhere under the law of this State shall be deemed to require that a motor vehicle dealer disclose to any actual or potential purchaser the dealer's contractual arrangements with any finance company, bank, leasing company, or other lender or financial institution, or the amount of markup, profit, or compensation that the dealer will receive in any particular transaction or series of transactions from the charging of such fees. (2001-487, s. 123.5; 2001-492, s. 2.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-101.3 - Conspicuous disclosure of dealer shop and other service-related fees.

§ 20-101.3. Conspicuous disclosure of dealer shop and other service-related fees.
(a) Requirement. – A motor vehicle dealer shall not charge shop fees in conjunction with service work performed by the dealer, or other discretionary fees relating to environmental or regulatory compliance, record retention, or other costs incurred by the dealer in conjunction with service work performed by the dealer, whether or not the fees are attributable to or include the dealer's internal overhead or profit, unless the dealer complies with both of the following requirements:
(1) The dealer shall post a conspicuous notice in the service area of the dealership measuring at least 24 inches on each side informing customers that fees regulated by this section may or will be charged and that customers should inquire of dealership personnel if they would like to know the type and amount or basis of the fees charged by the dealer.
(2) The total amount of all fees regulated by this section shall be disclosed on the customer's repair order or repair invoice. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as requiring a dealer to list separately each fee charged by the dealer.
(b) Discretion. – Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a dealer is not required to charge a shop or other service-related fee regulated under this section and may reduce the amount of any or all fees charged.
(c) Notwithstanding any other section of this Chapter, the fees covered by this section shall not be considered a warranty expense and are not subject to the compensation requirements of G.S. 20-305.1. (2017-148, s. 5.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-102 - Report of stolen and recovered motor vehicles.

§ 20-102. Report of stolen and recovered motor vehicles.
Every sheriff, chief of police, or peace officer upon receiving reliable information that any vehicle registered hereunder has been stolen shall report such theft to the Division. Any said officer upon receiving information that any vehicle, which he has previously reported as stolen, has been recovered, shall report the fact of such recovery to the Division. (1937, c. 407, s. 66; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 2005-182, s. 4.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-102.1 - False report of theft or conversion a misdemeanor.

§ 20-102.1. False report of theft or conversion a misdemeanor.
A person who knowingly makes to a peace officer or to the Division a false report of the theft or conversion of a motor vehicle shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. (1963, c. 1083; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1993, c. 539, s. 346; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-102.2 - Report of failure to return hired motor vehicles.

§ 20-102.2. Report of failure to return hired motor vehicles.
Every sheriff, chief of police, or peace officer, upon receiving a vehicle theft report, warrant, or other reliable information that any rental, for-hire, or leased vehicle registered pursuant to this Chapter has not been returned as set forth in G.S. 14-167, shall report the failure to the National Crime Information Center. Any officer upon receiving information concerning the recovery of a vehicle that the officer previously reported as not having been returned shall report the recovery to the National Crime Information Center. The officer shall also attempt to notify the reporting party of the location and condition of the recovered vehicle by telephone, if the telephone number of the reporting party is available or readily accessible. (2005-182, s. 5.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-103 - Reports by owners of stolen and recovered vehicles.

§ 20-103. Reports by owners of stolen and recovered vehicles.
The owner, or person having a lien or encumbrance upon a registered vehicle which has been stolen or embezzled, may notify the Division of such theft or embezzlement, but in the event of an embezzlement may make such report only after having procured the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the person charged with such embezzlement. Every owner or other person who has given any such notice must notify the Division of the recovery of such vehicle. (1937, c. 407, s. 67; 1975, c. 716, s. 5.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-104 - Action by Division on report of stolen or embezzled vehicles.

§ 20-104. Action by Division on report of stolen or embezzled vehicles.
(a) The Division, upon receiving a report of a stolen or embezzled vehicle as hereinbefore provided, shall file and appropriately index the same and shall immediately suspend the registration of the vehicle so reported, and shall not transfer the registration of the same until such time as it is notified in writing that such vehicle has been recovered.
(b) The Division shall at least once each month compile and maintain at its headquarters office a list of all vehicles which have been stolen or embezzled or recovered as reported to it during the preceding month, and such lists shall be open to inspection by any peace officer or other persons interested in any such vehicle. (1937, c. 407, s. 68; 1975, c. 716, s. 5.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › §§ 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.

