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Driving Laws

Special Driving Rules: Lights must be on at all times. Driving between lanes is prohibited.

Speed Checking Devices: Electrical, radar and vascar are used by State Highway Patrol, DMV Enforcement and local police. Warning signs are posted on main highways. Child Safety Seats: Mandatory for children age three and younger. A $25 fine for noncompliance plus court costs.

Seat Belts: Mandatory for driver and front seat passengers. All children under age 12, whether in the front or back seat, must wear a seatbelt. A $25 fine for noncompliance plus court costs.

Hand Signals: Left turn, arm horizontal; right turn, arm upward; and to stop or slow down, arm downward.

School Buses: Color - national school bus glossy yellow. Buses are required to have mechanical stop arm. Vehicles must stop for school buses loading or unloading. Vehicles on divided highway do not have to stop when meeting or passing a school bus that is on the opposite side of the median.

Emergency Vehicles: Police cars, ambulances, fire engines and rescue squad vehicles are always entitled to the right of way. The signals will be either flashing lights or sirens. If you see or hear an emergency vehicle with flashing lights (head-on or from behind), drive to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and, come to a complete stop.

No Passing Zones: Indicated by solid yellow center line on driver’s side of highway. Passing must be completed before entering the “No Passing Zone.”

Headlights: Use from sunset to sunrise and when light conditions restrict visibility to 400 feet or less.

Windshield Wipers/Headlights: All North Carolina motorists are required to use headlights while using windshield wipers during inclement weather.

Dimming of Headlights: Required when approaching a vehicle within 500 feet or following a vehicle within 200 feet.

Windshield Stickers: Prohibited, except those required by law or approved by the DMV.

Parking on Highways: Prohibited.

Right Turn on Red: Permitted after a complete stop, unless otherwise posted.

Left Turn on Red: Not permitted.

Accidents

Accidents involving death, personal injury or property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported to the nearest law enforcement officer or agency. Failure to make this report may result in prosecution, and your driver license could be suspended.

DWI

In North Carolina, a motorist is guilty of Driving While Impaired (DWI) if: (a) their blood alcohol concentration meets or exceeds 0.08 percent or (b) they are under the influence of or affected by alcohol and/or other drugs. Refusal to take a blood or breath test will result in an immediate 30-day driver license revocation and an additional one-year revocation if a conviction is received by the DMV. This revocation appears on your driver record.

      First Conviction – mandatory revocation of your driver license for a period of one year. Minimum punishment is a fine up to $100 and not less than 24 hours imprisonment; 24 hours of community service; 30 days without a limited driving privilege or any combination of these. The maximum punishment is a fine up to $2,000 and not less than 24 days or more than 24 months imprisonment.
      Second Conviction – mandatory driver license revocation for a period of four years if convicted within a three years of the first offense. Minimum punishment is a fine up to $1,000 and not less than seven days or more than 12 months imprisonment. The maximum punishment is the same as for the first conviction. A limited driving privilege will not be issued if the second offense occurs within seven years of the first conviction.
      Third Conviction – mandatory, permanent driver license revocation if at least one of the prior conviction occurred within the past five years. Minimum and maximum punishment is a fine up to $2,000 and not less than 14 days or more than 24 months imprisonment.
      Fourth Conviction – mandatory, permanent driver license revocation. The fourth conviction is considered a felony if the three prior DWI convictions occurred within the past seven years. The minimum punishment is one year imprisonment. The maximum punishment is three years imprisonment and a fine.

Insurance Requirements

The state of North Carolina began registering vehicles for the first time on July 1, 1909. Since that time, the North Carolina highway system has become the largest state-maintained road system in the nation. During the same period, the number of uninsured vehicles grew so rapidly that in 1957 North Carolina became one of the first states to adopt a compulsory insurance law.

    The Vehicle Financial Responsibility Act of 1957 requires that all motor vehicles registered in the state must be covered by an automobile liability insurance policy and that the insurance must remain in effect with continuous coverage until the registration is terminated.

    The insurance must be provided by a company that is licensed to do business in North Carolina. The law is designed to compensate accident victims for property losses and personal injuries and is designed for your protection.

    North Carolina’s compulsory insurance law is strictly enforced. If you cancel your insurance, or coverage is discontinued for any reason, your insurance company will notify the DMV that your policy has lapsed.

    Upon receipt of this notice, the DMV will mail you a “Recertification of Liability Insurance Coverage.” Failure to respond to this letter providing requested information within the required time may result in the revocation of your license plate, as provided by law.

    To relicense your vehicle after the revocation period, you must pay a $50 civil penalty, $50 service fee (if a legal process is issued) and $20 for a new registration plate. The service fee may be avoided by surrendering your license plate to the DMV during the prescribed period of 10 days following notice of revocation.

Endorsements

A person must have at least a Level III Class C license with a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle learner permit before he/she is entitled to operate a motorcycle on public roads.

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