There Is a Newer Version of the North Carolina General Statutes

2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes Article 2 - Uniform Driver\'s License Act.

Article 2.

Uniform Driver's License Act.

§ 20‑5.� Title of Article.

This Article may be cited as the Uniform Driver's License Act. (1935, c. 52, s. 31.)

§ 20‑6.� Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 1330, s. 39.

§ 20‑7.� Issuance and renewal of drivers licenses.

(a)�� License Required. � To drive a motor vehicle on a highway, a person must be licensed by the Division under this Article or Article 2C of this Chapter to drive the vehicle and must carry the license while driving the vehicle. The Division issues regular drivers licenses under this Article and issues commercial drivers licenses under Article 2C.

A license authorizes the holder of the license to drive any vehicle included in the class of the license and any vehicle included in a lesser class of license, except a vehicle for which an endorsement is required. To drive a vehicle for which an endorsement is required, a person must obtain both a license and an endorsement for the vehicle. A regular drivers license is considered a lesser class of license than its commercial counterpart.

The classes of regular drivers licenses and the motor vehicles that can be driven with each class of license are:

(1)�� Class A. � A Class A license authorizes the holder to drive any of the following:

a.�� A Class A motor vehicle that is exempt under G.S. 20‑37.16 from the commercial drivers license requirements.

b.�� A Class A motor vehicle that has a combined GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds and includes as part of the combination a towed unit that has a GVWR of at least 10,001 pounds.

(2)�� Class B. � A Class B license authorizes the holder to drive any Class B motor vehicle that is exempt under G.S. 20‑37.16 from the commercial drivers license requirements.

(3)�� Class C. � A Class C license authorizes the holder to drive any of the following:

a.�� A Class C motor vehicle that is not a commercial motor vehicle.

b.�� When operated by a volunteer member of a fire department, a rescue squad, or an emergency medical service (EMS) in the performance of duty, a Class A or Class B fire‑fighting, rescue, or EMS motor vehicle or a combination of these vehicles.

The Commissioner may assign a unique motor vehicle to a class that is different from the class in which it would otherwise belong.

A person holding a commercial drivers license issued by another jurisdiction must apply for a transfer and obtain a North Carolina issued commercial drivers license within 30 days of becoming a resident. Any other new resident of North Carolina who has a drivers license issued by another jurisdiction must obtain a license from the Division within 60 days after becoming a resident.

(a1)�� Motorcycles and Mopeds. � To drive a motorcycle, a person shall have:

(1)�� A full provisional license with a motorcycle learner's permit;

(2)�� A regular drivers license with a motorcycle learner's permit; or

(3)�� Either:

a.�� A full provisional license; or

b.�� A regular drivers license, with a motorcycle endorsement.

Subsection (a2) of this section sets forth the requirements for a motorcycle learner's permit.

To obtain a motorcycle endorsement, a person shall demonstrate competence to drive a motorcycle by:

(1)�� Passing a road test;

(2)�� Passing a written or oral test concerning motorcycles; and

(3)�� Paying the fee for a motorcycle endorsement.

Neither a drivers license nor a motorcycle endorsement is required to drive a moped.

(a2)�� Motorcycle Learner's Permit. � The following persons are eligible for a motorcycle learner's permit:

(1)�� A person who is at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old and has a full provisional license issued by the Division.

(2)�� A person who is at least 18 years old and has a license issued by the Division.

To obtain a motorcycle learner's permit, an applicant shall pass a vision test, a road sign test, and a written test specified by the Division. A motorcycle learner's permit expires 18 months after it is issued. The holder of a motorcycle learner's permit may not drive a motorcycle with a passenger. The fee for a motorcycle learner's permit is the amount set in G.S. 20‑7(l) for a learner's permit.

(b)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 368, s. 1, c. 533, s. 12.

(b1)�� Application. � To obtain an identification card, learners permit, or drivers license from the Division, a person shall complete an application form provided by the Division, present at least two forms of identification approved by the Commissioner, be a resident of this State, and, except for an identification card, demonstrate his or her physical and mental ability to drive safely a motor vehicle included in the class of license for which the person has applied. At least one of the forms of identification shall indicate the applicant's residence address. The Division may copy the identification presented or hold it for a brief period of time to verify its authenticity. To obtain an endorsement, a person shall demonstrate his or her physical and mental ability to drive safely the type of motor vehicle for which the endorsement is required.

The application form shall request all of the following information, and it shall contain the disclosures concerning the request for an applicant's social security number required by section 7 of the federal Privacy Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93‑579:

(1)�� The applicant's full name.

(2)�� The applicant's mailing address and residence address.

(3)�� A physical description of the applicant, including the applicant's sex, height, eye color, and hair color.

(4)�� The applicant's date of birth.

(5)�� The applicant's valid social security number.

(6)�� The applicant's signature.

If an applicant does not have a valid social security number and is ineligible to obtain one, the applicant shall swear to or affirm that fact under penalty of perjury. In such case, the applicant may provide a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number issued by the Internal Revenue Service to that person.

The Division shall not issue an identification card, learners permit, or drivers license to an applicant who fails to provide either the applicant's valid social security number or the applicant's valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

(b2)�� Disclosure of Social Security Number. � The social security number of an applicant is not a public record. The Division may not disclose an applicant's social security number except as allowed under federal law. A violation of the disclosure restrictions is punishable as provided in 42 U.S.C. § 408, and amendments to that law.

In accordance with 42 U.S.C. 405 and 42 U.S.C. 666, and amendments thereto, the Division may disclose a social security number obtained under subsection (b1) of this section only as follows:

(1)�� For the purpose of administering the drivers license laws.

(2)�� To the Department of Health and Human Services, Child Support Enforcement Program for the purpose of establishing paternity or child support or enforcing a child support order.

(3)�� To the Department of Revenue for the purpose of verifying taxpayer identity.

(b3)�� The Division shall adopt rules implementing the provisions of subsection (b1) of this section with respect to proof of residency in this State. Those rules shall ensure that applicants submit verified or verifiable residency and address information that can be reasonably considered to be valid and that is provided on any of the following:

(1)�� A document issued by an agency of the United States or by the government of another nation.

(2)�� A document issued by another state.

(3)�� A document issued by the State of North Carolina, or a political subdivision of this State. This includes an agency or instrumentality of this State.

(4)�� A preprinted bank or other corporate statement.

(5)�� A preprinted business letterhead.

(6)�� Any other document deemed reliable by the Division.

(b4)�� Examples of documents that are reasonably reliable indicators of residency include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

(1)�� A pay stub with the payee's address.

(2)�� A utility bill showing the address of the applicant‑payor.

(3)�� A contract for an apartment, house, modular unit, or manufactured home with a North Carolina address signed by the applicant.

(4)�� A receipt for personal property taxes paid.

(5)�� A receipt for real property taxes paid to a North Carolina locality.

(6)�� A current automobile insurance policy issued to the applicant and showing the applicant's address.

(7)�� A monthly or quarterly financial statement from a North Carolina regulated financial institution.

(8)�� A matricula consular or substantially similar document issued by the Mexican Consulate for North Carolina.

(9)�� A document similar to that described in subsection (8) of this section, issued by the consulate or embassy of another country. This subdivision only applies if the Division has consulted with the United State Department of State and is satisfied with the reliability of such document.

(b5)�� The Division rules adopted pursuant to subsection (b3) of this section shall also provide that if an applicant cannot produce any documentation specified in subsection (b3) or (b4) of this section, the applicant, or in the case of a minor applicant a parent or legal guardian of the applicant, may complete an affidavit, on a form provided by the Division and sworn to before an official of the Division, indicating the applicant's current residence address. The affidavit shall contain the provisions of G.S. 20‑15(a) and G.S. 20‑17(a)(5) and shall indicate the civil and criminal penalties for completing a false affidavit.

(c)�� Tests. � To demonstrate physical and mental ability, a person must pass an examination. The examination may include road tests, vision tests, oral tests, and, in the case of literate applicants, written tests, as the Division may require. The tests must ensure that an applicant recognizes the handicapped international symbol of access, as defined in G.S. 20‑37.5. The Division may not require a person who applies to renew a license that has not expired to take a written test or a road test unless one or more of the following applies:

(1)�� The person has been convicted of a traffic violation since the person's license was last issued.

(2)�� The applicant suffers from a mental or physical condition that impairs the person's ability to drive a motor vehicle.

The Division may not require a person who is at least 60 years old to parallel park a motor vehicle as part of a road test.

(c1)�� Insurance. � The Division may not issue a drivers license to a person until the person has furnished proof of financial responsibility. Proof of financial responsibility shall be in one of the following forms:

(1)�� A written certificate or electronically‑transmitted facsimile thereof from any insurance carrier duly authorized to do business in this State certifying that there is in effect a nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle liability policy for the benefit of the person required to furnish proof of financial responsibility. The certificate or facsimile shall state the effective date and expiration date of the nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle liability policy and shall state the date that the certificate or facsimile is issued. The certificate or facsimile shall remain effective proof of financial responsibility for a period of 30 consecutive days following the date the certificate or facsimile is issued but shall not in and of itself constitute a binder or policy of insurance.

(2)�� A binder for or policy of nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance under which the applicant is insured, provided that the binder or policy states the effective date and expiration date of the nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle liability policy.

The preceding provisions of this subsection do not apply to applicants who do not own currently registered motor vehicles and who do not operate nonfleet private passenger motor vehicles that are owned by other persons and that are not insured under commercial motor vehicle liability insurance policies. In such cases, the applicant shall sign a written certificate to that effect. Such certificate shall be furnished by the Division and may be incorporated into the license application form. Any material misrepresentation made by such person on such certificate shall be grounds for suspension of that person's license for a period of 90 days.

For the purpose of this subsection, the term "nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle" has the definition ascribed to it in Article 40 of General Statute Chapter 58.

The Commissioner may require that certificates required by this subsection be on a form approved by the Commissioner.

The requirement of furnishing proof of financial responsibility does not apply to a person who applies for a renewal of his or her drivers license.

Nothing in this subsection precludes any person from showing proof of financial responsibility in any other manner authorized by Articles 9A and 13 of this Chapter.

(d)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 368, s. 1.

(e)�� Restrictions. � The Division may impose any restriction it finds advisable on a drivers license. It is unlawful for the holder of a restricted license to operate a motor vehicle without complying with the restriction and is the equivalent of operating a motor vehicle without a license. If any applicant shall suffer from any physical defect or disease which affects his or her operation of a motor vehicle, the Division may require to be filed with it a certificate of such applicant's condition signed by some medical authority of the applicant's community designated by the Division. This certificate shall in all cases be treated as confidential. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the Division from refusing to issue a license, either restricted or unrestricted, to any person deemed to be incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle. This subsection does not prohibit deaf persons from operating motor vehicles who in every other way meet the requirements of this section.

(f)�� Expiration and Temporary License. � The first drivers license the Division issues to a person expires on the person's fourth or subsequent birthday that occurs after the license is issued and on which the individual's age is evenly divisible by five, unless this subsection sets a different expiration date. A first drivers license may be issued for a shorter duration if the Division determines that a license of shorter duration should be issued when the applicant holds a visa of limited duration issued by the United States Department of State. The first drivers license the Division issues to a person who is at least 17 years old but is less than 18 years old expires on the person's twentieth birthday. The first drivers license the Division issues to a person who is at least 62 years old expires on the person's birthday in the fifth year after the license is issued, whether or not the person's age on that birthday is evenly divisible by five.

A drivers license that was issued by the Division and is renewed by the Division expires five years after the expiration date of the license that is renewed unless the Division determines that a license of shorter duration should be issued when the applicant holds a visa of limited duration from the United States Department of State. A person may apply to the Division to renew a license during the 180‑day period before the license expires. The Division may not accept an application for renewal made before the 180‑day period begins.

The Division may renew by mail a drivers license issued by the Division to a person who meets any of the following descriptions:

(1)�� Is serving on active duty in the armed forces of the United States and is stationed outside this State.

(2)�� Is a resident of this State and has been residing outside the State for at least 30 continuous days.

When renewing a license by mail, the Division may waive the examination that would otherwise be required for the renewal and may impose any conditions it finds advisable. A license renewed by mail is a temporary license that expires 60 days after the person to whom it is issued returns to this State.

(g)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 667, s. 6.

(h)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 113, s. 1.

(i)�� Fees. � The fee for a regular drivers license is the amount set in the following table multiplied by the number of years in the period for which the license is issued:

Class of Regular License�� Fee For Each Year

�� Class A�� $4.00

�� Class B�� $4.00

�� Class C�� $4.00

The fee for a motorcycle endorsement is one dollar and seventy‑five cents ($1.75) for each year of the period for which the endorsement is issued. The appropriate fee shall be paid before a person receives a regular drivers license or an endorsement.

(i1)�� Restoration Fee. � Any person whose drivers license has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, other than G.S. 20‑17(2), shall pay a restoration fee of fifty dollars ($50.00). A person whose drivers license has been revoked under G.S. 20‑17(2) shall pay a restoration fee of seventy‑five dollars ($75.00) until the end of the fiscal year in which the cumulative total amount of fees deposited under this subsection in the General Fund exceeds ten million dollars ($10,000,000), and shall pay a restoration fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) thereafter. The fee shall be paid to the Division prior to the issuance to such person of a new drivers license or the restoration of the drivers license. The restoration fee shall be paid to the Division in addition to any and all fees which may be provided by law. This restoration fee shall not be required from any licensee whose license was revoked or voluntarily surrendered for medical or health reasons whether or not a medical evaluation was conducted pursuant to this Chapter. The fifty‑dollar ($50.00) fee, and the first fifty dollars ($50.00) of the seventy‑five‑dollar ($75.00) fee, shall be deposited in the Highway Fund. The remaining twenty‑five dollars ($25.00) of the seventy‑five‑dollar ($75.00) fee shall be deposited in the General Fund of the State. The Office of State Budget and Management shall certify to the Department of Transportation and the General Assembly when the cumulative total amount of fees deposited in the General Fund under this subsection exceeds ten million dollars ($10,000,000), and shall annually report to the General Assembly the amount of fees deposited in the General Fund under this subsection.

It is the intent of the General Assembly to annually appropriate the funds deposited in the General Fund under this subsection to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina to be used for the Center for Alcohol Studies Endowment at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but not to exceed this cumulative total of ten million dollars ($10,000,000).

(j)�� Highway Fund. � The fees collected under this section and G.S. 20‑14 shall be placed in the Highway Fund.

(k)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 726, s. 5.

(l)�� Learner's Permit. � A person who is at least 18 years old may obtain a learner's permit. A learner's permit authorizes the permit holder to drive a specified type or class of motor vehicle while in possession of the permit. A learner's permit is valid for a period of 18 months after it is issued. The fee for a learner's permit is fifteen dollars ($15.00). A learner's permit may be renewed, or a second learner's permit may be issued, for an additional period of 18 months. The permit holder must, while operating a motor vehicle over the highways, be accompanied by a person who is licensed to operate the motor vehicle being driven and is seated beside the permit holder.

(l ‑1)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 726, s. 5.

(m)�� Instruction Permit. � The Division upon receiving proper application may in its discretion issue a restricted instruction permit effective for a school year or a lesser period to any of the following applicants:

(1)�� An applicant who is less than 18 years old and is enrolled in a drivers education program that is approved by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and is offered at a public high school, a nonpublic secondary school, or a licensed drivers training school.

(2)�� An applicant for certification under G.S. 20‑218 as a school bus driver.

A restricted instruction permit authorizes the holder of the permit to drive a specified type or class of motor vehicle when in possession of the permit, subject to any restrictions imposed by the Division. The restrictions the Division may impose on a permit include restrictions to designated areas and highways and restrictions prohibiting operation except when an approved instructor is occupying a seat beside the permittee. A restricted instruction permit is not required to have a distinguishing number or a picture of the person to whom the permit is issued.

(n)�� Format. � A drivers license issued by the Division must be tamperproof and must contain all of the following information:

(1)�� An identification of this State as the issuer of the license.

(2)�� The license holder's full name.

(3)�� The license holder's residence address.

(4)�� A color photograph of the license holder, taken by the Division.

(5)�� A physical description of the license holder, including sex, height, eye color, and hair color.

(6)�� The license holder's date of birth.

(7)�� An identifying number for the license holder assigned by the Division. The identifying number may not be the license holder's social security number.

(8)�� Each class of motor vehicle the license holder is authorized to drive and any endorsements or restrictions that apply.

(9)�� The license holder's signature.

(10)�� The date the license was issued and the date the license expires.

The Commissioner may waive the requirement of a color photograph on a license if the license holder proves to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that taking the photograph would violate the license holder's religious convictions. In taking photographs of license holders, the Division must distinguish between license holders who are less than 21 years old and license holders who are at least 21 years old by using different color backgrounds or borders for each group. The Division shall determine the different colors to be used.

At the request of an applicant for a drivers license, a license issued to the applicant must contain the applicant's race.

(o)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 726, s. 5.

(p)�� The Division must give the clerk of superior court in each county at least 50 copies of the driver license handbook free of charge. The clerk must give a copy to a person who requests it.

(q)�� Military Designation. � The Division shall develop a military designation for drivers licenses that may, upon request, be granted to North Carolina residents on active duty and to their spouses and dependent children. A drivers license with a military designation on it may be renewed by mail no more than two times during the license holder's lifetime. A license renewed by mail under this subsection is a permanent license and does not expire when the license holder returns to the State. A drivers license with a military designation on it issued to a person on active duty may be renewed up to one year prior to its expiration upon presentation of military or Department of Defense credentials.

(r)�� Waiver of Vision Test. � The following license holders shall be exempt from any required eye exam when renewing a drivers license by mail under either subsection (f) of this section or subsection (q) of this section if, at the time of renewal, the license holder is serving in a combat zone or a qualified hazardous duty zone:

(1)�� A member of the armed forces of the United States.

(2)�� A member of the national guard or of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. (1935, c. 52, s. 2; 1943, c. 649, s. 1; c. 787, s. 1; 1947, c. 1067, s. 10; 1949, c. 583, ss. 9, 10; c. 826, ss. 1, 2; 1951, c. 542, ss. 1, 2; c. 1196, ss. 1‑3; 1953, cc. 839, 1284, 1311; 1955, c. 1187, ss. 2‑6; 1957, c. 1225; 1963, cc. 754, 1007, 1022; 1965, c. 410, s. 5; 1967, c. 509; 1969, c. 183; c. 783, s. 1; c. 865; 1971, c. 158; 1973, cc. 73, 705; c. 1057, ss. 1, 3; 1975, c. 162, s. 1; c. 295; c. 296, ss. 1, 2; c. 684; c. 716, s. 5; c. 841; c. 875, s. 4; c. 879, s. 46; 1977, c. 6; c. 340, s. 3; c. 865, ss. 1, 3; 1979, c. 37, s. 1; c. 113; c. 178, s. 2; c. 667, ss. 3‑11, 41; c. 678, ss. 1‑3; c. 801, ss. 5, 6; 1981, c. 42; c. 690, ss. 8‑10; c. 792, s. 3; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1257, s. 1; 1983, c. 443, s. 1; 1985, c. 141, s. 4; c. 682, ss. 1, 2; 1987, c. 869, ss. 10, 11; 1989, c. 436, ss. 1, 2; c. 771, s. 5; c. 786, s. 4; 1991, c. 478, s. 1; c. 689, s. 325; c. 726, s. 5; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1007, s. 27; c. 1030, s. 10; 1993, c. 368, s. 1; c. 533, ss. 2, 3, 12; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 595, ss. 1, 2; c. 750, s. 1; c. 761, s. 1.1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 675, s. 1; 1997‑16, ss. 5, 8, 9; 1997‑122, ss. 2, 3; 1997‑377, s. 1; 1997‑433, s. 4; 1997‑443, ss. 11A.122, 32.20; 1997‑456, s. 32, 33; 1998‑17, s. 1; 1998‑149, s. 2; 2000‑120, ss. 14, 15; 2000‑140, s. 93.1(a); 2001‑424, ss. 12.2(b), 27.10A(a)‑(d); 2001‑513, s. 32(a); 2003‑152, ss. 1, 2; 2003‑284, s. 36.1; 2004‑189, s. 5(a); 2004‑203, s. 2; 2005‑276, s. 44.1(a); 2005‑349, s. 4.)

§ 20‑7.01:� Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c.� 667, s. 43.

§ 20‑7.1.� Notice of change of address or name.

(a)�� Address. � A person whose address changes from the address stated on a drivers license must notify the Division of the change within 60 days after the change occurs. If the person's address changed because the person moved, the person must obtain a duplicate license within that time limit stating the new address. A person who does not move but whose address changes due to governmental action may not be charged with violating this subsection.

(b)�� Name. � A person whose name changes from the name stated on a drivers license must notify the Division of the change within 60 days after the change occurs and obtain a duplicate drivers license stating the new name.

(c)�� Fee. � G.S. 20‑14 sets the fee for a duplicate license. (1975, c. 223, s. 1; 1979, c. 970; 1983, c. 521, s. 1; 1997‑122, s. 4.)

§ 20‑7.2.� Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 581, s. 2.

§ 20‑7.3.� Availability of organ, eye, and tissue donor cards at motor vehicle offices.

The Division shall make organ, eye, and tissue donor cards available to interested individuals in each office authorized to issue drivers licenses or special identification cards. The Division shall obtain donor cards from qualified organ, eye, or tissue procurement organizations or tissue banks, as defined in G.S. 130A‑403. The Division shall offer organ donation information and a donor card to each applicant for a drivers license. The organ donation information shall include the following:

(1)�� A statement informing the individual that federally designated organ procurement organizations and eye banks have read‑only access to the Department‑operated Organ Donor Internet site listing those individuals who have stated to the Division of Motor Vehicles the individual's intent to be an organ donor and have an organ donation symbol on the individual's drivers license or special identification card.

(2)�� The type of information that will be made available on the Organ Donor Internet site. (2001‑481, s. 3; 2004‑189, s. 3.)

§ 20‑7.4.� License to Give Trust Fund established.

(a)�� There is established the License to Give Trust Fund. Revenue in the Fund includes amounts credited by the Division as required by law, and other funds. Any surplus in the Fund shall not revert but shall be used for the purposes stated in this section. The Fund shall be kept on deposit with the State Treasurer, as in the case of other State Funds, and may be invested by the State Treasurer in any lawful securities for investment of State funds. The License to Give Trust Fund is subject to oversight by the State Auditor pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes.

(b)�� The purposes for which funds may be expended by the License to Give Trust Fund Commission from the License to Give Trust Fund are as follows:

(1)�� As grants‑in‑aid for initiatives that educate about and promote organ and tissue donation and health care decision making at life's end.

(2)�� Expenses of the License to Give Trust Fund Commission as authorized in G.S. 20‑7.5. (2004‑189, s. 4(a).)

§ 20‑7.5.� License to Give Trust Fund Commission established.

(a)�� There is established the License to Give Trust Fund Commission. The Commission shall be located in the Department of Administration for budgetary and administrative purposes only. The Commission may allocate funds from the License to Give Trust Fund for the purposes authorized in G.S. 20‑7.4. The Commission shall have 15 members, appointed as follows:

(1)�� Four members by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate:

a.�� One representative of Carolina Donor Services.

b.�� One representative of LifeShare of The Carolinas.

c.�� Two members who have demonstrated an interest in organ and tissue donation and education.

(2)�� Four members by the General Assembly, upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives:

a.�� One representative of The North Carolina Eye Bank, Inc.

b.�� One representative of The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End‑of‑Life Care.

c.�� Two members who have demonstrated an interest in promoting advance care planning education.

(3)�� Seven members by the Governor:

a.�� Three members representing organ, tissue, and eye recipients, families of recipients, or families of donors. Of these three, one each from the mountain, heartland, and coastal regions of the State.

b.�� One member who is a transplant physician licensed to practice medicine in this State.

c.�� One member who has demonstrated an interest in organ and tissue donation and education.

d.�� One member who has demonstrated an interest in promoting advance care planning education.

e.�� A representative of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

(b)�� The Commission shall elect from its membership a chair and a vice‑chair for two‑year terms. The Secretary of Administration shall provide meeting facilities for the Commission as required by the Chair.

(c)�� The members of the Commission shall receive per diem and necessary travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with G.S. 138‑5 and G.S. 138‑6, as applicable. Per diem, subsistence, and travel expenses of the members shall be paid from the License to Give Trust Fund.

(d)�� The members of the Commission shall comply with G.S. 14‑234 prohibiting conflicts of interest. In addition to the restrictions imposed under G.S. 14‑234, a member shall not vote on, participate in the deliberations of, or otherwise attempt through his or her official capacity to influence the vote on allocations of moneys from the License to Give Trust Fund to a nonprofit entity of which the member is an officer, director, or employee, or to a governmental entity of which the member is an employee or a member of the governing board. A violation of this subsection is a Class 1 misdemeanor. (2004‑189, s. 4(b).)

§ 20‑7.6.� Powers and duties of the License to Give Trust Fund Commission.

The License to Give Trust Fund Commission has the following powers and duties:

(1)�� Establish general policies and guidelines for awarding grants‑in‑aid to nonprofit entities to conduct education and awareness activities on organ and tissue donation and advance care planning.

(2)�� Accept gifts or grants from other sources to further the purposes of the License to Give Trust Fund. Such gifts or grants shall be transmitted to the State Treasurer for credit to the Fund.

(3)�� Hire staff or contract for other expertise for the administration of the Fund. Expenses related to staffing shall be paid from the License to Give Trust Fund. (2004‑189, s. 4(b).)

§ 20‑8.� Persons exempt from license.

The following are exempt from license hereunder:

(1)�� Any person while operating a motor vehicle the property of and in the service of the armed forces of the United States. This shall not be construed to exempt any operators of the United States Civilian Conservation Corps motor vehicles;

(2)�� Any person while driving or operating any road machine, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry temporarily operated or moved on a highway;

(3)�� A nonresident who is at least 16 years of age who has in his immediate possession a valid driver's license issued to him in his home state or country if the nonresident is operating� a motor vehicle in this State in accordance with the license� restrictions and vehicle classifications that would be applicable to him under the laws and regulations of his home state or country if he were driving in his home state or country. This exemption specifically applies to nonresident military spouses, regardless of their employment status, who are temporarily residing in North Carolina due to the active duty military orders of a spouse.

(4)�� to (6) Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 667, s. 13.

(7)�� Any person who is at least 16 years of age and while operating a moped. (1935, c. 52, s. 3; 1963, c. 1175; 1973, c. 1017; 1975, c. 859, s. 2; 1979, c. 574, s. 7; c. 667, s. 13; 1983, c. 436.)

§ 20‑9.� What persons shall not be licensed.

(a) To obtain a regular drivers license, a person must have reached the minimum age set in the following table for the class of license sought:

Class of Regular License�� Minimum Age

Class A�� 18

Class B�� 18

Class C�� 16

G.S. 20‑37.13 sets the age qualifications for a commercial drivers license.

(b)�� The Division shall not issue a driver's license to any person whose license has been suspended or revoked during the period for which the license was suspended or revoked.

(b1)�� The Division shall not issue a drivers license to any person whose permit or license has been suspended or revoked under G.S. 20‑13.2(c1) during the suspension or revocation period, unless the Division has restored the person's permit or license under G.S. 20‑13.2(c1).

(c)�� The Division shall not issue a driver's license to any person who is an habitual drunkard or is an habitual user of narcotic drugs or barbiturates, whether or not such use be in accordance with the prescription of a physician.

(d)�� No driver's license shall be issued to any applicant who has been previously adjudged insane or an idiot, imbecile, or feebleminded, and who has not at the time of such application been restored to competency by judicial decree or released from a hospital for the insane or feebleminded upon a certificate of the superintendent that such person is competent, nor then unless the Division is satisfied that such person is competent to operate a motor vehicle with safety to persons and property.

(e)�� The Division shall not issue a driver's license to any person when in the opinion of the Division such person is afflicted with or suffering from such physical or mental disability or disease as will serve to prevent such person from exercising reasonable and ordinary control over a motor vehicle while operating the same upon the highways, nor shall a license be issued to any person who is unable to understand highway warnings or direction signs.

(f)�� The Division shall not issue a driver's license to any person whose license or driving privilege is in a state of cancellation, suspension or revocation in any jurisdiction, if the acts or things upon which the cancellation, suspension or revocation in such other jurisdiction was based would constitute lawful grounds for cancellation, suspension or revocation in this State had those acts or things been done or committed in this State; provided, however, any such cancellation shall not prohibit issuance for a period in excess of 18 months.

