North Carolina Motorcycle Laws

motorcycle driver holding a helmet

Motorcycle laws vary from state to state. If you are a motorcyclist or are planning on becoming a motorcyclist, consult your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Information regarding license requirements, motorcycle training, highway safety, and traffic laws can all be accessed through your local DMV office. If you live in North Carolina, contact your local NC DMV office or visit https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/ for more information regarding motorcycles and motorcycle licensing in N.C.

Here are a few things you should consider as a North Carolina resident motorcyclist:

  • North Carolina requires all motorcyclists and their passengers to wear helmets.
  • All motorcyclists should have a motorcycle endorsement. You can get a motorcycle endorsement on your regular license.
  • Motorcyclists should complete motorcycle training and pass a motorcycle driving test to obtain a motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle license in North Carolina.
  • Any motorcycle operated in NC should be considered ‘street legal’ per North Carolina standards.

 A street legal motorcycle in North Carolina must have:

  • Headlight, taillight, and brake light
  • Front and rear brakes
  • Turn signals
  • Horn
  • Two mirrors

Once you obtain proper motorcycle training and meet your state’s motorcycle licensing requirements, follow these safety tips to protect yourself and prevent motorcycle accidents.

  • Be visible.
  • Communicate your intentions. Use signals when necessary and respect other motorists.
  • Maintain adequate space cushion: don’t follow too closely, only pass when you have room, etc.
  • Scan your path of travel at least 12 seconds ahead. Know what is ahead of you and act accordingly.
  • Identify and separate multiple hazards on the road.
  • Be prepared to act – Be alert and know how to use basic skills if faced with an emergency involving your motorcycle.

At Hardison & Cochran, our Raleigh motorcycle accident attorneys and staff are committed to assisting motorcycle drivers, passengers, and their families as they cope with the consequences resulting from motor vehicle accidents. We are also committed to your safety. If you have lost a friend or family member or if you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our Raleigh motorcycle accident lawyers. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are here for you. We understand what you are going through and most importantly, we know the law. We will protect your rights. Prevention is key but protection is vital.

Is Lane Splitting Legal in North Carolina?

No, lane splitting in North Carolina is not legal. Riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic on North Carolina roads violates state law, even though North Carolina does not have a statute that explicitly names lane splitting.

The ban on lane splitting in North Carolina stems from a broader traffic rule that applies to all vehicles on the road, not one written specifically for motorcycles.

N.C.G.S. ยง 20-146(d)(1) requires a driver to stay within a single marked lane. A driver cannot leave the lane until it is safe to do so. Riding a motorcycle along the line between two lanes of traffic breaks the rule because the bike is not staying inside one lane.

Lane Splitting vs. Lane Sharing

North Carolina law does treat motorcycles differently in one important way. Under N.C.G.S. ยง 20-146.1, every motorcyclist has the right to full use of a lane, and no car, truck, or other vehicle can drive in a way that crowds a rider out of that space. The same law allows two motorcycles (but never more than two) to ride side by side within one lane. While splitting lanes remains off-limits, two motorcycle riders can legally share a single lane. Riders who plan to ride two abreast should watch out for each other closely, since the shared lane leaves less room to react.

What Insurance Are North Carolina Motorcyclists Required to Carry?

Every motorcycle registered in North Carolina must carry continuous liability insurance from an insurance company licensed to do business in the state. Meeting the North Carolina motorcycle insurance requirements means carrying at least these minimum limits, effective July 1, 2025:

  • $50,000 for bodily injury to one person
  • $100,000 for bodily injury to all people hurt in one accident
  • $50,000 for property damage

North Carolina law also requires that every policy include uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage with the same coverage limits. UM/UIM coverage protects a rider when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for the harm they caused.

A motorcyclist with severe injuries can face medical bills far higher than $50,000. When that happens, the at-fault driver’s liability policy may not cover the full cost of hospitalization and rehabilitation. The injured rider’s underinsured motorist policy can provide additional coverage to help close the gap. Riders who want stronger protection can also buy additional insurance coverage above the state-required minimum limits.

How Contributory Negligence Can Affect a North Carolina Motorcycle Injury Claim

North Carolina applies one of the strictest fault rules in the country: contributory negligence. Under this rule, a rider who is partly at fault for a crash can lose the right to recover any compensation, even when the other driver caused most of the harm. A single misstep can give an insurance company grounds to deny an injury claim entirely.

Insurance adjusters know this rule well, and they look for any reason to assign the motorcycle rider some share of fault to avoid paying an injury claim. This is why an injured rider should be careful about what they say to an insurance adjuster. If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, it is best to seek legal guidance and have a motorcycle accident attorney handle all communications with the insurers.

One question that often comes up concerns the motorcycle helmet law in North Carolina. The law requires all operators and passengers to wear a DOT-compliant helmet. However, state law is clear that failing to comply with the helmet requirement does not, on its own, constitute contributory negligence. North Carolina courts have upheld this protection for injured motorcyclists for decades. Even so, an insurance company may argue that a rider’s injuries would have been less severe with protective gear, so it helps to have a lawyer stand up for you.

Motorcyclists can be found negligent in the same ways as other drivers, such as running a red light, following too closely, or speeding. Because any instance of shared fault can end a claim, working with a lawyer who understands the legal complexities of NC motorcycle laws can make the difference between a denied insurance claim and a fair settlement.

How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in North Carolina?

An injured rider generally has three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina, under N.C.G.S. ยง 1-52. Families who lose a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident have less time. North Carolina’s wrongful death statute, N.C.G.S. ยง 1-53(4), sets a two-year deadline that runs from the date of death rather than the date of the crash.

The court filing deadlines differ from the notice requirements in an insurance policy. Most insurers expect to hear about a crash within days or weeks. Waiting too long to report a claim can create problems. Riders should notify their insurer promptly after a crash, then speak with a lawyer about the separate deadline for filing a legal claim. Waiting until close to the three-year deadline can make it harder to track down witnesses or gather evidence. After a crash, accident victims should take advantage of a free consultation as soon as possible to have a lawyer review the details and discuss the injured rider’s legal options.

Talk With a Hardison & Cochran Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Because North Carolina motorcycle laws can pose challenges for an injured rider in ways that are not always obvious, having an experienced lawyer review a claim can make a big difference. For more than 40 years, Hardison & Cochran has worked to help North Carolina riders and their families after serious crashes. Our legal team will draw on that experience to assist new clients. Our track record includes a $675,000 recovery secured for the wife of a New Bern motorcyclist who was killed when a commercial truck pulled into his path. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case, but they do show our experience handling motorcycle crashes involving serious injuries.

Former client Lindsey B. puts it this way:

“I would recommend Hardison & Cochran to everyone and use them again if/when I ever need them! Very professional. Great with communication and overall just get the job done! They answered any and all questions I had to the fullest extent, and I was more than happy with my results! Thank you, Hardison & Cochran!”

Lindsey B.

What should I do if I am injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

Hardison & Cochran serves personal injury and accident victims throughout the state of North Carolina, including, but not limited to, Raleigh, Greenville, Cary, Durham, and Fayetteville, NC.