12 North Carolina Driving Laws You Need to Know

North Carolina is a tourist hot spot, and it has some of the tightest traffic safety laws in the country.

12 North Carolina Driving Laws You Need to Know

North Carolina is a tourist hot spot, and it has some of the tightest traffic safety laws in the country. Because of this, it is important to know what you can and cannot do once you enter the state. This list covers the laws that most commonly vary from state to state, including the 12 most important North Carolina laws you should know before you get here.

1
Aggressive driving is defined as speeding and careless driving in willful disregard of the safety of others while also violating two or more of the following –
  1. Illegal passing
  2. Failing to yield
  3. Tailgating
  4. Running a traffic control device or sign
2
Under primary enforcement laws, which means you can be pulled over for this alone, cell phone use is banned for all drivers under age 18 and text messaging is banned for all drivers.
3
Children aged 7 and under who weigh less than 80 pounds must be secured in a child safety restraint. Children aged 8 to 15 who weigh between over 80 pounds can use adult seatbelts in seats without shoulder belts. The first offense penalty for failing to do so is $25 plus $188 in court costs plus points on your driving record.
4
Marijuana use has been decriminalized in the state, and there is no specific marijuana driving law, however, the state has zero tolerance for drugs.
5
Your vehicle could be confiscated, and your license suspended for 30 days for a first offense of drunk driving. Ignition interlock devices are required for repeat offenders and drivers who have a blood-alcohol concentration of .15 or higher.
6
New drivers can get their learner’s permit at age 15, their provisional restricted license at 16, and a full provisional license at 16 years and six months.
7
All motorcycle riders are required to wear a helmet, as are all bicyclists under the age of 16.
8
Mature drivers must renew their license every eight years, until age 66 when they are required to renew every five years. Those aged 60 or older are not required to parallel park on the road test.
9
All passengers age 16 and younger must wear their seatbelts in the front and rear seats. The fine for failing to do so is $25.50 plus court costs of $135.50.
10
Sobriety checkpoints are conducted weekly across the state.
11
Red light cameras may be used, and the penalties for camera-caught infractions is $100.
12
The fine for speeding in a work zone, even if workers are not present, is enhanced to an additional $250 plus court costs.

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