§ 20-106. 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.
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-106.1 - Fraud in connection with rental of motor vehicles.

§ 20-106.1. Fraud in connection with rental of motor vehicles.
Any person with the intent to defraud the owner of any motor vehicle or a person in lawful possession thereof, who obtains possession of said vehicle by agreeing in writing to pay a rental for the use of said vehicle, and further agreeing in writing that the said vehicle shall be returned to a certain place, or at a certain time, and who willfully fails and refuses to return the same to the place and at the time specified, or who secretes, converts, sells or attempts to sell the same or any part thereof shall be guilty of a Class I felony. (1961, c. 1067; 1993, c. 539, s. 1253; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › §§ 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.

§ 20-107. 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.
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-109 - Altering or changing engine or other numbers.

§ 20-109. Altering or changing engine or other numbers.
(a) It shall be unlawful and constitute a felony for:
(1) Any person to willfully deface, destroy, remove, cover, or alter the manufacturer's serial number, transmission number, or engine number; or
(2) Any vehicle owner to knowingly permit the defacing, removal, destroying, covering, or alteration of the serial number, transmission number, or engine number; or
(3) Any person except a licensed vehicle manufacturer as authorized by law to place or stamp any serial number, transmission number, or engine number upon a vehicle, other than one assigned thereto by the Division; or
(4) Any vehicle owner to knowingly permit the placing or stamping of any serial number or motor number upon a motor vehicle, except such numbers as assigned thereto by the Division.
A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as a Class I felony.
(b) It shall be unlawful and constitute a felony for:
(1) Any person, with intent to conceal or misrepresent the true identity of the vehicle, to deface, destroy, remove, cover, alter, or use any serial or motor number assigned to a vehicle by the Division; or
(2) Any vehicle owner, with intent to conceal or misrepresent the true identity of the vehicle, to permit the defacing, destruction, removal, covering, alteration, or use of a serial or motor number assigned to a vehicle by the Division; or
(3) Any vehicle owner, with the intent to conceal or misrepresent the true identity of a vehicle, to permit the defacing, destruction, removal, covering, alteration, use, gift, or sale of any manufacturer's serial number, serial number plate, or any part or parts of a vehicle containing the serial number or portions of the serial number.
A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as a Class I felony. (1937, c. 407, s. 73; 1943, c. 726; 1953, c. 216; 1965, c. 621, s. 3; 1967, c. 449; 1973, c. 1089; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 760, s. 5; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1316, s. 47; 1981, c. 179, s. 14; 1987, c. 512; 1993, c. 539, s. 1255; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-111 - Violation of registration provisions.

§ 20-111. Violation of registration provisions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any of the following acts:
(1) To drive a vehicle on a highway, or knowingly permit a vehicle owned by that person to be driven on a highway, when the vehicle is not registered with the Division in accordance with this Article or does not display a current registration plate. Violation of this subdivision is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(2) To display or cause or permit to be displayed or to have in possession any registration card, certificate of title or registration number plate knowing the same to be fictitious or to have been canceled, revoked, suspended or altered, or to willfully display an expired license or registration plate on a vehicle knowing the same to be expired. Violation of this subdivision is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(3) The giving, lending, or borrowing of a license plate for the purpose of using same on some motor vehicle other than that for which issued shall make the giver, lender, or borrower guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Where license plate is found being improperly used, such plate or plates shall be revoked or canceled, and new license plates must be purchased before further operation of the motor vehicle.
(4) To fail or refuse to surrender to the Division, upon demand, any title certificate, registration card or registration number plate which has been suspended, canceled or revoked as in this Article provided. Service of the demand shall be in accordance with G.S. 20-48.
(5) To use a false or fictitious name or address in any application for the registration of any vehicle or for a certificate of title or for any renewal or duplicate thereof, or knowingly to make a false statement or knowingly to conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application. A violation of this subdivision shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(6) To give, lend, sell or obtain a certificate of title for the purpose of such certificate being used for any purpose other than the registration, sale, or other use in connection with the vehicle for which the certificate was issued. Any person violating the provisions of this subdivision shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. (1937, c. 407, s. 75; 1943, c. 592, s. 2; 1945, c. 576, s. 6; c. 635; 1949, c. 360; 1955, c. 294, s. 2; 1961, c. 360, s. 20; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1981, c. 938, s. 3; 1993, c. 440, s. 9; c. 539, ss. 351-353; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2013-360, s. 18B.14(i).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-112 - Making false affidavit perjury.

