Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for North Carolina, United States

If you consider yourself an experienced rider, you likely have a good understanding of how to operate a motorcycle plus the general rules for how to safely navigate the road. If you are a novice motorcyclist, you may still need some guidance on how to handle a motorcycle properly along with your other responsibilities. But depending where in the United States you decide to take your ride, the motorcycle laws may differ enough to warrant further research. It does not help that motorcycle laws you were once familiar with may have changed over the years.

This post will provide an overview of the essential motorcycle laws and a step-by-step explanation of the licensing process in the state of North Carolina.

It is mandatory in North Carolina for motorcyclists to purchase liability insurance coverage as you are not legally permitted to handle a motorcycle without it. As accidents resulting in bodily harm or destruction of property can lead to hefty fines, you need to show that you can be financially responsible. If you are found liable for an accident, you will need to provide compensation to affected parties. You must carry proof of ownership on your person or stored on your motorcycle. You must be able to prove you have North Carolina motorcycle insurance at traffic stops, accident scenes, and vehicle inspections.

Your North Carolina liability insurance coverage must be able to cover the minimum costs for the following accident-related fees:

• $30,000 for bodily injury to a person per accident
• $60,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident
• $25,000 for property damages sustained per accident

As North Carolina liability insurance coverage is what you pay to other drivers involved in an accident, you will need other forms of insurance coverage to protect your health and property. Depending on specific circumstances that occur within a single accident, you may want access to additional financial protection:

• Uninsured coverage
• Underinsured coverage
• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Medical payments coverage

As North Carolina has a universal motorcycle helmet policy, all motorcyclists regardless of age are required to wear protective headgear when they are operating their vehicles in this state.

Thanks to the universal motorcycle helmet policy being heavily enforced in North Carolina, this state has seen a low number of motorcycle-related fatalities in recent years:

• In 2010, there were 3,782 motorcycle-related accidents but there were only 172 fatal motorcycle accidents
• In 2012, there were 4,269 motorcycle-related accidents but there were only 161 fatal motorcycle accidents
• In 2014, there were estimated to be more than 4,000 motorcycle-related accidents, but there were only 150 fatal motorcycle accidents

An approved motorcycle helmet recognized in North Carolina must have been made with quality materials by the Snell Memorial Foundation and satisfies the safety guidelines provided for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The two models that meet the criteria stated above while providing protection and visibility are three-quarter and full-face helmets. Listed in this table below are the features that your motorcycle helmet is required to have if you wish to operate a motorcycle in North Carolina:

You can begin applying for a North Carolina motorcycle learner’s permit if you are at least 16 years old or above.

You will have to pay a fee of $21.50 to be issued a North Carolina motorcycle learner’s permit that is valid for one year.

To be given the permit, you must complete the following tasks and fulfill all of the listed criteria:

• Applicants Ages 16 to 17:
  • Must possess a full provisional license
  • Have signature and consent from parent or legal guardian
  • Successful completion of an NC DMV-approved motorcycle safety course
• Applicants Ages 18 or Older:
  • Must possess a driver’s license
• Present identification documents
• Provide proof of North Carolina residency
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship
• Provide your Social Security Number
• Take a photo
• Pass the knowledge exam
• Pass a road sign exam
• Pass the vision exam
• Pay the required fees

When you are operating with a North Carolina motorcycle learner’s permit, you will have to comply with the following restrictions as you practice:

• You cannot carry passengers
• You can only operate during daylight hours
• You must stay below certain speed limits depending on location

You are eligible to receive a North Carolina motorcycle endorsement if you are at least 16 years old or above.

You will have to pay a fee of $2.55 per valid year to be issued a North Carolina motorcycle endorsement.

Listed below are the requirements you will need to fulfill to obtain a North Carolina motorcycle endorsement. Depending on your age when you approach the final step, the list of criteria may differ between motorcyclists:

*As stated earlier, any applicants between the ages of 16 to 17 are required to at least have a full provisional license if they do not yet have a proper driver’s license.

*It is only mandatory for applicants between the ages of 16 to 17 to complete a motorcycle safety course. They can either choose to do a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course or a North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program Course. They are not required to do both.