(g)�� The Division may issue a driver's license to any applicant covered by subsection (e) of this section under the following conditions:

(1)�� The Division may issue a license to any person who is afflicted with or suffering from a physical or mental disability set out in subsection (e) of this section who is otherwise qualified to obtain a license, provided such person submits to the Division a certificate in the form prescribed in subdivision (2). Until a license issued under this subdivision expires or is revoked, the license continues in force as long as the licensee presents to the Division a certificate in the form prescribed in subdivision (2) of this subsection at the intervals determined by the Division to be in the best interests of public safety.

(2)�� The Division shall not issue a license pursuant to this section unless the applicant has submitted to a physical examination by a physician or surgeon duly licensed to practice medicine in this State or in any other state of the United States and unless such examining physician or surgeon has completed and signed the certificate required by subdivision (1). Such certificate shall be devised by the Commissioner with the advice of qualified experts in the field of diagnosing and treating physical and mental disorders as he may select to assist him and shall be designed to elicit the maximum medical information necessary to aid in determining whether or not it would be a hazard to public safety to permit the applicant to operate a motor vehicle, including, if such is the fact, the examining physician's statement that the applicant is under medication and treatment and that such person's physical or mental disability is controlled. The certificate shall contain a waiver of privilege and the recommendation of the examining physician to the Commissioner as to whether a license should be issued to the applicant.

(3)�� The Commissioner is not bound by the recommendation of the examining physician but shall give fair consideration to such recommendation in exercising his discretion in acting upon the application, the criterion being whether or not, upon all the evidence, it appears that it is safe to permit the applicant to operate a motor vehicle. The burden of proof of such fact is upon the applicant. In deciding whether to issue or deny a license, the Commissioner may be guided by opinion of experts in the field of diagnosing and treating the specific physical or mental disorder suffered by an applicant and such experts may be compensated for their services on an equitable basis. The Commissioner may also take into consideration any other factors which bear on the issue of public safety.

(4)�� Whenever a license is denied by the Commissioner, such denial may be reviewed by a reviewing board upon written request of the applicant filed with the Division within 10 days after receipt of such denial. The reviewing board shall consist of the Commissioner or his authorized representative and four persons designated by the chairman of the Commission for Health Services. The persons designated by the chairman of the Commission for Health Services shall be either members of the Commission for Health Services or physicians duly licensed to practice medicine in this State. The members so designated by the chairman of the Commission for Health Services shall receive the same per diem and expenses as provided by law for members of the Commission for Health Services, which per diem and expenses shall be charged to the same appropriation as per diems and expenses for members of the Commission for Health Services. The Commissioner or his authorized representative, plus any two of the members designated by the chairman of the Commission for Health Services, constitute a quorum. The procedure for hearings authorized by this section shall be as follows:

a.�� Applicants shall be afforded an opportunity for hearing, after reasonable notice of not less than 10 days, before the review board established by subdivision (4). The notice shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the applicant in person or sent by certified mail, with return receipt requested. The notice shall state the time, place, and subject of the hearing.

b.�� The review board may compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of such books, records and papers as it desires at a hearing authorized by the section. Upon request of an applicant, a subpoena to compel the attendance of any witness or a subpoena duces tecum to compel the production of any books, records, or papers shall be issued by the board. Subpoenas shall be directed to the sheriff of the county where the witness resides or is found and shall be served and returned in the same manner as a subpoena in a criminal case. Fees of the sheriff and witnesses shall be the same as that allowed in the district court in cases before that court and shall be paid in the same manner as other expenses of the Division of Motor Vehicles are paid. In any case of disobedience or neglect of any subpoena served on any person, or the refusal of any witness to testify to any matters regarding which he may be lawfully interrogated, the district court or superior court where such disobedience, neglect or refusal occurs, or any judge thereof, on application by the board, shall compel obedience or punish as for contempt.

c.�� A hearing may be continued upon motion of the applicant for good cause shown with approval of the board or upon order of the board.

d.�� The board shall pass upon the admissibility of evidence at a hearing but the applicant affected may at the time object to the board's ruling, and, if evidence offered by an applicant is rejected the party may proffer the evidence, and such proffer shall be made a part of the record. The board shall not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence which prevail in courts of law or equity and may admit and give probative value to evidence which possesses probative value commonly accepted by reasonably prudent men in the conduct of their affairs. They may exclude incompetent, immaterial, irrelevant and unduly repetitious evidence. Uncontested facts may be stipulated by agreement between an applicant and the board and evidence relating thereto may be excluded. All evidence, including records and documents in the possession of the Division of Motor Vehicles or the board, of which the board desires to avail itself shall be made a part of the record. Documentary evidence may be received in the form of copies or excerpts, or by incorporation by reference. The board shall prepare an official record, which shall include testimony and exhibits. A record of the testimony and other evidence submitted shall be taken, but it shall not be necessary to transcribe shorthand notes or electronic recordings unless requested for purposes of court review.

e.�� Every decision and order adverse to an applicant shall be in writing or stated in the record and shall be accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions of law. The findings of fact shall consist of a concise statement of the board's conclusions on each contested issue of fact. Counsel for applicant, or applicant, if he has no counsel, shall be notified of the board's decision in person or by registered mail with return receipt requested. A copy of the board's decision with accompanying findings and conclusions shall be delivered or mailed upon request to applicant's attorney of record or to applicant, if he has no attorney.

f.�� Actions of the reviewing board are subject to judicial review as provided under Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.

g.�� Repealed by Session Laws 1977, c. 840.

h.�� All records and evidence collected and compiled by the Division and the reviewing board shall not be considered public records within the meaning of Chapter [section] 132‑1, and following, of the General Statutes of North Carolina and may be made available to the public only upon an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. All information furnished by or on behalf of an applicant under this section shall be without prejudice and shall be for the use of the Division, the reviewing board or the court in administering this section and shall not be used in any manner as evidence, or for any other purposes in any trial, civil or criminal.

(h)�� The Division shall not issue a drivers license to an applicant who currently holds a license to drive issued by another state unless the applicant surrenders the license. (1935, c. 52, s. 4; 1951, c. 542, s. 3; 1953, c. 773; 1955, c. 118, s. 7; 1967, cc. 961, 966; 1971, c. 152; c. 528, s. 11; 1973, cc. 135, 441; c. 476, s. 128; c. 1331, s. 3; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, ss. 14, 41; 1983, c. 545; 1987, c. 827, s. 1; 1989, c. 771, s. 7; 1991, c. 726, s. 6; 1993, c. 368, s. 2; c. 533, s. 4; 1999‑243, s. 4; 1999‑452, s. 8; 2003‑14, s. 1.)

§ 20‑9.1.� Physicians and psychologists providing medical information on drivers with physical and mental disabilities.

(a)�� Notwithstanding G.S. 8‑53 for physicians and G.S. 8‑53.3 for psychologists, or any other law relating to confidentiality of communications between physicians or psychologists and their patients, a physician or a psychologist duly licensed in the State of North Carolina may disclose after consultation with the patient to the Commissioner information about a patient who has a mental or physical disability that the physician or psychologist believes may affect the patient's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. This information shall be limited to the patient's name, address, date of birth, and diagnosis.

(b)�� The information provided to the Commissioner pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be confidential and shall be used only for the purpose of determining the qualifications of the patient to operate a motor vehicle.

(c)�� A physician or psychologist disclosing or not disclosing information pursuant to this section is immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed based on the disclosure or lack of disclosure provided that the physician or psychologist was acting in good faith and without malice. In any proceeding involving liability, good faith and lack of malice are presumed. (1997‑464, s. 1.)

§ 20‑9.2.� Selective service system registration requirements.

(a)�� Any male United States citizen or immigrant who is at least 18 years of age but less than 26 years of age shall be registered in compliance with the requirements of the Military Selective Service Act, 50 U.S.C. § 453 (1948), when applying for the issuance, renewal, or duplication of a drivers license, commercial drivers license, or identification card.

(b)�� The Division shall forward in an electronic format the necessary personal information of the applicants identified in subsection (a) of this section required for registration to the Selective Service System. An application for the issuance, renewal, or duplication of a drivers license, commercial drivers license, or identification card constitutes an affirmation that the applicant has already registered with the Selective Service System or that he authorizes the Division to forward the necessary information to the Selective Service System for registration. The Division shall notify the applicant that his application for the issuance, renewal, or duplication of a drivers license, commercial drivers license, or identification card serves as his consent to be registered with the Selective Service System pursuant to this section. (2002‑162, s. 1.)

§ 20‑10.� Age limits for drivers of public passenger‑carrying vehicles.

It shall be unlawful for any person, whether licensed under this Article or not, who is under the age of 18 years to drive a motor vehicle while in use as a public passenger‑carrying vehicle. For purposes of this section, an ambulance when operated for the purpose of transporting persons who are sick, injured, or otherwise incapacitated shall not be treated as a public passenger‑carrying vehicle.

No person 14 years of age or under, whether licensed under this Article or not, shall operate any road machine, farm tractor or motor� driven implement of husbandry on any highway within this State. Provided any person may operate a road machine, farm tractor, or motor driven implement of husbandry upon a highway adjacent to or running in front of the land upon which such person lives when said person is actually engaged in farming operations. (1935, c. 52, s. 5; 1951, c. 764; 1967, c. 343, s. 4; 1971, c. 1231, s. 1.)

§ 20‑10.1.� Mopeds.

It shall be unlawful for any person who is under the age of 16 years to operate a moped as defined in G.S. 105‑164.3 upon any highway or public vehicular area of this State. (1979, c. 574, s. 8; 2002‑72, s. 6.)

§ 20‑11.� Issuance of limited learner's permit and provisional drivers license to person who is less than 18 years old.

(a)�� Process. � Safe driving requires instruction in driving and experience. To ensure that a person who is less than 18 years old has both instruction and experience before obtaining a drivers license, driving privileges are granted first on a limited basis and are then expanded in accordance with the following process:

(1)�� Level 1. � Driving with a limited learner's permit.

(2)�� Level 2. � Driving with a limited provisional license.

(3)�� Level 3. � Driving with a full provisional license.

A permit or license issued under this section must have a color background or border that indicates the level of driving privileges granted by the permit or license.

(b)�� Level 1. � A person who is at least 15 years old but less than 18 years old may obtain a limited learner's permit if the person meets all of the following requirements:

(1)�� Passes a course of driver education prescribed in G.S. 20‑88.1 or a course of driver instruction at a licensed commercial driver training school.

(2)�� Passes a written test administered by the Division.

(3)�� Has a driving eligibility certificate or a high school diploma or its equivalent.

(c)�� Level 1 Restrictions. � A limited learner's permit authorizes the permit holder to drive a specified type or class of motor vehicle only under the following conditions:

(1)�� The permit holder must be in possession of the permit.

(2)�� A supervising driver must be seated beside the permit holder in the front seat of the vehicle when it is in motion. No person other than the supervising driver can be in the front seat.

(3)�� For the first six months after issuance, the permit holder may drive only between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

(4)�� After the first six months after issuance, the permit holder may drive at any time.

(5)�� Every person occupying the vehicle being driven by the permit holder must have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body, or be restrained by a child passenger restraint system as provided in G.S. 20‑137.1(a), when the vehicle is in motion.

(d)�� Level 2. � A person who is at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old may obtain a limited provisional license if the person meets all of the following requirements:

(1)�� Has held a limited learner's permit issued by the Division for at least 12 months.

(2)�� Has not been convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation or seat belt infraction during the preceding six months.

(3)�� Passes a road test administered by the Division.

(4)�� Has a driving eligibility certificate or a high school diploma or its equivalent.

(e)�� Level 2 Restrictions. � A limited provisional license authorizes the license holder to drive a specified type or class of motor vehicle only under the following conditions:

(1)�� The license holder shall be in possession of the license.

(2)�� The license holder may drive without supervision in any of the following circumstances:

a.�� From 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

b.�� When driving to or from work.

c.�� When driving to or from an activity of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad, or volunteer emergency medical service, if the driver is a member of the organization.

(3)�� The license holder may drive with supervision at any time. When the license holder is driving with supervision, the supervising driver shall be seated beside the license holder in the front seat of the vehicle when it is in motion. The supervising driver need not be the only other occupant of the front seat, but shall be the person seated next to the license holder.

(4)�� When the license holder is driving the vehicle and is not accompanied by the supervising driver, there may be no more than one passenger under 21 years of age in the vehicle. This limit does not apply to passengers who are members of the license holder's immediate family or whose primary residence is the same household as the license holder. However, if a family member or member of the same household as the license holder who is younger than 21 years of age is a passenger in the vehicle, no other passengers under 21 years of age, who are not members of the license holder's immediate family or members of the license holder's household, may be in the vehicle.

(5)�� Every person occupying the vehicle being driven by the license holder shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his or her body, or be restrained by a child passenger restraint system as provided in G.S. 20‑137.1(a), when the vehicle is in motion.

(f)�� Level 3. � A person who is at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old may obtain a full provisional license if the person meets all of the following requirements:

(1)�� Has held a limited provisional license issued by the Division for at least six months.

(2)�� Has not been convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation or seat belt infraction during the preceding six months.

(3)�� Has a driving eligibility certificate or a high school diploma or its equivalent.

A person who meets these requirements may obtain a full provisional license by mail.

(g)�� Level 3 Restrictions. � The restrictions on Level 1 and Level 2 drivers concerning time of driving, supervision, and passenger limitations do not apply to a full provisional license.

(h)�� Exception for Persons 16 to 18 Who Have an Unrestricted Out‑of‑State License. � A person who is at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old, who was a resident of another state and has an unrestricted drivers license issued by that state, and who becomes a resident of this State may obtain one of the following upon the submission of a driving eligibility certificate or a high school diploma or its equivalent:

(1)�� A temporary permit, if the person has not completed a drivers education program that meets the requirements of the Superintendent of Public Instruction but is currently enrolled in a drivers education program that meets these requirements. A temporary permit is valid for the period specified in the permit and authorizes the holder of the permit to drive a specified type or class of motor vehicle when in possession of the permit, subject to any restrictions imposed by the Division concerning time of driving, supervision, and passenger limitations. The period must end within 10 days after the expected completion date of the drivers education program in which the applicant is enrolled.

(2)�� A full provisional license, if the person has completed a drivers education program that meets the requirements of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, has held the license issued by the other state for at least 12 months, and has not been convicted during the preceding six months of a motor vehicle moving violation, a seat belt infraction, or an offense committed in another jurisdiction that would be a motor vehicle moving violation or seat belt infraction if committed in this State.

(2a)�� A full provisional license, if the person has completed a drivers education program that meets the requirements of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, has held both a learner's permit and a restricted license from another state for at least six months each, the Commissioner finds that the requirements for the learner's permit and restricted license are comparable to the requirements for a learner's permit and restricted license in this State, and the person has not been convicted during the preceding six months of a motor vehicle moving violation, a seat belt infraction, or an offense committed in another jurisdiction that would be a moving violation or a seat belt infraction if committed in this State.

(3)�� A limited provisional license, if the person has completed a drivers education program that meets the requirements of the Superintendent of Public Instruction but either did not hold the license issued by the other state for at least 12 months or was convicted during the preceding six months of a motor vehicle moving violation, a seat belt infraction, or an offense committed in another jurisdiction that would be a motor vehicle moving violation or seat belt infraction if committed in this State.

(h1)�� Exception for Persons 16 to 18 Who Have an Out‑of‑State Restricted License. � A person who is at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old, who was a resident of another state and has a restricted drivers license issued by that state, and who becomes a resident of this State may obtain one of the following:

(1)�� A limited provisional license, if the person has completed a drivers education program that meets the requirements of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, held the restricted license issued by the other state for at least 12 months, and whose parent or guardian certifies that the person has not been convicted during the preceding six months of a motor vehicle moving violation, a seat belt infraction, or an offense committed in another jurisdiction that would be a motor vehicle moving violation or seat belt infraction if committed in this State.

(2)�� A limited learners permit, if the person has completed a drivers education program that meets the requirements of the Superintendent of Public Instruction but either did not hold the restricted license issued by the other state for at least 12 months or was convicted during the preceding six months of a motor vehicle moving violation, a seat belt infraction, or an offense committed in another jurisdiction that would be a motor vehicle moving violation or seat belt infraction if committed in this State. A person who qualifies for a limited learners permit under this subdivision and whose parent or guardian certifies that the person has not been convicted of a moving violation in the preceding six months shall be deemed to have held a limited learners permit in this State for each month the person held a restricted license in another state.

(h2)�� Exception for Persons Age 15 Who Have an Out‑of‑State Unrestricted or Restricted License. � A person who is age 15, who was a resident of another state, has an unrestricted or restricted drivers license issued by that state, and who becomes a resident of this State may obtain a limited learners permit if the person has completed a drivers education program that meets the requirements of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. A person who qualifies for a limited learners permit under this subsection and whose parent or guardian certifies that the person has not been convicted of a moving violation in the preceding six months shall be deemed to have held a limited learners permit in this State for each month the person held an unrestricted or restricted license in another state.

(h3)�� Exception for Persons Less Than Age 18 Who Have a Federally Issued Unrestricted or Restricted License. � A person who is less than age 18, who has an unrestricted or restricted drivers license issued by the federal government, and who becomes a resident of this State may obtain a limited provisional license or a provisional license if the person has completed a drivers education program substantially equivalent to the drivers education program that meets the requirements of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. A person who qualifies for a limited provisional license or a provisional license under this subsection and whose parent or guardian certifies that the person has not been convicted of a moving violation in the preceding six months shall be deemed to have held a limited provisional license or a provisional license in this State for each month the person held an unrestricted or restricted license issued by the federal government.

(i)�� Application. � An application for a permit or license authorized by this section must be signed by both the applicant and another person. That person must be:

(1)�� The applicant's parent or guardian;

(2)�� A person approved by the applicant's parent or guardian; or

(3)�� A person approved by the Division.

(j)�� Duration and Fee. � A limited learner's permit expires on the eighteenth birthday of the permit holder. A limited provisional license expires on the eighteenth birthday of the license holder. A limited learner's permit or limited provisional license issued under this section that expires on a weekend or State holiday shall remain valid through the fifth regular State business day following the date of expiration. A full provisional license expires on the date set under G.S. 20‑7(f). The fee for a limited learner's permit or a limited provisional license is fifteen dollars ($15.00). The fee for a full provisional license is the amount set under G.S. 20‑7(i).

(k)�� Supervising Driver. � A supervising driver shall be a parent, grandparent, or guardian of the permit holder or license holder or a responsible person approved by the parent or guardian or the Division. A supervising driver shall be a licensed driver who has been licensed for at least five years. At least one supervising driver shall sign the application for a permit or license.

(l)�� Violations. � It is unlawful for the holder of a limited learner's permit, a temporary permit, or a limited provisional license to drive a motor vehicle in violation of the restrictions that apply to the permit or license. Failure to comply with a restriction concerning the time of driving or the presence of a supervising driver in the vehicle constitutes operating a motor vehicle without a license. Failure to comply with any other restriction, including seating and passenger limitations, is an infraction punishable by a monetary penalty as provided in G.S. 20‑176. Failure to comply with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section shall not constitute negligence per se or contributory negligence by the driver or passenger in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership or maintenance of a motor vehicle. Any evidence of failure to comply with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section shall not be admissible in any criminal or civil trial, action, or proceeding except in an action based on a violation of this section. No drivers license points or insurance surcharge shall be assessed for failure to comply with seating and occupancy limitations in subsection (e) of this section.

(m)�� Insurance Status. � The holder of a limited learner's permit is not considered a licensed driver for the purpose of determining the inexperienced operator premium surcharge under automobile insurance policies.

(n)�� Driving Eligibility Certificate. � A person who desires to obtain a permit or license issued under this section must have a high school diploma or its equivalent or must have a driving eligibility certificate. A driving eligibility certificate must meet the following conditions:

(1)�� The person who is required to sign the certificate under subdivision (4) of this subsection must show that he or she has determined that one of the following requirements is met:

a.�� The person is currently enrolled in school and is making progress toward obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent.

b.�� A substantial hardship would be placed on the person or the person's family if the person does not receive a certificate.

c.�� The person cannot make progress toward obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent.

(1a)�� The person who is required to sign the certificate under subdivision (4) of this subsection also must show that one of the following requirements is met:

a.�� The person who seeks a permit or license issued under this section is not subject to subsection (n1) of this section.

b.�� The person who seeks a permit or license issued under this section is subject to subsection (n1) of this section and is eligible for the certificate under that subsection.

(2)�� It must be on a form approved by the Division.

(3)�� It must be dated within 30 days of the date the person applies for a permit or license issuable under this section.

(4)�� It must be signed by the applicable person named below:

a.�� The principal, or the principal's designee, of the public school in which the person is enrolled.

b.�� The administrator, or the administrator's designee, of the nonpublic school in which the person is enrolled.

c.�� The person who provides the academic instruction in the home school in which the person is enrolled.

c1.�� The person who provides the academic instruction in the home in accordance with an educational program found by a court, prior to July 1, 1998, to comply with the compulsory attendance law.

d.�� The designee of the board of directors of the charter school in which the person is enrolled.

e.�� The president, or the president's designee, of the community college in which the person is enrolled.

Notwithstanding any other law, the decision concerning whether a driving eligibility certificate was properly issued or improperly denied shall be appealed only as provided under the rules adopted in accordance with G.S. 115C‑12(28), 115D‑5(a3), or 115C‑566, whichever is applicable, and may not be appealed under this Chapter.

(n1)�� Lose Control; Lose License.

(1)�� The following definitions apply in this subsection:

a.�� Applicable State entity. � The State Board of Education for public schools and charter schools, the State Board of Community Colleges for community colleges, or the Secretary of Administration for nonpublic schools and home schools.

b.�� Certificate. � A driving eligibility certificate that meets the conditions of subsection (n) of this section.

c.�� Disciplinary action. � An expulsion, a suspension for more than 10 consecutive days, or an assignment to an alternative educational setting for more than 10 consecutive days.

d.�� Enumerated student conduct. � One of the following behaviors that results in disciplinary action:

1.�� The possession or sale of an alcoholic beverage or an illegal controlled substance on school property.

2.�� The bringing, possession, or use on school property of a weapon or firearm that resulted in disciplinary action under G.S. 115C‑391(d1) or that could have resulted in that disciplinary action if the conduct had occurred in a public school.

3.�� The physical assault on a teacher or other school personnel on school property.

e.�� School. � A public school, charter school, community college, nonpublic school, or home school.

f.�� School administrator. � The person who is required to sign certificates under subdivision (4) of subsection (n) of this section.

g.�� School property. � The physical premises of the school, school buses or other vehicles under the school's control or contract and that are used to transport students, and school‑sponsored curricular or extracurricular activities that occur on or off the physical premises of the school.

h.�� Student. � A person who desires to obtain a permit or license issued under this section.

(2)�� Any student who was subject to disciplinary action for enumerated student conduct that occurred either after the first day of July before the school year in which the student enrolled in the eighth grade or after the student's fourteenth birthday, whichever event occurred first, is subject to this subsection.

(3)�� A student who is subject to this subsection is eligible for a certificate when the school administrator determines that the student has exhausted all administrative appeals connected to the disciplinary action and that one of the following conditions is met:

a.�� The enumerated student conduct occurred before the student reached the age of 15, and the student is now at least 16 years old.

b.�� The enumerated student conduct occurred after the student reached the age of 15, and it is at least one year after the date the student exhausted all administrative appeals connected to the disciplinary action.

c.�� The student needs the certificate in order to drive to and from school, a drug or alcohol treatment counseling program, as appropriate, or a mental health treatment program, and no other transportation is available.

(4)�� A student whose permit or license is denied or revoked due to ineligibility for a certificate under this subsection may otherwise be eligible for a certificate if, after six months from the date of the ineligibility, the school administrator determines that one of the following conditions is met:

a.�� The student has returned to school or has been placed in an alternative educational setting, and has displayed exemplary student behavior, as defined by the applicable State entity.

b.�� The disciplinary action was for the possession or sale of an alcoholic beverage or an illegal controlled substance on school property, and the student subsequently attended and successfully completed, as defined by the applicable State entity, a drug or alcohol treatment counseling program, as appropriate. (1935, c. 52, s. 6; 1953, c. 355; 1955, c. 1187, s. 8; 1963, c. 968, ss. 2, 2A; 1965, c. 410, s. 3; c. 1171; 1967, c. 694; 1969, c. 37; 1973, c. 191, ss. 1, 2; c. 664, ss. 1, 2; 1975, c. 79; c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 101; c. 667, ss. 15, 16, 41; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1257, s. 2; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1021, s. 11; 1991, c. 689, s. 326; 1993, c. 539, s. 319; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997‑16, s. 1; 1997‑443, s. 32.20;� 1997‑507, s. 1; 1998‑149, ss. 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5; 1998‑212, s. 9.21(c); 1999‑243, ss. 1, 2; 1999‑276, s. 1; 1999‑387, s. 4; 1999‑452, s. 9; 2001‑194, s. 1; 2001‑487, s. 51.5(a); 2002‑73, ss. 1, 2; 2002‑159, s. 30; 2005‑276, s. 44.1(b).)

§ 20‑11.1.� Repealed by Session Laws 1965, c. 410, s. 4.

§ 20‑12:� Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑16, s.� 6.

§ 20‑12.1.� Impaired supervision or instruction.

(a)�� It is unlawful for a person to serve as a supervising driver under G.S. 20‑7(l) or G.S. 20‑11 or as an approved instructor under G.S. 20‑7(m) in any of the following circumstances:

(1)�� While under the influence of an impairing substance.

(2)�� After having consumed sufficient alcohol to have, at any relevant time after the driving, an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.

(b)�� An offense under this section is an implied‑consent offense under G.S. 20‑16.2. (1977, c. 116, ss. 1, 2; 1981, c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, s. 66; 1983, c. 435, s. 9; 1993, c. 285, s. 2; 1997‑16, s. 7; 1997‑443, s. 32.20.)

§ 20‑13.� Suspension of license of provisional licensee.

(a)�� The Division may suspend, with or without a preliminary hearing, the operator's license of a provisional licensee upon receipt of notice of the licensee's conviction of a motor vehicle moving violation, in accordance with subsection (b), if the offense was committed while the person was still a provisional licensee. As used in this section, the phrase "motor vehicle moving violation" does not include the offenses listed in the third paragraph of G.S. 20‑16(c) for which no points are assessed, nor does it include equipment violations specified in Part 9 of Article 3 of this Chapter.� However, if the Division revokes without a preliminary hearing and the person whose license is being revoked requests a hearing before the effective date of the revocation, the licensee retains his license unless it is revoked under some other provision of the law, until the hearing is held, the person withdraws his request, or he fails to appear at a scheduled hearing.

(b)�� The Division may suspend the license of a provisional licensee as follows:

(1)�� For the first motor vehicle moving violation, the Division may not suspend the license of the provisional licensee.

(2)�� For conviction of a second motor vehicle moving violation committed within 12 months of the date the first offense was committed, the Division may suspend the licensee's license for up to 30 days.

(3)�� For conviction of a third motor vehicle moving violation committed within 12 months of the date the first offense was committed, the Division may suspend the licensee's license for up to 90 days.

(4)�� For conviction of a fourth motor vehicle moving violation committed within 12 months of the date the first offense was committed, the Division may suspend the licensee's license for up to six months.

The Division may, in lieu of suspension and with the written consent� of the licensee, place the licensee on probation for a period of not more than 12 months on such terms and conditions as the Division sees fit to impose.

If the Division suspends the provisional licensee's license for at least 90 days without a preliminary hearing, the parent, guardian or other person standing in loco parentis of the provisional licensee may request a hearing to determine if the provisional licensee's license should be restored on a probationary status. The Division may wait until one‑half the period of suspension has expired to hold the hearing. The Division may place the licensee on probation for up to 12 months on such terms and conditions as the Division sees fit to impose, if the licensee consents in writing to the terms and conditions of probation.

(c)�� In the event of conviction of two or more motor vehicle moving offenses committed on a single occasion, a licensee shall be charged,� for purposes of this section, with only one moving offense, except as� otherwise provided.

(d)�� The suspension provided for in this section is in addition to any other remedies which the Division may have against a licensee under other provisions of law; however, when the license of any person is suspended under this section and at the same time is also suspended under other provisions of law, the suspensions run concurrently.

