Rules of the Road
MOVE OVER AND FENDER BENDER LAWS: Move over one lane when possible or reduce your speed when you�re passing emergency vehicles with flashing lights on the shoulder of the highway (including public service vehicles with amber lights). Violating the law could result in a $250 fine and court costs. If you are in a minor, non-injury fender bender, move your vehicle to the shoulder of the road. Violating the law could result in a $110 fine and court costs.
CELL PHONES: The law prohibits the use of a cell phone for drivers younger than 18, except in an emergency or when talking to a parent or spouse. Violators pay a $25 fine plus court costs.
TEXTING: North Carolina prohibits all drivers from texting or reading a text message while a vehicle is in motion. Texting is allowed if the vehicle is stopped or parked. Violators can be fined $100 plus court costs.
HEADLIGHTS: Required from sunset to sunrise when light conditions restrict visibility to 400 feet or less and while operating windshield wipers during inclement weather. Motorcycles must have headlights on at all times.
RIGHT TURN ON RED: Permitted after a complete stop, unless otherwise posted.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS: Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the road in a marked crosswalk. At traffic signals, pedestrians must follow the �Walk� and �Don�t Walk� signals.
HELMETS: A helmet built to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 is required by law when riding on a motorcycle or moped. Children up to age 16 are required to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle.
CLICK IT OR TICKET�EVERY SEAT. EVERY TIME. IT�S THE LAW: All occupants (drivers, front and back seat passengers) are required by law to wear seat belts. A size-appropriate child restraint is required for children age 7 and under or less than 80 pounds. Seat belt violators face ticket fines and court fees as well as possible driver license revocation, points and insurance points. Visit clickitorticket.org.
BOOZE IT & LOSE IT: In North Carolina, it is illegal to drive a vehicle while impaired (by any mind-altering substance) or with an alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. A Driving While Impaired conviction can cost a driver jail time and, in some cases, court fees exceeding $10,000. Visit ncdps.gov.
LITTER: Established in 1988, the Adopt-A-Highway Program helps decrease the amount of litter on the state�s roadsides and improves environmental beauty, quality and safety. Roadsides are available for adoption in all 100 North Carolina counties. Businesses, individuals and other organizations can also participate in the state�s Sponsor-A-Highway initiative. Drivers are encouraged to help keep roadways clear of trash by not littering.
DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES: The Division of Motor Vehicles provides driver and vehicle services, including vehicle titling and registration, driver licenses, REAL IDs and identification cards, maintenance of driver records, compilation of crash statistics and enforcement of state and federal laws that regulate motor vehicle operations, theft, sales and inspections. Visit ncdot.gov/dmv or MyNCDMV.gov to take advantage of online services.
WORK ZONE SAFETY: NCDOT reminds motorists to �Drive Smart. Do Your Part.� when traveling through the state�s work zones. As conditions in a work zone can change quickly, it is especially important for motorists to pay attention and reduce speed through these areas. The penalty for speeding in a designated work zone is $250 plus three driver license points.
N.C. STATE HIGHWAY PATROL: Call one of the toll-free numbers or dial *HP (*47) from your cellular phone in an emergency. Visit drivenc.gov for travel conditions.
Highway Patrol Communications Centers
Asheville 1-800-445-1772, Troop G
Elizabethtown 1-800-334-7411, Troop B
Greensboro 1-800-445-8621, Troop D
Monroe 1-800-572-8765, Troop H
Newton 1-800-445-1779, Troop F
Raleigh 1-800-662-7956, Troop C
Salisbury 1-800-233-3151, Troop E
Williamston 1-800-441-6127, Troop A
About North Carolina Roads
Data current as of 2022
State-Maintained Roads......................Miles
Interstate Routes..........................................1,395
Interstate Business Routes.............................15
U.S. Routes...................................................5,633
N.C. Routes....................................................8,143
State Secondary Routes..........................65,197
Total 80,384
Non-State-Maintained Roads
City-Maintained Streets...........................23,801
Other State Agency Roads..........................905
Federal Agency Roads...............................3,138
Other Non-System Roads...............................57
Total 27,900
Total Public Road Mileage.............108,284
Longest Primary Route � U.S. 64
614.30 miles through 24 counties from the
Tennessee state line to the Outer Banks
Shortest Primary Route � N.C. 400
0.87 mile in Manteo, Dare County
Get real-time traffic information
DriveNC.gov
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