§ 20-112. Making false affidavit perjury.
Any person who shall knowingly make any false affidavit or shall knowingly swear or affirm falsely to any matter or thing required by the terms of this Article to be sworn or affirmed to shall be guilty of a Class I felony. (1937, c. 407, s. 76; 1993, c. 539, s. 1256; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-114 - Duty of officers; manner of enforcement.

§ 20-114. Duty of officers; manner of enforcement.
(a) For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Article, it is hereby made the duty of every police officer of any incorporated city or village, and every sheriff, deputy sheriff, and all other lawful officers of any county to arrest within the limits of their jurisdiction any person known personally to any such officer, or upon the sworn information of a creditable witness, to have violated any of the provisions of this Article, and to immediately bring such offender before any magistrate or officer having jurisdiction, and any such person so arrested shall have the right of immediate trial, and all other rights given to any person arrested for having committed a misdemeanor. Every officer herein named who shall neglect or refuse to carry out the duties imposed by this Chapter shall be liable on his official bond for such neglect or refusal as provided by law in like cases.
(b) It shall be the duty of all sheriffs, police officers, deputy sheriffs, deputy police officers, and all other officers within the State to cooperate with and render all assistance in their power to the officers herein provided for, and nothing in this Article shall be construed as relieving said sheriffs, police officers, deputy sheriffs, deputy police officers, and other officers of the duties imposed on them by this Chapter.
(c) It shall also be the duty of every law enforcement officer to make immediate report to the Commissioner of all motor vehicles reported to the officer as abandoned or that are seized by the officer for being used for illegal transportation of alcoholic beverages or other unlawful purposes, or seized and are subject to forfeiture pursuant to G.S. 20-28.2, et seq., or any other statute, and no motor vehicle shall be sold by any sheriff, police or peace officer, or by any person, firm or corporation claiming a mechanic's or storage lien, or under judicial proceedings, until notice on a form approved by the Commissioner shall have been given the Commissioner at least 20 days before the date of such sale. (1937, c. 407, s. 78; 1943, c. 726; 1967, c. 862; 1971, c. 528, s. 13; 1981, c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, s. 66; 1998-182, s. 12.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-115 - Scope and effect of regulations in this Part.

§ 20-115. Scope and effect of regulations in this Part.
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or move or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or vehicles of a size or weight exceeding the limitations stated in this Part, or any vehicle or vehicles which are not so constructed or equipped as required in this Part, or the rules and regulations of the Department of Transportation adopted pursuant to this Part and the maximum size and weight of vehicles specified in this Part shall be lawful throughout this State, and local authorities shall have no power or authority to alter the limitations except as express authority may be granted in this Article. (1937, c. 407, s. 79; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; 1977, c. 464, s. 34; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 852, s. 8; 2015-264, s. 8(a).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-117 - Flag or light at end of load.

§ 20-117. Flag or light at end of load.
(a) General Provisions. – Whenever the load on any vehicle shall extend more than four feet beyond the rear of the bed or body thereof, there shall be displayed at the end of such load, in such position as to be clearly visible at all times from the rear of such load, a red or orange flag not less than 18 inches both in length and width, except that from sunset to sunrise there shall be displayed at the end of any such load a red or amber light plainly visible under normal atmospheric conditions at least 200 feet from the rear of such vehicle. At no time shall a load extend more than 14 feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle, with the exception of vehicles transporting forestry products or utility poles.
(b) Commercial Motor Vehicles. – A commercial motor vehicle, or a motor vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more that is engaged in commerce, that is being used to tow a load or that has a load that protrudes from the rear or sides of the vehicle shall comply with the provisions of 49 C.F.R. Part 393. (1937, c. 407, s. 81; 1985, c. 455; 1997-178, s. 1; 2005-361, s. 2; 2009-376, s. 4.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-117.1 - Requirements for mirrors and fuel container.

