North Carolina
Vehicle Resource Center
There are more than 550,000 licensed drivers in North Carolina, and each of those drivers is expected to follow the state's laws and meet all the administrative requirements demanded of a vehicle owner. Each NC driver should get to know the state's requirements and maintain access to vehicle ownership information.
Ownership and Maintenance
Each year, vehicles must have their registrations renewed and other administrative requirements updated to legally own vehicles in North Carolina.
Nearly every vehicle in North Carolina must pass a safety inspection annually to be legal to drive. When a vehicle fails, it must be repaired. Safety inspections are conducted by licensed mechanics certified to perform the inspections. Stickers are placed on each vehicle with an expiration date for the inspection, and inspections can be renewed within 90 days of the next expiration date.
Get information about what is examined during an annual safety inspection from the North Carolina Department of Transportation inspection page.
Emissions Inspections are Required in 19 Counties
In 19 counties across the state, emissions inspections are required as well. The following counties require an emissions inspection each year.
Vehicle owners who live in the above counties must submit for an emissions inspection at the same time as a safety inspection for a greater fee.
Once the vehicle passes its inspection, it's ready for a registration renewal and is legal to drive again until the inspection expires the following year.
Get more data about the North Carolina emissions inspections program with this state data page.
All North Carolina registered vehicles must have liability insurance by law. Specific insurance must be obtained to protect against the cost of injuries and property damage if the vehicle is involved in an accident. Only when the minimum insurance coverage requirements are met is the vehicle legally allowed to be driven.
The Minimum Insurance Requirements
Along with the minimum liability coverages, each policy must also include coverage for uninsured motorists and underinsured motorists. When all these minimums are met, the vehicle is legally insured, and the owner is not at risk for insurance penalties.
Insurance Penalties
When a North Carolina vehicle has lapsed insurance, the driver is at risk of receiving a $50 penalty for the first lapse. A second lapse comes with a $100 fee, and there is a $50 restoration fee for each lapse. For a third lapse or any additional insurance lapses, there is a $150 fee as well as a $50 restoration fee.
See all the insurance data and penalties on the NC DOT site.
Each year, a vehicle's registration must be renewed with the North Carolina DMV. To begin the renewal process, the owner must have the vehicle license plate number and the last five digits of the vehicle title number. The registration can be renewed online or at an NCDMV location.
Online Registration Renewal
Visit the online services hub to begin the online registration renewal process. Vehicle owners can supply their license plate numbers and the last five of their title numbers to see their renewal fees and taxes and pay them all at once.
Once the registration is renewed in-person or online, a temporary receipt is provided, and the final registration is mailed to the address on file. An electronic confirmation of the renewal is stored in the DMV database as well.
Drivers over 18 and younger than 66 years must renew their driver's license once every eight years. Once older than 66, drivers must renew every five years. The license renewal process must be completed in person for every other renewal, while the next one can be completed online.
Supplying the Necessary Documentation
When renewing a driver's license, drivers must provide the information from their old driver's license as well as proof of residency and possibly proof of liability insurance coverage.
Getting a REAL ID
Drivers who want to upgrade to a REAL ID must provide documents proving the following:
Renewing Online
To renew online, drivers must visit the online services hub, select Renew License, and provide the requested documentation and information electronically. Once an online payment is submitted, the renewal process is complete, and a new license will be mailed to the registered address on file.
Renewing In Person
To renew in person, drivers must travel to an NCDMV location, bring their old identification and any necessary documentation, and pay the renewal fee. They can schedule an appointment to streamline the renewal process or walk in and wait. Drivers will undergo a vision exam and have their photos updated. Once the license is renewed, a temporary document is provided, and the final license is sent by mail to the registered address.
Safety Inspection
A $13.60 fee is required for just a safety inspection.
Safety and Emissions Inspection (in applicable locations)
A $30.00 fee is required for both safety and emissions inspections at once.
Class A License Renewal
To renew a Class A driver's license, it costs NC residents $5.50 per year. Class B and C licenses also have the same $5.50 per year renewal fee.
Registration Renewal
To renew a vehicle's registration, there is a fee of $38.75 per year. When renewing the vehicle's registration there are also vehicle taxes that must be paid, but taxes change based on the vehicle and must be obtained from the DMV. The taxes to be collected are listed on the registration renewal notice.
Buying & Selling
NC residents must meet specific buying and selling requirements to transfer a vehicle privately between owners. Meeting the specific state requirements is essential to protect both buyer and seller when transferring a vehicle.
Provide a Notarized Certificate of Title
All North Carolina automotive sales require the transfer of a notarized Certificate of Title. This means the seller must provide the original title for the vehicle and meet with the buyer at a notary to finalize the purchase process.
The title must contain all of the following information on the back to be legal:
Provide an Odometer Disclosure Statement
Print off MVR-180 and fill out the form during the sale of the vehicle to verify the odometer reading during the time of the purchase.
Provide a Damage Disclosure Statement
All legal vehicle sales must include a Damage Disclosure Statement. Print the MVR-181 form, fill it out, and provide it to the buyer during the sale of the vehicle.