*Any applicants that produce proof of completing an approved motorcycle safety course recognized in North Carolina have the option of waiving the road skills portion of the North Carolina motorcycle license test.

• Written aspect covers traffic laws and safe-driving practices
• Review and identify regulatory and warning signs
• Complete 25 multiple-choice questions
• Questions will be based on content from North Carolina Motorcycle Operator Manual
• Requires a passing grade of 80% or higher

• Will be conducted in an actual traffic environment or in a controlled, off-street area
• Your motorcycle will be subjected to a pre-ride inspection to ensure it meets safety standards
• Demonstrate basic understanding of motorcycle operation
• You will be tested on your ability to stay within the speed limit, adjusting speed and position, maintaining visibility, operating under stress, accelerating, braking, turning, stopping, and swerving
• The examiner will grade you based on how well you ride at safe speeds, stay within the lanes, and demonstrate riding maneuvers

In North Carolina, there is no minimum age requirement for motorcycle passengers wishing to be seated on your motorcycle. Any motorcycle passenger regardless of age is required to always wear an approved motorcycle helmet. The passenger’s motorcycle helmet must satisfy the same requirements as the operator’s protective headgear.

If you wish to improve safety for the sake of your passenger, you will need to equip and adjust the current state of your motorcycle. The required equipment for carrying an additional person include a designated passenger seat and footpegs.

Your passenger should never be seated in front of the driver’s seat. There must be space between the passenger and operator’s seats so that the passenger can fully extend their legs while the operator can drive without distractions. The designated passenger seat can only be positioned at the following places on your motorcycle:

• The back part of a large driver’s seat
• Towards the rear as a separate saddle
• Fixed to the side as a sidecar

The lack of an age restriction means that there are other criteria to check when determining who can safely ride on your motorcycle. A popular rule of thumb is that a passenger must be able to reach and plant their feet against the footrests. Therefore, it is best to avoid transporting young children or elderly individuals. Other characteristics to look for in a motorcycle passenger include the following:

• Your passenger must be able to reach the footrests
• Your passenger must wear an approved motorcycle helmet
• Your passenger cannot be carrying any packages
• Your passenger must be able to understand and follow your directions

Lane splitting is declared an illegal practice for motor vehicles in North Carolina. Lane splitting can be tempting to riders since it offers an easy way to bypass heavy traffic. But because you risk getting crushed in between larger vehicles and are traveling in the blind spots of other drivers, lane splitting is deemed too dangerous to attempt. Motorcyclists are forbidden from doing the following in North Carolina:

• Riding on top of the dividing lines between lanes
• Riding in between adjacent rows of stopped vehicles
• Overtaking a larger vehicle ahead in the same lane

As motorcycles are capable of greater maneuverability and are designed to be compact, riders are entitled to certain rights regarding how they can act when on the road. Motorcyclists are allowed to try the following in North Carolina:

• You are allowed to make full use of the space within your current lane
• You can only share a lane with another motorcycle if:
  • Both parties stay apart at least two abreast
  • Both parties consent beforehand

In North Carolina, you are responsible for conducting an annual safety and equipment inspection of your motorcycle. This not only helps you update your vehicle’s registration, but also gives you the opportunity to check the condition of the machinery. If you or a professional mechanic manages to locate any signs of damage and apply necessary repairs, this lessens the chances of mechanical failure and ensures your vehicle works at optimal capacity.

Listed below are the equipment your motorcycle must be fitted with to be considered street legal in North Carolina. These components are essential to your motorcycle’s maneuverability, visibility, and overall functionality:

• Horn
• Wheels
• Tires
• Handlebars
• Front & Rear Brake
• Controls
• Headlight
• Taillight
• Brake Light
• Turn Signals
• Exhaust system
• Muffler
• Rearview mirrors

• Motorcyclists’ Handbook - North Carolina Department of Transportation
• North Carolina Department of Transportation - Motorcycle Insurance
• North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles - Motorcycle Safety Helmet Law
• North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Motorcycles
• North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles - Motorcycle & Moped Privileges
• North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles - Licenses & Fees