§ 20-117.1. Requirements for mirrors and fuel container.
(a) Rear-Vision Mirrors. – Every bus, truck, and truck tractor with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more shall be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, one at each side, firmly attached to the outside of the motor vehicle, and located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear and along both sides of the vehicle. Only one outside mirror shall be required, on the driver's side, on trucks which are so constructed that the driver also has a view to the rear by means of an interior mirror. In driveaway-towaway operations, a driven vehicle shall have at least one mirror furnishing a clear view to the rear, and if the interior mirror does not provide the clear view, an additional mirror shall be attached to the left side of the driven vehicle to provide the clear view to the rear.
(b) Fuel Container Not to Project. – No part of any fuel tank or container or intake pipe shall project beyond the sides of the motor vehicle. (1949, c. 1207, s. 1; 1951, c. 819, s. 1; 1955, c. 1157, ss. 1, 4; 1991, c. 113, c. 761, s. 6.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-118.1 - Officers may weigh vehicles and require overloads to be removed.

§ 20-118.1. Officers may weigh vehicles and require overloads to be removed.
A law enforcement officer may stop and weigh a vehicle to determine if the vehicle's weight is in compliance with the vehicle's declared gross weight and the weight limits set in this Part. The officer may require the driver of the vehicle to drive to a scale located within five miles of where the officer stopped the vehicle.
Any person operating a vehicle or a combination of vehicles having a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more or any vehicle transporting hazardous materials that is required to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. § 171-180 must enter a permanent weigh station or temporary inspection or weigh site as directed by duly erected signs or an electronic transponder for the purpose of being electronically screened for compliance, or weighed, or inspected.
If the vehicle's weight exceeds the amount allowable, the officer may detain the vehicle until the overload has been removed. Any property removed from a vehicle because the vehicle was overloaded is the responsibility of the owner or operator of the vehicle. The State is not liable for damage to or loss of the removed property.
Failure to permit a vehicle to be weighed or to remove an overload is a misdemeanor of the Class set in G.S. 20-176. An officer must weigh a vehicle with a scale that has been approved by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
A privately owned noncommercial horse trailer constructed to transport four or fewer horses shall not be required to stop at any permanent weigh station in the State while transporting horses, unless the driver of the vehicle hauling the trailer is directed to stop by a law enforcement officer. A "privately owned noncommercial horse trailer" means a trailer used solely for the occasional transportation of horses and not for compensation or in furtherance of a commercial enterprise. (1927, c. 148, s. 37; 1949, c. 1207, s. 3; 1951, c. 1013, s. 4; 1979, c. 436, ss. 1, 2; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1259, s. 2; 1993, c. 539, s. 356; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1995, c. 109, s. 4; 1997-261, s. 109; 2001-487, s. 50(f); 2003-338, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-118.2 - Authority to fix higher weight limitations at reduced speeds for certain vehicles.

§ 20-118.2. Authority to fix higher weight limitations at reduced speeds for certain vehicles.
The Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to fix higher weight limitations at reduced speeds for vehicles used in transporting property when the point of origin or destination of the motor vehicles is located upon any light traffic highway, county road, farm-to-market road, or any other roads of the secondary system only and/or to the extent only that the motor vehicle is necessarily using said highway in transporting the property from the bona fide point of origin of the property being transported or to the bona fide point of destination of said property and such weights may be different from the weight of those vehicles otherwise using such roads. (1951, c. 1013, s. 7A; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; 1977, c. 464, s. 34.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-118.3 - Vehicle or combination of vehicles operated without registration plate subject to civil penalty.

§ 20-118.3. Vehicle or combination of vehicles operated without registration plate subject to civil penalty.
Any vehicle or combination of vehicles being operated upon the highway of this State either by a resident or nonresident without having been issued therefor a registration plate by the appropriate jurisdiction shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to the North Carolina annual fee for the gross weight of the vehicle and in addition thereto the license fee applicable for the remainder of the current registration year, provided a nonresident shall pay the North Carolina license fee or furnish satisfactory proof of payment of required registration fee to its base jurisdiction. The civil penalties provided for in this section shall not be enforceable through criminal sanctions and the provisions of G.S. 20-176 shall not apply to this section. (1981 Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1259, s. 1.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-119.1 - Use of excess overweight and oversize fees.

§ 20-119.1. Use of excess overweight and oversize fees.
Funds generated by overweight and oversize permit fees in excess of the cost of administering the program, as determined pursuant to G.S. 20-119(e), shall be used for highway and bridge maintenance required as a result of damages caused from overweight or oversize loads. (2005-276, s. 28.5.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-120 - Operation of flat trucks on State highways regulated; trucks hauling leaf tobacco in barrels or hogsheads.