(e)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 869, s. 14. (1963, c. 968, s. 1; 1965, c. 897; 1967, c. 295, s. 1; 1971, c. 120, ss. 1, 2; 1973, c. 439; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 555, s. 1; 1983, c. 538, ss. 1, 2; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1101, s. 3; 1987, c. 744, ss. 3, 4; c. 869, s. 14.)

§ 20‑13.1.� Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 555, s. 2.

§ 20‑13.2.� Grounds for revoking provisional license.

(a)�� The Division must revoke the license of a person convicted of violating the provisions of G.S. 20‑138.3 upon receipt of a record of the licensee's conviction.

(b)�� If a person is convicted of an offense involving impaired driving and the offense occurs while he is less than 21 years old, his license must be revoked under this section in addition to any other revocation required or authorized by law.

(c)�� If a person willfully refuses to submit to a chemical analysis pursuant to G.S. 20‑16.2 while he is less than 21 years old, his license must be revoked under this section, in addition to any other revocation required or authorized by law. A revocation order entered under authority of this subsection becomes effective at the same time as a revocation order issued under G.S. 20‑16.2 for the same willful refusal.

(c1)�� Upon receipt of notification from the proper school authority that a person no longer meets the requirements for a driving eligibility certificate under G.S. 20‑11(n), the Division must expeditiously notify the person that his or her permit or license is revoked effective on the tenth calendar day after the mailing of the revocation notice. The Division must revoke the permit or license of that person on the tenth calendar day after the mailing of the revocation notice. Notwithstanding subsection (d) of this section, the length of revocation must last for the following periods:

(1)�� If the revocation is because of ineligibility for a driving eligibility certificate under G.S. 20‑11(n)(1), then the revocation shall last until the person's eighteenth birthday.

(2)�� If the revocation is because of ineligibility for a driving eligibility certificate under G.S. 20‑11(n1), then the revocation shall be for a period of one year.

For a person whose permit or license was revoked due to ineligibility for a driving eligibility certificate under G.S. 20‑11(n)(1), the Division must restore a person's permit or license before the person's eighteenth birthday, if the person submits to the Division one of the following:

(1)�� A high school diploma or its equivalent.

(2)�� A driving eligibility certificate as required under G.S. 20‑11(n).

For a person whose permit or license was revoked due to ineligibility for a driving eligibility certificate under G.S. 20‑11(n1), the Division shall restore a person's permit or license before the end of the revocation period, if the person submits to the Division a driving eligibility certificate as required under G.S. 20‑11(n).

(c2)�� The Division must revoke the permit or license of a person under the age of 18 upon receiving a record of the person's conviction for malicious use of an explosive or incendiary device to damage property (G.S. 14‑49(b) and (b1)); conspiracy to injure or damage by use of an explosive or incendiary device (G.S. 14‑50); making a false report concerning a destructive device in a public building (G.S. 14‑69.1(c)); perpetrating a hoax concerning a destructive device in a public building (G.S. 14‑69.2(c)); possessing or carrying a dynamite cartridge, bomb, grenade, mine, or powerful explosive on educational property (G.S. 14‑269.2(b1)); or causing, encouraging, or aiding a minor to possess or carry a dynamite cartridge, bomb, grenade, mine, or powerful explosive on educational property (G.S. 14‑269.2(c1)).

(d)�� The length of revocation under this section shall be one year. Revocations under this section run concurrently with any other revocations.

(e)�� Before the Division restores a driver's license that has been suspended or revoked under any provision of this Article, other than G.S. 20‑24.1, the person seeking to have his driver's license restored shall submit to the Division proof that he has notified his insurance agent or company of his seeking the restoration and that he is financially responsible. Proof of financial responsibility shall be in one of the following forms:

The preceding provisions of this subsection do not apply to applicants who do not own currently registered motor vehicles and who do not operate nonfleet private passenger motor vehicles that are owned by other persons and that are not insured under commercial motor vehicle liability insurance policies. In such cases, the applicant shall sign a written certificate to that effect. Such certificate shall be furnished by the Division and may be incorporated into the restoration application form. Any material misrepresentation made by such person on such certificate shall be grounds for suspension of that person's license for a period of 90 days.

For the purposes of this subsection, the term "nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle" has the definition ascribed to it in Article 40 of General Statute Chapter 58.

§ 20‑14.� Duplicate licenses.

A person may obtain a duplicate of a license issued by the Division by paying a fee of ten dollars ($10.00) and giving the Division satisfactory proof that any of the following has occurred:

(1)�� The person's license has been lost or destroyed.

(2)�� It is necessary to change the name or address on the license.

(3)�� Because of age, the person is entitled to a license with a different color photographic background or a different color border.

(4)�� The Division revoked the person's license, the revocation period has expired, and the period for which the license was issued has not expired. (1935, c. 52, s. 9; 1943, c. 649, s. 2; 1969, c. 783, s. 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 41; 1981, c. 690, s. 11; 1983, c. 443, s. 3; 1991, c. 682, s. 2; c. 689, s. 327; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1007, s. 28; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 675, s. 2; 2004‑189, s. 5(b); 2005‑276, s. 44.1(c).)

§ 20‑15.� Authority of Division to cancel license or endorsement.

(a)�� The Division shall have authority to cancel any driver's license upon determining that the licensee was not entitled to the issuance thereof hereunder, or that said licensee failed to give the required or correct information in his application, or committed fraud in making such application.

(b)�� Upon such cancellation, the licensee must surrender the license so cancelled to the Division.

(c)�� Any person whose license is canceled under this section for failure to give the required or correct information, or for committing fraud, in an application for a commercial drivers license shall be prohibited from reapplying for a commercial drivers license for a period of 60 days from the date of cancellation.

(d)�� The Division shall have authority to revoke an H endorsement of a commercial drivers license holder if the person with the endorsement is determined by the federal Transportation Security Administration to constitute a security threat, as specified in 49 C.F.R. § 1572.5(d)(4). (1935, c. 52, s. 10; 1943, c. 649, s. 3; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 41; 2005‑349, s. 5.)

§ 20‑15.1.� Revocations when licensing privileges forfeited.

The Division shall revoke the license of a person whose licensing privileges have been forfeited under G.S. 15A‑1331A, 50‑13.12, and 110‑142.2. If a revocation period set by this Chapter is longer than the revocation period resulting from the forfeiture of licensing privileges, the revocation period in this Chapter applies. (1994, Ex. Sess., c. 20, s. 2; 1995, c. 538, s. 2(a).)

§ 20‑16.� Authority of Division to suspend license.

(a)�� The Division shall have authority to suspend the license of any operator with or without a preliminary hearing upon a showing by its records or other satisfactory evidence that the licensee:

(1)�� through (4) Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 36;

(5)�� Has, under the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, within a three‑year period, accumulated 12 or more points, or eight or more points in the three‑year period immediately following the reinstatement of a license which has been suspended or revoked because of a conviction for one or more traffic offenses;

(6)�� Has made or permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of such license or a learner's permit, or has displayed or represented as his own, a license or learner's permit not issued to him;

(7)�� Has committed an offense in another state, which if committed in this State would be grounds for suspension or revocation;

(8)�� Has been convicted of illegal transportation of alcoholic beverages;

(8a)�� Has been convicted of impaired instruction under G.S. 20‑12.1;

(8b)�� Has violated on a military installation a regulation of that installation prohibiting conduct substantially similar to conduct that constitutes impaired driving under G.S. 20‑138.1 and, as a result of that violation, has had his privilege to drive on that installation revoked or suspended after an administrative hearing authorized by the commanding officer of the installation and that commanding officer has general court martial jurisdiction;

(9)�� Has, within a period of 12 months, been convicted of (i) two or more charges of speeding in excess of 55 and not more than 80 miles per hour, (ii) one or more charges of reckless driving and one or more charges of speeding in excess of 55 and not more than 80 miles per hour, or (iii) one or more charges of aggressive driving and one or more charges of speeding in excess of 55 and not more than 80 miles per hour;

(10)�� Has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 75 miles per hour on a public road or highway where the maximum speed is less than 70 miles per hour;

(10a)�� Has been convicted of operating a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour on a public highway where the maximum speed is 70 miles per hour; or

(11)�� Has been sentenced by a court of record and all or a part of the sentence has been suspended and a condition of suspension of the sentence is that the operator not operate a motor vehicle for a period of time.

However, if the Division revokes without a preliminary hearing and the person whose license is being revoked requests a hearing before the effective date of the revocation, the licensee retains his license unless it is revoked under some other provision of the law, until the hearing is held, the person withdraws his request, or he fails to appear at a scheduled hearing.

(b)�� Pending an appeal from a conviction of any violation of the motor vehicle laws of this State, no driver's license shall be suspended by the Division of Motor Vehicles because of such conviction or because of evidence of the commission of the offense for which the conviction has been had.

(c)�� The Division shall maintain a record of convictions of every person licensed or required to be licensed under the provisions of this Article as an operator and shall enter therein records of all convictions of such persons for any violation of the motor vehicle laws of this State and shall assign to the record of such person, as of the date of commission of the offense, a number of points for every such conviction in accordance with the following schedule of convictions and points, except that points shall not be assessed for convictions resulting in suspensions or revocations under other provisions of laws: Further, any points heretofore charged for violation of the motor vehicle inspection laws shall not be considered by the Division of Motor Vehicles as a basis for suspension or revocation of driver's license:

Schedule of Point Values

Passing stopped school bus........................................................................................ 5

Aggressive driving....................................................................................................... 5

Reckless driving.......................................................................................................... 4

Hit and run, property damage only............................................................................. 4

Following too close.................................................................................................... 4

Driving on wrong side of road................................................................................... 4

Illegal passing.............................................................................................................. 4

Failure to yield right‑of‑way to pedestrian

pursuant to G.S. 20‑158(b)(2)b.�� .......................................................................... 4

Failure to yield right‑of‑way to bicycle,

motor scooter, or motorcycle................................................................................... 4

Running through stop sign.......................................................................................... 3

Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour.................................................................. 3

Failing to yield right‑of‑way...................................................................................... 3

Running through red light........................................................................................... 3

No driver's license or license expired more than one year..................................... 3

Failure to stop for siren.............................................................................................. 3

Driving through safety zone....................................................................................... 3

No liability insurance................................................................................................. 3

Failure to report accident where such report is required........................................ 3

Speeding in a school zone in excess of the posted school

zone speed limit.......................................................................................................... 3

Failure to properly restrain a child in a restraint or seat belt.................................. 2

All other moving violations........................................................................................ 2

Littering pursuant to G.S. 14‑399 when the littering

involves the use of a motor vehicle........................................................................... 1

Schedule of Point Values for Violations While Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle

Passing stopped school bus........................................................................................ 8

Rail‑highway crossing violation................................................................................ 6

Careless and reckless driving in violation of

G.S. 20‑140(f)............................................................................................................. 6

Speeding in violation of G.S. 20‑141(j3)................................................................. 6

Aggressive driving....................................................................................................... 6

Reckless driving.......................................................................................................... 5

Hit and run, property damage only............................................................................. 5

Following too close.................................................................................................... 5

Driving on wrong side of road................................................................................... 5

Illegal passing.............................................................................................................. 5

Failure to yield right‑of‑way to pedestrian

pursuant to G.S. 20‑158(b)(2)b................................................................................. 5

Failure to yield right‑of‑way to bicycle,

motor scooter, or motorcycle................................................................................... 5

Running through stop sign.......................................................................................... 4

Speeding in excess of 55 miles per hour.................................................................. 4

Failing to yield right‑of‑way...................................................................................... 4

Running through red light........................................................................................... 4

No driver's license or license expired more than one year..................................... 4

Failure to stop for siren.............................................................................................. 4

Driving through safety zone....................................................................................... 4

No liability insurance................................................................................................. 4

Failure to report accident where such report is required........................................ 4

Speeding in a school zone in excess of the posted school

zone speed limit.......................................................................................................... 4

Possessing alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of

a commercial motor vehicle...................................................................................... 4

All other moving violations........................................................................................ 3

Littering pursuant to G.S. 14‑399 when the littering

involves the use of a motor vehicle........................................................................... 1

The above provisions of this subsection shall only apply to violations and convictions which take place within the State of North Carolina. The Schedule of Point Values for Violations While Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle shall not apply to any commercial motor vehicle known as an "aerial lift truck" having a hydraulic arm and bucket station, and to any commercial motor vehicle known as a "line truck" having a hydraulic lift for cable, if the vehicle is owned, operated by or under contract to a public utility, electric or telephone membership corporation or municipality and used in connection with installation, restoration or maintenance of utility services.

No points shall be assessed for conviction of the following offenses:

Overloads

Over length

Over width

Over height

Illegal parking

Carrying concealed weapon

Improper plates

Improper registration

Improper muffler

Improper display of license plates or dealers' tags

Unlawful display of emblems and insignia

Failure to display current inspection certificate.

In case of the conviction of a licensee of two or more traffic offenses committed on a single occasion, such licensee shall be assessed points for one offense only and if the offenses involved have a different point value, such licensee shall be assessed for the offense having the greater point value.

Upon the restoration of the license or driving privilege of such person whose license or driving privilege has been suspended or revoked because of conviction for a traffic offense, any points that might previously have been accumulated in the driver's record shall be cancelled.

Whenever any licensee accumulates as many as seven points or accumulates as many as four points during a three‑year period immediately following reinstatement of his license after a period of suspension or revocation, the Division may request the licensee to attend a conference regarding such licensee's driving record. The Division may also afford any licensee who has accumulated as many as seven points or any licensee who has accumulated as many as four points within a three‑year period immediately following reinstatement of his license after a period of suspension or revocation an opportunity to attend a driver improvement clinic operated by the Division and, upon the successful completion of the course taken at the clinic, three points shall be deducted from the licensee's conviction record; provided, that only one deduction of points shall be made on behalf of any licensee within any five‑year period.

When a license is suspended under the point system provided for herein, the first such suspension shall be for not more than 60 days; the second such suspension shall not exceed six months and any subsequent suspension shall not exceed one year.

Whenever the driver's license of any person is subject to suspension under this subsection and at the same time also subject to suspension or revocation under other provisions of laws, such suspensions or revocations shall run concurrently.

In the discretion of the Division, a period of probation not to exceed one year may be substituted for suspension or for any unexpired period of suspension under subsections (a)(1) through (a)(10a) of this section. Any violation of probation during the probation period shall result in a suspension for the unexpired remainder of the suspension period. Any accumulation of three or more points under this subsection during a period of probation shall constitute a violation of the condition of probation.

(d)�� Upon suspending the license of any person as authorized in this section, the Division shall immediately notify the licensee in writing and upon his request shall afford him an opportunity for a hearing, not to exceed 60 days after receipt of the request, unless a preliminary hearing was held before his license was suspended. Upon such hearing the duly authorized agents of the Division may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers and may require a reexamination of the licensee. Upon such hearing the Division shall either rescind its order of suspension, or good cause appearing therefor, may extend the suspension of such license. Provided further upon such hearing, preliminary or otherwise, involving subsections (a)(1) through (a)(10a) of this section, the Division may for good cause appearing in its discretion substitute a period of probation not to exceed one year for the suspension or for any unexpired period of suspension. Probation shall mean any written agreement between the suspended driver and a duly authorized representative of the Division and such period of probation shall not exceed one year, and any violation of the probation agreement during the probation period shall result in a suspension for the unexpired remainder of the suspension period. The authorized agents of the Division shall have the same powers in connection with a preliminary hearing prior to suspension as this subsection provided in connection with hearings held after suspension. These agents shall also have the authority to take possession of a surrendered license on behalf of the Division if the suspension is upheld and the licensee requests that the suspension begin immediately.

(e)�� The Division may conduct driver improvement clinics for the benefit of those who have been convicted of one or more violations of this Chapter. Each driver attending a driver improvement clinic shall pay a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00).

(e1)�� Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, if the Division suspends the license of an operator pursuant to subdivisions (a)(9), (a)(10), or (a)(10a) of this section, upon the first suspension only, a district court judge may allow the licensee a limited driving privilege or license for a period not to exceed 12 months, provided he has not been convicted of any other motor vehicle moving violation within the previous 12 months. The limited driving privilege shall be issued in the same manner and under the terms and conditions prescribed in G.S. 20‑16.1(b)(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5).

(e2)�� If the Division revokes a person's drivers license pursuant to G.S. 20‑17(a)(16), a judge may allow the licensee a limited driving privilege for a period not to exceed the period of revocation. The limited driving privilege shall be issued in the same manner and under the terms and conditions prescribed in G.S. 20‑16.1(b)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (g). (1935, c. 52, s. 11; 1947, c. 893, ss. 1, 2; c. 1067, s. 13; 1949, c. 373, ss. 1, 2; c. 1032, s. 2; 1953, c. 450; 1955, c. 1152, s. 15; c. 1187, ss. 9‑12; 1957, c. 499, s. 1; 1959, c. 1242, ss. 1‑2; 1961, c. 460, ss. 1, 2(a); 1963, c. 1115; 1965, c. 130; 1967, c. 16; 1971, c. 234, ss. 1, 2; c. 793, ss. 1, 2; c. 1198, ss. 1, 2; 1973, c. 17, ss. 1, 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1977, c. 902, s. 1; 1979, c. 36; c. 667, ss. 18, 41; 1981, c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, ss. 33, 66; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1256; 1983, c. 435, s. 10; c. 538, ss. 3‑5; c. 798; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1101, s. 4; 1987, c. 744, ss. 1, 2; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1037, s. 75; 1989, c. 784, s. 9; 1991, c. 682, s. 3; 1999‑330, s. 7; 1999‑452, s. 10; 2000‑109, s. 7(d); 2000‑117, s. 2; 2000‑155, s. 10; 2001‑352, s. 2; 2004‑172, s. 3; 2004‑193, ss. 2, 3; 2005‑276, s. 44.1(d).)

§ 20‑16.01.� Double penalties for offenses committed while operating a commercial motor vehicle.

Any person who commits an offense for which points may be assessed pursuant to the Schedule of Point Values for Violations While Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle as provided in G.S. 20‑16(c) may be assessed double the amount of any fine or penalty authorized by statute. (1999‑330, s. 8.)

§ 20‑16.1.� Mandatory suspension of driver's license upon conviction of excessive speeding; limited driving permits for first offenders.

(a)�� Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article, the Division shall suspend for a period of 30 days the license of any driver without preliminary hearing on receiving a record of the driver's conviction of either (i) exceeding by more than 15 miles per hour the speed limit, either within or outside the corporate limits of a municipality, if the person was also driving at a speed in excess of 55 miles per hour at the time of the offense, or (ii) driving at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour at the time of the offense.

(b)�� (1)�� Upon a first conviction only of violating subsection (a), the trial judge may when feasible allow a limited driving privilege or license to the person convicted for proper purposes reasonably connected with the health, education and welfare of the person convicted and his family. For purposes of determining whether conviction is a first conviction, no prior offense occurring more than seven years before the date of the current offense shall be considered. The judge may impose upon such limited driving privilege any restrictions as in his discretion are deemed advisable including, but not limited to, conditions of days, hours, types of vehicles, routes, geographical boundaries and specific purposes for which limited driving privilege is allowed. Any such limited driving privilege allowed and restrictions imposed thereon shall be specifically recorded in a written judgment which shall be as near as practical to that hereinafter set forth and shall be signed by the trial judge and shall be affixed with the seal of the court and shall be made a part of the records of the said court. A copy of said judgment shall be transmitted to the Division of Motor Vehicles along with any driver's license in the possession of the person convicted and a notice of the conviction. Such permit issued hereunder shall be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance by trial court. Such permit shall constitute a valid license to operate motor vehicles of the class or type that would be allowed by the person's license if it were not currently revoked upon the streets and highways of this or any other state in accordance with the restrictions noted thereon and shall be subject to all provisions of law relating to driver's license, not by their nature, rendered inapplicable.

(2)�� The judgment issued by the trial judge as herein permitted shall as near as practical be in form and content as follows:

IN THE GENERAL COURT

STATE OF NORTH�� OF JUSTICE

�� CAROLINA�� RESTRICTED DRIVING

COUNTY OF_______�� PRIVILEGES

This cause coming on to be heard and being heard before the Honorable ________, Judge presiding, and it appearing to the court that the defendant, ________, has been convicted of the offense of excessive speeding in violation of G.S. 20‑16.1(a), and it further appearing to the court that the defendant should be issued a restrictive driving license and is entitled to the issuance of a restrictive driving privilege under and by the authority of G.S. 20‑16.1(b);

Now, therefore, it is ordered, adjudged and decreed that the defendant be allowed to operate a motor vehicle under the following conditions and under no other circumstances.

Name:______________________________________________

Race:___________________ Sex:________________________

Height:_________________ Weight:_____________________

Color of Hair:____________ Color of Eyes:________________

Birth Date:__________________________________________

Driver's License Number:_______________________________

Signature of Licensee:__________________________________

Conditions of Restriction:___________________________________

Type of Vehicle:__________________________________________

Geographic Restrictions:____________________________________

Hours of Restriction:_______________________________________

Other Restrictions:________________________________________

This limited license shall be effective from _______________� to _____________ subject to further orders as the court in its discretion may deem necessary and proper.

This the _____ day of _______, ____

�� _____________________________________

(Judge Presiding)

(3)�� Upon conviction of such offense outside the jurisdiction of this State the person so convicted may apply to a district court judge of the district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A‑41.1(a) in which he resides for limited driving privileges hereinbefore defined. Upon such application the judge shall have the authority to issue such limited driving privileges in the same manner as if he were the trial judge.

(4)�� Any violation of the restrictive driving privileges as set forth in the judgment of the trial judge allowing such privileges shall constitute the offense of driving while license has been suspended as set forth in G.S. 20‑28. Whenever a person is charged with operating a motor vehicle in violation of the restrictions, the limited driving privilege shall be suspended pending the final disposition of the charge.

(5)�� This section is supplemental and in addition to existing law and shall not be construed so as to repeal any existing provision contained in the General Statutes of North Carolina.

(c)�� Upon conviction of a similar second or subsequent offense which offense occurs within one year of the first or prior offense, the license of such operator shall be suspended for 60 days, provided such first or prior offense occurs subsequent to July 1, 1953.

(d)�� Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article, the Division shall suspend for a period of 60 days the license of any driver without preliminary hearing on receiving a record of such driver's conviction of having violated the laws against speeding described in subsection (a) and of having violated the laws against reckless driving on the same occasion as the speeding offense occurred.

(e)�� The provisions of this section shall not prevent the suspension or revocation of a license for a longer period of time where the same may be authorized by other provisions of law.

(f)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 869, s. 14.

(g)�� Any judge granting limited driving privileges under this section shall, prior to granting such privileges, be furnished proof and be satisfied that the person being granted such privileges is financially responsible. Proof of financial responsibility shall be in one of the following forms:

The preceding provisions of this subsection do not apply to applicants who do not own currently registered motor vehicles and who do not operate nonfleet private passenger motor vehicles that are owned by other persons and that are not insured under commercial motor vehicle liability insurance policies. In such cases, the applicant shall sign a written certificate to that effect. Such certificate shall be furnished by the Division. Any material misrepresentation made by such person on such certificate shall be grounds for suspension of that person's license for a period of 90 days.

For the purpose of this subsection "nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle" has the definition ascribed to it in Article 40 of General Statute Chapter 58.

The Commissioner may require that certificates required by this subsection be on a form approved by the Commissioner. Such granting of limited driving privileges shall be conditioned upon the maintenance of such financial responsibility during the period of the limited driving privilege. Nothing in this subsection precludes any person from showing proof of financial responsibility in any other manner authorized by Articles 9A and 13 of this Chapter. (1953, c. 1223; 1955, c. 1187, s. 15; 1959, c. 1264, s. 4; 1965, c. 133; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; c. 763; 1979, c. 667, ss. 19, 41; 1983, c. 77; 1987, c. 869, ss. 13, 14; 1989, c. 436, s. 4; 770, s. 57; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 652, s. 2; 1999‑456, s. 59; 2004‑199, s. 13(a).)

§ 20‑16.2.� Implied consent to chemical analysis; mandatory revocation of license in event of refusal; right of driver to request analysis.

(a)�� Basis for Charging Officer to Require Chemical Analysis; Notification of Rights. � Any person who drives a vehicle on a highway or public vehicular area thereby gives consent to a chemical analysis if charged with an implied‑consent offense. The charging officer shall designate the type of chemical analysis to be administered, and it may be administered when the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person charged has committed the implied‑consent offense.

Except as provided in this subsection or subsection (b), before any type of chemical analysis is administered the person charged shall be taken before a chemical analyst authorized to administer a test of a person's breath, who shall inform the person orally and also give the person a notice in writing that:

(1)�� The person has a right to refuse to be tested.

(2)�� Refusal to take any required test or tests will result in an immediate revocation of the person's driving privilege for at least 30 days and an additional 12‑month revocation by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

(3)�� The test results, or the fact of the person's refusal, will be admissible in evidence at trial on the offense charged.

(4)�� The person's driving privilege will be revoked immediately for at least 30 days if:

a.�� The test reveals an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more;

b.�� The person was driving a commercial motor vehicle and the test reveals an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more; or

c.�� The person is under 21 years of age and the test reveals any alcohol concentration.

(5)�� The person may choose a qualified person to administer a chemical test or tests in addition to any test administered at the direction of the charging officer.

(6)�� The person has the right to call an attorney and select a witness to view for him or her the testing procedures, but the testing may not be delayed for these purposes longer than 30 minutes from the time when the person is notified of his or her rights.

If the charging officer or an arresting officer is authorized to administer a chemical analysis of a person's breath, the charging officer or the arresting officer may give the person charged the oral and written notice of rights required by this subsection. This authority applies regardless of the type of chemical analysis designated.

(a1)�� Meaning of Terms. � Under this section, an "implied‑consent offense" is an offense involving impaired driving or an alcohol‑related offense made subject to the procedures of this section. A person is "charged" with an offense if the person is arrested for it or if criminal process for the offense has been issued. A "charging officer" is a law‑enforcement officer who arrests the person charged, lodges the charge, or assists the officer who arrested the person or lodged the charge by assuming custody of the person to make the request required by subsection (c) and, if necessary, to present the person to a judicial official for an initial appearance.

(b)�� Unconscious Person May Be Tested. � If a charging officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed an implied‑consent offense, and the person is unconscious or otherwise in a condition that makes the person incapable of refusal, the charging officer may direct the taking of a blood sample by a person qualified under G.S. 20‑139.1 or may direct the administration of any other chemical analysis that may be effectively performed. In this instance the notification of rights set out in subsection (a) and the request required by subsection (c) are not necessary.

(c)�� Request to Submit to Chemical Analysis. � The charging officer, in the presence of the chemical analyst who has notified the person of his or her rights under subsection (a), must request the person charged to submit to the type of chemical analysis designated. If the person charged willfully refuses to submit to that chemical analysis, none may be given under the provisions of this section, but the refusal does not preclude testing under other applicable procedures of law.

(c1)�� Procedure for Reporting Results and Refusal to Division. � Whenever a person refuses to submit to a chemical analysis or a person's drivers license has an alcohol concentration restriction and the results of the chemical analysis establish a violation of the restriction, the charging officer and the chemical analyst must without unnecessary delay go before an official authorized to administer oaths and execute an affidavit(s) stating that:

(1)�� The person was charged with an implied‑consent offense or had an alcohol concentration restriction on the drivers license;

(2)�� The charging officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the person had committed an implied‑consent offense or violated the alcohol concentration restriction on the drivers license;

(3)�� Whether the implied‑consent offense charged involved death or critical injury to another person, if the person willfully refused to submit to chemical analysis;

(4)�� The person was notified of the rights in subsection (a); and

(5)�� The results of any tests given or that the person willfully refused to submit to a chemical analysis upon the request of the charging officer.

If the person's drivers license has an alcohol concentration restriction, pursuant to G.S. 20‑19(c3), and an officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person has violated a provision of that restriction other than violation of the alcohol concentration level, the charging officer and chemical analyst shall complete the applicable sections of the affidavit and indicate the restriction which was violated. The charging officer must immediately mail the affidavit(s) to the Division. If the charging officer is also the chemical analyst who has notified the person of the rights under subsection (a), the charging officer may perform alone the duties of this subsection.

