North Carolina Administrative Code

SUBCHAPTER 03C - VEHICLE REGISTRATION SECTION SECTION .0100 - GENERAL INFORMATION 19A NCAC 03C .0101 PURPOSE History Note: Authority G.S. 20-4.01 through 20-4.12; 20-37.6; 20-39; 20-42; 20-44 through 20-53; 20-54 through 20-58; 20-58.4 through 20-58.10; 20-63.1; 20-64 through 20-…

19A NCAC 03C .0102 FORMS The forms used by the Division of Motor Vehicles to administer the functions described in the rules of this Section are available from the the Division of Motor Vehicles, 1100 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina 27697 or online at www.ncdot.gov/dmv. …

SECTION .0200 - REGISTRATION 19A NCAC 03C .0201 FUNCTION This Section establishes the rules for vehicle registration in North Carolina including: (1) manufacturer's certificate of origin; (2) registration of out-of-state vehicles; (3) custom built vehicles; (4) motor homes; (5) p…

19A NCAC 03C .0202 TITLING AND REGISTRATION OF BRANDED VEHICLES Upon application for title and registration of a motor vehicle as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(33), the following rules apply: (1) Flood vehicles shall be branded "Water/Flood Damage Vehicle" on the title and "WATR-FLD" o…

19A NCAC 03C .0220 MANUFACTURER'S CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN (a) The Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin shall contain the information set forth in G.S. 20-4.01(20) and the following information: (1) the manufacturer's name and address (may be preprinted); and (2) a countersignature …

19A NCAC 03C .0221 REGISTRATION OF OUT-OF-STATE REGISTERED VEHICLES The applicant shall provide the following when registering a vehicle in North Carolina that is currently registered in another state, district, or territory: (1) the documentary proof of ownership, such as out-of…

19A NCAC 03C .0222 REGISTRATION: CUSTOM BUILT MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS Registration of a custom-built motor vehicle or trailer requires the following: (1) the bills of sale for the principal parts or two appraisals from two different NC dealers with Indemnity Bonds; (2) the ca…

19A NCAC 03C .0223 REGISTRATION: MOTOR HOMES, ETC. (a) The manufacturer of the chassis shall provide a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin to the manufacturer of the motor home. The Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin shall show the serial number of the chassis. (b) If an appli…

19A NCAC 03C .0224 PURCHASE INFORMATION In addition to the requirements set forth in G.S. 20-52(a), an applicant shall provide the following purchase information on the title application: (1) The name and address of the person or firm from whom the vehicle was acquired; (2) The d…

19A NCAC 03C .0225 CLASS OF LICENSE PLATE Any applicant seeking an initial license plate or a transfer of a license plate shall indicate the desired classification at the time of application. History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-39; 20-52; 20-64; 20-72; 20-78; Eff. March 1, 1982…

19A NCAC 03C .0226 REGISTRATION: BUSES TO BE OPERATED FOR HIRE The registration for a bus to be operated for hire shall include the empty weight of the bus calculated to the nearest 100 pounds. History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-39; 20-87; Eff. March 1, 1982; Amended Eff. Dece…

19A NCAC 03C .0227 DATE FIRST OPERATED The date a vehicle is placed into operation in North Carolina shall be indicated upon registration. An applicant shall be subject to the license fee on the date a vehicle is placed into operation in North Carolina, unless he or she is a new …

19A NCAC 03C .0228 TITLE ONLY To obtain a Certificate of Title without a license plate, the applicant shall verify that a license fee or transfer is not due by indicating on the Application for Title. History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-39; 20-50; 20-73; 20-79; Eff. March 1, 19…

19A NCAC 03C .0229 SIGNATURE The signature on any application for registration shall be written in ink or provided by electronic signature as referenced in Article 40 of Chapter 66 of the North Carolina General Statutes and shall comply with the requirements of this Rule. (1) The…

19A NCAC 03C .0230 POWERS OF ATTORNEY: GUARDIANS History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-39; 20-77; Eff. March 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. June 1, 2021.

19A NCAC 03C .0231 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-39; 20-42; 20-52; Eff. March 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. December 1, 1993.

