North Carolina state motorcycle laws
| Road |
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| Safety Helmet |
Required by law
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| State Funded Rider Ed |
Available for all eligible applicants |
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| Eye Protection |
Not Required
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| Daytime Use of Headlight |
Required by law-modulating headlight permitted |
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| Passenger Seat |
Required if carrying a passenger |
| Passenger Footrest |
Required if carrying a passenger |
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| Passenger Age Restriction |
None |
| Helmet Speakers |
No Restrictions
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| Periodic Safety Inspection |
Required by law |
| Mirror Left(L) Right(R) |
One required by law
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| Radar Detector |
No Restriction
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| Turn Signals |
Not Required
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| Muffler |
“Muffler or other exhaust system of the type installed at the time of manufacture, in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise; muffler cut-out prohibited. (NC General Statutes, Section 20-128)”
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| Maximum Sound Level |
No acoustical criteria. |
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| State Insurance Requirements |
Compulsory Liability (Minimum Limits)(30/60/25) - Insurance companies may apply to Insurance Bureau for insurance discount for rider education course graduates. |
| Handlebar Height |
No Restrictions |
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| Rider-Education Waiver |
Skill Test |
| Accept Motorcycle Endorsement From Other States |
Yes |
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| Motorcycles operating two abreast in same lane |
Yes.
§ 20-146.1. Operation of motorcycles.
(a)All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.
(b) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane. (1965, c. 909; 1973, c. 1330, s. 14; 1975, c.786.)
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| Lane Splitting |
Not referenced in Administrative Code or Statutes |
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| Lemon Law Coverage |
Yes (except mopeds); North Carolina (NC) General Statutes, NCGS CHAPTER 20, ARTICLE 15A
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| Off Road
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| Safety Helmet |
Not Required - Required for ATV's only
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| Eye Protection |
Not Required - Required for ATV's only
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| Minimum Operator Age |
Under 16 can only operate if 90cc or less. Under 12 can only operate if 70cc or less. (Minimum operator age is 8 years old. (ATV's only)
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| Rider Education Certification |
Required for ATV if child was born after January 1, 1990. |
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| Operator License |
Not Required |
| Headlight |
Required after sunset.
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| Taillight |
Required after sunset.
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| Muffler |
Required by law.
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| Maximum Sound Level |
No Limit |
| Spark Arrestor |
Required by law. |
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| Registration |
Not Required |
| Vehicle Title |
Not Required |
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| Trails Program |
Not Available |
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