(d)�� Consequences of Refusal; Right to Hearing before Division; Issues. � Upon receipt of a properly executed affidavit required by subsection (c1), the Division must expeditiously notify the person charged that the person's license to drive is revoked for 12 months, effective on the tenth calendar day after the mailing of the revocation order unless, before the effective date of the order, the person requests in writing a hearing before the Division. Except for the time referred to in G.S. 20‑16.5, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Division that his or her license was surrendered to the court, and remained in the court's possession, then the Division shall credit the amount of time for which the license was in the possession of the court against the 12‑month revocation period required by this subsection. If the person properly requests a hearing, the person retains his or her license, unless it is revoked under some other provision of law, until the hearing is held, the person withdraws the request, or the person fails to appear at a scheduled hearing. The hearing officer may subpoena any witnesses or documents that the hearing officer deems necessary. The person may request the hearing officer to subpoena the charging officer, the chemical analyst, or both to appear at the hearing if the person makes the request in writing at least three days before the hearing. The person may subpoena any other witness whom the person deems necessary, and the provisions of G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 45, apply to the issuance and service of all subpoenas issued under the authority of this section. The hearing officer is authorized to administer oaths to witnesses appearing at the hearing. The hearing must be conducted in the county where the charge was brought, and must be limited to consideration of whether:

(1)�� The person was charged with an implied‑consent offense or the driver had an alcohol concentration restriction on the drivers license pursuant to G.S. 20‑19;

(2)�� The charging officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the person had committed an implied‑consent offense or violated the alcohol concentration restriction on the drivers license;

(3)�� The implied‑consent offense charged involved death or critical injury to another person, if this allegation is in the affidavit;

(4)�� The person was notified of the person's rights as required by subsection (a); and

(5)�� The person willfully refused to submit to a chemical analysis upon the request of the charging officer.

If the Division finds that the conditions specified in this subsection are met, it must order the revocation sustained. If the Division finds that any of the conditions (1), (2), (4), or (5) is not met, it must rescind the revocation. If it finds that condition (3) is alleged in the affidavit but is not met, it must order the revocation sustained if that is the only condition that is not met; in this instance subsection (d1) does not apply to that revocation. If the revocation is sustained, the person must surrender his or her license immediately upon notification by the Division.

(d1)�� Consequences of Refusal in Case Involving Death or Critical Injury. � If the refusal occurred in a case involving death or critical injury to another person, no limited driving privilege may be issued. The 12‑month revocation begins only after all other periods of revocation have terminated unless the person's license is revoked under G.S. 20‑28, 20‑28.1, 20‑19(d), or 20‑19(e). If the revocation is based on those sections, the revocation under this subsection begins at the time and in the manner specified in subsection (d) for revocations under this section. However, the person's eligibility for a hearing to determine if the revocation under those sections should be rescinded is postponed for one year from the date on which the person would otherwise have been eligible for such a hearing. If the person's driver's license is again revoked while the 12‑month revocation under this subsection is in effect, that revocation, whether imposed by a court or by the Division, may only take effect after the period of revocation under this subsection has terminated.

(e)�� Right to Hearing in Superior Court. � If the revocation for a willful refusal is sustained after the hearing, the person whose license has been revoked has the right to file a petition in the superior court for a hearing de novo upon the issues listed in subsection (d), in the same manner and under the same conditions as provided in G.S. 20‑25 except that the de novo hearing is conducted in the superior court district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A‑41.1 where the charge was made.

(e1)�� Limited Driving Privilege after Six Months in Certain Instances. � A person whose driver's license has been revoked under this section may apply for and a judge authorized to do so by this subsection may issue a limited driving privilege if:

(1)�� At the time of the refusal the person held either a valid drivers license or a license that had been expired for less than one year;

(2)�� At the time of the refusal, the person had not within the preceding seven years been convicted of an offense involving impaired driving;

(3)�� At the time of the refusal, the person had not in the preceding seven years willfully refused to submit to a chemical analysis under this section;

(4)�� The implied‑consent offense charged did not involve death or critical injury to another person;

(5)�� The underlying charge for which the defendant was requested to submit to a chemical analysis has been finally disposed of:

a.�� Other than by conviction; or

b.�� By a conviction of impaired driving under G.S. 20‑138.1, at a punishment level authorizing issuance of a limited driving privilege under G.S. 20‑179.3(b), and the defendant has complied with at least one of the mandatory conditions of probation listed for the punishment level under which the defendant was sentenced;

(6)�� Subsequent to the refusal the person has had no unresolved pending charges for or additional convictions of an offense involving impaired driving;

(7)�� The person's license has been revoked for at least six months for the refusal; and

(8)�� The person has obtained a substance abuse assessment from a mental health facility and successfully completed any recommended training or treatment program.

Except as modified in this subsection, the provisions of G.S. 20‑179.3 relating to the procedure for application and conduct of the hearing and the restrictions required or authorized to be included in the limited driving privilege apply to applications under this subsection. If the case was finally disposed of in the district court, the hearing shall be conducted in the district court district as defined in G.S. 7A‑133 in which the refusal occurred by a district court judge. If the case was finally disposed of in the superior court, the hearing shall be conducted in the superior court district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A‑41.1 in which the refusal occurred by a superior court judge. A limited driving privilege issued under this section authorizes a person to drive if the person's license is revoked solely under this section or solely under this section and G.S. 20‑17(2). If the person's license is revoked for any other reason, the limited driving privilege is invalid.

(f)�� Notice to Other States as to Nonresidents. � When it has been finally determined under the procedures of this section that a nonresident's privilege to drive a motor vehicle in this State has been revoked, the Division must give information in writing of the action taken to the motor vehicle administrator of the state of the person's residence and of any state in which the person has a license.

(g)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 914.

(h)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 423, s. 2.

(i)�� Right to Chemical Analysis before Arrest or Charge. � A person stopped or questioned by a law‑enforcement officer who is investigating whether the person may have committed an implied‑consent offense may request the administration of a chemical analysis before any arrest or other charge is made for the offense. Upon this request, the officer shall afford the person the opportunity to have a chemical analysis of his or her breath, if available, in accordance with the procedures required by G.S. 20‑139.1(b). The request constitutes the person's consent to be transported by the law‑enforcement officer to the place where the chemical analysis is to be administered. Before the chemical analysis is made, the person shall confirm the request in writing and shall be notified:

(1)�� That the test results will be admissible in evidence and may be used against the person in any implied‑consent offense that may arise;

(2)�� That the person's license will be revoked for at least 30 days if:

a.�� The test reveals an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more; or

b.�� The person was driving a commercial motor vehicle and the test results reveal an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more; or

c.�� The person is under 21 years of age and the test reveals any alcohol concentration.

(3)�� That if the person fails to comply fully with the test procedures, the officer may charge the person with any offense for which the officer has probable cause, and if the person is charged with an implied‑consent offense, the person's refusal to submit to the testing required as a result of that charge would result in revocation of the person's driver's license. The results of the chemical analysis are admissible in evidence in any proceeding in which they are relevant. (1963, c. 966, s. 1; 1965, c. 1165; 1969, c. 1074, s. 1; 1971, c. 619, ss. 3‑6; 1973, c. 206, ss. 1, 2; cc. 824, 914; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1977, c. 812; 1979, c. 423, s. 2; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1160; 1981, c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, s. 66; 1983, c. 87; c. 435, s. 11; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1101, ss. 5‑8; 1987, c. 797, s. 3; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1037, ss. 76, 77; c. 1112; 1989, c. 771, ss. 13, 14, 18; 1991, c. 689, s. 233.1(c); 1993, c. 285, ss. 3, 4; 1995, c. 163, s. 1; 1997‑379, ss. 3.1‑3.3; 1998‑182, s. 28; 1999‑406, ss. 1, 10; 2000‑155, s. 5.)

§ 20‑16.3.� Alcohol screening tests required of certain drivers; approval of test devices and manner of use by Commission for Health Services; use of test results or refusal.

(a)�� When Alcohol Screening Test May Be Required; Not an Arrest. � A law‑enforcement officer may require the driver of a vehicle to submit to an alcohol screening test within a relevant time� after the driving if the officer has:

(1)�� Reasonable grounds to believe that the driver has consumed alcohol and has:

a.�� Committed a moving traffic violation; or

b.�� Been involved in an accident or collision; or

(2)�� An articulable and reasonable suspicion that the driver has committed an implied‑consent offense under G.S. 20‑16.2,� and the driver has been lawfully stopped for a driver's license check or otherwise lawfully stopped or lawfully encountered by the officer in the course of the performance of the officer's duties.

Requiring a driver to submit to an alcohol screening test in accordance with this section does not in itself constitute an arrest.

(b)�� Approval of Screening Devices and Manner of Use. � The Commission for Health Services is directed to examine and approve devices suitable for use by law‑enforcement officers in making on‑the‑ scene tests of drivers for alcohol concentration. For each alcohol screening device or class of devices approved, the Commission must adopt regulations governing the manner of use of the device. For any alcohol screening device that tests the breath of a driver, the Commission is directed to specify in its regulations the shortest feasible minimum waiting period that does not produce an unacceptably high number of false positive test results.

(c)�� Tests Must Be Made with Approved Devices and in Approved Manner. � No screening test for alcohol concentration is a valid one� under this section unless the device used is one approved by the Commission for Health Services and the screening test is conducted in accordance with the applicable regulations of the Commission as to the manner of its use.

(d)�� Use of Screening Test Results or Refusal by Officer. � The results of an alcohol screening test or a driver's refusal to submit may be used by a law‑enforcement officer, a court, or an administrative agency in determining if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the driver has committed an implied‑consent offense under G.S. 20‑16.2. Negative or low results on the alcohol screening test may be used in factually appropriate cases by the officer, a court, or an administrative agency in determining whether a person's alleged impairment is caused by an impairing substance other than alcohol. Except as provided in this subsection, the results of an alcohol screening test may not be admitted in evidence in any court or administrative proceeding. (1973, c. 312, s. 1; c. 476, s. 128; 1981,� c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, s. 66; 1983, c. 435, s. 12.)

§ 20‑16.3A.� Impaired driving checks.

A law‑enforcement agency may make impaired driving checks of drivers of vehicles on highways and public vehicular areas if the agency:

(1)�� Develops a systematic plan in advance that takes into account the likelihood of detecting impaired drivers, traffic conditions, number of vehicles to be stopped, and the convenience of the motoring public.

(2)�� Designates in advance the pattern both for stopping vehicles and for requesting drivers that are stopped to submit to alcohol screening tests. The plan may include contingency provisions for altering either pattern if actual traffic conditions are different from those anticipated, but no individual officer may be given discretion as to which vehicle is stopped or, of the vehicles stopped, which driver is requested to submit to an alcohol screening test.

(3)�� Marks the area in which checks are conducted to advise the public that an authorized impaired driving check is being made.

This section does not prevent an officer from using the authority of� G.S. 20‑16.3 to request a screening test if, in the course of dealing� with a driver under the authority of this section, he develops grounds for requesting such a test under G.S. 20‑16.3. Alcohol screening tests and the results from them are subject to the provisions of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of G.S. 20‑16.3. This section does not limit the authority of a law‑enforcement officer or agency to conduct a license check independently or in conjunction with the impaired driving check, to administer psychophysical tests to screen for impairment, or to utilize roadblocks or other types of vehicle checks or checkpoints that are consistent with the laws of this State and the Constitution of North Carolina and of the United States. (1983, c. 435, s. 22.)

§ 20‑16.4: Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c.� 691, s. 4.

§ 20‑16.5.� Immediate civil license revocation for certain persons charged with implied‑consent offenses.

(a)�� Definitions. � As used in this section the following words and phrases have the following meanings:

(1)�� Charging Officer. � As described in G.S. 20‑16.2(a1).

(2)�� Clerk. � As defined in G.S. 15A‑101(2).

(3)�� Judicial Official. � As defined in G.S. 15A‑101(5).

(4)�� Revocation Report. � A sworn statement by a charging officer and a chemical analyst containing facts indicating that the conditions of subsection (b) have been met, and whether the person has a pending offense for which the person's license had been or is revoked under this section. When one chemical analyst analyzes a person's blood and another chemical analyst informs a person of his rights and responsibilities under G.S. 20‑16.2, the report must include the statements of both analysts.

(5)�� Surrender of a Driver's License. � The act of turning over to a court or a law‑enforcement officer the person's most recent, valid driver's license or learner's permit issued by the Division or by a similar agency in another jurisdiction, or a limited driving privilege issued by a North Carolina court. A person who is validly licensed but who is unable to locate his license card may file an affidavit with the clerk setting out facts that indicate that he is unable to locate his license card and that he is validly licensed; the filing of the affidavit constitutes a surrender of the person's license.

(b)�� Revocations for Persons Who Refuse Chemical Analyses or Who Are Charged With Certain Implied‑Consent Offenses. � A person's driver's license is subject to revocation under this section if:

(1)�� A charging officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed an offense subject to the implied‑consent provisions of G.S. 20‑16.2;

(2)�� The person is charged with that offense as provided in G.S. 20‑16.2(a);

(3)�� The charging officer and the chemical analyst comply with the procedures of G.S. 20‑16.2 and G.S. 20‑139.1 in requiring the person's submission to or procuring a chemical analysis; and

(4)�� The person:

a.�� Willfully refuses to submit to the chemical analysis;

b.�� Has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within a relevant time after the driving;

c.�� Has an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more at any relevant time after the driving of a commercial motor vehicle; or

d.�� Has any alcohol concentration at any relevant time after the driving and the person is under 21 years of age.

(b1)�� Precharge Test Results as Basis for Revocation. � Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b), a person's driver's license is subject to revocation under this section if:

(1)�� The person requests a precharge chemical analysis pursuant to G.S. 20‑16.2(i); and

(2)�� The person has:

a.�� An alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more at any relevant time after driving;

b.�� An alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more at any relevant time after driving a commercial motor vehicle; or

c.�� Any alcohol concentration at any relevant time after driving and the person is under 21 years of age; and

(3)�� The person is charged with an implied‑consent offense.

(c)�� Duty of Charging Officers and Chemical Analysts to Report to Judicial Officials. � If a person's driver's license is subject to revocation under this section, the charging officer and the chemical analyst must execute a revocation report. If the person has refused to submit to a chemical analysis, a copy of the affidavit to be submitted to the Division under G.S. 20‑16.2(c) may be substituted for the revocation report if it contains the information required by this section. It is the specific duty of the charging officer to make sure that the report is expeditiously filed with a judicial official as required by this section.

(d)�� Which Judicial Official Must Receive Report. � The judicial official with whom the revocation report must be filed is:

(1)�� The judicial official conducting the initial appearance on the underlying criminal charge if:

a.�� No revocation report has previously been filed; and

b.�� At the time of the initial appearance the results of the chemical analysis, if administered, or the reports indicating a refusal, are available.

(2)�� A judicial official conducting any other proceeding relating to the underlying criminal charge at which the person is present, if no report has previously been filed.

(3)�� The clerk of superior court in the county in which the underlying criminal charge has been brought if subdivisions (1) and (2) are not applicable at the time the charging officer must file the report.

(e)�� Procedure if Report Filed with Judicial Official When Person Is Present. � If a properly executed revocation report concerning a person is filed with a judicial official when the person is present before that official, the judicial official shall, after completing any other proceedings involving the person, determine whether there is probable cause to believe that each of the conditions of subsection (b) has been met. If he determines that there is such probable cause, he shall enter an order revoking the person's driver's license for the period required in this subsection. The judicial official shall order the person to surrender his license and if necessary may order a law‑enforcement officer to seize the license. The judicial official shall give the person a copy of the revocation order. In addition to setting it out in the order the judicial official shall personally inform the person of his right to a hearing as specified in subsection (g), and that his license remains revoked pending the hearing. The revocation under this subsection begins at the time the revocation order is issued and continues until the person's license has been surrendered for the period specified in this subsection, and the person has paid the applicable costs. The period of revocation is 30 days, if there are no pending offenses for which the person's license had been or is revoked under this section. If at the time of the current offense, the person has one or more pending offenses for which his license had been or is revoked under this section, the revocation shall remain in effect until a final judgment, including all appeals, has been entered for the current offense and for all pending offenses. In no event, may the period of revocation under this subsection be less than 30 days. If within five working days of the effective date of the order, the person does not surrender his license or demonstrate that he is not currently licensed, the clerk shall immediately issue a pick‑up order. The pick‑up order shall be issued to a member of a local law‑enforcement agency if the charging officer was employed by the agency at the time of the charge and the person resides in or is present in the agency's territorial jurisdiction. In all other cases, the pick‑up order shall be issued to an officer or inspector of the Division. A pick‑up order issued pursuant to this section is to be served in accordance with G.S. 20‑29 as if the order had been issued by the Division.

(f)�� Procedure if Report Filed with Clerk of Court When Person Not Present. � When a clerk receives a properly executed report under subdivision (d)(3) and the person named in the revocation report is not present before the clerk, the clerk shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that each of the conditions of subsection (b) has been met. For purposes of this subsection, a properly executed report under subdivision (d)(3) may include a sworn statement by the charging officer along with an affidavit received directly by the Clerk from the chemical analyst. If he determines that there is such probable cause, he shall mail to the person a revocation order by first‑class mail. The order shall direct that the person on or before the effective date of the order either surrender his license to the clerk or appear before the clerk and demonstrate that he is not currently licensed, and the order shall inform the person of the time and effective date of the revocation and of its duration, of his right to a hearing as specified in subsection (g), and that the revocation remains in effect pending the hearing. Revocation orders mailed under this subsection become effective on the fourth day after the order is deposited in the United States mail. If within five working days of the effective date of the order, the person does not surrender his license to the clerk or appear before the clerk to demonstrate that he is not currently licensed, the clerk shall immediately issue a pick‑up order. The pick‑up order shall be issued and served in the same manner as specified in subsection (e) for pick‑up orders issued pursuant to that subsection. A revocation under this subsection begins at the date specified in the order and continues until the person's license has been revoked for the period specified in this subsection and the person has paid the applicable costs. If the person has no pending offenses for which his license had been or is revoked under this section, the period of revocation under this subsection is:

(1)�� Thirty days from the time the person surrenders his license to the court, if the surrender occurs within five working days of the effective date of the order; or

(2)�� Thirty days after the person appears before the clerk and demonstrates that he is not currently licensed to drive, if the appearance occurs within five working days of the effective date of the revocation order; or

(3)�� Forty‑five days from the time:

a.�� The person's drivers license is picked up by a law‑enforcement officer following service of a pick‑up order; or

b.�� The person demonstrates to a law‑enforcement officer who has a pick‑up order for his license that he is not currently licensed; or

c.�� The person's drivers license is surrendered to the court if the surrender occurs more than five working days after the effective date of the revocation order; or

d.�� The person appears before the clerk to demonstrate that he is not currently licensed, if he appears more than five working days after the effective date of the revocation order.

If at the time of the current offense, the person has one or more pending offenses for which his license had been or is revoked under this section, the revocation shall remain in effect until a final judgment, including all appeals, has been entered for the current offense and for all pending offenses. In no event may the period of revocation for the current offense be less than the applicable period of revocation in subdivision (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection. When a pick‑up order is issued, it shall inform the person of his right to a hearing as specified in subsection (g), and that the revocation remains in effect pending the hearing. An officer serving a pick‑up order under this subsection shall return the order to the court indicating the date it was served or that he was unable to serve the order. If the license was surrendered, the officer serving the order shall deposit it with the clerk within three days of the surrender.

(g)�� Hearing before Magistrate or Judge if Person Contests Validity of Revocation. � A person whose license is revoked under this section may request in writing a hearing to contest the validity of the revocation. The request may be made at the time of the person's initial appearance, or within 10 days of the effective date of the revocation to the clerk or a magistrate designated by the clerk, and may specifically request that the hearing be conducted by a district court judge. The Administrative Office of the Courts must develop a hearing request form for any person requesting a hearing. Unless a district court judge is requested, the hearing must be conducted within the county by a magistrate assigned by the chief district court judge to conduct such hearings. If the person requests that a district court judge hold the hearing, the hearing must be conducted within the district court district as defined in G.S. 7A‑133 by a district court judge assigned to conduct such hearings. The revocation remains in effect pending the hearing, but the hearing must be held within three working days following the request if the hearing is before a magistrate or within five working days if the hearing is before a district court judge. The request for the hearing must specify the grounds upon which the validity of the revocation is challenged and the hearing must be limited to the grounds specified in the request. A witness may submit his evidence by affidavit unless he is subpoenaed to appear. Any person who appears and testifies is subject to questioning by the judicial official conducting the hearing, and the judicial official may adjourn the hearing to seek additional evidence if he is not satisfied with the accuracy or completeness of evidence. The person contesting the validity of the revocation may, but is not required to, testify in his own behalf. Unless contested by the person requesting the hearing, the judicial official may accept as true any matter stated in the revocation report. If any relevant condition under subsection (b) is contested, the judicial official must find by the greater weight of the evidence that the condition was met in order to sustain the revocation. At the conclusion of the hearing the judicial official must enter an order sustaining or rescinding the revocation. The judicial official's findings are without prejudice to the person contesting the revocation and to any other potential party as to any other proceedings, civil or criminal, that may involve facts bearing upon the conditions in subsection (b) considered by the judicial official. The decision of the judicial official is final and may not be appealed in the General Court of Justice. If the hearing is not held and completed within three working days of the written request for a hearing before a magistrate or within five working days of the written request for a hearing before a district court judge, the judicial official must enter an order rescinding the revocation, unless the person contesting the revocation contributed to the delay in completing the hearing. If the person requesting the hearing fails to appear at the hearing or any rescheduling thereof after having been properly notified, he forfeits his right to a hearing.

(h)�� Return of License. � After the applicable period of revocation under this section, or if the magistrate or judge orders the revocation rescinded, the person whose license was revoked may apply to the clerk for return of his surrendered license. Unless the clerk finds that the person is not eligible to use the surrendered license, he must return it if:

(1)�� The applicable period of revocation has passed and the person has tendered payment for the costs under subsection (j); or

(2)�� The magistrate or judge has ordered the revocation rescinded.

If the license has expired, he may return it to the person with a caution that it is no longer valid. Otherwise, if the person is not eligible to use the license and the license was issued by the Division or in another state, the clerk must mail it to the Division. If the person has surrendered his copy of a limited driving privilege and he is no longer eligible to use it, the clerk must make a record that he has withheld the limited driving privilege and forward that record to the clerk in the county in which the limited driving privilege was issued for filing in the case file. If the person's license is revoked under this section and under another section of this Chapter, the clerk must surrender the license to the Division if the revocation under this section can terminate before the other revocation; in such cases, the costs required by subsection (j) must still be paid before the revocation under this section is terminated.

(i)�� Effect of Revocations. � A revocation under this section revokes a person's privilege to drive in North Carolina whatever the source of his authorization to drive. Revocations under this section are independent of and run concurrently with any other revocations. No court imposing a period of revocation following conviction of an offense involving impaired driving may give credit for any period of revocation imposed under this section. A person whose license is revoked pursuant to this section is not eligible to receive a limited driving privilege except as specifically authorized by G.S. 20‑16.5(p).

(j)�� Costs. � Unless the magistrate or judge orders the revocation rescinded, a person whose license is revoked under this section must pay a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) as costs for the action before the person's license may be returned under subsection (h). The costs collected under this section shall be credited to the General Fund. Fifty percent (50%) of the costs collected shall be used to fund a statewide chemical alcohol testing program administered by the Injury Control Section of the Department of Health and Human Services.

(k)�� Report to Division. � Except as provided below, the clerk shall mail a report to the Division:

(1)�� If the license is revoked indefinitely, within 10 working days of the revocation of the license; and

(2)�� In all cases, within 10 working days of the return of a license under this section or of the termination of a revocation of the driving privilege of a person not currently licensed.

The report shall identify the person whose license has been revoked, specify the date on which his license was revoked, and indicate whether the license has been returned. The report must also provide, if applicable, whether the license is revoked indefinitely. No report need be made to the Division, however, if there was a surrender of the driver's license issued by the Division, a 30‑day minimum revocation was imposed, and the license was properly returned to the person under subsection (h) within five working days after the 30‑day period had elapsed.

(l)�� Restoration Fee for Unlicensed Persons. � If a person whose license is revoked under this section has no valid license, he must pay the restoration fee required by G.S. 20‑7 before he may apply for a license from the Division.

(m)�� Modification of Revocation Order. � Any judicial official presiding over a proceeding under this section may issue a modified order if he determines that an inappropriate order has been issued.

(n)�� Exception for Revoked Licenses. � Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if the judicial official required to issue a revocation order under this section determines that the person whose license is subject to revocation under subsection (b):

(1)�� Has a currently revoked driver's license;

(2)�� Has no limited driving privilege; and

(3)�� Will not become eligible for restoration of his license or for a limited driving privilege during the period of revocation required by this section,

the judicial official need not issue a revocation order under this section. In this event the judicial official must file in the records of the civil proceeding a copy of any documentary evidence and set out in writing all other evidence on which he relies in making his determination.

(o)�� Designation of Proceedings. � Proceedings under this section are civil actions, and must be identified by the caption "In the Matter of ___" and filed as directed by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

(p)�� Limited Driving Privilege. � A person whose drivers license has been revoked for a specified period of 30 or 45 days under this section may apply for a limited driving privilege if:

(1)�� At the time of the alleged offense the person held either a valid drivers license or a license that had been expired for less than one year;

(2)�� Does not have an unresolved pending charge involving impaired driving except the charge for which the license is currently revoked under this section or additional convictions of an offense involving impaired driving since being charged for the violation for which the license is currently revoked under this section;

(3)�� The person's license has been revoked for at least 10 days if the revocation is for 30 days or 30 days if the revocation is for 45 days; and

(4)�� The person has obtained a substance abuse assessment from a mental health facility and registers for and agrees to participate in any recommended training or treatment program.

A person whose license has been indefinitely revoked under this section may, after completion of 30 days under subsection (e) or the applicable period of time under subdivision (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (f), apply for a limited driving privilege. In the case of an indefinite revocation, a judge of the division in which the current offense is pending may issue the limited driving privilege only if the privilege is necessary to overcome undue hardship and the person meets the eligibility requirements of G.S. 20‑179.3, except that the requirements in G.S. 20‑179.3(b)(1)c. and G.S. 20‑179.3(e) shall not apply. Except as modified in this subsection, the provisions of G.S. 20‑179.3 relating to the procedure for application and conduct of the hearing and the restrictions required or authorized to be included in the limited driving privilege apply to applications under this subsection. Any district court judge authorized to hold court in the judicial district is authorized to issue such a limited driving privilege. A limited driving privilege issued under this section authorizes a person to drive if the person's license is revoked solely under this section. If the person's license is revoked for any other reason, the limited driving privilege is invalid. (1983, c. 435, s. 14; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1101, ss. 11‑17; 1985, c. 690, ss. 1, 2; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1037, s. 80, c. 1112; 1989, c. 771, ss. 15, 16, 18; 1991, c. 689, s. 233.1(a); 1993, c. 285, ss. 5, 6; 1997‑379, ss. 3.4‑3.8; 1997‑443, s. 11A.9; 1997‑486, ss. 2‑6; 1998‑182, ss. 29, 30; 1999‑406, s. 13; 2000‑140, s. 103A; 2000‑155, s. 15; 2001‑487, ss. 6, 7; 2003‑104, s. 1.)

§ 20‑17.� Mandatory revocation of license by Division.

(a)�� The Division shall forthwith revoke the license of any driver upon receiving a record of the driver's conviction for any of the following offenses:

(1)�� Manslaughter (or negligent homicide) resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.

(2)�� Either of the following impaired driving offenses:

a.�� Impaired driving under G.S. 20‑138.1.

b.�� Impaired driving under G.S. 20‑138.2.

(3)�� Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used.

(4)�� Failure to stop and render aid in violation of G.S. 20‑166(a) or (b).

(5)�� Perjury or the making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the Division under this Article or under any other law relating to the ownership of motor vehicles.

(6)�� Conviction, within a period of 12 months, of (i) two charges of reckless driving, (ii) two charges of aggressive driving, or (iii) one or more charges of reckless driving and one or more charges of aggressive driving.

(7)�� Conviction upon one charge of aggressive driving or reckless driving while engaged in the illegal transportation of intoxicants for the purpose of sale.

