HB 847 — Off-Road Motorcycle Registration Eligibility.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 21 HOUSE BILL 847 Committee Substitute Favorable 4/30/25 Short Title:

Off-RoadClarify Motorcycle Registration Eligibility.

Representative Scott.

For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.

Transportation, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 10, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO CLARIFY OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION ELIGIBILITYELIGIBILITY. AS MODIFIED UTILITY VEHICLES.

– … g2.h.

Modified utility vehicle.

– A motor vehicle that (i) is meets the configurations enumerated in sub-sub-subdivisions 1.

and 2.

of this sub-subdivision.

"Modified utility vehicle" does not include an all-terrain vehicle, golf cart, or utility vehicle, as defined in this section, or a riding lawn mower.

1.

A motor vehicle that is manufactured or upfitted by a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or person or business otherwise engaged in vehicle manufacturing or modification for off-road use with equipment required by G.S.

20-121.1(2a), except a vehicle identification number, and (ii) (i) has four wheels, an overall length of 110 inches or greater, an overall width of 58 inches or greater, an overall height of 60 inches or greater, a (ii) has a maximum speed capability of 40 miles per hour or greater, and (iii) does not requireanoperatororpassengertostraddleaseat.

"Modified utility vehicle" does not include an all-terrain vehicle, golf cart, or utility vehicle, as defined in this section, or a riding lawn mower.

2.

A motor vehicle that is manufactured or upfitted by a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or person or business otherwise engaged in vehicle manufacturing or modification for off-road use with equipment required by G.S.

20-121.1(2b), except a vehicle identification number, and (i) has an engine displacement of 124ccormore,(ii)hasamaximumspeedcapabilityof40miles per hour or greater, (iii) has a saddle for the use of the rider and *H847-v-2* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 passengers, and (iv) is designed to travel on two wheels in contact with the ground.

h.

– Vehicles having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, including autocycles,any motorsuch scooters,vehicle andthat motor-driven(i) bicycles,is butupfitted excludingby excludesa tractorslicensed andmanufacturer, utilitydealer, vehiclesor equippedperson withor anbusiness additionalotherwise formengaged ofin devicevehicle designedmanufacturing toor transportmodification property,for three-wheeledoff-road vehiclesuse whileand beinghighway useduse with equipment required by law-enforcementthis agencies,Chapter electricfor assistedthe bicycles,highway use of motorcycles and mopeds(ii) ashas definedan inengine sub-subdivisiondisplacement d1.of 124cc or more and a maximum speed capability of 40 miles per hour or greater.

This definition also includes autocycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven bicycles, but excluding excludes tractors and utility vehicles equipped with an additional form of device designed to transport property, three-wheeled vehicles while being used by law-enforcement agencies, electric assisted bicycles, and mopeds as defined in sub-subdivision d1.

20-121.120-54 reads as rewritten:

"§ 20-121.1.20-54.

OperationAuthority offor arefusing low-speedregistration vehicle, mini-truck, or modifiedcertificate utilityof vehicletitle. on certain roadways.

The operationDivision shall refuse registration or issuance of a low-speedcertificate vehicle,of mini-truck,title or modifiedany utilitytransfer vehicleof isregistration authorizedupon withany of the following restrictions:grounds:

(1)… A(8) low-speedThe vehicle may be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed limit is 35milesperhourorless.Amini-truckormodifiedutilitya vehiclegolf maycart be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour or less.utility vehicle.

ThisFor subdivisionpurposes doesof notthis prohibitsubdivision, athe low-speedterm vehicle,mini-truck,ormodifiedutilityvehiclefrom"utility crossingaroadvehicle" orshall streetnot atinclude ana intersectionmotorcycle wheredesigned thefor roadboth oroff-road streetand beinghighway crossedoperation, hasprovided athat postedthe speedmotorcycle limitmeets all of morethe thanrequirements 35for mileshighway peroperation hour.imposed by this Chapter.

(2)…." A*H847-v-1* low-speedGeneral vehicleAssembly orOf mini-truckNorth shallCarolina beSession equipped2025 withSECTION headlamps,3. stop lamps,turnsignallamps, taillamps,reflexreflectors,parkingbrakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, windshield wipers, speedometer, seat belts, and a vehicle identification number.

Any such required equipment shall be maintained in proper working order.

(2a) A modified utility vehicle meeting the configuration specified in G.S.

20-4.01(27)g2.1.

shall be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, a speedometer, seat belts, and a vehicle identification number.

Any such required equipment shall be maintained in proper working order.

If a modified utility the vehicle does not have a vehicle identification number, upon application by the owner, the Division shall assign a vehicle identification number to the modified utility vehicle prior to registration.

The operator of and all passengers on a modified utility vehicle that is not equipped with a windshield and windshield wipers shall wear a safety helmet, with a retention strap properly secured, that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218.

(2b) A modified utility vehicle meeting the configuration specified in G.S.

20-4.01(27)g2.2.

shall be equipped with equipment required by this Chapter for the highway use of motorcycles and a vehicle identification number.

Any such required equipment shall be maintained in proper working order.

If the vehicle does not have a vehicle identification number, upon application by the owner, the Division shall assign a vehicle identification number to the vehicle prior to registration.