Justia Lawyer Rating
Best Lawyer
Super Lawyer - Top 100
Super Lawyer - Top 100
Best Lawyers
Avvo Rating 10.0
AV Preeminent
The National Trial Lawyers
The Best Lawyers in America
CLEA
Advocates for Justice
Business North Carolina Legal Elite - 2023
DUI Defense
NBTA
*For additional information regarding the criterion for inclusion or membership for lawyer associations, awards, & certifications click image for link.

Is My Ticket Considered a Moving Violation in North Carolina?

Download the PDF version

What Counts as a “Moving Violation” in North Carolina?
StatuteOffense
N.C.G.S. §20-7Driving with No License/Aid and Abet in License Violation/Learners Permit Violation
N.C.G.S. §20-7(a1)Driving a motorcycle without endorsement
N.C.G.S. §20-7(e)Non-Compliance with License Restrictions
N.C.G.S. §20-12.1Impaired Supervising Driver
N.C.G.S. §20-16.1(b1)Non-Compliance with License Restrictions or Limited Privilege
N.C.G.S. §20-17(a)(1)Manslaughter Resulting from Operation of a Vehicle (Voluntary or Involuntary)
N.C.G.S. §20-21Operating Under Foreign License with Revoked NC Driver’s License
N.C.G.S. §20-28(a)Driving with Revoked License
N.C.G.S. §20-28(d)Driving While Disqualified
N.C.G.S. §20-29Refusing to Surrender License
N.C.G.S. §20-32Permitting an Unlicensed Minor to Drive
N.C.G.S. §20-34Permitting an Unlicensed Person to Drive
N.C.G.S. §20-37.12(a)No Certified Driver's License
N.C.G.S. §20-63(g)Unlawful Altering or Covering of License Plate
N.C.G.S. §20-79(e)Violating Restrictions of Dealer Plates
N.C.G.S. §20-111Registration Violation
N.C.G.S. §20-111(1)Expired Tags/ No Registration
N.C.G.S. §20-114.1Failure to Obey Law Enforcement or Traffic Enforcement
N.C.G.S. §20-115.1Violation of Tandem/Semitrailer Restrictions
N.C.G.S. §20-116Violation of Size/Load Restrictions
N.C.G.S. §20-116(g)Violation of Loading/Covering Regulations
N.C.G.S. §20-117No Flag/Light at End of Load
N.C.G.S. §20-118.1Violation of Weight Restrictions
N.C.G.S. §20-122Improper Equipment
N.C.G.S. §20-122.1Unsafe Tires
N.C.G.S. §20-123Violation of Towing Regulations
N.C.G.S. §20-123.2Improper Speedometer
N.C.G.S. §20-124Improper Brakes
N.C.G.S. §20-125(a)Improper Horn/Warning Device
N.C.G.S. §20-126Improper Mirrors
N.C.G.S. §20-127(a)Improper Windshield Wipers
N.C.G.S. §20-128Improper Exhaust System/Emissions Control Device
N.C.G.S. §20-129Improper Vehicle Lights
N.C.G.S. §20-129(a)Driving Without Burning Headlights
N.C.G.S. §20-129(b)Driving Without Two Headlights
N.C.G.S. §20-129(c)Driving Without Headlight (Motorcycle)
N.C.G.S. §20-129(d)Driving Without Rear Lights
N.C.G.S. §20-130.3White/Clear Lights in Rear
N.C.G.S. §20-136Smoke Screen Violation
N.C.G.S. §20-136.1Driving While Watching Video/Television/Computer
N.C.G.S. §20-137.1Driving with Unrestrained Child (<16)
N.C.G.S. §20-137.2Operating Vehicle that Resembles Law Enforcement
N.C.G.S. §20-138.1Impaired Driving / Aiding and Abetting Impaired Driving
N.C.G.S. §20-138.2(a)DWI (Commercial Vehicle)
N.C.G.S. §20-138.2BDWI (School Bus)
N.C.G.S. §20-138.5Habitual DWI
N.C.G.S. §20-138.7Open Container
N.C.G.S. §20-140Reckless Driving
N.C.G.S. §20-140.2Overloaded/Overcrowded Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-140.3Violation of Highway/Interstate Regulations
N.C.G.S. §20-140.4(a)Motorcycle/Moped Provisions Violation (Helmet/Overcrowded Vehicle)
N.C.G.S. §20-141Speeding
N.C.G.S. §20-141(a)Exceeding Safe Speed
N.C.G.S. §20-141(c)Driving Below Minimum Speed
N.C.G.S. §20-141(e1)Speeding on School Property
N.C.G.S. §20-141(h)Impeding Traffic (Slow Speed)
N.C.G.S. §20-141(j2)Speeding in a Work Zone
N.C.G.S. §20-141(m)Failure to Reduce Speed
N.C.G.S. §20-141.1Speeding in a School Zone
N.C.G.S. §20-141.3Illegal Racing
N.C.G.S. §20-141.4Death by Motor Vehicle / Serious Injury by Motor Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-141.5Speeding (Eluding Arrest)
N.C.G.S. §20-142.1Violation of Railroad Signal
N.C.G.S. §20-146(a)Driving on Wrong Side
N.C.G.S. §20-146(c)Driving on Wrong Side (Dual Highway)
N.C.G.S. §20-146(d)Driving Outside Designated Lane
N.C.G.S. §20-149(a)Illegal Passing of Another Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-149(b)Failure to Reduce Speed for Passing Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-150Improper Passing
N.C.G.S. §20-152Following Too Closely
N.C.G.S. §20-153Illegal Turn
N.C.G.S. §20-154Unsafe Movement / Failure to Signal Start/Stop/Turn
N.C.G.S. §20-155(a)Failure to Yield on Left Turn
N.C.G.S. §20-155(b)Failure to Yield to Right-of-Way
N.C.G.S. §20-157(a)Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-157(b)Following/Parking Too Closely to Fire Emergency Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-157(c)Obstructing Fire Operations
N.C.G.S. §20-157(d)Driving Over Fire Hose or Blocking Fire Equipment
N.C.G.S. §20-158Failure to Heed Vehicle Control Sign
N.C.G.S. §20-158(b)&(c)Violating Traffic Control Device
N.C.G.S. §20-160Driving on Sidewalk/Safety Zone
N.C.G.S. §20-162Improper Parking (Fire Hydrant/Lane/Station, Intersection, or Private Driveway)
N.C.G.S. §20-163Unattended Motor Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-165.1Driving Opposite One-Way Traffic
N.C.G.S. §20-166Hit-and-Run/Failure to Report Hit-and-Run
N.C.G.S. §20-173Failure to Yield (Pedestrian)
N.C.G.S. §20-181Failure to Dim Headlights
N.C.G.S. §20-183.8(a)Violation of Inspection Requirements
N.C.G.S. §20-217Not Stopping for School Bus
N.C.G.S. §20-218(b)Speeding (School Bus)
N.C.G.S. §20-313Operating with No Insurance/ Permitting Operation of MV with No Insurance
N.C.G.S. §136-26Driving on Closed/Unopened Highway

