AN ACT authorizing the division of motor vehicles to issue a certificate of title for all‑terrain vehicles and utility vehicles and expanding the streets or highways on which a modified utility vehicle may be legally operated.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  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 and residence address.

(3)        The owner's drivers license number, which shall be provided as authorized by G.S. 20‑52(a)(1a)b.

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

SECTION 2.  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:

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(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.

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SECTION 3.  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.

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SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2023, and applies to registrations or certificates of title issued on or after that date.