(8)�� Conviction of using a false or fictitious name or giving a false or fictitious address in any application for a drivers license, or learner's permit, or any renewal or duplicate thereof, or knowingly making a false statement or knowingly concealing a material fact or otherwise committing a fraud in any such application or procuring or knowingly permitting or allowing another to commit any of the foregoing acts.

(9)�� Death by vehicle as defined in G.S. 20‑141.4.

(10)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑443, s. 19.26(b).

(11)�� Conviction of assault with a motor vehicle.

(12)�� A second or subsequent conviction of transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage under G.S. 20‑138.7.

(13)�� A second or subsequent conviction, as defined in G.S. 20‑138.2A(d), of driving a commercial motor vehicle after consuming alcohol under G.S. 20‑138.2A.

(14)�� A conviction of driving a school bus, school activity bus, or child care vehicle after consuming alcohol under G.S. 20‑138.2B.

(15)�� A conviction of malicious use of an explosive or incendiary device to damage property (G.S. 14‑49(b) and (b1)); making a false report concerning a destructive device in a public building (G.S. 14‑69.1(c)); perpetrating a hoax concerning a destructive device in a public building (G.S. 14‑69.2(c)); possessing or carrying a dynamite cartridge, bomb, grenade, mine, or powerful explosive on educational property (G.S. 14‑269.2(b1)); or causing, encouraging, or aiding a minor to possess or carry a dynamite cartridge, bomb, grenade, mine, or powerful explosive on educational property (G.S. 14‑269.2(c1)).

(16)�� A second or subsequent conviction of larceny of motor fuel under G.S. 14‑72.5. A conviction for violating G.S. 14‑72.5 is a second or subsequent conviction if at the time of the current offense the person has a previous conviction under G.S. 14‑72.5 that occurred in the seven years immediately preceding the date of the current offense.

(b)�� On the basis of information provided by the child support enforcement agency or the clerk of court, the Division shall:

(1)�� Ensure that no license or right to operate a motor vehicle under this Chapter is renewed or issued to an obligor who is delinquent in making child support payments when a court of record has issued a revocation order pursuant to G.S. 110‑142.2 or G.S. 50‑13.12. The obligor shall not be entitled to any other hearing before the Division as a result of the revocation of his license pursuant to G.S. 110‑142.2 or G.S. 50‑13.12; or

(2)�� Revoke the drivers license of any person who has willfully failed to complete court‑ordered community service and a court has issued a revocation order. This revocation shall continue until the Division receives certification from the clerk of court that the person has completed the court‑ordered community service. No person whose drivers license is revoked pursuant to this subdivision shall be entitled to any other hearing before the Division as a result of this revocation. (1935, c. 52, s. 12; 1947, c. 1067, s. 14; 1967, c. 1098, s. 2; 1971, c. 619, s. 7; 1973, c. 18, s. 1; c. 1081, s. 3; c. 1330, s. 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; c. 831; 1979, c. 667, ss. 20, 41; 1981, c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, s. 66; 1983, c. 435, s. 15; 1989, c. 771, s. 11; 1991, c. 726, s. 7; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 761, s. 1; 1995, c. 506, s. 7; c. 538, s. 2(b); 1997‑234, s. 3; 1997‑443, s. 19.26(b); 1998‑182, s. 18; 1999‑257, s. 4.1; 2001‑352, s. 3; 2001‑487, s. 52; 2004‑193, ss. 4, 5.)

§ 20‑17.1.� Revocation of license of mental incompetents, alcoholics and habitual users of narcotic drugs.

(a)�� The Commissioner, upon receipt of notice that any person has been legally adjudicated incompetent or has been involuntarily committed to an institution for the treatment of alcoholism or drug addiction, shall forthwith make inquiry into the facts for the purpose of determining whether such person is competent to operate a motor vehicle. Unless the Commissioner is satisfied that such person is competent to operate a motor vehicle with safety to persons and property, he shall revoke such person's driving privilege. Provided that if such person requests, in writing, a hearing, he shall retain his license until after the hearing, and if the revocation is sustained after such hearing, the person whose driving privilege has been revoked under the provisions of this section, shall have the right to a review by the review board as provided in G.S. 20‑9(g)(4) upon written request filed with the Division.

(b)�� If any person shall be adjudicated as incompetent or is involuntarily committed for the treatment of alcoholism or drug addiction, the clerk of the court in which any such adjudication is made shall forthwith send a certified copy of abstract thereof to the� Commissioner.

(c)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1973, c. 475, s. 3 1/2.

(d)�� It is the intent of this section that the provisions herein shall be carried out by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the safety of the motoring public. The Commissioner shall have authority to make such agreements as are necessary with the persons in charge of every institution of any nature for the care and treatment of alcoholics or habitual users of narcotic drugs, to effectively carry out the duty hereby imposed and the person in charge of the institutions described above shall cooperate with and assist the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(e)�� Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 8‑53, 8‑53.2, and Article 3 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes, the person or persons in charge of any institution as set out in subsection (a) hereinabove shall furnish such information as may be required for the effective enforcement of this section. Information furnished to the Division of Motor Vehicles as provided herein shall be confidential and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall be subject to the same penalties and is granted the same protection as is the department, institution or individual furnishing� such information. No criminal or civil action may be brought against any person or agency who shall provide or submit to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or his authorized agents the information as required herein.

(f)�� Revocations under this section may be reviewed as provided in� G.S. 20‑9(g)(4). (1947, c. 1006, s. 9; 1953, c. 1300, s. 36; 1955, c.� 1187, s. 16; 1969, c. 186, s. 1; c. 1125; 1971, c. 208, ss. 1, 1 1/2; c. 401, s. 1; c. 767; 1973, c. 475, s. 3 1/2; c. 1362; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1983, c. 768, s. 3; 1987, c. 720, s. 1.)

§ 20‑17.2.� Court‑ordered revocations for offenses involving impaired driving; procedure for notice.

When a person convicted of an offense involving impaired driving is ordered by a court not to operate a motor vehicle for a specified period of time as a condition of probation, the Division, upon receiving a copy of the judgment, must revoke the person's driver's license for the period and dates specified in the order of the court. The entry of the probationary judgment by the court is notice to the person that his license is revoked, and the Division need not notify the person of his revocation. In judgment forms for use in impaired driving cases under G.S. 20‑138.1 the Administrative Office of the Courts must provide for inclusion of a notice provision, when applicable, of the terms of this section. (1983, c. 435, s. 16.)

§ 20‑17.3.� Revocation for underage purchasers of alcohol.

The Division shall revoke for one year the driver's license of any person who has been convicted of violating any of the following:

(1)�� G.S. 18B‑302(c)(1), (e), or (f); or

(2)�� G.S. 18B‑302(b), if the violation occurred while the person� was purchasing or attempting to purchase an alcoholic beverage.

If the person's license is currently suspended or revoked, then the revocation under this section shall begin at the termination of that revocation. (1983, c. 435, s. 36.)

§ 20‑17.4.� Disqualification to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

(a)�� One Year. � Any of the following disqualifies a person from driving a commercial motor vehicle for one year if committed by a person holding a commercial drivers license, or, when applicable, committed while operating a commercial motor vehicle by a person who does not hold a commercial drivers license:

(1)�� A first conviction of G.S. 20‑138.1, driving while impaired, for a holder of a commercial drivers license that occurred while the person was driving a motor vehicle that is not a commercial motor vehicle.

(2)�� A first conviction of G.S. 20‑138.2, driving a commercial motor vehicle while impaired.

(3)�� A first conviction of G.S. 20‑166, hit and run.

(4)�� A first conviction of a felony in the commission of which a commercial motor vehicle was used or the first conviction of a felony in which any motor vehicle is used by a holder of a commercial drivers license.

(5)�� Refusal to submit to a chemical test when charged with an implied‑consent offense, as defined in G.S. 20‑16.2.

(6)�� A second or subsequent conviction, as defined in G.S. 20‑138.2A(d), of driving a commercial motor vehicle after consuming alcohol under G.S. 20‑138.2A.

(7)�� A civil license revocation under G.S. 20‑16.5, or a substantially similar revocation obtained in another jurisdiction, arising out of a charge that occurred while the person was operating a commercial motor vehicle.

(8)�� A first conviction of vehicular homicide under G.S. 20‑141.4 or vehicular manslaughter under G.S. 14‑18 occurring while the person was operating a commercial motor vehicle.

(9)�� Driving a commercial motor vehicle during a period when the person's commercial drivers license is revoked, suspended, cancelled, or the driver is otherwise disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle.

(a1)�� Ten‑Day Disqualification. � A person who is convicted for a first offense of driving a commercial motor vehicle after consuming alcohol under G.S. 20‑138.2A is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for 10 days.

(b)�� Modified Life. � A person who has been disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a conviction or refusal described in subsection (a) who, as the result of a separate incident, is subsequently convicted of an offense or commits an act requiring disqualification under subsection (a) is disqualified for life. The Division may adopt guidelines, including conditions, under which a disqualification for life under this subsection may be reduced to 10 years.

(b1)�� Life Without Reduction. � A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for life, without the possibility of reinstatement after 10 years, if that person is convicted of a third or subsequent violation of G.S. 20‑138.2, a fourth or subsequent violation of G.S. 20‑138.2A, or if the person refuses to submit to a chemical test a third time when charged with an implied‑consent offense, as defined in G.S. 20‑16.2, that occurred while the person was driving a commercial motor vehicle.

(c)�� Life. � A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for life if that person uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any felony involving the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance.

(d)�� Less Than a Year. � A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for 60 days if that person is convicted of two serious traffic violations, or 120 days if convicted of three or more serious traffic violations, committed in a commercial motor vehicle arising from separate incidents occurring within a three‑year period. This disqualification shall be in addition to, and shall be served at the end of, any other prior disqualification. For purposes of this subsection, a "serious violation" includes violations of G.S. 20‑140(f) and G.S. 20‑141(j3).

(e)�� Three Years. � A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for three years if that person is convicted of an offense or commits an act requiring disqualification under subsection (a) and the offense or act occurred while the person was transporting a hazardous material that required the motor vehicle driven to be placarded.

(f)�� Revocation Period. � A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for the period during which the person's regular or commercial drivers license is revoked, suspended, or cancelled.

(g)�� Violation of Out‑of‑Service Order. � Any person convicted for violating an out‑of‑service order, except as described in subsection (h) of this section, shall be disqualified as follows:

(1)�� A person is disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for a period of 90 days if convicted of a first violation of an out‑of‑service order.

(2)�� A person is disqualified for a period of one year if convicted of a second violation of an out‑of‑service order during any 10‑year period, arising from separate incidents.

(3)�� A person is disqualified for a period of three years if convicted of a third or subsequent violation of an out‑of‑service order during any 10‑year period, arising from separate incidents.

(h)�� Violation of Out‑of‑Service Order; Special Rule for Hazardous Materials and Passenger Offenses. � Any person convicted for violating an out‑of‑service order while transporting hazardous materials or while operating a commercial vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, shall be disqualified as follows:

(1)�� A person is disqualified for a period of 180 days if convicted of a first violation of an out‑of‑service order.

(2)�� A person is disqualified for a period of three years if convicted of a second or subsequent violation of an out‑of‑service order during any 10‑year period, arising from separate incidents.

(i)�� Disqualification for Out‑of‑State Violations. � The Division shall withdraw the privilege to operate a commercial vehicle of any resident of this State or person transferring to this State upon receiving notice of the person's conviction or Administrative Per Se Notice in another state for an offense that, if committed in this State, would be grounds for disqualification, even if the offense occurred in another jurisdiction prior to being licensed in this State where no action had been taken at that time in the other jurisdiction. The period of disqualification shall be the same as if the offense occurred in this State.

(j)�� Disqualification of Persons Without Commercial Drivers Licenses. � Any person convicted of an offense that requires disqualification under this section, but who does not hold a commercial drivers license, shall be disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle in the same manner as if the person held a valid commercial drivers license.

(k)�� Disqualification for Railroad Grade Crossing Offenses. � Any person convicted of a violation of G.S. 20‑142.1 through G.S. 20‑142.5, when the driver is operating a commercial motor vehicle, shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle as follows:

(1)�� A person is disqualified for a period of 60 days if convicted of a first violation of a railroad grade crossing offense listed in this subsection.

(2)�� A person is disqualified for a period of 120 days if convicted during any three‑year period of a second violation of any combination of railroad grade crossing offenses listed in this subsection.

(3)�� A person is disqualified for a period of one year if convicted during any three‑year period of a third or subsequent violation of any combination of railroad grade crossing offenses listed in this subsection.

(l)�� Disqualification for Testing Positive in a Drug or Alcohol Test. � Upon receipt of notice of a positive drug or alcohol test, pursuant to G.S. 20‑37.19(c), the Division shall disqualify a driver from operating a commercial motor vehicle until receipt of proof of successful completion of assessment and treatment by a substance abuse professional in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 382.503.

(m)�� Disqualifications of Drivers Who Are Determined to Constitute an Imminent Hazard. � The Division shall withdraw the privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle for any resident of this State for a period of 30 days in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 383.52. (1989, c. 771, s. 3; 1991, c. 726, s. 8; 1993, c. 533, s. 5; 1998‑149, s. 3; 1998‑182, s. 19; 2000‑109, s. 7(e); 2002‑72, s. 7; 2003‑397, s. 2; 2005‑156, s. 2; 2005‑349, s. 6.)

§ 20‑17.5.� Effect of disqualification.

(a)�� When No Accompanying Revocation. � A person who is disqualified as the result of a conviction that requires disqualification but not revocation may keep any regular Class C drivers license the person had at the time of the offense resulting in disqualification.� If the person had a Class A or Class B regular drivers license or a commercial drivers license when the offense occurred, all of the following apply:

(1)�� The person must give the license to the court that convicts the person or, if the person is not present when convicted, to the Division.

(2)�� The person may apply for a regular Class C drivers license.

(b)�� When Revocation and Disqualification. � When a person is disqualified as the result of a conviction that requires both disqualification and revocation, all of the following apply:

(1)�� The person must give any drivers license the person has to the court that convicts the person or, if the person is not present when convicted, to the Division.

(2)�� The person may obtain limited driving privileges to drive a noncommercial motor vehicle during the revocation period to the extent the law would allow limited driving privileges if the person had been driving a noncommercial motor vehicle when the offense occurred.� The same procedure, eligibility requirements, and mandatory conditions apply to limited driving privileges authorized by this subdivision that would apply if the person had been driving a noncommercial motor vehicle when the offense occurred.

(3)�� If the disqualification period is longer than the revocation period, the person may apply for a regular Class C drivers license at the end of the revocation period.

(c)�� Refusal to Take Chemical Test. � When a person is disqualified for refusing to take a chemical test, all of the following apply:

(1)�� The person must give any license the person has to a court, a law enforcement officer, or the Division, in accordance with G.S. 20‑16.2 and G.S. 20‑16.5.

(2)�� The person may obtain limited driving privileges to drive a noncommercial motor vehicle during the period the person's license is revoked for the refusal that disqualified the person to the extent the law would allow limited driving privileges if the person had been driving a noncommercial motor vehicle at the time of the refusal.� The same procedure, eligibility requirements, and mandatory conditions apply to limited driving privileges authorized by this subdivision that would apply if the person had been driving a noncommercial motor vehicle at the time of the refusal.

(3)�� If the disqualification period is longer than the revocation period, the person may apply for a regular Class C drivers license at the end of the revocation period.

(d)�� Obtaining Class C Regular License. � A person who is authorized by this section to apply for a regular Class C drivers license and who meets all of the following criteria may obtain a regular Class C drivers license without taking a test:

(1)�� The person must have had a Class A or Class B regular drivers license or a commercial drivers license when the person was disqualified.

(2)�� The person's license must have been issued by the Division.

(3)�� The person's license must not have expired by the date the person applies for a regular Class C drivers license.

Upon application and payment of the fee set in G.S. 20‑14 for a duplicate license, the Division shall issue a person who meets these criteria a regular Class C drivers license.� The license shall include the same endorsements and restrictions as the former Class A regular, Class B regular, or commercial drivers license, to the extent they apply to a regular Class C drivers license.� A regular Class C drivers license issued to a person who meets these criteria expires the same day as the license it replaces.

G.S. 20‑7 governs the issuance of a regular Class C drivers license to a person who is authorized by this section to apply for a regular Class C drivers license but who does not meet the listed criteria.� In accordance with that statute, the Division may require the person to take a test and the person must pay the license fee.

(e)�� Restoration Fee. � A person who is disqualified must pay the restoration fee set in G.S. 20‑7(i1) the first time any of the following events occurs as a result of the same disqualification:

(1)�� The Division reinstates a Class A regular drivers license, a Class B regular drivers license, or a commercial drivers license the person had at the time of the disqualification by issuing the person a duplicate license.

(2)�� The Division issues a Class A regular drivers license, a Class B regular drivers license, or a commercial drivers license to the person.

(3)�� If the person's license was revoked because of the conviction or act requiring disqualification, the Division issues a regular Class C drivers license to the person.

The restoration fee does not apply the second time any of these events occurs as a result of the same disqualification. (1991, c. 726, s. 9.)

§ 20‑17.6.� Restoration of a license after a conviction of driving while impaired or driving while less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs.

(a)�� Scope. � This section applies to a person whose license was revoked as a result of a conviction of any of the following offenses:

(1)�� G.S. 20‑138.1, driving while impaired (DWI).

(2)�� G.S. 20‑138.2, commercial DWI.

(3)�� G.S. 20‑138.3, driving while less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs.

(4)�� G.S. 20‑138.2A, driving a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of greater than 0.00 and less than 0.04, if the person's drivers license was revoked under G.S. 20‑17(a)(13).

(5)�� G.S. 20‑138.2B, driving a school bus, a school activity bus, or a child care vehicle with an alcohol concentration of greater than 0.00, if the person's drivers license was revoked under G.S. 20‑17(a)(14).

(b)�� Requirement for Restoring License. � The Division must receive a certificate of completion for a person who is subject to this section before the Division can restore that person's license. The revocation period for a person who is subject to this section is extended until the Division receives the certificate of completion.

(c)�� Certificate of Completion. � To obtain a certificate of completion, a person must have a substance abuse assessment and, depending on the results of the assessment, must complete either an alcohol and drug education traffic (ADET) school or a substance abuse treatment program. The substance abuse assessment must be conducted by one of the entities authorized by the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct assessments. G.S. 122C‑142.1 describes the procedure for obtaining a certificate of completion.

(d)�� Notice of Requirement. � When a court reports to the Division a conviction of a person who is subject to this section, the Division must send the person written notice of the requirements of this section and of the consequences of failing to comply with these requirements. The notification must include a statement that the person may contact the local area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse program for a list of agencies and entities in the person's area that are authorized to make a substance abuse assessment and provide the education or treatment needed to obtain a certificate of completion.

(e)�� Effect on Limited Driving Privileges. � A person who is subject to this section is not eligible for limited driving privileges if the revocation period for the offense that caused the person to become subject to this section has ended and the person's license remains revoked only because the Division has not obtained a certificate of completion for that person. The issuance of limited driving privileges during the revocation period for the offense that caused the person to become subject to this section is governed by the statutes that apply to that offense. (1995, c. 496, ss. 1, 11, 12; 1997‑443, s. 11A.118(a); 1998‑182, s. 20.)

§ 20‑17.7.� Commercial motor vehicle out‑of‑service fines authorized.

The Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety may adopt rules implementing fines for violation of out‑of‑service criteria as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 390.5. These fines may not exceed the schedule of fines adopted by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Alliance that is in effect on the date of the violations. (1999‑330, s. 1; 2002‑159, s. 31.5(b); 2002‑190, s. 3.)

§ 20‑17.8.� Restoration of a license after certain driving while impaired convictions; ignition interlock.

(a)�� Scope. � This section applies to a person whose license was revoked as a result of a conviction of driving while impaired, G.S. 20‑138.1, and:

(1)�� The person had an alcohol concentration of 0.16 or more; or

(2)�� The person has been convicted of another offense involving impaired driving, which offense occurred within seven years immediately preceding the date of the offense for which the person's license has been revoked.

(b)�� Ignition Interlock Required. � When the Division restores the license of a person who is subject to this section, in addition to any other restriction or condition, it shall require the person to agree to and shall indicate on the person's drivers license the following restrictions for the period designated in subsection (c):

(1)�� A restriction that the person may operate only a vehicle that is equipped with a functioning ignition interlock system of a type approved by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall not unreasonably withhold approval of an ignition interlock system and shall consult with the Division of Purchase and Contract in the Department of Administration to ensure that potential vendors are not discriminated against.

(2)�� A requirement that the person personally activate the ignition interlock system before driving the motor vehicle.

(3)�� An alcohol concentration restriction as follows:

a.�� If the ignition interlock system is required pursuant only to subdivision (a)(1) of this section, a requirement that the person not drive with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater;

b.�� If the ignition interlock system is required pursuant to subdivision (a)(2) of this section, a requirement that the person not drive with an alcohol concentration of greater than 0.00; or

c.�� If the ignition interlock system is required pursuant to subdivision (a)(1) of this section, and the person has also been convicted, based on the same set of circumstances, of: (i) driving while impaired in a commercial vehicle, G.S. 20‑138.2, (ii) driving while less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs, G.S. 20‑138.3, (iii) felony death by vehicle, G.S. 20‑141.4(a1), or (iv) manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle when the offense involved impaired driving, a requirement that the person not drive with an alcohol concentration of greater than 0.00.

(c)�� Length of Requirement. � The requirements of subsection (b) shall remain in effect for:

(1)�� One year from the date of restoration if the original revocation period was one year;

(2)�� Three years from the date of restoration if the original revocation period was four years; or

(3)�� Seven years from the date of restoration if the original revocation was a permanent revocation.

(c1)�� Vehicles Subject to Requirement. � A person subject to this section shall have all registered vehicles owned by that person equipped with a functioning ignition interlock system of a type approved by the Commissioner, unless the Division determines that one or more specific registered vehicles owned by that person are relied upon by another member of that person's family for transportation and that the vehicle is not in the possession of the person subject to this section.

(d)�� Effect of Limited Driving Privileges. � If the person was eligible for and received a limited driving privilege under G.S. 20‑179.3, with the ignition interlock requirement contained in G.S. 20‑179.3(g5), the period of time for which that limited driving privilege was held shall be applied towards the requirements of subsection (c).

(e)�� Notice of Requirement. � When a court reports to the Division a conviction of a person who is subject to this section, the Division must send the person written notice of the requirements of this section and of the consequences of failing to comply with these requirements. The notification must include a statement that the person may contact the Division for information on obtaining and having installed an ignition interlock system of a type approved by the Commissioner.

(f)�� Effect of Violation of Restriction. � A person subject to this section who violates any of the restrictions of this section commits the offense of driving while license revoked under G.S. 20‑28(a) and is subject to punishment and license revocation as provided in that section. If a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person subject to this section has consumed alcohol while driving or has driven while he has remaining in his body any alcohol previously consumed, the suspected offense of driving while license is revoked is an alcohol‑related offense subject to the implied‑consent provisions of G.S. 20‑16.2. If a person subject to this section is charged with driving while license revoked by violating a condition of subsection (b) of this section, and a judicial official determines that there is probable cause for the charge, the person's license is suspended pending the resolution of the case, and the judicial official must require the person to surrender the license. The judicial official must also notify the person that he is not entitled to drive until his case is resolved. An alcohol concentration report from the ignition interlock system shall not be admissible as evidence of driving while license revoked, nor shall it be admissible in an administrative revocation proceeding as provided in subsection (g) of this section, unless the person operated a vehicle when the ignition interlock system indicated an alcohol concentration in violation of the restriction placed upon the person by subdivision (b)(3) of this section. If a person subject to this section is charged with driving while license revoked by violating the requirements of subsection (c1) of this section, and no other violation of this section is alleged, the court may make a determination at the hearing of the case that the vehicle, on which the ignition interlock system was not installed, was relied upon by another member of that person's family for transportation and that the vehicle was not in the possession of the person subject to this section, and therefore the vehicle was not required to be equipped with a functioning ignition interlock system. If the court determines that the vehicle was not required to be equipped with a functioning ignition interlock system and the person subject to this section has committed no other violation of this section, the court shall find the person not guilty of driving while license revoked.

(g)�� Effect of Violation of Restriction When Driving While License Revoked Not Charged. � A person subject to this section who violates any of the restrictions of this section, but is not charged or convicted of driving while license revoked pursuant to G.S. 20‑28(a), shall have the person's license revoked by the Division for a period of one year.

(h)�� Beginning of Revocation Period. � If the original period of revocation was imposed pursuant to G.S. 20‑19(d) or (e), any remaining period of the original revocation, prior to its reduction, shall be reinstated and the revocation required by subsection (f) or (g) of this section begins after all other periods of revocation have terminated.

(i)�� Notification of Revocation. � If the person's license has not already been surrendered to the court, the Division must expeditiously notify the person that the person's license to drive is revoked pursuant to subsection (f) or (g) of this section effective on the tenth calendar day after the mailing of the revocation order.

(j)�� Right to Hearing Before Division; Issues. � If the person's license is revoked pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, before the effective date of the order issued under subsection (i) of this section, the person may request in writing a hearing before the Division. Except for the time referred to in G.S. 20‑16.5, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Division that the person's license was surrendered to the court and remained in the court's possession, then the Division shall credit the amount of time for which the license was in the possession of the court against the revocation period required by subsection (g) of this section. If the person properly requests a hearing, the person retains the person's license, unless it is revoked under some other provision of law, until the hearing is held, the person withdraws the request, or the person fails to appear at a scheduled hearing. The hearing officer may subpoena any witnesses or documents that the hearing officer deems necessary. The person may request the hearing officer to subpoena the charging officer, the chemical analyst, or both to appear at the hearing if the person makes the request in writing at least three days before the hearing. The person may subpoena any other witness whom the person deems necessary, and the provisions of G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 45, apply to the issuance and service of all subpoenas issued under the authority of this section. The hearing officer is authorized to administer oaths to witnesses appearing at the hearing. The hearing must be conducted in the county where the charge was brought, and must be limited to consideration of whether:

(1)�� The drivers license of the person had an ignition interlock requirement; and

(2)�� The person:

a.�� Was driving a vehicle that was not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock system; or

b.�� Did not personally activate the ignition interlock system before driving the vehicle; or

c.�� Drove the vehicle in violation of an applicable alcohol concentration restriction prescribed by subdivision (b)(3) of this section.

If the Division finds that the conditions specified in this subsection are met, it must order the revocation sustained. If the Division finds that the condition of subdivision (1) is not met, or that none of the conditions of subdivision (2) are met, it must rescind the revocation. If the revocation is sustained, the person must surrender the person's license immediately upon notification by the Division. If the revocation is sustained, the person may appeal the decision of the Division pursuant to G.S. 20‑25.

(k)�� Restoration After Violation. � When the Division restores the license of a person whose license was revoked pursuant to subsection (f) or (g) of this section and the revocation occurred prior to completion of time period required by subsection (c) of this section, in addition to any other restriction or condition, it shall require the person to comply with the conditions of subsection (b) of this section until the person has complied with those conditions for the cumulative period of time as set forth in subsection (c) of this section. The period of time for which the person successfully complied with subsection (b) of this section prior to revocation pursuant to subsection (f) or (g) of this section shall be applied towards the requirements of subsection (c) of this section. (1999‑406, s. 3; 2000‑155, ss. 1‑3; 2001‑487, s. 8.)

§ 20‑18.� Conviction of offenses described in § 20‑181 not ground for suspension or revocation.

Conviction of offenses described in G.S. 20‑181 shall not be cause for the suspension or revocation of driver's license under the terms of this Article. (1939, c. 351, s. 2; 1955, c. 913, s. 1; 1979, c. 667, s. 41.)

§ 20‑19.� Period of suspension or revocation; conditions of restoration.

(a)�� When a license is suspended under subdivision (8) or (9) of G.S. 20‑16(a), the period of suspension shall be in the discretion of the Division and for such time as it deems best for public safety but shall not exceed six months.

(b)�� When a license is suspended under subdivision (10) of G.S. 20‑16(a), the period of suspension shall be in the discretion of the Division and for such time as it deems best for public safety but shall not exceed a period of 12 months.

(c)�� When a license is suspended under any other provision of this Article which does not specifically provide a period of suspension, the period of suspension shall be not more than one year.

(c1)�� When a license is revoked under subdivision (2) of G.S. 20‑17, and the period of revocation is not determined by subsection (d) or (e) of this section, the period of revocation is one year.

