North Carolina HB 847: Off-Road Motorcycle Registration Eligibility.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 2
HOUSE BILL 847
Committee Substitute Favorable 4/30/25

Short Title: Off-Road Motorcycle Registration Eligibility. (Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:
April 10, 2025
*H847-v-2*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO CLARIFY OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION ELIGIBILITY AS 2
MODIFIED UTILITY VEHICLES. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. G.S. 20-4.01 reads as rewritten: 5
"§ 20-4.01. Definitions. 6
Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply throughout this 7
Chapter to the defined words and phrases and their cognates: 8
... 9
(27) Passenger Vehicles. – 10
... 11
g2. Modified utility vehicle. – A motor vehicle that (i) is meets the 12
configurations enumerated in sub-sub-subdivisions 1. and 2. of this 13
sub-subdivision. "Modified utility vehicle" does not include an 14
all-terrain vehicle, golf cart, or utility vehicle, as defined in this 15
section, or a riding lawn mower. 16
1. A motor vehicle that is manufactured or upfitted by a licensed 17
manufacturer, dealer, or person or business otherwise engaged 18
in vehicle manufacturing or modification for off-road use with 19
equipment required by G.S. 20-121.1(2a), except a vehicle 20
identification number, and (ii) (i) has four wheels, an overall 21
length of 110 inches or greater, an overall width of 58 inches 22
or greater, an overall height of 60 inches or greater, a (ii) has a 23
maximum speed capability of 40 miles per hour or greater, and 24
(iii) does not require an operator or passenger to straddle a seat. 25
"Modified utility vehicle" does not include an all-terrain 26
vehicle, golf cart, or utility vehicle, as defined in this section, 27
or a riding lawn mower. 28
2. A motor vehicle that is manufactured or upfitted by a licensed 29
manufacturer, dealer, or person or business otherwise engaged 30
in vehicle manufacturing or modification for off-road use with 31
equipment required by G.S. 20-121.1(2b), except a vehicle 32
identification number, and (i) has an engine displacement of 33
124cc or more, (ii) has a maximum speed capability of 40 miles 34
per hour or greater, (iii) has a saddle for the use of the rider and 35

General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 847-Second Edition
passengers, and (iv) is designed to travel on two wheels in 1
contact with the ground. 2
h. Motorcycles. – Vehicles having a saddle for the use of the rider and 3
designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the 4
ground, including autocycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven 5
bicycles, but excluding excludes tractors and utility vehicles equipped 6
with an additional form of device designed to transport property, 7
three-wheeled vehicles while being used by law-enforcement 8
agencies, electric assisted bicycles, and mopeds as defined in 9
sub-subdivision d1. of this subdivision. 10
...." 11
SECTION 2. G.S. 20-121.1 reads as rewritten: 12
"§ 20-121.1. Operation of a low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle on 13
certain roadways. 14
The operation of a low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle is authorized 15
with the following restrictions: 16
(1) A low-speed vehicle may be operated only on streets and highways where the 17
posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. A mini-truck or modified utility 18
vehicle may be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed 19
limit is 55 miles per hour or less. This subdivision does not prohibit a 20
low-speed vehicle, mini-truck, or modified utility vehicle from crossing a road 21
or street at an intersection where the road or street being crossed has a posted 22
speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour. 23
(2) A low-speed vehicle or mini-truck shall be equipped with headlamps, stop 24
lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview 25
mirrors, windshields, windshield wipers, speedometer, seat belts, and a 26
vehicle identification number. Any such required equipment shall be 27
maintained in proper working order. 28
(2a) A modified utility vehicle meeting the configuration specified in 29
G.S. 20-4.01(27)g2.1. shall be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn 30
signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, a 31
speedometer, seat belts, and a vehicle identification number. Any such 32
required equipment shall be maintained in proper working order. If a modified 33
utility the vehicle does not have a vehicle identification number, upon 34
application by the owner, the Division shall assign a vehicle identification 35
number to the modified utility vehicle prior to registration. The operator of 36
and all passengers on a modified utility vehicle that is not equipped with a 37
windshield and windshield wipers shall wear a safety helmet, with a retention 38
strap properly secured, that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 39
Standard (FMVSS) 218. 40
(2b) A modified utilit