19A NCAC 03C .0232 REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND CERTIFIED RECORDS FEES Any person seeking verification of information regarding license numbers, ownership, or liability insurance shall submit a written request. Copies of these records are provided for a fee as set out in G.S. 20-…

19A NCAC 03C .0233 LEASED VEHICLES Vehicles being leased under a private lease shall be titled and registered in the name of the lessor. A copy of the lease agreement shall be filed with the Division at the time of application for the certificate of title and registration. Histor…

19A NCAC 03C .0234 MINORS MAY OWN VEHICLE History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-39; Eff. March 1, 1982; Amended Eff. December 1, 1993; Repealed Eff. June 1, 2021.

19A NCAC 03C .0235 APPLICATION FOR DUPLICATE TITLE (a) A lienholder applying for a duplicate certificate of title shall have the owner sign the application. (b) When a certificate of title is lost after the release of a lien, the lienholder's affidavit that the lien has been sati…

19A NCAC 03C .0236 PENALTY FOR FAILURE TOMAKE TRANSFER WITHIN 28 DAYS History Note: Authority G.S. 20-1; 20-39; 20-73; 20-77; Eff. March 1, 1982; Amended Eff. December 1, 1993; November 1, 1991; Repealed Eff. June 1, 2021.

19A NCAC 03C .0237 DISPLAY OF LICENSE PLATE RENEWAL STICKER (a) The license plates issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles shall be renewed by attaching an annual validation sticker. (b) These plates shall expire on the last day of the month indicated by the validation sticker. …

19A NCAC 03C .0238 REGISTRATION RENEWAL BY MAIL History Note: Legislative Objection Lodged Eff. April 20, 1982; Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-50(b)(5); 20-63; 20-65; 20-66; Eff. July 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. July 2, 1982.

SECTION .0300 - FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 19A NCAC 03C .0301 ASSISTANCE TO VEHICLE OWNERS (a) The Division of Motor Vehicles will furnish to vehicle owners appropriate forms to facilitate compliance with Article 13, Chapter 20 of North Carolina General Statutes. (b) Vehicle owners…

19A NCAC 03C .0302 LIABILITY INSURANCE CERTIFICATION (a) If the financial responsibility for a vehicle is a liability insurance policy, the owner of the vehicle must certify to the existence of the policy and furnish sufficient information on forms provided by the Division of Mot…

19A NCAC 03C .0303 TERMINATION NOTICES (a) North Carolina Notice of Termination Form FS-4 shall be used to notify the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles of termination of motor vehicle liability insurance. The form shall be supplied by the insurer and must include the…

19A NCAC 03C .0304 VERIFICATION OF CERTIFICATION (a) Insurance Certification forms requesting verification shall be addressed to insurers by the Division of Motor Vehicles. (b) Insurers shall respond to requests for certification within 15 days after receipt by the insurer. (c) T…

19A NCAC 03C .0305 INSURANCE LAPSE HEARINGS (a) Any person who has received a notice of license plate revocation because of lack of continuous liability insurance coverage may request a hearing. Requests for a hearing or appeal are also accepted prior to receipt of the revocation…

SECTION .0400 - MOTOR VEHICLES OPERATED FOR-HIRE 19A NCAC 03C .0401 GENERAL INFORMATION History Note: Authority G.S. 20-4.01; 20-4.12; 20-4.01(27); 20-4.01(31); 20-4.01(50); 20-37.6; 20-39; 20-50; 20-57; 20-64; 20-64(f); 20-64.2; 20-65; 20-66; 20-68; 20-75; 20-79; 20-79.1 through…

19A NCAC 03C .0402 LICENSE PERIOD FOR TRAILER PLATE History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-63; 20-87(9); 20-88; Eff. July 1, 1978; Amended Eff. February 1, 1982; Expired Eff. October 1, 2018 pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A.

19A NCAC 03C .0403 VAN POOL LICENSE PLATE History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-87; 20-88.1; Eff. July 1, 1978; Amended Eff. October 1, 1984; February 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. June 1, 2021.

19A NCAC 03C .0404 ORIGINAL REGISTRATION: STAGGERED REGISTRATION SYSTEM History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-50; 20-66; Eff. July 1, 1978; Amended Eff. February 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. June 1, 2021.

19A NCAC 03C .0414 APPLICATION FOR LICENSE History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-50; 20-66; 20-79; 20-81.7; 20-83; 20-86.1; Eff. March 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. June 1, 2021.