(c2)�� When a license is suspended under G.S. 20‑17(a)(14), the period of revocation for a first conviction shall be for 10 days. For a second or subsequent conviction as defined in G.S. 20‑138.2B(d), the period of revocation shall be one year.

(c3)�� Restriction; Revocations. � When the Division restores a person's drivers license which was revoked pursuant to G.S. 20‑13.2 (a), G.S. 20‑23 when the offense involved impaired driving, G.S. 20‑23.2, subdivision (2) of G.S. 20‑17(a), subdivision (1) or (9) of G.S. 20‑17(a) when the offense involved impaired driving, or this subsection, in addition to any other restriction or condition, it shall place the applicable restriction on the person's drivers license as follows:

(1)�� For the first restoration of a drivers license for a person convicted of driving while impaired, G.S. 20‑138.1, or a drivers license revoked pursuant to G.S. 20‑23 or G.S. 20‑23.2 when the offense for which the person's license was revoked prohibits substantially similar conduct which if committed in this State would result in a conviction of driving while impaired under G.S. 20‑138.1, that the person not operate a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more at any relevant time after the driving;

(2)�� For the second or subsequent restoration of a drivers license for a person convicted of driving while impaired, G.S. 20‑138.1, or a drivers license revoked pursuant to G.S. 20‑23 or G.S. 20‑23.2 when the offense for which the person's license was revoked prohibits substantially similar conduct which if committed in this State would result in a conviction of driving while impaired under G.S. 20‑138.1, that the person not operate a vehicle with an alcohol concentration greater than 0.00 at any relevant time after the driving;

(3)�� For any restoration of a drivers license for a person convicted of driving while impaired in a commercial motor vehicle, G.S. 20‑138.2, driving while less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs, G.S. 20‑138.3, felony death by vehicle, G.S. 20‑141.4(a1), manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle when the offense involved impaired driving, or a revocation under this subsection, that the person not operate a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of greater than 0.00 at any relevant time after the driving;

(4)�� For any restoration of a drivers license revoked pursuant to G.S. 20‑23 or G.S. 20‑23.2 when the offense for which the person's license was revoked prohibits substantially similar conduct which if committed in this State would result in a conviction of driving while impaired in a commercial motor vehicle, G.S. 20‑138.2, driving while less than 21 years old after consuming alcohol or drugs, G.S. 20‑138.3, felony death by vehicle, G.S. 20‑141.4(a1), or manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle when the offense involved impaired driving, that the person not operate a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of greater than 0.00 at any relevant time after the driving.

In addition, the person seeking restoration of a license must agree to submit to a chemical analysis in accordance with G.S. 20‑16.2 at the request of a law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds to believe the person is operating a motor vehicle on a highway or public vehicular area in violation of the restriction specified in this subsection. The person must also agree that, when requested by a law enforcement officer, the person will agree to be transported by the law enforcement officer to the place where chemical analysis is to be administered.

The restrictions placed on a license under this subsection shall be in effect (i) seven years from the date of restoration if the person's license was permanently revoked, (ii) until the person's twenty‑first birthday if the revocation was for a conviction under G.S. 20‑138.3, and (iii) three years in all other cases.

A law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has violated a restriction placed on the person's drivers license shall complete an affidavit pursuant to G.S. 20‑16.2(c1). On the basis of information reported pursuant to G.S. 20‑16.2, the Division shall revoke the drivers license of any person who violates a condition of reinstatement imposed under this subsection. An alcohol concentration report from an ignition interlock system shall not be used as the basis for revocation under this subsection. A violation of a restriction imposed under this subsection or the willful refusal to submit to a chemical analysis shall result in a one‑year revocation. If the period of revocation was imposed pursuant to subsection (d) or (e), any remaining period of the original revocation, prior to its reduction, shall be reinstated and the one‑year revocation begins after all other periods of revocation have terminated.

(c4)�� Applicable Procedures. � When a person has violated a condition of restoration by refusing a chemical analysis, the notice and hearing procedures of G.S. 20‑16.2 apply. When a person has submitted to a chemical analysis and the results show a violation of the alcohol concentration restriction, the notification and hearing procedures of this section apply.

(c5)�� Right to Hearing Before Division; Issues. � Upon receipt of a properly executed affidavit required by G.S. 20‑16.2(c1), the Division must expeditiously notify the person charged that the person's license to drive is revoked for the period of time specified in this section, effective on the tenth calendar day after the mailing of the revocation order unless, before the effective date of the order, the person requests in writing a hearing before the Division. Except for the time referred to in G.S. 20‑16.5, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Division that the person's license was surrendered to the court and remained in the court's possession, then the Division shall credit the amount of time for which the license was in the possession of the court against the revocation period required by this section. If the person properly requests a hearing, the person retains the person's license, unless it is revoked under some other provision of law, until the hearing is held, the person withdraws the request, or the person fails to appear at a scheduled hearing. The hearing officer may subpoena any witnesses or documents that the hearing officer deems necessary. The person may request the hearing officer to subpoena the charging officer, the chemical analyst, or both to appear at the hearing if the person makes the request in writing at least three days before the hearing. The person may subpoena any other witness whom the person deems necessary, and the provisions of G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 45, apply to the issuance and service of all subpoenas issued under the authority of this section. The hearing officer is authorized to administer oaths to witnesses appearing at the hearing. The hearing must be conducted in the county where the charge was brought, and must be limited to consideration of whether:

(1)�� The charging officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the person had violated the alcohol concentration restriction;

(2)�� The person was notified of the person's rights as required by G.S. 20‑16.2(a);

(3)�� The drivers license of the person had an alcohol concentration restriction; and

(4)�� The person submitted to a chemical analysis upon the request of the charging officer, and the analysis revealed an alcohol concentration in excess of the restriction on the person's drivers license.

If the Division finds that the conditions specified in this subsection are met, it must order the revocation sustained. If the Division finds that any of the conditions (1), (2), (3), or (4) is not met, it must rescind the revocation. If the revocation is sustained, the person must surrender the person's license immediately upon notification by the Division.

(c6)�� Appeal to Court. � There is no right to appeal the decision of the Division. However, if the person properly requested a hearing before the Division under subsection (c5) and the Division held such a hearing, the person may within 30 days of the date the Division's decision is mailed to the person, petition the superior court of the county in which the hearing took place for discretionary review on the record of the revocation. The superior court may stay the imposition of the revocation only if the court finds that the person is likely to succeed on the merits of the case and will suffer irreparable harm if such a stay is not granted. The stay shall not exceed 30 days. The reviewing court shall review the record only and shall be limited to determining if the Division hearing officer followed proper procedures and if the hearing officer made sufficient findings of fact to support the revocation. There shall be no further appeal.

(d)�� When a person's license is revoked under G.S. 20‑17(a)(2) and the person has another offense involving impaired driving for which he has been convicted, which offense occurred within three years immediately preceding the date of the offense for which his license is being revoked, the period of revocation is four years, and this period may be reduced only as provided in this section. The Division may conditionally restore the person's license after it has been revoked for at least two years under this subsection if he provides the Division with satisfactory proof that:

(1)�� He has not in the period of revocation been convicted in North Carolina or any other state or federal jurisdiction of a motor vehicle offense, an alcoholic beverage control law offense, a drug law offense, or any other criminal offense involving the possession or consumption of alcohol or drugs; and

(2)�� He is not currently an excessive user of alcohol or drugs.

If the Division restores the person's license, it may place reasonable conditions or restrictions on the person for the duration of the original revocation period.

(e)�� When a person's license is revoked under G.S. 20‑17(a)(2) and the person has two or more previous offenses involving impaired driving for which he has been convicted, and the most recent offense occurred within the five years immediately preceding the date of the offense for which his license is being revoked, the revocation is permanent. The Division may, however, conditionally restore the person's license after it has been revoked for at least three years under this subsection if he provides the Division with satisfactory proof that:

(1)�� In the three years immediately preceding the person's application for a restored license, he has not been convicted in North Carolina or in any other state or federal court of a motor vehicle offense, an alcohol beverage control law offense, a drug law offense, or any criminal offense involving the consumption of alcohol or drugs; and

(2)�� He is not currently an excessive user of alcohol or drugs.

If the Division restores the person's license, it may place reasonable conditions or restrictions on the person for any period up to three years from the date of restoration.

(f)�� When a license is revoked under any other provision of this Article which does not specifically provide a period of revocation, the period of revocation shall be one year.

(g)�� When a license is suspended under subdivision (11) of G.S. 20‑16(a), the period of suspension shall be for a period of time not in excess of the period of nonoperation imposed by the court as a condition of the suspended sentence; further, in such case, it shall not be necessary to comply with the Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Responsibility Act in order to have such license returned at the expiration of the suspension period.

(g1)�� When a license is revoked under subdivision (12) of G.S. 20‑17, the period of revocation is six months for conviction of a second offense and one year for conviction of a third or subsequent offense.

(g2)�� When a license is revoked under G.S. 20‑17(a)(16), the period of revocation is 90 days for a second conviction and six months for a third or subsequent conviction. The term "second or subsequent conviction" shall have the same meaning as found in G.S. 20‑17(a)(16).

(h)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1983, c. 435, s. 17.

(i)�� When a person's license is revoked under subdivision (1) or (9) of G.S. 20‑17 and the offense is one involving impaired driving, the revocation is permanent. The Division may, however, conditionally restore the person's license after it has been revoked for at least three years in accordance with the procedure in subsection (e) of this section.

(j)�� The Division is authorized to issue amended revocation orders issued under subsections (d) and (e), if necessary because convictions do not respectively occur in the same order as offenses for which the license may be revoked under those subsections.

(k)�� Before the Division restores a driver's license that has been suspended or revoked under any provision of this Article, other than G.S. 20‑24.1, the person seeking to have his driver's license restored shall submit to the Division proof that he has notified his insurance agent or company of his seeking the restoration and that he is financially responsible. Proof of financial responsibility shall be in one of the following forms:

The preceding provisions of this subsection do not apply to applicants who do not own currently registered motor vehicles and who do not operate nonfleet private passenger motor vehicles that are owned by other persons and that are not insured under commercial motor vehicle liability insurance policies. In such cases, the applicant shall sign a written certificate to that effect. Such certificate shall be furnished by the Division and may be incorporated into the restoration application form. Any material misrepresentation made by such person on such certificate shall be grounds for suspension of that person's license for a period of 90 days.

For the purposes of this subsection, the term "nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle" has the definition ascribed to it in Article 40 of General Statute Chapter 58.

The Commissioner may require that certificates required by this subsection be on a form approved by the Commissioner. The financial responsibility required by this subsection shall be kept in effect for not less than three years after the date that the license is restored. Failure to maintain financial responsibility as required by this subsection shall be grounds for suspending the restored driver's license for a period of thirty (30) days. Nothing in this subsection precludes any person from showing proof of financial responsibility in any other manner authorized by Articles 9A and 13 of this Chapter. (1935, c. 52, s. 13; 1947, c. 1067, s. 15; 1951, c. 1202, ss. 2‑4; 1953, c. 1138; 1955, c. 1187, ss. 13, 17, 18; 1957, c. 499, s. 2; c. 515, s. 1; 1959, c. 1264, s. 11A; 1969, c. 242; 1971, c. 619, ss. 8‑10; 1973, c. 1445, ss. 1‑4; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 903, ss. 4‑6; 1981, c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, ss. 34, 66; 1983, c. 435, s. 17; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1101, s. 18; 1987, c. 869, s. 12; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1112; 1989, c. 436, s. 5; c. 771, s. 18; 1995, c. 506, s. 8; 1998‑182, s. 21; 1999‑406, s. 2; 1999‑452, ss. 11, 12; 2000‑140, ss. 3, 4; 2000‑155, s. 6; 2001‑352, s. 4.)

§ 20‑20: Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 938, s. 5.

§ 20‑21.� No operation under foreign license during suspension or revocation in this State.

Any resident or nonresident whose driver's license or right or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this State has been suspended or revoked as provided in this Article shall not operate a motor vehicle in this State under a license, permit or registration issued by another jurisdiction or otherwise during such suspension, or after such revocation until a new license is obtained when and as permitted under this Article. (1935, c. 52, s. 15; 1979, c. 667, s. 41.)

§ 20‑22.� Suspending privileges of nonresidents and reporting convictions.

�(a) The privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the highways of this State given to a nonresident hereunder shall be subject to suspension or revocation by the Division in like manner and for like cause as a driver's license issued hereunder may be suspended or revoked.

�(b) The Division is further authorized, upon receiving a record of the conviction in this State of a nonresident driver of a motor vehicle of any offense under the motor vehicle laws of this State, to forward a certified copy of such record to the motor vehicle administrator in the state wherein the person so convicted is a resident. (1935, c. 52, s. 16; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 41.)

§ 20‑23.� Revoking resident's license upon conviction in another state.

The Division may revoke the license of any resident of this State upon receiving notice of the person's conviction in another state of an offense set forth in G.S. 20‑26(a). (1935, c. 52, s. 17; 1971, c. 486, s. 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 22; 1993, c. 533, s. 6.)

§ 20‑23.1.� Suspending or revoking operating privilege of person not holding license.

In any case where the Division would be authorized to suspend or revoke the license of a person but such person does not hold a license, the Division is authorized to suspend or revoke the operating privilege of such a person in like manner as it could suspend or revoke his license if such person held a driver's license, and the provisions of this Chapter governing suspensions, revocations, issuance of a license, and driving after license suspended or revoked, shall apply in the discretion of the Division in the same manner as if the license has been suspended or revoked. (1955, c. 1187, s. 19; 1969, c. 186, s. 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 41.)

§ 20‑23.2.� Suspension of license for conviction of offense involving impaired driving in federal court.

Upon receipt of notice of conviction in any court of the federal government of an offense involving impaired driving, the Division is authorized to revoke the driving privilege of the person convicted in the same manner as if the conviction had occurred in a court of this State. (1969, c. 988; 1971, c. 619, s. 11; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 903, s. 12; 1981, c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, s. 66; 1983, c. 435, s. 18.)

§ 20‑24.� When court or child support enforcement agency to forward license to Division and report convictions, child support delinquencies, and prayers for judgment continued.

(a)�� License. � A court that convicts a person of an offense that requires revocation of the person's drivers license or revokes a person's drivers license pursuant to G.S. 50‑13.12 shall require the person to give the court any regular or commercial drivers license issued to that person. A court that convicts a person of an offense that requires disqualification of the person but would not require revocation of a regular drivers license issued to that person shall require the person to give the court any Class A or Class B regular drivers license and any commercial drivers license issued to that person.

The clerk of court in a non‑IV‑D case, and the child support enforcement agency in a IV‑D case, shall accept a drivers license required to be given to the court under this subsection. A clerk of court or the child support enforcement agency who receives a drivers license shall give the person whose license is received a copy of a dated receipt for the license. The receipt must be on a form approved by the Commissioner. A revocation or disqualification for which a license is received under this subsection is effective as of the date on the receipt for the license.

The clerk of court or the child support enforcement agency shall notify the Division of a license received under this subsection either by forwarding to the Division the license, a record of the conviction for which the license was received, a copy of the court order revoking the license for failure to pay child support for which the license was received, and the original dated receipt for the license or by electronically sending to the Division the information on the license, the record of conviction or court order revoking the license for failure to pay child support, and the receipt given for the license. The clerk of court or the child support enforcement agency must forward the required items unless the Commissioner has given the clerk of court or the child support enforcement agency approval to notify the Division electronically. If the clerk of court or the child support enforcement agency notifies the Division electronically, the clerk of court or the child support enforcement agency must destroy a license received after sending to the Division the required information. The clerk of court or the child support enforcement agency shall notify the Division within 30 days after entry of the conviction or court order revoking the license for failure to pay child support for which the license was received.

(b)�� Convictions, Court Orders of Drivers License Revocations, and PJCs. � The clerk of court shall send the Division a record of any of the following:

(1)�� A conviction of a violation of a law regulating the operation of a vehicle.

(2)�� A conviction for which the convicted person is placed on probation and a condition of probation is that the person not drive a motor vehicle for a period of time, stating the period of time for which the condition applies.

(3)�� A conviction of a felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used, when the judgment includes a finding that a motor vehicle was used in the commission of the felony.

(4)�� A conviction that requires revocation of the drivers license of the person convicted and is not otherwise reported under subdivision (1).

(4a)�� A court order revoking drivers license pursuant to G.S. 50‑13.12.

(5)�� An order entering prayer for judgment continued in a case involving an alleged violation of a law regulating the operation of a vehicle.

The child support enforcement agency shall send the Division a record of any court order revoking drivers license pursuant to G.S. 110‑142.2(a)(1).

With the approval of the Commissioner, the clerk of court or the child support enforcement agency may forward a record of conviction, court order revoking drivers license, or prayer for judgment continued to the Division by electronic data processing means.

(b1)�� In any case in which the Division, for any reason, does not receive a record of a conviction or a prayer for judgment continued until more than one year after the date it is entered, the Division may, in its discretion, substitute a period of probation for all or any part of a revocation or disqualification required because of the conviction or prayer for judgment continued.

(c)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 726, s. 10.

(d)�� Scope. � This Article governs drivers license revocation and disqualification. A drivers license may not be revoked and a person may not be disqualified except in accordance with this Article.

(e)�� Special Information. � A judgment for a conviction for an offense for which special information is required under this subsection shall, when appropriate, include a finding of the special information. The convictions for which special information is required and the specific information required is as follows:

(1)�� Homicide. � If a conviction of homicide involves impaired driving, the judgment must indicate that fact.

(2)�� G.S. 20‑138.1, Driving While Impaired. � If a conviction under G.S. 20‑138.1 involves a commercial motor vehicle, the judgment must indicate that fact. If a conviction under G.S. 20‑138.1 involves a commercial motor vehicle that was transporting a hazardous substance required to be placarded, the judgment must indicate that fact.

(3)�� G.S. 20‑138.2, Driving Commercial Motor Vehicle While Impaired. � If the commercial motor vehicle involved in an offense under G.S. 20‑138.2 was transporting a hazardous material required to be placarded, a judgment for that offense must indicate that fact.

(4)�� G.S. 20‑166, Hit and Run. � If a conviction under G.S. 20‑166 involves a commercial motor vehicle, the judgment must indicate that fact. If a conviction under G.S. 20‑166 involves a commercial motor vehicle that was transporting a hazardous substance required to be placarded, the judgment must indicate that fact.

(5)�� Felony Using Commercial Motor Vehicle. � If a conviction of a felony in which a commercial motor vehicle was used involves the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance, the judgment must indicate that fact. If a commercial motor vehicle used in a felony was transporting a hazardous substance required to be placarded, the judgment for that felony must indicate that fact. (1935, c. 52, s. 18; 1949, c. 373, ss. 3, 4; 1955, c. 1187, s. 14; 1959, c. 47; 1965, c. 38; 1973, c. 19; 1975, cc. 46, 445; c. 716, s. 5; c. 871, s. 1; 1979, c. 667, s. 41; 1981, c. 416; c. 839; 1983, c. 294, s. 5; c. 435, s. 19; 1985, c. 764, s. 18; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 852, s. 17; 1987, c. 581, s. 1; c. 658, s. 2; 1989, c. 771, s. 10; 1991, c. 726, s. 10; 1993, c. 533, s. 7; 1995, c. 538, s. 2(c).)

§ 20‑24.1.� Revocation for failure to appear or pay fine, penalty or costs for motor vehicle offenses.

(a)�� The Division must revoke the driver's license of a person upon receipt of notice from a court that the person was charged with a motor vehicle offense and he:

(1)�� failed to appear, after being notified to do so, when the case was called for a trial or hearing; or

(2)�� failed to pay a fine, penalty, or court costs ordered by the court.

Revocation orders entered under the authority of this section are effective on the sixtieth day after the order is mailed or personally delivered to the person.

(b)�� A license revoked under this section remains revoked until the person whose license has been revoked:

(1)�� disposes of the charge in the trial division in which he failed to appear when the case was last called for trial or hearing; or

(2)�� demonstrates to the court that he is not the person charged with the offense; or

(3)�� pays the penalty, fine, or costs ordered by the court; or

(4)�� demonstrates to the court that his failure to pay the penalty, fine, or costs was not willful and that he is making a good faith effort to pay or that the penalty, fine, or costs should be remitted.

Upon receipt of notice from the court that the person has satisfied the conditions of this subsection applicable to his case, the Division must restore the person's license as provided in subsection (c). In addition, if the person whose license is revoked is not a resident of this State, the Division may notify the driver licensing agency in the person's state of residence that the person's license to drive in this State has been revoked.

(b1)�� A defendant must be afforded an opportunity for a trial or a hearing within a reasonable time of the defendant's appearance. Upon motion of a defendant, the court must order that a hearing or a trial be heard within a reasonable time.

(c)�� If the person satisfies the conditions of subsection (b) that are applicable to his case before the effective date of the revocation order, the revocation order and any entries on his driving record relating to it shall be deleted and the person does not have to pay the restoration fee set by G.S. 20‑7(i1). For all other revocation orders issued pursuant to this section, G.S. 50‑13.12 or G.S. 110‑142.2, the person must pay the restoration fee and satisfy any other applicable requirements of this Article before the person may be relicensed.

(d)�� To facilitate the prompt return of licenses and to prevent unjustified charges of driving while license revoked, the clerk of court, upon request, must give the person a copy of the notice it sends to the Division to indicate that the person has complied with the conditions of subsection (b) applicable to his case. If the person complies with the condition before the effective date of the revocation, the notice must indicate that the person is eligible to drive if he is otherwise validly licensed.

(e)�� As used in this section and in G.S. 20‑24.2, the word offense includes crimes and infractions created by this Chapter. (1985, c. 764, s. 19; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 852, ss. 4‑6, 9, 17; 1987, c. 581, s. 4; 1991, c. 682, s. 4; 1993, c. 313, s. 1; 1995, c. 538, s. 2(d).)

§ 20‑24.2.� Court to report failure to appear or pay fine, penalty or costs.

(a)�� The court must report to the Division the name of any person charged with a motor vehicle offense under this Chapter who:

(1)�� Fails to appear to answer the charge as scheduled, unless within 20 days after the scheduled appearance, he either appears in court to answer the charge or disposes of the charge pursuant to G.S. 7A‑146; or

(2)�� Fails to pay a fine, penalty, or costs within 20 days of the date specified in the court's judgment.

(b)�� The reporting requirement of this section and the revocation mandated by G.S. 20‑24.1 do not apply to offenses in which an order of forfeiture of a cash bond is entered and reported to the Division pursuant to G.S. 20‑24.� If an order is sent to the Division by the clerk through clerical mistake or other inadvertence, the clerk's office that sent the report of noncompliance must withdraw the report and send notice to the Division which shall correct its records accordingly. (1985, c. 764, s. 3; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 852, s. 3; 1987, c. 581, s. 3; 1991, c. 682, s. 5.)

§ 20‑25.� Right of appeal to court.

Any person denied a license or whose license has been canceled, suspended or revoked by the Division, except where such cancellation is mandatory under the provisions of this Article, shall have a right to file a petition within 30 days thereafter for a hearing in the matter in the superior court of the county wherein such person shall reside, or to the resident judge of the district or judge holding the court of that district, or special or emergency judge holding a court in such district in which the violation was committed, and such court or judge is hereby vested with jurisdiction and it shall be its or his duty to set the matter for hearing upon 30 days' written notice to the Division, and thereupon to take testimony and examine into the facts of the case, and to determine whether the petitioner is entitled to a license or is subject to suspension, cancellation or revocation of license under the provisions of this Article.� Provided, a judge of the district court shall have limited jurisdiction under this section to sign and enter a temporary restraining order only. (1935, c. 52, s. 19; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1987, c. 659.)

§ 20‑26.� Records; copies furnished; charge.

(a)�� The Division shall keep a record of all applications for a drivers license, all tests given an applicant for a drivers license, all applications for a drivers license that are denied, all drivers licenses issued, renewed, cancelled, or revoked, all disqualifications, all convictions affecting a drivers license, and all prayers for judgment continued that may lead to a license revocation. When the Division cancels or revokes a commercial drivers license or disqualifies a person, the Division shall update its records to reflect that action within 10 days after the cancellation, revocation, or disqualification becomes effective. When a person who is not a resident of this State is convicted of an offense or commits an act requiring revocation of the person's commercial drivers license or disqualification of the person, the Division shall notify the licensing authority of the person's state of residence.

The Division shall keep records of convictions occurring outside North Carolina for the offenses of exceeding a stated speed limit of 55 miles per hour or more by more than 15 miles per hour, driving while license suspended or revoked, careless and reckless driving, engaging in prearranged speed competition, engaging willfully in speed competition, hit‑and‑run driving resulting in damage to property, unlawfully passing a stopped school bus, illegal transportation of alcoholic beverages, and the offenses included in G.S. 20‑17. The Division shall also keep records of convictions occurring outside North Carolina for any serious traffic violation that involves a commercial motor vehicle and is not otherwise required to be kept under this subsection.

(b)�� The Division shall furnish certified copies of license records required to be kept by subsection (a) of this section to State, county, municipal and court officials of this State for official use only, without charge. A certified copy of a driver's records kept pursuant to subsection (a) may be sent by the Police Information Network. In addition to the uses authorized by G.S. 8‑35.1, a copy certified under the authority of this section is admissible as prima facie evidence of the status of the person's license. The Attorney General and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles are authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the provision of this subsection.

(b1)�� The registered or declared weight set forth on the vehicle registration card or a certified copy of the Division record sent by the Division of Criminal Information or otherwise is admissible in any judicial or administrative proceeding and shall be prima facie evidence of the registered or declared weight.

(c)�� The Division shall furnish copies of license records required to be kept by subsection (a) of this section in accordance with G.S. 20‑43.1 to other persons for uses other than official upon prepayment of the following fees:

(1)�� Limited extract copy of license record, for period up to three years..................................................................................... $8.00

(2)�� Complete extract copy of license record....................................... 8.00

(3)�� Certified true copy of complete license record............................ 11.00.

All fees received by the Division under this subsection shall be credited to the Highway Fund.

(d)�� The charge for records provided pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the provisions of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.

(e)�� In the event of a mistake on the part of any person in ordering license records under subsection (c) of this section, the Commissioner may refund or credit to that person up to sixty‑five percent (65%) of the amount paid for the license records.

(f)�� On and after July 1, 1988, the Division shall expeditiously furnish to insurance agents, insurance companies, and to insurance support organizations as defined in G.S. 58‑39‑15(12), for the purpose of rating nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle insurance policies, through electronic data processing means or otherwise, copies of or information pertaining to license records that are required to be kept pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. (1935, c. 52, s. 20; 1961, c. 307; 1969, c. 783, s. 3; 1971, c. 486, s. 1; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 23; c. 903, ss. 9, 10; 1981, c. 145, s. 1; c. 412, s. 4; c. 690, s. 13; c. 747, s. 66; 1983, c. 435, s. 20; c. 761, s. 149; 1987, c. 869, s. 16; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1112, ss. 14, 17; 1989, c. 771, ss. 9, 17, 18; 1991, c. 689, s. 330; c. 726, s. 11; 1997‑443, s. 32.25(b); 2005‑276, s. 44.1(e).)

§ 20‑27.� Availability of records.

(a)�� All records of the Division pertaining to application and to drivers' licenses, except the confidential medical report referred to in G.S. 20‑7, of the current or previous five years shall be open to public inspection in accordance with G.S. 20‑43.1, at any reasonable time during office hours and copies shall be provided pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 20‑26.

(b)�� All records of the Division pertaining to chemical tests as provided in G.S. 20‑16.2 shall be available to the courts as provided in G.S. 20‑26(b). (1935, c. 52, s. 21; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 24; c. 903, s. 11; 1981, c. 145, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 32.25(c).)

§ 20‑28.� Unlawful to drive while license revoked or while disqualified.

(a)�� Driving While License Revoked. � Except as provided in subsection (a1) of this section, any person whose drivers license has been revoked who drives any motor vehicle upon the highways of the State while the license is revoked is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the person's license shall be revoked for an additional period of one year for the first offense, two years for the second offense, and permanently for a third or subsequent offense.

The restoree of a revoked drivers license who operates a motor vehicle upon the highways of the State without maintaining financial responsibility as provided by law shall be punished as for driving without a license.

