GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2019

SESSION LAW 2020-40
HOUSE BILL 307

AN ACT TO AMEND THE MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS OF THE STATE TO REGULATE
MODIFIED UTILITY VEHICLES.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1. G.S. 20-4.01(27) is amended byadding a new sub-subdivision to read:
"g2. Modified utilityvehicle. – A motor vehicle that (i) is manufactured for
off-road use with equipment required by G.S. 20-121.1(2), except a
vehicle identification number, and (ii) has four wheels, an engine

displacement greater than 2,400 cubic centimeters, an overall length
of 142 inches or greater, an overall width of 58 inches or greater, an
overall height of 70 inches or greater, a maximum speed capability of
40 miles per hour or greater, and does not require an operator or
passengertostraddleaseat."Modifiedutilityvehicle"doesnotinclude
an all-terrain vehicle, golf cart, or utility vehicle, as defined in this
section, or a riding lawn mower."

SECTION 2. G.S. 20-87(12) reads as rewritten:
"(12) Low-Speed Vehicles and Mini-Trucks. Vehicles, Mini-Trucks, and Modified
Utility Vehicles. – The fee for a low-speed vehicle or mini-truck vehicle,
mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle is the same as the fee for private
passenger vehicles of not more than 15 passengers. However, the fee for any
low-speed vehicle or mini-truck vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility

vehicle that is offered for rent shall be the same as the fee for a U-drive-it
automobile."
SECTION 3. G.S. 20-121.1 reads as rewritten:
"§20-121.1. Operationofalow-speedvehicleormini-truckvehicle,mini-truck,ormodified
utility vehicle on certain roadways.
The operation of a low-speed vehicle or mini-truck 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 35milesperhourorless.Amini-truck ormodifiedutility
vehicle may be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed
limit is 55 miles per hour or less. This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle
or mini-truck 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 vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility
vehicle 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. If a modified utility vehicle does not have a vehicle identification

*H307-v-6* number, upon application by the owner, the Division shall assign a vehicle
identification number to the modified utility vehicle prior to registration.
(3) A low-speed vehicle or mini-truck 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) The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of low-speed

vehicles or mini-trucks 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)."
SECTION 4. This act becomes effective October 1, 2020.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 17 day of June, 2020.

s/ Philip E. Berger

President Pro Tempore of the Senate

s/ Tim Moore
Speaker of the House of Representatives

s/ Roy Cooper
Governor

Approved 9:50 a.m. this 26 day of June, 2020

Page 2 Session Law 2020-40 House Bill 307