You see a car with no one in the driver’s seat gliding through Charlotte traffic. A natural question follows right away: Is this even legal?
The short answer is yes. North Carolina passed a specific law for this back in 2017. That was years before most people ever saw one of these cars in person.
At Mehta & McConnell, we’re receiving more questions about the impact of the North Carolina autonomous vehicle law on personal injury claims. Here is what you need to know about the law.
You can reach our lawyers at 980-326-2270.
Is a Driverless Car Legal in North Carolina?
Under NC’s autonomous vehicle law, a fully driverless car can operate on public roads. However, it must first meet specific requirements. This is not a gray area or a loophole. It has been state law since 2017.
The law spells out exactly what a company must do before its cars can drive here without a human behind the wheel. If you see one of these cars in Charlotte, it’s operating under established rules, not a legal gap.
Where Did the North Carolina Autonomous Vehicle Law Come From?
The law goes by a few different names. It’s sometimes referred to as:
- House Bill 469,
- Session Law 2017-166, and
- N.C.G.S. §§ 20-400 through 20-403.
Today, the law lives in North Carolina’s General Statutes. Governor Roy Cooper signed the bill in 2017. At the time, North Carolina became the 20th state to pass such a law.
The law defines a fully autonomous vehicle in a specific way. It is a vehicle with an automated driving system that never requires a human occupant to handle any part of the actual driving task. This only applies while that system is on. In technical terms, this matches what engineers call SAE Level 4 or Level 5 automation. Those are the two highest levels on a six-level scale.
Under the same law, Governor Josh Stein welcomed Waymo’s 2026 expansion into Charlotte. The legal groundwork was already in place years before Waymo ever announced its plans.
Does NC Allow Fully Driverless Cars Yet?
G.S. 20-401 does allow fully driverless cars. The operator of a fully autonomous vehicle does not need a driver’s license while the automated system is engaged. This is a real difference from ordinary traffic law.
The vehicle itself still must meet state and federal vehicle safety standards, such as:
- If it crashes, it must be able to stop on its own;
- It must be able to contact law enforcement and call for medical help; and
- It must be able to reach a safe stop if the system ever fails (a minimal risk condition).
In practice, no fully driverless car is on North Carolina roads yet. Waymo has been testing its cars in Charlotte since early 2026. For now, a trained human still rides along in every vehicle.
Who Is Responsible for a Self-Driving Car’s Moving Violations in NC?
This is one of the most useful parts of the existing law for everyday drivers to understand. The person whose name is on the vehicle registration is liable for any moving violation. This applies whenever that violation involves the vehicle.
There is no driver to blame in the traditional sense. The law places responsibility on the registered owner instead. Speak to a Charlotte self-driving car accident lawyer if you’re injured in an accident with a driverless car.
What Are the Rules for Children?
If children ride in a fully autonomous vehicle, a parent or legal guardian is responsible if the child does not use a child restraint or rides in an open truck bed.
Both rules work the same way they would in any other car. State law also sets a minimum age of 12 years for unsupervised minors. It is worth noting that a company like Waymo can still set its own separate age policy for its riders. Waymo policy is currently 18+.
Autonomous Vehicle Insurance Requirements in NC
Insurance is not optional. Driverless cars must carry the right coverage before they can operate. This includes a motor vehicle liability policy that meets the statutory requirements. It works much like the insurance you already carry on your own car. The one real difference is that the policy has to cover a vehicle that may never have a human driver at all.
Who Oversees Autonomous Vehicles in North Carolina?
The law created a Fully Autonomous Vehicle Committee. It sits inside the North Carolina Department of Transportation. This 17-member committee meets at least four times a year. Its main job is to review how state motor vehicle laws apply to this technology. It also makes recommendations about testing and future rules.
FAQs
What Is North Carolina’s Law on Autonomous Vehicles?
North Carolina regulates fully autonomous vehicles under N.C.G.S. §§ 20-400 to 403. This law was enacted through House Bill 469 and Session Law 2017-166. The vehicles can operate legally if they meet the safety, insurance, and reporting requirements.
Is It Legal to Ride in a Fully Driverless Car in North Carolina?
Yes. As long as the vehicle meets the state’s requirements, riding in a fully driverless car is legal in North Carolina.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Ride Alone in a Self-Driving Car in NC?
State law sets the minimum age for an unsupervised minor at 12 years old. Individual companies may still set their own, separate age policies for riders.
Who Is Responsible for Traffic Tickets in a Self-Driving Car in North Carolina?
The person whose name is on the vehicle registration must answer for moving violations. This is because there is no traditional driver to hold accountable.
Can Charlotte or Other NC Cities Pass Their Own Self-Driving Car Rules?
No. State law does not let cities make their own rules for self-driving cars. Cities can still enforce normal traffic laws that apply to every car. They cannot single out self-driving cars for special treatment.
Does North Carolina Require Insurance for Autonomous Vehicles?
Yes. A fully autonomous car must have the right insurance before it can drive on the road. The coverage must meet North Carolina’s rules.
Stay Up to Date with NC Personal Injury Law
With drivers now sharing the road with autonomous vehicles, there are major implications for personal injury law. The lawyers from Mehta & McConnell are former insurance defense lawyers. We can help you understand the legal questions that come with the new technology.
Contact us for a free consultation to talk through your case if you’ve been injured on Charlotte’s roads.
Legal References Used to Inform This Page
To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced legal and other resources during the content development process:
- Regulation of Fully Autonomous Vehicles, N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-400 to 20-403
- NC Regulates Fully Autonomous Vehicles, UNC School of Government
- Navigating Autonomous Vehicle Technology and the Law, UNC School of Government
Viral Mehta
Viral Mehta is a Managing Attorney at Mehta & McConnell Injury Lawyers in Charlotte, NC, and one of fewer than 1% of North Carolina attorneys holding a North Carolina State Bar Board Certification in Workers’ Compensation law. He spent the first decade of his career defending employers and insurance companies in workers’ comp claims before switching sides to represent injured workers. A North Carolina Super Lawyer (2024, 2025) and five-time Rising Star, Viral was also a contributing author of the 2017 North Carolina Workers’ Compensation LexisNexis Practice Guide and is certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission as a Superior Court mediator.