(a1)�� Driving Without Reclaiming License. � A person convicted under subsection (a) shall be punished as if the person had been convicted of driving without a license under G.S. 20‑35 if the person demonstrates to the court that either subdivisions (1) and (2), or subdivision (3) of this subsection is true:

(1)�� At the time of the offense, the person's license was revoked solely under G.S. 20‑16.5; and

(2)�� a.�� The offense occurred more than 45 days after the effective date of a revocation order issued under G.S. 20‑16.5(f) and the period of revocation was 45 days as provided under subdivision (3) of that subsection; or

b.�� The offense occurred more than 30 days after the effective date of the revocation order issued under any other provision of G.S. 20‑16.5; or

(3)�� At the time of the offense the person had met the requirements of G.S. 50‑13.12, or G.S. 110‑142.2 and was eligible for reinstatement of the person's drivers license privilege as provided therein.

In addition, a person punished under this subsection shall be treated for drivers license and insurance rating purposes as if the person had been convicted of driving without a license under G.S. 20‑35, and the conviction report sent to the Division must indicate that the person is to be so treated.

(b)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 761, s. 3.

(c)�� When Person May Apply for License. � A person whose license has been revoked under this section for one year may apply for a license after 90 days. A person whose license has been revoked under this section for two years may apply for a license after 12 months. A person whose license has been revoked under this section permanently may apply� for a license after three years. Upon the filing of an application the Division may, with or without a hearing, issue a new license upon satisfactory proof that the former licensee has not been convicted of a moving violation under this Chapter or the laws of another state, a violation of any provision of the alcoholic beverage laws of this State or another state, or a violation of any provisions of the drug laws of this State or another state when any of these violations occurred during the revocation period. The Division may impose any restrictions or conditions on the new license that the Division considers appropriate for the balance of the revocation period. When the revocation period is permanent, the restrictions and conditions imposed by the Division may not exceed three years.

(d)�� Driving While Disqualified. � A person who was convicted of a violation that disqualified the person and required the person's drivers license to be revoked who drives a motor vehicle during the revocation period is punishable as provided in the other subsections of this section. A person who has been disqualified who drives a commercial motor vehicle during the disqualification period is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and is disqualified for an additional period as follows:

(1)�� For a first offense of driving while disqualified, a person is disqualified for a period equal to the period for which the person was disqualified when the offense occurred.

(2)�� For a second offense of driving while disqualified, a person is disqualified for a period equal to two times the period for which the person was disqualified when the offense occurred.

(3)�� For a third offense of driving while disqualified, a person is disqualified for life.

The Division may reduce a disqualification for life under this subsection to 10 years in accordance with the guidelines adopted under G.S. 20‑17.4(b). A person who drives a commercial motor vehicle while the person is disqualified and the person's drivers license is revoked is punishable for both driving while the person's license was revoked and driving while disqualified. (1935, c. 52, s. 22; 1945, c. 635; 1947, c. 1067, s. 16; 1955, c. 1020, s. 1; c. 1152, s. 18; c. 1187, s. 20; 1957, c. 1046; 1959, c. 515; 1967, c. 447; 1973, c. 47, s. 2; cc. 71, 1132; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c 377, ss. 1, 2; c. 667, s. 41; 1981, c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, s. 66; 1983, c. 51; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1101, s. 18A; 1989, c. 771, s. 4; 1991, c. 509, s. 2; c. 726, s. 12; 1993, c. 539, ss. 320‑322; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 761, ss. 2, 3; 1995, c. 538, s. 2(e), (f); 2002‑159, s. 6.)

§ 20‑28.1.� Conviction of moving offense committed while driving during period of suspension or revocation of license.

(a)�� Upon receipt of notice of conviction of any person of a motor vehicle moving offense, except a conviction punishable under G.S. 20‑28(a1), such offense having been committed while such person's driving privilege was in a state of suspension or revocation, the Division shall revoke such person's driving privilege for an additional period of time as set forth in subsection (b) hereof.

(b)�� When a driving privilege is subject to revocation under this section, the additional period of revocation shall be as follows:

(1)�� A first such revocation shall be for one year;

(2)�� A second such revocation shall be for two years; and

(3)�� A third or subsequent such revocation shall be permanent.

(c)�� A person whose license has been revoked under this section for one year may apply for a license after 90 days.� A person whose license has been revoked under this section for two years may apply for a license after 12 months.� A person whose license has been revoked under this section permanently may apply for a license after three years.� Upon the filing of an application, the Division may, with or without a hearing, issue a new license upon satisfactory proof that the former licensee has not been convicted of a moving violation under this Chapter or the laws of another state, or a violation of any provision of the alcoholic beverage laws of this State or another state, or a violation of any provision of the drug laws of this State or another state when any of these violations occurred during the revocation period.� The Division may impose any restrictions or conditions on the new license that the Division considers appropriate for the balance of the revocation period.� When the revocation period is permanent, the restrictions and conditions imposed by the Division may not exceed three years.

(d)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 378, s. 2. (1965, c. 286; 1969, c. 348; 1971, c. 163; 1973, c. 47, s. 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 378, ss. 1, 2; 1981, c. 412, s. 4; c. 747, s. 66; 1991, c. 509, s. 1, c. 682, s. 6, c. 726, s. 22.1.)

§ 20‑28.2.� Forfeiture of motor vehicle for impaired driving after impaired driving license revocation.

(a)�� Meaning of "Impaired Driving License Revocation". � The revocation of a person's drivers license is an impaired driving license revocation if the revocation is pursuant to:

(1)�� G.S. 20‑13.2, 20‑16(a)(8b), 20‑16.2, 20‑16.5, 20‑17(a)(2), 20‑17(a)(12), 20‑17.2, or 20‑138.5; or

(2)�� G.S. 20‑16(a)(7), 20‑17(a)(1), 20‑17(a)(3), 20‑17(a)(9), or 20‑17(a)(11), if the offense involves impaired driving; or

(3)�� The laws of another state and the offense for which the person's license is revoked prohibits substantially similar conduct which if committed in this State would result in a revocation listed in subdivisions (1) or (2).

(a1)�� Definitions. � As used in this section and in G.S. 20‑28.3, 20‑28.4, 20‑28.5, 20‑28.7, 20‑28.8, and 20‑28.9, the following terms mean:

(1)�� Acknowledgment. � A written document acknowledging that:

a.�� The motor vehicle was operated by a person charged with an offense involving impaired driving while that person's drivers license was revoked as a result of a prior impaired drivers license revocation;

b.�� If the motor vehicle is again operated by this particular person, at any time while that person's drivers license is revoked, and the person is charged with an offense involving impaired driving, the motor vehicle is subject to impoundment and forfeiture; and

c.�� A lack of knowledge or consent to the operation will not be a defense in the future, unless the motor vehicle owner has taken all reasonable precautions to prevent the use of the motor vehicle by this particular person and immediately reports, upon discovery, any unauthorized use to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

(1a)�� Fair Market Value. � The value of the seized motor vehicle, as determined in accordance with the schedule of values adopted by the Commissioner pursuant to G.S. 105‑187.3.

(2)�� Innocent Owner. � A motor vehicle owner:

a.�� Who did not know and had no reason to know that the defendant's drivers license was revoked; or

b.�� Who knew that the defendant's drivers license was revoked, but the defendant drove the vehicle without the person's expressed or implied permission, and the owner files a police report for unauthorized use of the motor vehicle and agrees to prosecute the unauthorized operator of the motor vehicle;

c.�� Whose vehicle was reported stolen;

d.�� Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑406, s. 17.

e.�� Who is in the business of renting vehicles, and the vehicle was driven by a person who is not listed as an authorized driver on the rental contract; or

f.�� Who is in the business of leasing motor vehicles, who holds legal title to the motor vehicle as a lessor at the time of seizure and who has no actual knowledge of the revocation of the lessee's drivers license at the time the lease is entered.

(2a)�� Insurance Company. � Any insurance company that has coverage on or is otherwise liable for repairs or damages to the motor vehicle at the time of the seizure.

(2b)�� Insurance Proceeds. � Proceeds paid under an insurance policy for damage to a seized motor vehicle less any payments actually paid to valid lienholders and for towing and storage costs incurred for the motor vehicle after the time the motor vehicle became subject to seizure.

(3)�� Lienholder. � A person who holds a perfected security interest in a motor vehicle at the time of seizure.

(3a)�� Motor Vehicle Owner. � A person in whose name a registration card or certificate of title for a motor vehicle is issued at the time of seizure.

(4)�� Order of Forfeiture. � An order by the court which terminates the rights and ownership interest of a motor vehicle owner in a motor vehicle and any insurance proceeds or proceeds of sale in accordance with G.S. 20‑28.2.

(5)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑182, s. 2.

(6)�� Registered Owner. � A person in whose name a registration card for a motor vehicle is issued at the time of seizure.

(7)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑182, s. 2.

(b)�� When Motor Vehicle Becomes Property Subject to Order of Forfeiture. � If at a sentencing hearing for the underlying offense involving impaired driving, at a separate hearing after conviction of the defendant, or at a forfeiture hearing held at least 60 days after the defendant failed to appear at the scheduled trial for the underlying offense and the defendant's order of arrest for failing to appear has not been set aside, the judge determines by the greater weight of the evidence that the defendant is guilty of an offense involving impaired driving and that the defendant's license was revoked pursuant to an impaired driving license revocation as defined in subsection (a) of this section, the motor vehicle that was driven by the defendant at the time the defendant committed the offense becomes property subject to an order of forfeiture.

(c)�� Duty of Prosecutor to Notify Possible Innocent Parties. � In any case in which a prosecutor determines that a motor vehicle driven by a defendant may be subject to forfeiture under this section and the motor vehicle has not been permanently released to a nondefendant vehicle owner pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3(e1), a defendant owner pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3(e2), or a lienholder, pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3(e3), the prosecutor shall notify the defendant, each motor vehicle owner, and each lienholder that the motor vehicle may be subject to forfeiture and that the defendant, motor vehicle owner, or the lienholder may intervene to protect that person's interest. The notice may be served by any means reasonably likely to provide actual notice, and shall be served at least 10 days before the hearing at which an order of forfeiture may be entered.

(c1)�� Motor Vehicles Involved in Accidents. � If a motor vehicle subject to forfeiture was damaged while the defendant operator was committing the underlying offense involving impaired driving, or was damaged incident to the seizure of the motor vehicle, the Division shall determine the name of any insurance companies that are the insurers of record with the Division for the motor vehicle at the time of the seizure or that may otherwise be liable for repair to the motor vehicle. In any case where a seized motor vehicle was involved in an accident, the Division shall notify the insurance companies that the claim for insurance proceeds for damage to the seized motor vehicle shall be paid to the clerk of superior court of the county where the motor vehicle driver was charged to be held and disbursed pursuant to further orders of the court. Any insurance company that receives written or other actual notice of seizure pursuant to this section shall not be relieved of any legal obligation under any contract of insurance unless the claim for property damage to the seized motor vehicle minus the policy owner's deductible is paid directly to the clerk of court. The insurance company paying insurance proceeds to the clerk of court pursuant to this section shall be immune from suit by the motor vehicle owner for any damages alleged to have occurred as a result of the motor vehicle seizure. The proceeds shall be held by the clerk. The clerk shall disburse the insurance proceeds pursuant to further orders of the court.

(d)�� Forfeiture Hearing. � Unless a motor vehicle that has been seized pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3 has been permanently released to an innocent owner pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3(e1), a defendant owner pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3(e2), or to a lienholder pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3(e3), the court shall conduct a hearing on the forfeiture of the motor vehicle. The hearing may be held at the sentencing hearing on the underlying offense involving impaired driving, at a separate hearing after conviction of the defendant, or at a separate forfeiture hearing held not less than 60 days after the defendant failed to appear at the scheduled trial for the underlying offense and the defendant's order of arrest for failing to appear has not been set aside. If at the forfeiture hearing, the judge determines that the motor vehicle is subject to forfeiture pursuant to this section and proper notice of the hearing has been given, the judge shall order the motor vehicle forfeited. If at the sentencing hearing or at a forfeiture hearing, the judge determines that the motor vehicle is subject to forfeiture pursuant to this section and proper notice of the hearing has been given, the judge shall order the motor vehicle forfeited unless another motor vehicle owner establishes, by the greater weight of the evidence, that such motor vehicle owner is an innocent owner as defined in this section, in which case the trial judge shall order the motor vehicle released to the innocent owner pursuant to the provisions of subsection (e) of this section. In any case where the motor vehicle is ordered forfeited, the judge shall:

(1)�� a.�� Authorize the sale of the motor vehicle at public sale or allow the county board of education to retain the motor vehicle for its own use pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.5; or

b.�� Order the motor vehicle released to a lienholder pursuant to the provisions of subsection (f) of this section; and

(2)�� a.�� Order any proceeds of sale or insurance proceeds held by the clerk of court to be disbursed to the county board of education; and

b.�� Order any outstanding insurance claims be assigned to the county board of education in the event the motor vehicle has been damaged in an accident incident to the seizure of the motor vehicle.

If the judge determines that the motor vehicle is subject to forfeiture pursuant to this section, but that notice as required by subsection (c) has not been given, the judge shall continue the forfeiture proceeding until adequate notice has been given. In no circumstance shall the sentencing of the defendant be delayed as a result of the failure of the prosecutor to give adequate notice.

(e)�� Release of Vehicle to Innocent Motor Vehicle Owner. � At a forfeiture hearing, if a nondefendant motor vehicle owner establishes by the greater weight of the evidence that: (i) the motor vehicle was being driven by a person who was not the only motor vehicle owner or had no ownership interest in the motor vehicle at the time of the underlying offense and (ii) the petitioner is an "innocent owner", as defined by this section, a judge shall order the motor vehicle released to that owner, conditioned upon payment of all towing and storage charges incurred as a result of the seizure and impoundment of the motor vehicle.

Release to an innocent owner shall only be ordered upon satisfactory proof of:

(1)�� The identity of the person as a motor vehicle owner;

(2)�� The existence of financial responsibility to the extent required by Article 13 of this Chapter or by the laws of the state in which the vehicle is registered; and

(3)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑182, s. 2.

(4)�� The execution of an acknowledgment as defined in subdivision (a1)(1) of this section.

If the nondefendant owner is a lessor, the release shall also be conditioned upon the lessor agreeing not to sell, give, or otherwise transfer possession of the forfeited motor vehicle to the defendant or any person acting on the defendant's behalf. A lessor who refuses to sell, give, or transfer possession of a seized motor vehicle to the defendant or any person acting on the behalf of the defendant shall not be liable for damages arising out of the refusal.

No motor vehicle subject to forfeiture under this section shall be released to a nondefendant motor vehicle owner if the records of the Division indicate the motor vehicle owner had previously signed an acknowledgment, as required by this section, and the same person was operating the motor vehicle while that person's license was revoked unless the innocent owner shows by the greater weight of the evidence that the motor vehicle owner has taken all reasonable precautions to prevent the use of the motor vehicle by this particular person and immediately reports, upon discovery, any unauthorized use to the appropriate law enforcement agency. A determination by the court at the forfeiture hearing held pursuant to subsection (d) of this section that the petitioner is not an innocent owner is a final judgment and is immediately appealable to the Court of Appeals.

(f)�� Release to Lienholder. � At a forfeiture hearing, the trial judge shall order a forfeited motor vehicle released to the lienholder upon payment of all towing and storage charges incurred as a result of the seizure of the motor vehicle if the judge determines, by the greater weight of the evidence, that:

(1)�� The lienholder's interest has been perfected and appears on the title to the forfeited vehicle;

(2)�� The lienholder agrees not to sell, give, or otherwise transfer possession of the forfeited motor vehicle to the defendant or to the motor vehicle owner who owned the motor vehicle immediately prior to forfeiture, or any person acting on the defendant's or motor vehicle owner's behalf;

(3)�� The forfeited motor vehicle had not previously been released to the lienholder;

(4)�� The owner is in default under the terms of the security instrument evidencing the interest of the lienholder and as a consequence of the default the lienholder is entitled to possession of the motor vehicle; and

(5)�� The lienholder agrees to sell the motor vehicle in accordance with the terms of its agreement and pursuant to the provisions of Part 6 of Article 9 of Chapter 25 of the General Statutes. Upon the sale of the motor vehicle, the lienholder will pay to the clerk of court of the county in which the vehicle was forfeited all proceeds from the sale, less the amount of the lien in favor of the lienholder, and any towing and storage costs paid by the lienholder.

A lienholder who refuses to sell, give, or transfer possession of a forfeited motor vehicle to the defendant, the vehicle owner who owned the motor vehicle immediately prior to forfeiture, or any person acting on the behalf of the defendant or motor vehicle owner shall not be liable for damages arising out of such refusal. The defendant, the motor vehicle owner who owned the motor vehicle immediately prior to forfeiture, and any person acting on the defendant's or motor vehicle owner's behalf are prohibited from purchasing the motor vehicle at any sale conducted by the lienholder.

(g)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑182, s. 2.

(h)�� Any order issued pursuant to this section authorizing the release of a seized vehicle shall require the payment of all towing and storage charges incurred as a result of the seizure and impoundment of the motor vehicle. This requirement shall not be waived. (1983, c. 435, s. 21; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1101, s. 19; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1024, s. 6; 1997‑379, s. 1.1; 1997‑456, s. 30; 1998‑182, s. 2; 1999‑406, ss. 11, 12, 17; 2000‑169, s. 28; 2001‑362, s. 7.)

§ 20‑28.3.� Seizure, impoundment, forfeiture of motor vehicles for offenses involving impaired driving while license revoked.

(a)�� Motor Vehicles Subject to Seizure. � A motor vehicle that is driven by a person who is charged with an offense involving impaired driving is subject to seizure if at the time of the violation the drivers license of the person driving the motor vehicle was revoked as a result of a prior impaired driving license revocation as defined in G.S. 20‑28.2(a).

(b)�� Duty of Officer. � If the charging officer has probable cause to believe that a motor vehicle driven by the defendant may be subject to forfeiture under this section, the officer shall seize the motor vehicle and have it impounded. If the officer determines prior to seizure that the motor vehicle had been reported stolen, the officer shall not seize the motor vehicle pursuant to this section. If the officer determines prior to seizure that the motor vehicle was a rental vehicle driven by a person not listed as an authorized driver on the rental contract, the officer shall not seize the motor vehicle pursuant to this section, but shall make a reasonable effort to notify the owner of the rental vehicle that the vehicle was stopped and that the driver of the vehicle was not listed as an authorized driver on the rental contract. Probable cause may be based on the officer's personal knowledge, reliable information conveyed by another officer, records of the Division, or other reliable source. The seizing officer shall notify the executive agency designated under subsection (b1) of this section as soon as practical but no later than 24 hours after seizure of the motor vehicle of the seizure in accordance with procedures established by the executive agency designated under subsection (b1) of this section.

(b1)�� Written Notification of Impoundment. � Within 48 hours of receipt within regular business hours of the notice of seizure, an executive agency designated by the Governor shall issue written notification of impoundment to the Division, to any lienholder of record and to any motor vehicle owner who was not operating the motor vehicle at the time of the offense. A notice of seizure received outside regular business hours shall be considered to have been received at the start of the next business day. The notification of impoundment shall be sent by first‑class mail to the most recent address contained in the Division's records. If the motor vehicle is registered in another state, notice shall be sent to the address shown on the records of the state where the motor vehicle is registered. This written notification shall provide notice that the motor vehicle has been seized, state the reason for the seizure and the procedure for requesting release of the motor vehicle. Additionally, if the motor vehicle was damaged while the defendant operator was committing an offense involving impaired driving or incident to the seizure, the agency shall issue written notification of the seizure to the owner's insurance company of record and to any other insurance companies that may be insuring other motor vehicles involved in the accident. The Division shall prohibit title to a seized motor vehicle from being transferred by a motor vehicle owner unless authorized by court order.

(b2)�� Additional Notification to Lienholders. � In addition to providing written notification pursuant to subsection (b1) of this section, within eight hours of receipt within regular business hours of the notice of seizure, the executive agency designated under subsection (b1) of this section shall notify by facsimile any lienholder of record that has provided the executive agency with a designated facsimile number for notification of impoundment. The facsimile notification of impoundment shall state that the vehicle has been seized, state the reason for the seizure, and notify the lienholder of the additional written notification that will be provided pursuant to subsection (b1) of this section. The executive agency shall establish procedures to allow a lienholder to provide one designated facsimile number for notification of impoundment for any vehicle for which the lienholder is a lienholder of record and shall maintain a centralized database of the provided facsimile numbers. The lienholder must provide a facsimile number at which the executive agency may give notification of impoundment at anytime.

(c)�� Review by Magistrate. � Upon determining that there is probable cause for seizing a motor vehicle, the seizing officer shall present to a magistrate within the county where the driver was charged an affidavit of impoundment setting forth the basis upon which the motor vehicle has been or will be seized for forfeiture. The magistrate shall review the affidavit of impoundment and if the magistrate determines the requirements of this section have been met, shall order the motor vehicle held. The magistrate may request additional information and may hear from the defendant if the defendant is present. If the magistrate determines the requirements of this section have not been met, the magistrate shall order the motor vehicle released to a motor vehicle owner upon payment of towing and storage fees. If the motor vehicle has not yet been seized, and the magistrate determines that seizure is appropriate, the magistrate shall issue an order of seizure of the motor vehicle. The magistrate shall provide a copy of the order of seizure to the clerk of court. The clerk shall provide copies of the order of seizure to the district attorney and the attorney for the county board of education.

(c1)�� Effecting an Order of Seizure. � An order of seizure shall be valid anywhere in the State. Any officer with territorial jurisdiction and who has subject matter jurisdiction for violations of this Chapter may use such force as may be reasonable to seize the motor vehicle and to enter upon the property of the defendant to accomplish the seizure. An officer who has probable cause to believe the motor vehicle is concealed or stored on private property of a person other than the defendant may obtain a search warrant to enter upon that property for the purpose of seizing the motor vehicle.

(d)�� Custody of Motor Vehicle. � Unless the motor vehicle is towed pursuant to a statewide or regional contract, or a contract with the county board of education, the seized motor vehicle shall be towed by a commercial towing company designated by the law enforcement agency that seized the motor vehicle. Seized motor vehicles not towed pursuant to a statewide or regional contract or a contract with a county board of education shall be retrieved from the commercial towing company within a reasonable time, not to exceed 10 days, by the county board of education or their agent who must pay towing and storage fees to the commercial towing company when the motor vehicle is retrieved. If either a statewide or regional contractor, or the county board of education, chooses to contract for local towing services, all towing companies on the towing list for each law enforcement agency with jurisdiction within the county shall be given written notice and an opportunity to submit proposals prior to a contract for local towing services being awarded. The seized motor vehicle is under the constructive possession of the county board of education for the county in which the operator of the vehicle is charged at the time the vehicle is delivered to a location designated by the county board of education or delivered to its agent pending release or sale, or in the event a statewide or regional contract is in place, under the constructive possession of the Department of Public Instruction, on behalf of the State at the time the vehicle is delivered to a location designated by the Department of Public Instruction or delivered to its agent pending release or sale. Absent a statewide or regional contract that provides otherwise, each county board of education may elect to have seized motor vehicles stored on property owned or leased by the county board of education and charge a reasonable fee for storage, not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00) per day. In the alternative, the county board of education may contract with a commercial towing and storage facility or other private entity for the towing, storage, and disposal of seized motor vehicles, and a storage fee of not more than ten dollars ($10.00) per day may be charged. Except for gross negligence or intentional misconduct, the county board of education, or any of its employees, shall not be liable to the owner or lienholder for damage to or loss of the motor vehicle or its contents, or to the owner of personal property in a seized vehicle, during the time the motor vehicle is being towed or stored pursuant to this subsection.

(e)�� Release of Motor Vehicle Pending Trial. � A motor vehicle owner, other than the driver at the time of the underlying offense resulting in the seizure, may apply to the clerk of superior court in the county where the charges are pending for pretrial release of the motor vehicle.

The clerk shall release the motor vehicle to a nondefendant motor vehicle owner conditioned upon payment of all towing and storage charges incurred as a result of seizure and impoundment of the motor vehicle under the following conditions:

(1)�� The motor vehicle has been seized for not less than 24 hours;

(2)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑182, s. 3.

(3)�� A bond in an amount equal to the fair market value of the motor vehicle as defined by G.S. 20‑28.2 has been executed and is secured by a cash deposit in the full amount of the bond, by a recordable deed of trust to real property in the full amount of the bond, by a bail bond under G.S. 58‑71‑1(2), or by at least one solvent surety, payable to the county school fund and conditioned on return of the motor vehicle, in substantially the same condition as it was at the time of seizure and without any new or additional liens or encumbrances, on the day of any hearing scheduled and noticed by the district attorney under G.S. 20‑28.2(c), unless the motor vehicle has been permanently released;

(4)�� Execution of an acknowledgment as described in G.S. 20‑28.2(a1);

(5)�� A check of the records of the Division indicates that the requesting motor vehicle owner has not previously executed an acknowledgment naming the operator of the seized motor vehicle; and

(6)�� A bond posted to secure the release of this motor vehicle under this subsection has not been previously ordered forfeited under G.S. 20‑28.5.

In the event a nondefendant motor vehicle owner who obtains temporary possession of a seized motor vehicle pursuant to this subsection does not return the motor vehicle on the day of the forfeiture hearing as noticed by the district attorney under G.S. 20‑28.3(c) or otherwise violates a condition of pretrial release of the seized motor vehicle as set forth in this subsection, the bond posted shall be ordered forfeited and an order of seizure shall be issued by the court. Additionally, a nondefendant motor vehicle owner or lienholder who willfully violates any condition of pretrial release may be held in civil or criminal contempt.

(e1)�� Pretrial Release of Motor Vehicle to Innocent Owner. � A nondefendant motor vehicle owner may file a petition with the clerk of court seeking a pretrial determination that the petitioner is an innocent owner. The clerk shall consider the petition and make a determination as soon as may be feasible. At any proceeding conducted pursuant to this subsection, the clerk is not required to determine the issue of forfeiture, only the issue of whether the petitioner is an innocent owner. If the clerk determines that the petitioner is an innocent owner, the clerk shall release the motor vehicle to the petitioner subject to the same conditions as if the petitioner were an innocent owner under G.S. 20‑28.2(e). The clerk shall send a copy of the order authorizing or denying release of the vehicle to the district attorney and the attorney for the county board of education. An order issued under this subsection finding that the petitioner failed to establish that the petitioner is an innocent owner may be reconsidered by the court as part of the forfeiture hearing conducted pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.2(d).

(e2)�� Pretrial Release of Motor Vehicle to Defendant Owner. � A defendant motor vehicle owner may file a petition with the clerk of court seeking a pretrial determination that the defendant's license was not revoked pursuant to an impaired driving license revocation as defined in G.S. 20‑28.2(a). The clerk shall schedule a hearing before a judge of the division in which the underlying criminal charge is pending for a hearing to be held within 10 business days or as soon thereafter as may be feasible. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the defendant, the district attorney, and the attorney for the county board of education. The clerk shall forward a copy of the petition to the district attorney for the district attorney's review. If, based on available information, the district attorney determines that the defendant's motor vehicle is not subject to forfeiture, the district attorney may note the State's consent to the release of the motor vehicle on the petition and return the petition to the clerk of court who shall enter an order releasing the motor vehicle to the defendant upon payment of all towing and storage charges incurred as a result of the seizure and impoundment of the motor vehicle, subject to the satisfactory proof of the identity of the defendant as a motor vehicle owner and the existence of financial responsibility to the extent required by Article 13 of this Chapter, and no hearing shall be held. The clerk shall send a copy of the order of release to the attorney for the county board of education. At any pretrial hearing conducted pursuant to this subsection, the court is not required to determine the issue of the underlying offense of impaired driving only the existence of a prior drivers license revocation as an impaired driving license revocation. Accordingly, the State shall not be required to prove the underlying offense of impaired driving. An order issued under this subsection finding that the defendant failed to establish that the defendant's license was not revoked pursuant to an impaired driving license revocation as defined in G.S. 20‑28.2(a) may be reconsidered by the court as part of the forfeiture hearing conducted pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.2(d).

