GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 847
Short Title: Clarify Motorcycle Registration Eligibility. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Scott.
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Transportation, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
April 10, 2025
*H847 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO CLARIFY MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATIO N ELIGIBILITY. 2
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 3
SECTION 1. G.S. 20-4.01 reads as rewritten: 4
"§ 20-4.01. Definitions. 5
Unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply throughout this 6
Chapter to the defined words and phrases and their cognates: 7
… 8
(27) Passenger Vehicles. – 9
… 10
h. Motorcycles. – Vehicles having a saddle for the use of the rider and 11
designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the 12
ground, including any such vehicle that (i) is upfitted by a licensed 13
manufacturer, dealer, or person or business otherwise engaged in 14
vehicle manufacturing or modification for off-road use and highway 15
use with equipment required by this Chapter for the highway use of 16
motorcycles and (ii) has an engine displacement of 124cc or more and 17
a maximum speed capability of 40 miles per hour or greater. This 18
definition also includes autocycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven 19
bicycles, but excluding excludes tractors and utility vehicles equipped 20
with an additional form of device designed to transport property, 21
three-wheeled vehicles while being used by law-enforcement 22
agencies, electric assisted bicycles, and mopeds as defined in 23
sub-subdivision d1. of this subdivision. 24
…." 25
SECTION 2. G.S. 20-54 reads as rewritten: 26
"§ 20-54. Authority for refusing registration or certificate of title. 27
The Division shall refuse registration or issuance of a certificate of title or any transfer of 28
registration upon any of the following grounds: 29
… 30
(8) The vehicle is a golf cart or utility vehicle. For purposes of this subdivision, 31
the term "utility vehicle" shall not include a motorcycle designed for both 32
off-road and highway operation, provided that the motorcycle meets all of the 33
requirements for highway operation imposed by this Chapter. 34
…." 35 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 847-First Edition
SECTION 3. This act becomes effective October 1, 2025. 1