§ 20-120. Operation of flat trucks on State highways regulated; trucks hauling leaf tobacco in barrels or hogsheads.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to operate, or have operated on any public highway in the State any open, flat truck loaded with logs, cotton bales, boxes or other load piled on said truck, without having the said load securely fastened on said truck.
It shall be unlawful for any firm, person or corporation to operate or permit to be operated on any highway of this State a truck or trucks on which leaf tobacco in barrels or hogsheads is carried unless each section or tier of such barrels or hogsheads are reasonably securely fastened to such truck or trucks by metal chains or wire cables, or manila or hemp ropes of not less than five-eighths inch in diameter, to hold said barrels or hogsheads in place under any ordinary traffic or road condition: Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any truck or trucks on which the hogsheads or barrels of tobacco are arranged in a single layer, tier, or plane, it being the intent of this paragraph to require the use of metal chains or wire cables only when barrels or hogsheads of tobacco are stacked or piled one upon the other on a truck or trucks. Nothing in this paragraph shall apply to trucks engaged in transporting hogsheads or barrels of tobacco between factories and storage houses of the same company unless such hogsheads or barrels are placed upon the truck in tiers. In the event the hogsheads or barrels of tobacco are placed upon the truck in tiers same shall be securely fastened to the said truck as hereinbefore provided in this paragraph.
Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. (1939, c. 114; 1947, c. 1094; 1953, c. 240; 1993, c. 539, s. 358; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-121 - When authorities may restrict right to use highways.

§ 20-121. When authorities may restrict right to use highways.
The Department of Transportation or local authorities may prohibit the operation of vehicles upon or impose restrictions as to the weight thereof, for a total period not to exceed 90 days in any one calendar year, when operated upon any highway under the jurisdiction of and for the maintenance of which the body adopting the ordinance is responsible, whenever any said highway by reason of deterioration, rain, snow or other climatic conditions will be damaged unless the use of vehicles thereon is prohibited or the permissible weights thereof reduced. The local authority enacting any such ordinance shall erect, or cause to be erected and maintained, signs designating the provisions of the ordinance at each end of that portion of any highway to which the ordinance is applicable, and the ordinance shall not be effective until or unless such signs are erected and maintained. (1937, c. 407, s. 84; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; 1977, c. 464, s. 34.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-121.1 - Operation of a low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle on certain roadways.

§ 20-121.1. Operation of a low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle on certain roadways.
The operation of a low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle is authorized with the following restrictions:
(1) A low-speed vehicle may be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. A mini-truck or modified utility vehicle may be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour or less; provided, a modified utility vehicle may not be operated on any street or highway having four or more travel lanes unless the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This subdivision does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street being crossed has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
(2) A low-speed vehicle or mini-truck shall be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, windshield wipers, speedometer, seat belts, and a vehicle identification number. Any such required equipment shall be maintained in proper working order.
(2a) A modified utility vehicle shall be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, a speedometer, seat belts, and a vehicle identification number. Any such required equipment shall be maintained in proper working order. If a modified utility vehicle does not have a vehicle identification number, upon application by the owner, the Division shall assign a vehicle identification number to the modified utility vehicle prior to registration. The operator of and all passengers on a modified utility vehicle that is not equipped with a windshield and windshield wipers shall wear a safety helmet, with a retention strap properly secured, that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218.
(3) A low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle shall be registered and insured in accordance with G.S. 20-50 and G.S. 20-309.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other subdivision of this section, the Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles, mini-trucks, or modified utility vehicles on any road or highway if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(5) Low-speed vehicles must comply with the safety standards in 49 C.F.R. § 571.500.
(6) Regardless of age, a mini-truck shall not qualify as an antique vehicle or historic vehicle as described in G.S. 20-79.4(b). (2001-356, s. 5; 2019-34, s. 3; 2020-40, s. 3; 2021-33, s. 2.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-121.2 - Operation of a neighborhood occupantless vehicle on certain roadways; regulations; equipment requirements.

