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HB 847 North Carolina House · 2025-2026 Session

Off-Road Motorcycle Registration Eligibility.

This bill clarifies the eligibility requirements for motorcycle registration in North Carolina. It updates the definition of "motorcycles" to explicitly include those designed or modified for both off-road and highway use, provided they meet specific engine size, speed, and highway equipment standards. The bill also ensures that these dual-purpose motorcycles are not denied registration by being classified as "utility vehicles." This change affects individuals seeking to register motorcycles intended for both on-road and off-road operation. The act will become effective on October 1, 2025.
Issues: ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationClarifies vehicle registration rules for dual-purpose motorcycles under transportation regulations, preventing misclassification as utility vehicles and ensuring proper highway use compliance.85% confidence
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 9, 2025 Last action May 7, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Edition 1 → Edition 2 · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly rewritten to shift focus from clarifying motorcycle registration to creating a new category of 'modified utility vehicles' for off-road vehicles. The original version aimed to clarify motorcycle eligibility, while the new version introduces detailed specifications for four-wheeled and two-wheeled modified utility vehicles, including specific equipment requirements and speed limits.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a simple clarification of motorcycle registration to establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for modified utility vehicles, including new definitions, equipment standards, and operational restrictions.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'modified utility vehicle' with two subcategories: four-wheeled vehicles meeting specific dimensional requirements and two-wheeled vehicles with engine displacement of 124cc or more.

REQUIREMENT

Introduced new equipment requirements for modified utility vehicles, including headlamps, stop lamps, turn signals, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers, with specific provisions for vehicles without VINs.

Added safety helmet requirements for operators and passengers of modified utility vehicles that lack windshields and windshield wipers.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the focus from motorcycle registration eligibility to off-road motorcycle registration eligibility as modified utility vehicles, with new operational restrictions based on posted speed limits.

TIMELINE

Removed the original effective date of October 1, 2025, and replaced it with a committee substitute version dated April 30, 2025.

SCOPE

Expanded the bill's scope to include detailed specifications for modified utility vehicles, including dimensional requirements, speed capabilities, and operational restrictions on roadways.

Floor votes · House May 6, 2025

How they voted

111–0
Passed · 10 other
Total votes 121
May 6, 2025
D Democratic46
41 Yea 5
89% Yea
I Independent2
2 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican73
68 Yea 5
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
3
Committee
5
May 7, 2025
Committee
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
upper
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed 3rd Reading
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reptd Fav
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Committee
Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reptd Fav Com Substitute
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Committee
Ref to the Com on Transportation, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Filed
lower
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.