Is North Carolina medium-speed vehicle friendly? No state law currently in place.
Street-legal registration and operating rules for low-speed vehicles vary by state and local jurisdiction and may change. This information is general guidance only. Confirm current requirements with your state DMV and local authorities before registering or operating your WaterCar on public roads.
Is license and registration required? For LSVs, yes. A Low-Speed Vehicle must be titled, registered, insured, and operated by a licensed driver in nearly every state. For boats, yes. A motorized vessel must be registered with the state’s marine or boating agency before it can be used on public waterways
Under current NHTSA regulations, a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) is a four-wheeled motor vehicle with an attainable speed of more than 20 miles per hour but not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface, and a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds.
The federal standard (FMVSS No. 500, 49 CFR 571.500) requires low-speed vehicles to be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and a 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).
An LSV is NOT a golf cart. A golf cart is generally designed for speeds of 20 mph or less, is not federally regulated as a street vehicle, and in most states cannot be titled or registered for on-road use. Manufacturers self-certify compliance with the applicable federal safety standards. Registration and road access are separate questions for state and local authorities.
Find out more information on federal standards for low-speed vehicles at the NHTSA Low-Speed Vehicle page.
USCG guidance distinguishes state registration from federal documentation. Registration and display requirements depend on the vessel and the state of principal use. Check the state boating authority’s current requirements.
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) identifies the vessel and is separate from the road vehicle’s VIN. Use the hull identification and manufacturer’s ownership records when preparing the vessel application. The issuing agency determines how the HIN is verified.
Boat registration is handled by different agencies depending on the state – it may be the DMV, a Department of Natural Resources, a Fish & Wildlife agency, or a Parks & Wildlife department. Registration terms and renewal schedules vary; use the responsible agency’s current schedule.
Registers as a Low-Speed Vehicle with the NC DMV, which titles and registers it (NC will not register golf carts or UTVs). A licensed manufacturer must have issued the 17-digit VIN and MCO. File the Title Application (Form MVR-1), show proof of insurance, and pay the plate fee (~$46.25), title fee ($56), and the 3% Highway-Use Tax. NC also requires a speedometer, wipers, and seat belts. LSVs run on roads posted 35 mph or less.
→ Official link: ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/vehicle/Pages/vehicle-types.aspx
Register and title the boat with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (not the DMV). Provide the HIN and proof of ownership and pay the fee.
→ Official link: North Carolina vessel registration and titling
North Carolina boat registration is administered by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, commonly called the NCWRC. All motorized vessels operated on North Carolina public waters must be registered, including boats powered only by an electric trolling motor. Personal watercraft, such as Jet Skis, and non-motorized sailboats longer than 14 feet at the load waterline also require registration.
To complete an NC vessel registration, the owner generally needs:
Acceptable proof of ownership depends on how the vessel was acquired. It may include a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, dealer’s bill of sale, properly assigned original title, notarized bill of sale, out-of-state registration card or U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation.
A North Carolina title is required for vessels measuring 14 feet or longer, all personal watercraft and vessels with a lien. Registration is available for either one year or three years.
Follow these steps to register a boat in NC:
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission boat registration system handles new registrations, ownership transfers, renewals, duplicate documents and vessel titles. Boat registration is not completed through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
Applications for NCWRC boat registration can be submitted:
Owners can also renew or replace an existing NC vessel registration online. Questions about ownership documents or application requirements can be directed to the NCWRC vessel registration customer service line at 833-950-0575.
The following vessels generally require boat registration in NC:
Active-duty military personnel temporarily stationed in North Carolina are exempt from transferring a vessel with a valid out-of-state registration.
The following vessels are generally exempt:
| Transaction | Typical proof of ownership |
|---|---|
| New vessel from a manufacturer | Properly assigned Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin |
| New vessel from a dealer | Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin and/or dealer’s bill of sale showing the HIN |
| Used titled vessel | Original title properly assigned by the seller |
| Used non-titled vessel | Notarized bill of sale |
| Vessel from a non-titling state | Out-of-state registration card and ownership documents |
| USCG-documented vessel | Copy of the current Certificate of Documentation |
| Homemade vessel | Completed VL-1 with the homemade-vessel declaration notarized |