North Carolina law sets specific standards for people who are driving. For example, in order to legally operate a vehicle, you need to have insurance and a license. The vehicle must be registered and have been subject to a valid inspection.
As such, if a police officer catches you driving without the following four things, you can face legal penalties. Therefore, you should strive to never drive without them.
Insurance on the vehicle
All vehicles registered in North Carolina must have liability insurance to cover damages in case you’re in an accident. If you’re caught driving without insurance, you can face fines, license suspension and vehicle impoundment. The penalties increase with repeated offenses. If there’s a crash, you could be held personally liable for damages if your negligence contributed to the wreck and you don’t have valid insurance.
Vehicle registration
Driving without proper vehicle registration is another violation in North Carolina. All vehicles must be registered with the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you’re found driving an unregistered vehicle, you may face fines and possible impoundment of the vehicle. Police officers can also issue a citation requiring you to appear in court.
Valid driver’s license
If you’re caught driving without a license, you could face fines, community service and even jail time, especially for repeat offenses. Additionally, driving without a license may result in an increase in insurance premiums or difficulty obtaining insurance in the future.
Up-to-date inspection
North Carolina requires annual vehicle inspections to ensure that vehicles meet safety and emissions standards. Driving without a valid inspection can result in fines and may prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration. Law enforcement officers can issue citations for expired inspections, which will require you to correct the issue promptly.
If you receive a citation for any of these matters, it’s best to review your legal options with a skilled legal team. You shouldn’t ever try to ignore them. Working with a legal representative who can help you determine how to proceed can help you to better ensure a favorable outcome to your circumstances.