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North Carolina driving lesson · Registration & DMV Services

Vehicle registration, insurance & driving records

A 4-minute lesson from the North Carolina course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
4 minutes
Course unit
Registration & DMV Services
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
50, 51

Before you can drive your own car legally, it must be titled, registered and continuously insured. You need an NC driver license before you can title or register a vehicle in the state.

Know the rule

Every vehicle owner must register with DMV, except owners of exempt farm vehicles and exempt road construction equipment.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

After you register, DMV issues:

  • A registration card, which must stay in the vehicle and be shown to an officer on request
  • A license plate showing its unique number, expiration and NC registration
  • Validation stickers
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

Display the plate as the law requires. Plastic license plate covers are prohibited.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

Change your registration address online free using your plate number, the last five characters of the title number, and an email address. If the registration expired, renew and change the address together.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Registering requires:

  • Proof of ownership (new vehicle: manufacturer's certificate of origin)
  • Used NC vehicle: the title properly assigned by the former owner
  • First NC registration: the title from the previous state
  • Non-title state: notarized transfer on the registration card, or notarized bill of sale and proof of purchase
  • An NC driver license or ID card, and a valid inspection
Handbook p. 51 ↗

Out-of-state IDs may be accepted with proof of:

  • Active military duty stationed in NC
  • School enrollment in NC
  • Vehicle garaged in NC at least six months
  • Court-ordered sale; co-owner with NC license or ID; motor home; or documented medical condition
Handbook p. 51 ↗

Know the rule

Before a vehicle can be registered, the owner must certify liability insurance: a policy from a company licensed in NC, cash or bond with the State Treasurer, or self-insurance for fleets of 25 or more.

Handbook p. 51 ↗

Minimum liability insurance

Minimum liability insurance
CoverageMinimum
Injury to any one person$30,000
All personal injuries in a crash$60,000
All property damage in a crash$25,000
Commercial motor vehicle$750,000
Handbook p. 51 ↗

Know the rule

You must keep continuous insurance as long as the plate is valid. If DMV learns a vehicle is uninsured, the plate can be revoked for 30 days unless you prove continuous coverage, and a lapse can bring a fine.

Handbook p. 51 ↗

Know the rule

Policies take effect at 12:01 a.m. on the issue date and last six months. NC doesn't honor a grace period. To avoid a penalty, surrender the plate before canceling insurance.

Handbook p. 51 ↗

Driving record fees:

  • $18: certified copy (usually needed for court)
  • $12.75: non-certified full history, or three- or seven-year history
  • $16.75: address history
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Put it into practice

You're selling your only car and plan to drop your insurance. Turn in the license plate to DMV first. Canceling insurance while the plate is still valid counts as a lapse and can bring a penalty and a 30-day plate revocation.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is prohibited on North Carolina license plates?
  1. Front license plates on cars
  2. Personalized plates
  3. Plastic license plate covers
  4. Registration stickers on the plate

Answer: Plastic license plate covers

Plastic license plate covers are prohibited by law (GS 20-63g).

Handbook p. 50 ↗
What is the minimum liability coverage required for injuries to any one person in a crash?
  1. $60,000
  2. $25,000
  3. $10,000
  4. $30,000

Answer: $30,000

The minimum liability coverage is $30,000 for injuries to any one person in a crash.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
What is the minimum liability coverage required for all personal injuries in a single crash?
  1. $60,000
  2. $30,000
  3. $25,000
  4. $100,000

Answer: $60,000

The minimum liability coverage is $60,000 for all personal injuries in a crash.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
What is the minimum liability coverage required for property damage in a single crash?
  1. $30,000
  2. $25,000
  3. $60,000
  4. $50,000

Answer: $25,000

The minimum liability coverage is $25,000 for all property damage in a crash.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
Does North Carolina honor an insurance grace period after a policy lapses?
  1. Yes, a 30-day grace period
  2. Yes, for commercial vehicles only
  3. Yes, a 10-day grace period
  4. No, there is no grace period

Answer: No, there is no grace period

North Carolina does not honor a grace period; that is strictly an agreement between the insured and insurer.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
What can happen if DMV is notified a vehicle owner lacks proper liability insurance?
  1. The license plate could be revoked for 30 days
  2. Nothing happens unless a crash occurs
  3. The vehicle is immediately impounded
  4. Only a warning letter is sent

Answer: The license plate could be revoked for 30 days

The vehicle's plate could be revoked for 30 days unless proof of continuous coverage is provided.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
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