GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2023

SESSION LAW 2024-46

HOUSE BILL 155

AN ACT TO authorIZE the division of motor vehicles to issue a certificate of title for all‑terrain vehicles and utility VEHICLES, TO expand the streets or highways on which a modified utility vehicle may be legally operated, AND TO authorize the off‑site safety inspection of low‑speed vehicles by licensed safety inspection stations.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  Article 3 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 20‑53.6.  Titling of all‑terrain vehicles and utility vehicles.

Any owner of an all‑terrain vehicle, modified utility vehicle, or utility vehicle may apply to the Division for a certificate of title by completing an application on a form provided by the Division and paying the fee established under G.S. 20‑85(a)(1). The application form shall require, at a minimum, the following:

(1)        The owner's name.

(2)        The owner's mailing address or residence address.

(3)        A drivers license number, which shall be provided as authorized by G.S. 20‑52(a)(1a)b. or G.S. 20‑52(a)(1b).

(4)        A description of the vehicle, including the make and model.

(5)        A statement of the owner's title and of all liens upon the vehicle, including the names and addresses of all lienholders in the order of their priority, and the date and nature of each lien. The provisions of this Chapter that relate to perfection of security interests shall not apply to vehicles issued a certificate of title under this section.

SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 20‑54 reads as rewritten:

§ 20‑54.  Authority for refusing registration or certificate of title.

The Division shall refuse registration or issuance of a certificate of title or any transfer of registration upon any of the following grounds:

…

(8)        The vehicle is a golf cart or utility vehicle.cart. If the vehicle is an all‑terrain vehicle or utility vehicle, the Division shall refuse registration or any transfer of registration but shall issue a certificate of title as provided by G.S. 20‑53.6.

….

SECTION 1.(c)  G.S. 20‑121.1 reads as rewritten:

§ 20‑121.1.  Operation of a low‑speed vehicle, mini‑truck, or modified utility vehicle on certain roadways.

The operation of a low‑speed 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 35 miles per hour or less. A mini‑truck or modified utility vehicle may be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour or less; provided, a modified utility vehicle may not be operated on any street or highway having four or more travel lanes unless the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This subdivision does not prohibit a low‑speed 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.

….

SECTION 1.(d)  This section becomes effective October 1, 2024.

SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 20‑183.4(a) reads as rewritten:

(a)      License Required. – A safety inspection must be performed by one of the following methods:

(1)        At a station that has a safety inspection station license issued by the Division and by a mechanic who is employed by the station and has a safety inspection mechanic license issued by the Division.

(2)        At a place of business of a person who has a safety self‑inspector license issued by the Division and by an individual who has a safety inspection mechanic license issued by the Division.

(3)        A low‑speed vehicle safety inspection may be performed at a location other than the inspection station by a station that has a safety inspection station license issued by the Division and by a mechanic who is employed by the station and has a safety inspection mechanic license issued by the Division.

SECTION 2.(b)  The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules to implement this section before July 1, 2025.

SECTION 2.(c)  Subsection (a) of this section becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies to low‑speed vehicles inspected on or after that date.

SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 24th day of June, 2024.

                                                                    s/  Phil Berger

                                                                         President Pro Tempore of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Donna McDowell White

                                                                         Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives

                                                                         VETO   Roy Cooper

                                                                         Governor

Became law notwithstanding the objections of the Governor at 12:37 p.m. this 9th day of September, 2024.

                                                                    s/  Ms. Sarah Holland

                                                                         Senate Principal Clerk