North Carolina has taken decisive steps in recent years to improve road safety and clarify which vehicles and modifications are permissible on its highways. Several new and existing regulations target specific vehicle types and modifications, with some now officially banned from the state’s roads.
Carolina Squat Vehicles: A Statewide Ban
One of the most high-profile bans in North Carolina is on the “Carolina Squat,” a vehicle modification where the front end of a truck or SUV is raised while the rear is lowered. This controversial trend, often seen in custom truck culture, has been linked to significant safety hazards.
Why Was It Banned?
The state cited severe safety concerns, including drastically reduced visibility for drivers, an increased risk of rollovers, and impaired braking control. According to studies, nearly 60% of accidents involving squatted vehicles result in rollovers, and 40% of drivers report reduced braking ability. The modification also causes headlights to blind oncoming traffic, creating additional dangers.
Penalties for Violators
North Carolina enforces fines of up to $300 and a 12-month license suspension for repeat offenders. The ban, implemented in 2021, made North Carolina the first state to outlaw the modification, setting a precedent that other Southern states have since followed.
Temporary Vehicle Restrictions During Emergencies
In February 2025, Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 9, temporarily suspending or altering certain motor vehicle regulations due to a severe winter storm.
Who Was Affected?
The order primarily impacted commercial vehicles transporting emergency relief supplies, livestock, and essential goods. These vehicles were temporarily exempt from some federal and state regulations to expedite relief efforts. However, only vehicles directly supporting emergency operations were allowed these exemptions; all other vehicles were required to comply with standard regulations.
Duration and Scope
These temporary measures lasted for 14 days and applied only to vehicles engaged in emergency response. Once a vehicle was used for non-emergency purposes, the exemptions no longer applied.
Other Notable Vehicle-Related Laws
Window Tint Modifications : While not a ban, a new law effective December 1, 2025, requires drivers with tinted windows to lower their driver-side (or passenger-side, if approached from that direction) windows when stopped by law enforcement. This aims to improve officer safety and transparency during traffic stops.
No Ban on Internal Combustion Engines: North Carolina’s legislature passed a law in 2023 prohibiting any statewide ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles, ensuring that gasoline and diesel vehicles remain legal for purchase and use.
Direct-to-Consumer Sales Restrictions: North Carolina still prohibits the direct sale of new vehicles from manufacturers to consumers, impacting the availability of some electric vehicles and new automotive technologies.
Summary Table: Recent and Notable Vehicle Bans/Restrictions in North Carolina
| Vehicle/Modification | Status | Reason for Ban/Restriction | Penalty/Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Squat | Banned | Safety: rollovers, visibility, braking issues | Fines up to $300, license suspension |
| Emergency-Use Vehicles | Temporarily Exempt | Storm response (Feb 2025) | Only during declared emergency |
| Tinted Windows | Not banned, but regulated | Officer safety during stops | Must lower window when stopped |
| Internal Combustion Engines | Not banned | Law prohibits future bans | N/A |
| Direct-from-Manufacturer Sales | Banned | Dealer franchise law | N/A |
Conclusion
North Carolina has made clear moves to prioritize road safety and regulate vehicle modifications. The ban on the Carolina Squat stands out as a direct response to alarming accident statistics and public safety concerns. Meanwhile, temporary restrictions and new laws continue to shape what vehicles and modifications are allowed on the state’s roads, reflecting a balance between safety, emergency response, and consumer choice.
Sources:-
[1] https://governor.nc.gov/executive-order-9-declaration-state-emergency-and-temporary-suspension-motor-vehicle-regulations
[2] https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S43v0.pdf
[3] https://www.wccbcharlotte.com/2025/03/14/north-carolina-1-state-to-ban-carolina-squat/
[4] https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/new-north-carolina-laws-2025/275-88d0312a-a74b-48f5-8f26-fe1ceba83718
[5] https://www.sema.org/news-media/enews/2023/40/north-carolina-passes-bill-prohibit-internal-combustion-engine-ban
[6] https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S526v1.pdf
[7] https://electrificationcoalition.org/work/state-ev-policy/north-carolina-ev-policy/freedom-to-buy-vehicles-in-north-carolina/
[8] https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/all?state=NC