North Carolina Driving & Vehicles Laws (2026)

North Carolina does not have any laws prohibiting driving barefoot. The state’s motor vehicle code does not mention footwear requirements, and the DMV only advises drivers to wear appropriate shoes for safety.

North Carolina General Statutes § 20-146 prohibits motorcycles from lane splitting or lane sharing. Motorcyclists must remain within a single lane and may not pass between lanes of traffic.

North Carolina law prohibits any license plate frame or cover that obstructs any information on the plate, including numbers, letters, the state name, and decals. This includes clear covers.

Radar detectors are legal in North Carolina for private passenger vehicles. There is no state statute prohibiting their use or sale.

Radar jammers are federally illegal in all states including North Carolina under FCC regulations. There have been no recent legislative changes in North Carolina regarding laser jammers.

Right turn on red is legal in North Carolina after coming to a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic, unless a sign prohibits it at a specific intersection. North Carolina law permits a right turn on a red light after a complete stop, unless a sign specifically prohibits it.

Studded Snow Tires are legal in North Carolina. There have been no significant recent changes to the law.

North Carolina General Statutes §20-127.1 restrict window tinting to a minimum of 35% VLT on front side windows and 20% on rear side and back windows. Reflective or mirrored tints are prohibited. Medical exemptions are available with certification.