Okay… so What Motor Vehicle Offenses ARE NOT Moving Violations?
StatuteOffense
N.C.G.S. §14-72(a), 20-17(a)(3)Theft of a Motor Vehicle (May also be a moving violation)
N.C.G.S. §14-399(f1)Littering from a Motor Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-29Refusing to Exhibit License to Law Officer/ Giving Fictitious Details to Officer
N.C.G.S. §20-50Lack of Registration/Title
N.C.G.S. §20-57No Registration Card
N.C.G.S. §20-59Failure of Lienor to Surrender Title to Legally Entitled Owner
N.C.G.S. §20-67Failure to Note Change of Address
N.C.G.S. §20-71Altered/Forged Title, Registration Card, Application or Assignment
N.C.G.S. §20-72(a)Failure to Surrender Tags/Plates
N.C.G.S. §20-72(b)Title Delivery Violations
N.C.G.S. §20-73Failure to Obtain New Title
N.C.G.S. §20-101Unmarked Business Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-102.1Fraudulent Report of Motor Vehicle Theft or Conversion
N.C.G.S. §20-106Receiving/Transferring Stolen Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-106.1Motor Vehicle Rental Fraud
N.C.G.S. §20-106.2(b)Motor Vehicle Sublease Violation
N.C.G.S. §20-107Tampering or Causing Harm to Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-109(b)Concealment/Misrepresentation of Motor Vehicle Identity
N.C.G.S. §20-111(3)Lending/Borrowing License Plate for Other Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-125.1Registering Vehicle with No Directional Signals
N.C.G.S. §20-130.1(c)Possession or Installment of Blue Light on a Non-Law Enforcement Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-134No Lights on Parked Vehicle
N.C.G.S. §20-183.8Violation of Inspection Requirements
N.C.G.S. §20-287Mover Vehicle Dealer/Sales Representative without License
N.C.G.S. §20-290Violating Specified Places of Business on Sales License
N.C.G.S. §20-309No Vehicle Insurance
N.C.G.S. §20-342 – 347.1Unlawful Tampering With/Change to Odometer
N.C.G.S. §20-396Unlawful Motor Carrier Operations

