North Carolina

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of North Carolina. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

North Carolina
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

North Carolina
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1968.

North Carolina
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

8 years

North Carolina
Provisions for Mature Drivers

66 and over: renewal every 5 years 60 and over: parallel parking not required on road test

North Carolina
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

North Carolina
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

Zero tolerance for some drugs

North Carolina
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized

North Carolina
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

North Carolina
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

North Carolina
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

North Carolina
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

North Carolina
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

70

North Carolina
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

70

North Carolina
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

North Carolina
Administrative license suspension on first offense

30 days

North Carolina
Limited driving privileges during suspension

After 10 days

North Carolina
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for high BAC (.15 or higher) and repeat convictions

North Carolina
Open container laws

Yes

North Carolina
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

North Carolina
Child Restraint Required

7 yrs or under and under 80 lbs must be properly secured in a weight-appropriate child restraint
Under 5 and less than 40 lbs must be in the back seat (some exceptions apply)

North Carolina
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8 and older or 80 or more lbs may be properly secured with an adult seat belt
If no lap & shoulder belt is available for booster-age children, children at least 40 lbs may use a lap belt only (no child restraint).

North Carolina
Full Privilege Minimum Age

16 years, 6 months

North Carolina
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15

North Carolina
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

North Carolina
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

60 (10) during Learner Stage 2 (6) during Intermediate Stage

North Carolina
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

North Carolina
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

9 p.m. - 5 a.m.

North Carolina
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

No more than 1 under 21; if passenger under 21 is family, no other non-family passengers under 21

North Carolina
Type of Law

Primary; Secondary for rear seat occupants

North Carolina
Who is Covered?

16 and over

North Carolina
In What Seat?

All

North Carolina
Hand-Held Ban?

No

North Carolina
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

North Carolina
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Primary law.

North Carolina
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

North Carolina
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law and city ordinance

North Carolina
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Specified jurisdictions

North Carolina
Speed Cameras: State Law

None

North Carolina
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

Recorded Webinar - Lifting Up a Safe System Approach in State Highway Safety Offices: North Carolina's Vision Zero Community Collaborative

Getting to zero deaths on our nation’s roadways requires the participation of a diverse group of stakeholders. North Carolina’s Vision Zero Community Collaborative brings together diverse stakeholders to create safer streets through innovative, multi-sector partnerships. This webinar featured a discussion of why this collaborative exists, the key role it plays in advancing Safe System efforts, and how it can be used as a model for similar efforts in other states.

Why Do We Have Right-on-Red, and is it Time to Get Rid of It?

Atlanta, Denver, Indianapolis, Washington, DC, Raleigh, North Carolina, and other major cities have recently proposed or passed laws banning it in parts of their busy downtowns or citywide. They believe it will protect people walking and biking amid the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in more than 40 years. Right turns on red “introduce extra movements into the intersection,” said Eric Dumbaugh, a professor in the department of urban and regional planning at Florida Atlantic University who studies traffic safety.

States Step Up Efforts to Protect People Walking Amid Surge in Unsafe Driving During Pandemic

As the number of pedestrians killed by drivers continues a decade-long trend in the wrong direction during the pandemic, GHSA & its SHSO members are marking the 2nd annual Nat'l Pedestrian Safety Month by taking steps to address the behavioral safety issues that put people on foot at increased risk.

States Step Up Efforts to Protect People Walking Amid Surge in Unsafe Driving During Pandemic

As the number of pedestrians killed by drivers continues a decade-long trend in the wrong direction during the pandemic, GHSA & its SHSO members are marking the 2nd annual Nat'l Pedestrian Safety Month by taking steps to address the behavioral safety issues that put people on foot at increased risk.

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