19A NCAC 03C .0417 SALES TAX History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 105-164.4; 105-164.6; Eff. March 1, 1982; Amended Eff. October 1, 1984; Repealed Eff. November 1, 1991.

19A NCAC 03C .0418 FEE FOR DRIVER EDUCATION History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-88.1; Eff. March 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. December 1, 1984.

19A NCAC 03C .0419 GOLF CARTS History Note: Authority G.S. 20-4.01; 20-39; 20-87; 20-88.1; Eff. March 1, 1982; Repealed Eff. June 1, 2021.

19A NCAC 03C .0420 HANDICAPPED PLACARD Handicapped persons who do not own an automobile may be issued distinguishing placards for a fee of five dollars ($5.00). If the handicapped placard is lost or stolen, a fee of five dollars ($5.00) shall be required for replacement. History …

19A NCAC 03C .0421 VEHICLES USED FOR PASSENGER AND PROPERTY CARRYING The property carrying registration fee applies to the following vehicles when used to transport property: (1) vehicles designed by the manufacturer as utility sedans, couriers, coupe-pickups, sedan delivery, and…

19A NCAC 03C .0422 TRAILERS History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-87(9); 20-88(c); Eff. March 1, 1982; Expired Eff. October 1, 2018 pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A.

19A NCAC 03C .0423 SELF-PROPELLED CAMPING VEHICLES Self-propelled vehicles equipped with permanent living and sleeping facilities and used for camping are classed as private passenger vehicles. History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-87(5); Eff. March 1, 1982; Readopted Eff. May 1…

19A NCAC 03C .0424 TRUCKS AND TRUCK TRACTORS (PRIVATE PROPERTY CARRYING) Wrecker vehicles used to transport property and move disabled vehicles, or used to move vehicles that are not disabled, shall be classed as trucks and licensed as property carrying vehicles. History Note: Au…

19A NCAC 03C .0425 SPECIAL MOBILE EQUIPMENT (a) The special mobile equipment license affidavit MVR-295 shall accompany each application for title and include the following: (1) Vehicle Information including year, make, body style, model, VIN number; (2) Owner information includin…

19A NCAC 03C .0426 TEMPORARY REGISTRATION PLATE When a temporary license plate is issued on a property carrying vehicle, the registration is valid only for the empty weight of the vehicle. If the vehicle is found to be carrying property, the regular license plate fee shall be ret…

19A NCAC 03C .0427 PERSONALIZED PLATES AND SPECIALTY PLATES (a) Specialty plates shall transfer from one vehicle to another if the vehicles have the same owner. (b) Additional fees paid pursuant to G.S. 20-79.7 for a specialty plate shall not be refunded after the order has been …

19A NCAC 03C .0428 APPLICATION FOR REPLACEMENT LICENSE OR VALIDATION STICKERS To be issued a replacement license plate or validation sticker, the owner must certify that he or she has liability insurance pursuant to G.S. 20-109. History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-64; 20-66; 2…

19A NCAC 03C .0429 LICENSE PLATE TRANSFER History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-42; 20-64; 20-65; 20-66; Eff. March 1, 1982; Amended Eff. December 1, 1993; Repealed Eff. June 1, 2021.

19A NCAC 03C .0430 PLATE CLASSIFICATION: EXCHANGES AND CREDITS History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-64; Eff. March 1, 1982; Amended Eff. December 1, 1994; Expired Eff. October 1, 2018 pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A.

19A NCAC 03C .0431 PURCHASE OF OUT-OF-STATE VEHICLES: REMOVAL OF PLATES No resident of North Carolina shall use out-of-state license plates, unless the resident serves in the military, has dual residency, or where reciprocity agreements apply. This Rule applies to dealers and con…

19A NCAC 03C .0432 TRANSPORTER'S REGISTRATION An application for transporter registration shall include valid insurance information and all other requirements as noted on MVR-16A. Form MVR-16A shall include the following: (1) the vehicle owner's driver's license number, name, add…

19A NCAC 03C .0433 DRIVEaWAY REGISTRATION Prior to the issuance of driveaway plates, a driveaway company shall obtain and maintain insurance that would cover any new vehicle being operated by the company. History Note: Authority G.S. 20-39; 20-87(8); Eff. March 1, 1982; Readopted…