Violations That are Neither Motor Vehicle Offenses NOR Moving Offenses
StatuteOffense
N.C.G.S. §20-7.1Failure to Notify of Address Change
N.C.G.S. §20-30(1)Display Revoked/Fictitious/Suspended/Altered License/ID Card
N.C.G.S. §20-30(2)Counterfeit/Sell/Lend False Driver’s License/ ID Card
N.C.G.S. §20-30(3)Displaying Someone Else's Driver's License/ID Card
N.C.G.S. §20-30(5)Using Fictitious Name/Information in Obtaining Driver's License
N.C.G.S. §20-30(7)Sale of License or ID Card by Someone Other than DMV
N.C.G.S. §20-37.6(c3)Selling Handicapped Placard
N.C.G.S. §20- 37.7, 37.8Fraudulent Special ID Card
N.C.G.S. §20-174.1Standing/Sitting/Lying upon Highway or Street
N.C.G.S. §20-175Soliciting from Highway

Offenses That Cannot Disqualify for a Hearing
StatuteOffense
N.C.G.S. §20-37.6Handicapped Parking Violation
N.C.G.S. §20-135.2ASeatbelt Violation
N.C.G.S. §20-162.1Parking Violation
Client Reviews
★★★★★
I am so fortunate to have had Bill Powers on my case. Upon our first meeting, Bill insisted that through the emotions of anger, sadness, confusion, and betrayal that I remain resilient. He was available to answer questions with researched, logical, truthful answers throughout our two year stretch together. I went to any lengths for my case because he won my trust almost immediately... J.R.
★★★★★
My daughter had a second DUI and when it all seemed hopeless, Bill was able to get the charges dropped. This is a man who is extremely knowledgeable, yet still keeps his integrity which was impressive to me. He handles himself with dignity. If you hire him, you will have the best of the best, along with his expansive intellect and wisdom about the law. Lisa
★★★★★
Bill Powers’ staff has handled several traffic citations for me over the years, and they exceeded my expectations each and every time. Would highly recommend anyone faced with a traffic citation or court case contact his office and they will handle it from there. M.C.
★★★★★
Bill and his staff are flat out great. I (unfortunately) was a repeat customer after a string of tickets. These guys not only took care of the initial ticket for me, but went the extra mile and reduced my problems from 3 to just 1 (very minor one) on the same day I called back! I would recommend them to anyone. A.R.