Surrender the License Plates
Before allowing the buyer to leave with the vehicle, the seller must remove the license plates and return them to an NCDMV location to show the vehicle is no longer in use.
Cancel Liability Insurance
Finally, once the vehicle plates have been surrendered to the NCDMV, it's time to cancel the liability insurance coverage on the vehicle. There is no penalty for canceling insurance coverage once the vehicle's plates have been surrendered.
Research the Vehicle
Always begin purchasing a new vehicle by researching the potential purchase. This process can be completed quickly by obtaining a Vehicle History Search or License Plate Lookup from GoodCar. Each report is affordable and gives the buyer an immediate look at the vehicle's owner's history, accident history, features and specifications, odometer information, open recalls, and more.
Obtain the Title and Disclosures
When purchasing the vehicle from the seller, obtain a completed title that is notarized at the time of the purchase, as well as finished damage and odometer disclosure forms.
Insure the Vehicle
Every vehicle must have liability insurance. Buyers must obtain the minimum liability insurance coverage or better from a licensed North Carolina insurer. Proof of insurance is required to register the vehicle.
Title and Register the Vehicle
The buyer must provide their North Carolina driver's license, proof of liability insurance, and a completed vehicle title, as well as the documents below, to title and register the vehicle.
The process can be completed via mail by providing a black-and-white copy of the front and back of the driver's license as well as the title and a check for the title and registration fees and vehicle taxes, but most buyers choose to visit a DMV location to finalize this process.
Sales taxes will be required, along with the title and registration fees.
The buyer is responsible for paying taxes on the purchased vehicle, as well as any title and registration fees. A private passenger vehicle has a $38.75 registration fee, while motorcycles cost $25.50 to register. Obtaining a new Certificate of Title costs $56, and obtaining a duplicate of an existing title is $21.50. There is also a 3% tax on all vehicle sales that must be paid when registering a purchased vehicle. The 3% tax amount will be assessed on the purchase price of the vehicle.
For more information about titling and registration fees, see the NC DMV fees page.
Laws and Regulations
North Carolina maintains strict laws governing its roadways and how drivers react on the roads. Drivers are expected to meet the legal requirements imposed by all these laws to avoid tickets, fines, and other potential issues.
North Carolina has primary seat belt laws covering the driver as well as all vehicle passengers. Under the law, individuals over 16 can be stopped and ticketed directly for failing to buckle, and the driver can be ticketed for failing to buckle or for having any passengers under 16 who are not buckled properly.
Passengers 7 and Under Must Be In Proper Child Seats
Any passengers under seven must be restrained in the proper car seat or booster seat, depending on their age and size.
Rear-Facing Car Seat
Infants and small children begin in rear-facing car seats and remain there until they outgrow the weight or height requirements of the seat. Normally, children approaching 30 pounds can be moved to a front-facing seat.
Front-Facing Car Seat
Children should be removed to an approved front-facing car seat with a five-point harness once they outgrow their rear-facing seat. They are expected to remain in a front-facing seat until they are at least four years old or 40 pounds.
Booster Seat
Children ages four and up weighing more than 40 pounds can be positioned in a booster seat and should remain in a booster until they are 4'9" tall.
For more details about NC car seat regulations, see an informational page from the CDC.
Alcohol concentrations are measured by BAC (blood alcohol content), which is a measurement of the concentration of alcohol in mg per deciliter of alcohol in 100 ml of blood as measured by a breathalyzer test or through a blood test.
Learn more about NC DWI laws from this Department of Public Safety page.
Useful Things to Know
These North Carolina driving resources help make being a vehicle owner simpler than ever before. Find the nearest EV charging stations, see complete driving information, rapidly find a BMV branch, and more with the data here.
Find a North Carolina DMV Location: Many NC residents must travel to an NC DMV location to renew their registration, title a purchased vehicle, surrender license plates, and more. Use this search tool to find a nearby location: North Carolina DMV Search Tool
Get Online DMV Services: NC residents can utilize many online DMV services using the online services hub. Things like registration and license renewals, paying taxes, submitting voter registration, and more can be completed on the hub: NC Online DMV Services Hub
Locate Public EV Charging Stations: All EV (electric vehicle) owners should know where the public charging stations are located. This search tool makes finding them simple: NC EV Charging Station Search Tool
North Carolina Car Crash Trends: More than 276,000 NC drivers were involved in accidents in 2020. Approximately 114,000 of the victims were injured, and there were 1,783 fatalities, according to the NCDOT. Learning the cause of car crash fatalities in the state can help drivers be more mindful when driving. Get a complete understanding of NC accidents with North Carolina accident statistics from GoodCar.
Get the Latest North Carolina Vehicle Information with GoodCar
North Carolina vehicle owners owe it to themselves to have the most up-to-date information about state laws, maintenance requirements, recalls, and more. Refer to this useful resource for residents looking for help and GoodCar's VIN and license plate lookup tools for help getting additional information about specific vehicles.