§ 20-121.2. Operation of a neighborhood occupantless vehicle on certain roadways; regulations; equipment requirements.
(a) Authorization. – A neighborhood occupantless vehicle may operate on streets and highways with the following restrictions:
(1) A neighborhood occupantless vehicle may be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour or less.
(2) A neighborhood occupantless vehicle must be operated in the right-hand travel lane or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the street or highway, except when preparing for a left turn.
(3) On a highway with two travel lanes, a neighborhood occupantless vehicle must turn off the roadway to a controlled stop as soon as practicable and when it is safe to do so to allow faster moving vehicles to pass when passing is unsafe because of traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions and there are five or more vehicles immediately behind the neighborhood occupantless vehicle.
(b) Equipment Exemptions. – A fully autonomous vehicle that is designed to be operated exclusively and at all times by an automated driving system shall not be subject to any State law or regulation requiring the installation, maintenance, or inspection of vehicle equipment that relates to or supports motor vehicle operation by a human driver, but is not necessary for operation by an automated driving system alone. "Automated driving system" is defined in G.S. 20-400. (2021-179, s. 2.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-122 - Restrictions as to tire equipment.

§ 20-122. Restrictions as to tire equipment.
(a) No vehicle will be allowed to move on any public highway unless equipped with tires of rubber or other resilient material which depend upon compressed air, for support of a load, except by special permission of the Department of Transportation which may grant such special permits upon a showing of necessity. This subsection shall have no application to the movement of farm vehicles on highways.
(b) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway and except, also, that it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. It shall be permissible to use upon any vehicle for increased safety, regular and snow tires with studs which project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire not more than one sixteenth of an inch when compressed.
(c) The Department of Transportation or local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may, in their discretion, issue special permits authorizing the operation upon a highway of traction engines or tractors having movable tracks with transverse corrugation upon the periphery of such movable tracks or farm tractors or other farm machinery.
(d) It shall not be unlawful to drive farm tractors on dirt roads from farm to farm: Provided, in doing so they do not damage said dirt roads or interfere with traffic. (1937, c. 407, s. 85; 1939, c. 266; 1957, c. 65, s. 11; 1965, c. 435; 1973, c. 507, s. 5; 1977, c. 464, s. 34; 1979, c. 515.)
2023 North Carolina General Statutes › Chapter 20 - Motor Vehicles › Article 3 - Motor Vehicle Act of 1937. › § 20-122.1 - Motor vehicles to be equipped with safe tires.

§ 20-122.1. Motor vehicles to be equipped with safe tires.
(a) Every motor vehicle subject to safety equipment inspection in this State and operated on the streets and highways of this State shall be equipped with tires which are safe for the operation of the motor vehicle and which do not expose the public to needless hazard. Tires shall be considered unsafe if cut so as to expose tire cord, cracked so as to expose tire cord, or worn so as to expose tire cord or there is a visible tread separation or chunking or the tire has less than two thirty-seconds inch tread depth at two or more locations around the circumference of the tire in two adjacent major tread grooves, or if the tread wear indicators are in contact with the roadway at two or more locations around the circumference of the tire in two adjacent major tread grooves: Provided, the two thirty-seconds tread depth requirements of this section shall not apply to dual wheel trailers. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) "Chunking" – separation of the tread from the carcass in particles which may range from very small size to several square inches in area.
(2) "Cord" – strands forming a ply in a tire.
(3) "Tread" – portion of tire which comes in contact with road.
(4) "Tread depth" – the distance from the base of the tread design to the top of the tread.
(a1) Any motor vehicle that has a GVWR of at least 10,001 pounds or more and is operated on the streets or highways of this State shall be equipped with tires that are safe for the operation of the vehicle and do not expose the public to needless hazard. A tire is unsafe if any of the following applies:
(1) It is cut, cracked, or worn so as to expose tire cord.
(2) There is a visible tread separation or chunking.
(3) The steering axle tire has less than four thirty-seconds inch tread depth at any location around the circumference of the tire on any major tread groove.
(4) Any nonsteering axle tire has less than two thirty-seconds inch tread depth around the circumference of the tire in any major tread groove.
(5) The tread wear indicators are in contact with the roadway at any location around the circumference of the tire on any major tread groove.
(b) The driver of any vehicle who is charged with a violation of this section shall be allowed 15 calendar days within which to bring the tires of such vehicle in conformance with the requirements of this section. It shall be a defense to any such charge that the person arrested produce in court, or submit to the prosecuting attorney prior to trial, a certificate from an official safety inspection equipment station showing that within 15 calendar days after such arrest, the tires on such vehicle had been made to conform with the requirements of this section or that such vehicle had been sold, destroyed, or permanently removed from the highways. Violation of this section shall not constitute negligence per se. (1969, c. 378, s. 1; c. 1256; 1985, c. 93, ss. 1, 2; 2009-376, s. 5.)