(e3)�� Pretrial Release of Motor Vehicle to Lienholder. �

(1)�� A lienholder may file a petition with the clerk of court requesting the court to order pretrial release of a seized motor vehicle. The lienholder shall serve a copy of the petition on all interested parties which shall include the registered owner, the titled owner, the district attorney, and the county board of education attorney. Upon 10 days' prior notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing sent by the lienholder to all interested parties, a judge, after a hearing, shall order a seized motor vehicle released to the lienholder conditioned upon payment of all towing and storage costs incurred as a result of the seizure and impoundment of the motor vehicle if the judge determines, by the greater weight of the evidence, that:

a.�� Default on the obligation secured by the motor vehicle has occurred;

b.�� As a consequence of default, the lienholder is entitled to possession of the motor vehicle;

c.�� The lienholder agrees to sell the motor vehicle in accordance with the terms of its agreement and pursuant to the provisions of Part 6 of Article 9 of Chapter 25 of the General Statutes. Upon sale of the motor vehicle, the lienholder will pay to the clerk of court of the county in which the driver was charged all proceeds from the sale, less the amount of the lien in favor of the lienholder, and any towing and storage costs paid by the lienholder;

d.�� The lienholder agrees not to sell, give, or otherwise transfer possession of the seized motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is subject to forfeiture, or the forfeited motor vehicle after the forfeiture hearing, to the defendant or the motor vehicle owner; and

e.�� The seized motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is subject to forfeiture, or the forfeited motor vehicle after the forfeiture hearing, had not previously been released to the lienholder as a result of a prior seizure involving the same defendant or motor vehicle owner.

(2)�� The clerk of superior court may order a seized vehicle released to the lienholder conditioned upon payment of all towing and storage costs incurred as a result of the seizure and impoundment of the motor vehicle at any time when all interested parties have, in writing, waived any rights that they may have to notice and a hearing, and the lienholder has agreed to the provision of subdivision (1)(d) above. A lienholder who refuses to sell, give, or transfer possession of a seized motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is subject to forfeiture, or a forfeited motor vehicle after the forfeiture hearing, to:

a.�� The defendant;

b.�� The motor vehicle owner who owned the motor vehicle immediately prior to seizure pending the forfeiture hearing, or to forfeiture after the forfeiture hearing; or

c.�� Any person acting on the behalf of the defendant or the motor vehicle owner,

shall not be liable for damages arising out of such refusal. However, any subsequent violation of the conditions of release by the lienholder shall be punishable by civil or criminal contempt.

(f),�� (g) Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑182, s. 3.

(h)�� Insurance Proceeds. � In the event a motor vehicle is damaged incident to the conduct of the defendant which gave rise to the defendant's arrest and seizure of the motor vehicle pursuant to this section, the county board of education, or its authorized designee, is authorized to negotiate the county board of education's interest with the insurance company and to compromise and accept settlement of any claim for damages. Property insurance proceeds accruing to the defendant, or other owner of the seized motor vehicle, shall be paid by the responsible insurance company directly to the clerk of superior court in the county where the motor vehicle driver was charged. If the motor vehicle is declared a total loss by the insurance company liable for the damages to the motor vehicle, the clerk of superior court, upon application of the county board of education, shall enter an order that the motor vehicle be released to the insurance company upon payment into the court of all insurance proceeds for damage to the motor vehicle after payment of towing and storage costs and all valid liens. The clerk of superior court shall provide the Division with a certified copy of the order entered pursuant to this subsection, and the Division shall transfer title to the insurance company or to such other person or entity as may be designated by the insurance company. Insurance proceeds paid to the clerk of court pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to forfeiture pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.5 and shall be disbursed pursuant to further orders of the court. An affected motor vehicle owner or lienholder who objects to any agreed upon settlement under this subsection may file an independent claim with the insurance company for any additional monies believed owed. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Chapter, nothing in this section or G.S. 20‑28.2 shall require an insurance company to make payments in excess of those required pursuant to its policy of insurance on the seized motor vehicle.

(i)�� Expedited Sale of Seized Motor Vehicles in Certain Cases. � In order to avoid additional liability for towing and storage costs pending resolution of the criminal proceedings of the defendant, the county board of education may, after expiration of 90 days from the date of seizure, sell any motor vehicle having a fair market value of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) or less. The county board of education may also sell a motor vehicle, regardless of the fair market value, any time the outstanding towing and storage costs exceed eighty‑five percent (85%) of the fair market value of the vehicle, or with the consent of all the motor vehicle owners. Any sale conducted pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 20‑28.5(a), and the proceeds of the sale, after the payment of outstanding towing and storage costs or reimbursement of towing and storage costs paid by a person other than the defendant, shall be deposited with the clerk of superior court. If an order of forfeiture is entered by the court, the court shall order the proceeds held by the clerk to be disbursed as provided in G.S. 20‑28.5(b). If the court determines that the motor vehicle is not subject to forfeiture, the court shall order the proceeds held by the clerk to be disbursed first to pay the sale, towing, and storage costs, second to pay outstanding liens on the motor vehicle, and the balance to be paid to the motor vehicle owners.

(j)�� Retrieval of Certain Personal Property. � At reasonable times, the entity charged with storing the motor vehicle may permit owners of personal property not affixed to the motor vehicle to retrieve those items from the motor vehicle, provided satisfactory proof of ownership of the motor vehicle or the items of personal property is presented to the storing entity.

(k)�� County Board of Education Right to Appear and Participate in Proceedings. � The attorney for the county board of education shall be given notice of all proceedings regarding offenses involving impaired driving related to a motor vehicle subject to forfeiture. However, the notice requirement under this subsection does not apply to proceedings conducted under G.S. 20‑28.3(e1). The attorney for the county board of education shall also have the right to appear and to be heard on all issues relating to the seizure, possession, release, forfeiture, sale, and other matters related to the seized vehicle under this section. With the prior consent of the county board of education, the district attorney may delegate to the attorney for the county board of education any or all of the duties of the district attorney under this section. Clerks of superior court, law enforcement agencies, and all other agencies with information relevant to the seizure, impoundment, release, or forfeiture of motor vehicles are authorized and directed to provide county boards of education with access to that information and to do so by electronic means when existing technology makes this type of transmission possible.

(l)�� Payment of Fees Upon Conviction. � If the driver of a motor vehicle seized pursuant to this section is convicted of an offense involving impaired driving, the defendant shall be ordered to pay as restitution to the county board of education, the motor vehicle owner, or the lienholder the cost paid or owing for the towing, storage, and sale of the motor vehicle to the extent the costs were not covered by the proceeds from the forfeiture and sale of the motor vehicle. In addition, a civil judgment for the costs under this section in favor of the party to whom the restitution is owed shall be docketed by the clerk of superior court. If the defendant is sentenced to an active term of imprisonment, the civil judgment shall become effective and be docketed when the defendant's conviction becomes final. If the defendant is placed on probation, the civil judgment in the amount found by a judge during the probation revocation or termination hearing to be due shall become effective and be docketed by the clerk when the defendant's probation is revoked or terminated.

(m)�� Trial Priority. � District court trials of impaired driving offenses involving forfeitures of motor vehicles pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.2 shall be scheduled on the arresting officer's next court date or within 30 days of the offense, whichever comes first.

Once scheduled, the case shall not be continued unless all of the following conditions are met:

(1)�� A written motion for continuance is filed with notice given to the opposing party prior to the motion being heard.

(2)�� The judge makes a finding of a "compelling reason" for the continuance.

(3)�� The motion and finding are attached to the court case record.

Upon a determination of guilt, the issue of vehicle forfeiture shall be heard by the judge immediately, or as soon thereafter as feasible, and the judge shall issue the appropriate orders pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.2(d).

Should a defendant appeal the conviction to superior court, any party who has not previously been heard on a petition for pretrial release under subsection (e1) or (e3) of this section or any party whose motor vehicle has not been the subject of a forfeiture hearing held pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.2(d) may be heard on a petition for pretrial release pursuant to subsection (e1) or (e3) of this section. The provisions of subsection (e) of this section shall also apply to seized motor vehicles pending trial in superior court. Where a motor vehicle was released pursuant to subsection (e) of this section pending trial in district court, the release of the motor vehicle continues, and the terms and conditions of the original bond remain the same as those required for the initial release of the motor vehicle under subsection (e) of this section, pending the resolution of the underlying offense involving impaired driving in superior court.

(n)�� Any order issued pursuant to this section authorizing the release of a seized vehicle shall require the payment of all towing and storage charges incurred as a result of the seizure and impoundment of the motor vehicle. This requirement shall not be waived. (1997‑379, s. 1.2; 1997‑456, s. 31; 1998‑182, s. 3; 1998‑217, s. 62(a)‑(c); 2000‑169, s. 29; 2001‑362, ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 2001‑487, s. 9.)

§ 20‑28.4.� Release of impounded motor vehicles by judge.

(a)�� Release Upon Conclusion of Trial. � If the driver of a motor vehicle seized pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3:

(1)�� Is subsequently not convicted of an offense involving impaired driving due to dismissal or a finding of not guilty; or

(2)�� The judge at a forfeiture hearing conducted pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.2(d) fails to find that the drivers license was revoked as a result of a prior impaired driving license revocation as defined in G.S. 20‑28.2; and

(3)�� The vehicle has not previously been released to a lienholder pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3(e3),

the seized motor vehicle or insurance proceeds held by the clerk of court pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.2(c1) or G.S. 20‑28.3(h) shall be released to the motor vehicle owner conditioned upon payment of towing and storage costs. The court shall not waive the payment of towing and storage costs. The court shall include in its order notice to the owner of the seized motor vehicle still being held, that within 30 days of the date of the court's order, the owner must make payment of the outstanding towing and storage costs for the motor vehicle and retrieve the motor vehicle, or give notice to Division of Motor Vehicles requesting a judicial hearing on the validity of any mechanics' lien on the motor vehicle for towing and storage costs.

(b)�� Notwithstanding G.S. 44A‑2(d), if the owner of the seized motor vehicle does not obtain release of the vehicle within 30 days from the date of the court's order, the possessor of the seized motor vehicle has a mechanics' lien on the seized motor vehicle for the full amount of the towing and storage charges incurred since the motor vehicle was seized and may dispose of the seized motor vehicle pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 44A of the General Statutes. Notice of the right to a judicial hearing on the validity of the mechanics' lien given to the owner of the motor vehicle in open court in accordance with subsection (a) of this section or delivery to the owner of the vehicle of a copy of the court's order entered in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall satisfy the notice requirement of G.S. 44A‑4(b). (1997‑379, s. 1.3; 1998‑182, s. 4; 2001‑362, s. 8; 2004‑128, s. 4.)

§ 20‑28.5.� Forfeiture of impounded motor vehicle or funds.

(a)�� Sale. � A motor vehicle ordered forfeited and sold or a seized motor vehicle authorized to be sold pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3(i), shall be sold at a public sale conducted in accordance with the provisions of Article 12 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes, applicable to sales authorized pursuant to G.S. 160A‑266(a)(2), (3), or (4), subject to the notice requirements of this subsection, and shall be conducted by the county board of education or a person acting on its behalf. Notice of sale, including the date, time, location, and manner of sale, shall be given by first‑class mail to all motor vehicle owners of the vehicle to be sold at the address shown by the records of the Division. Written notice of sale shall also be given to all lienholders on file with the Division. Notice of sale shall be given to the Division in accordance with the procedures established by the Division. Notices required to be given under this subsection shall be mailed at least 10 days prior to the date of sale. A lienholder shall be permitted to purchase the motor vehicle at any such sale by bidding in the amount of its lien, if that should be the highest bid, without being required to tender any additional funds, other than the towing and storage fees. The county board of education, or its agent, shall not sell, give, or otherwise transfer possession of the forfeited motor vehicle to the defendant, the motor vehicle owner who owned the motor vehicle immediately prior to forfeiture, or any person acting on the defendant's or motor vehicle owner's behalf.

(b)�� Proceeds of Sale. � Proceeds of any sale conducted under this section, G.S. 20‑28.2(f)(5), or G.S. 20‑28.3(e3)(3), shall first be applied to the cost of sale and then to satisfy towing and storage costs. The balance of the proceeds of sale, if any, shall be used to satisfy any other existing liens of record that were properly recorded prior to the date of initial seizure of the vehicle. Any remaining balance shall be paid to the county school fund in the county in which the motor vehicle was ordered forfeited. If there is more than one school board in the county, then the net proceeds of sale, after reimbursement to the county board of education of reasonable administrative costs incurred in connection with the forfeiture and sale of the motor vehicle, shall be distributed in the same manner as fines and other forfeitures. The sale of a motor vehicle pursuant to this section shall be deemed to extinguish all existing liens on the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle shall be transferred free and clear of any liens.

(c)�� Retention of Motor Vehicle. � A board of education may, at its option, retain any forfeited motor vehicle for its use upon payment of towing and storage costs. If the motor vehicle is retained, any valid lien of record at the time of the initial seizure of the motor vehicle shall be satisfied by the county board of education relieving the motor vehicle owner of all liability for the obligation secured by the motor vehicle. If there is more than one school board in the county, and the motor vehicle is retained by a board of education, then the fair market value of the motor vehicle, less the costs for towing, storage, reasonable administrative costs, and liens paid, shall be used to determine and pay the share due each of the school boards in the same manner as fines and other forfeitures.

(d)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑182, s. 5.

(e)�� Order of Forfeiture; Appeals. � An order of forfeiture is stayed pending appeal of a conviction for an offense that is the basis for the order. When the conviction of an offense that is the basis for an order of forfeiture is appealed from district court, the issue of forfeiture shall be heard in superior court de novo. Appeal from a final order of forfeiture shall be to the Court of Appeals. (1997‑379, s. 1.4; 1998‑182, s. 5; 1998‑217, s. 62(d); 1999‑456, s. 11.)

§ 20‑28.6:� Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑182, s. 6 effective December 1, 1998, and applicable to offenses committed, contracts entered, and motor vehicles seized on or after that date.

§ 20‑28.7.� Responsibility of Division of Motor Vehicles.

The Division shall establish procedures by rule to provide for the orderly seizure, forfeiture, sale, and transfer of motor vehicles pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 20‑28.2, 20‑28.3, 20‑28.4, and 20‑28.5. (1997‑379, s. 1.6; 1998‑182, s. 7.)

§ 20‑28.8.� Reports to the Division.

In any case in which a vehicle has been seized pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3, in addition to any other information that must be reported pursuant to this Chapter, the clerk of superior court shall report to the Division by electronic means the execution of an acknowledgment as defined in G.S. 20‑28.2(a1)(1), the entry of an order of forfeiture as defined in G.S. 20‑28.2(a1)(4), and the entry of an order of release as defined in G.S. 20‑28.3 and G.S. 20‑28.4. Each report shall include any of the following information that has not previously been reported to the Division in the case: the name, address, and drivers license number of the defendant; the name, address, and drivers license number of the nondefendant motor vehicle owner, if known; and the make, model, year, vehicle identification number, state of registration, and vehicle registration plate number of the seized vehicle, if known. (1998‑182, s. 8.)

§ 20‑28.9.� Authority for the Department of Public Instruction to administer a statewide or regional towing, storage, and sales program for driving while impaired vehicles forfeited.

(a)�� The Department of Public Instruction is authorized to enter into a contract for a statewide service or contracts for regional services to tow, store, process, maintain, and sell motor vehicles seized pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3. All motor vehicles seized under G.S. 20‑28.3 shall be subject to contracts entered into pursuant to this section. Contracts shall be let by the Department of Public Instruction in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. All contracts shall ensure the safety of the motor vehicles while held and any funds arising from the sale of any seized motor vehicle. The contract shall require the contractor to maintain and make available to the agency a computerized up‑to‑date inventory of all motor vehicles held under the contract, together with an accounting of all accrued charges, the status of the vehicle, and the county school fund to which the proceeds of sale are to be paid. The contract shall provide that the contractor shall pay the towing and storage charges owed on a seized vehicle to a commercial towing company at the time the seized vehicle is obtained from the commercial towing company, with the contractor being reimbursed this expense when the vehicle is released or sold. The Department shall not enter into any contract under this section under which the State will be obligated to pay a deficiency arising from the sale of any forfeited motor vehicle.

(b)�� The Department, through its contractor or contractors designated in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, may charge a reasonable fee for storage not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00) per day for the storage of seized vehicles pursuant to G.S. 20‑28.3.

(c)�� In order to help defray the administrative costs associated with the administration of this section, the Department shall collect a ten dollar ($10.00) administrative fee from a person to whom a seized vehicle is released at the time the motor vehicle is released and shall collect a ten dollar ($10.00) administrative fee out of the proceeds of the sale of any forfeited motor vehicle. The funds collected under this subsection shall be paid to the General Fund. (1998‑182, s. 8.)

§ 20‑29.� Surrender of license.

Any person operating or in charge of a motor vehicle, when requested by an officer in uniform, or, in the event of accident in which the vehicle which he is operating or in charge of shall be involved, when requested by any other person, who shall refuse to write his name for the purpose of identification or to give his name and address and the name and address of the owner of such vehicle, or who shall give a false name or address, or who shall refuse, on demand of such officer or such other person, to produce his license and exhibit same to such officer or such other person for the purpose of examination, or who shall refuse to surrender his license on demand of the Division, or fail to produce same when requested by a court of this State, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.� Pickup notices for drivers' licenses or revocation or suspension of license notices and orders or demands issued by the Division for the surrender of such licenses may be served and executed by patrolmen or other peace officers or may be served in accordance with G.S. 20‑48.� Patrolmen and peace officers, while serving and executing such notices, orders and demands, shall have all the power and authority possessed by peace officers when serving the executing warrants charging violations of the criminal laws of the State. (1935, c. 52, s. 23; 1949, c. 583, s. 7; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 25; 1981, c. 938, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 323; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

§ 20‑29.1.� Commissioner may require reexamination; issuance of limited or restricted licenses.

The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, having good and sufficient cause to believe that a licensed operator is incompetent or otherwise not qualified to be licensed, may, upon written notice of at least five days to such licensee, require him to submit to a reexamination to determine his competency to operate a motor vehicle. Upon the conclusion of such examination, the Commissioner shall take such action as may be appropriate, and may suspend or revoke the license of such person or permit him to retain such license, or may issue a license subject to restrictions or upon failure of such reexamination may cancel the license of such person until he passes a� reexamination. Refusal or neglect of the licensee to submit to such reexamination shall be grounds for the cancellation of the license of� the person failing to be reexamined, and the license so canceled shall remain canceled until such person satisfactorily complies with the reexamination requirements of the Commissioner. The Commissioner may, in his discretion and upon the written application of any person qualified to receive a driver's license, issue to such person a driver's license restricting or limiting the licensee to the operation of a single prescribed motor vehicle or to the operation of a particular class or type of motor vehicle. Such a limitation or restriction shall be noted on the face of the license, and it shall be unlawful for the holder of such limited or restricted license to operate any motor vehicle or class of motor vehicle not specified by such restricted or limited license, and the operation by such licensee of motor vehicles not specified by such license shall be deemed the equivalent of operating a motor vehicle without any driver's license. Any such restricted or limited licensee may at any time surrender such restricted or limited license and apply for and receive an unrestricted driver's license upon meeting the requirements therefor. (1943, c. 787, s. 2; 1949, c. 1121; 1971, c. 546; 1979, c. 667, ss. 26, 41.)

§ 20‑30.� Violations of license or learner's permit provisions.

It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any of the following acts:

(1)�� To display or cause to be displayed or to have in possession a driver's license or learner's permit, knowing the same to be fictitious or to have been canceled, revoked, suspended or altered.

(2)�� To counterfeit, sell, lend to, or knowingly permit the use of, by one not entitled thereto, a driver's license or learner's permit.

(3)�� To display or to represent as one's own a license or learner's permit not issued to the person so displaying same.

(4)�� To fail or refuse to surrender to the Division upon demand any driver's license or learner's permit that has been suspended, canceled or revoked as provided by law.

(5)�� To use a false or fictitious name or give a false or fictitious address in any application for a driver's license or learner's permit, or any renewal or duplicate thereof, or knowingly to make a false statement or knowingly conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application, or for any person to procure, or knowingly permit or allow another to commit any of the foregoing acts. Any license or learner's permit procured as aforesaid shall be void from the issuance thereof, and any moneys paid therefor shall be forfeited to the State. Any person violating the provisions of this subdivision shall be guilty of a class I misdemeanor.

(6)�� To make a color photocopy or otherwise make a color reproduction of a drivers license, learner's permit, or special identification card which has been color‑photocopied or otherwise reproduced in color, unless such color photocopy or other color reproduction was authorized by the Commissioner. It shall be lawful to make a black and white photocopy of a drivers license, learner's permit, or special identification card or otherwise make a black and white reproduction of a drivers license, learner's permit, or special identification card.

(7)�� To sell or offer for sale any reproduction or facsimile or simulation of a driver's license or learner's permit. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to agents or employees of the Division while acting in the course and scope of their employment. Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a Class I felony.

(8)�� To possess more than one commercial drivers license or to possess a commercial drivers license and a regular drivers license. Any commercial drivers license other than the one most recently issued is subject to immediate seizure by any law enforcement officer or judicial official. Any regular drivers license possessed at the same time as a commercial drivers license is subject to immediate seizure by any law enforcement officer or judicial official.

(9)�� To present, display, or use a drivers license or learner's permit that contains a false or fictitious name in the commission or attempted commission of a felony. Any person violating the provisions of this subdivision shall be guilty of a Class I felony. (1935, c. 52, s. 24; 1951, c. 542, s. 4; 1967, c. 1098, s. 1; 1973, c. 18, s. 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 415; c. 667, ss. 27, 41; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1316, s. 22; 1989, c. 771, s. 8; 1991, c. 726, s. 13; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1007, s. 29; 1993, c. 539, s. 1247; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1999‑299, s. 1; 2001‑461, s. 1.1; 2001‑487, s. 50(b).)

§ 20‑31.� Making false affidavits perjury.

Any person who shall make any false affidavit, or shall knowingly swear or affirm falsely, to any matter or thing required by the terms of this Article to be sworn to or affirmed shall be guilty of a Class I felony. (1935, c. 52, s. 25; 1993, c. 539, s. 1249; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

§ 20‑32.� Unlawful to permit unlicensed minor to drive motor vehicle.

It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or knowingly permit any minor under the age of 18 years to drive a motor vehicle upon a highway as an operator, unless such minor shall have first obtained a license to so drive a motor vehicle under the provisions of this Article. (1935, c. 52, s. 26; 1973, c. 684.)

§ 20‑33.� Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 667, s. 28.

§ 20‑34.� Unlawful to permit violations of this Article.

No person shall authorize or knowingly permit a motor vehicle owned by him or under his control to be driven by any person who has no legal right to do so or in violation of any of the provisions of this Article. (1935, c. 52, s. 28.)

§ 20‑34.1.� Violations for wrongful issuance of a drivers license or a special identification card.

(a)�� An employee of the Division or of an agent of the Division who does any of the following commits a Class I felony:

(1)�� Charges or accepts any money or other thing of value, except the required fee, for the issuance of a drivers license or a special identification card.

(2)�� Knowing it is false, accepts false proof of identification submitted for a drivers license or a special identification card.

(3)�� Knowing it is false, enters false information concerning a drivers license or a special identification card in the records of the Division.

(b)�� Defenses Precluded. � The fact that the Division does not issue a license or a special identification card after an employee or an agent of the Division charges or accepts money or another thing of value for its issuance is not a defense to a criminal action under this section.� It is not a defense to a criminal action under this section to show that the person who received or was intended to receive the license or special identification card was eligible for it.

(c)�� Dismissal. � An employee of the Division who violates this section shall be dismissed from employment and may not hold any public office or public employment in this State for five years after the violation.� If a person who violates this section is an employee of the agent of the Division, the Division shall cancel the contract of the agent unless the agent dismisses that person.� A person dismissed by an agent because of a violation of this section may not hold any public office or public employment in this State for five years after the violation. (1951, c. 211; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 667, s. 41; 1993, c. 533, s. 8; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 14, s. 30; c. 24, s. 14(c).)

§ 20‑35.� Penalties for violating Article; defense to driving without a license.

(a)�� Penalty. � A violation of this Article is a Class 2 misdemeanor unless a statute in the Article sets a different punishment for the violation.� If a statute in this Article sets a different punishment for a violation of the Article, the different punishment applies.

(b)�� Repealed by Session Laws 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 761, s. 4.

(c)�� Defenses. � A person may not be convicted of failing to carry a regular drivers license if, when tried for that offense, the person produces in court a regular drivers license issued to the person that was valid when the person was charged with the offense.� A person may not be convicted of driving a motor vehicle without a regular drivers license if, when tried for that offense, the person shows all the following:

(1)�� That, at the time of the offense, the person had an expired license.

(2)�� The person renewed the expired license within 30 days after it expired and now has a drivers license.

(3)�� The person could not have been charged with driving without a license if the person had the renewed license when charged with the offense. (1935, c. 52, s. 29; 1991, c. 726, s. 14; 1993, c. 539, s. 324; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 761, s. 4.)

§ 20‑36.� Ten‑year‑old convictions not considered.

Except for offenses occurring in a commercial motor vehicle, or a second failure to submit to a chemical test when charged with an implied‑consent offense, as defined in G.S. 20‑16.2, that occurred while the person was driving a commercial motor vehicle, no conviction of any other violation of the motor vehicle laws shall be considered by the Division in determining whether any person's driving privilege shall be suspended or revoked or in determining the appropriate period of suspension or revocation after 10 years has elapsed from the date of that conviction. (1971, c. 15; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1998‑182, s. 22; 2005‑349, s. 7.)

§ 20‑37.� Limitations on issuance of licenses.

There shall be no driver's license issued within this State other than that provided for in this Article, nor shall there be any other examination required: Provided, however, that cities and towns shall have the power to license, regulate and control drivers and operators of taxicabs within the city or town limits and to regulate and control operators of taxicabs operating between the city or town to points, not incorporated, within a radius of five miles of said city or town. (1935, c. 52, s. 34; 1943, c. 639, s. 2; 1979, c. 667, s. 41.)

§ 20‑37.01.� Drivers License Technology Fund.

The Drivers License Technology Fund is established in the Department of Transportation as a nonreverting, interest‑bearing special revenue account. The revenue in the Fund at the end of a fiscal year does not revert, and earnings on the Fund shall be credited to the Fund annually. All money collected by the Commissioner pursuant to G.S. 20‑37.02 shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and held in the Fund. Money held in the Fund shall be used to supplement funds otherwise available to the Division for information technology and office automation needs. The Commissioner shall report by February 1 and August 1 of each year to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriation Committees, and the chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on Transportation on all money collected and deposited in the Fund and on the proposed expenditure of funds collected during the preceding six months. (2001‑461, s. 4; 2001‑487, s. 42(c).)

§ 20‑37.02.� Verification of drivers license information.

(a)�� The Commissioner shall establish and operate an electronic system that can be used to verify drivers licenses and identification cards issued by the Division and the dates of birth on these documents in order to facilitate access to drivers license information by retailers and persons holding ABC permits to prevent the utilization of fictitious identification for the purpose of underage purchases of certain age‑restricted products or to commit certain crimes.

(b)�� The electronic system established and operated by the Commissioner pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall allow a retailer, as defined in G.S. 105‑164.3(14), a person who holds an ABC permit, as defined in G.S. 18B‑101(2), or an agent of the retailer or a person holding an ABC permit, to verify the validity of a drivers license or identification card issued by the Division and the date of birth of the person issued the drivers license or identification card. The Commissioner shall make drivers license and identification card information available in a read‑only format, and the information to be made available shall not exceed the information contained on the face of the drivers license. The Division shall not keep a record of the inquiry. The retailer or a person holding an ABC permit may retain such information as is necessary to provide evidence that the person's drivers license or identification card was validated or that the person's age was verified. A retailer or permittee shall agree to comply with the requirements of this section prior to using the system.

(c)�� Except for purposes allowed in this section, a person using the electronic system established in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall not collect or retain any information obtained through the use of the electronic system, nor transfer or make accessible to a third party any information obtained through an inquiry permitted under this section. A violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be punished as a Class 2 misdemeanor.

(d)�� A retailer or permittee using the electronic system established pursuant to this section shall be responsible for the costs of the equipment and communication lines approved by the Division needed by the retailer or permittee to access the system.

(e)�� The establishment and operation of an electronic system pursuant to this section may be funded through grants received from the State, the federal government, a private entity, or any other funding source made available to the Drivers License Technology Fund. All funds obtained through grants to the Fund shall be remitted to the State Treasurer to be held in the Drivers License Technology Fund established in G.S. 20‑37.01. (2001‑461, s. 4.)

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