Stop for red lights, but not always for police lights. A guide to NC driving laws

North Carolina’s traffic laws can be more nuanced than many drivers realize, with common road behaviors sometimes falling into legal gray areas.

Questions about everything from motorcycles weaving through traffic to what flashing blue lights actually mean often leave drivers unsure of what’s allowed. To clear up the confusion, The Charlotte Observer asked law enforcement to weigh in on several frequently misunderstood rules.

Here’s what you need to know before hitting the road.

Is it legal for motorcyclists to lane split in NC?

Motorcycle lane splitting is illegal in North Carolina, the Observer reported. State law requires vehicles to remain entirely within a single lane and leave at least two feet when passing. Some states allow lane splitting under limited conditions.

The N.C. Department of Transportation Motorcyclists’ Handbook warns that riding between lanes can be dangerous and may be cited as illegal passing or careless and reckless driving at an officer’s discretion. Illegal passing is a Class 2 misdemeanor that can carry fines, license points or jail time.

Do you have to pull over when you see police lights in NC?

Seeing blue lights on a police vehicle doesn’t always mean drivers are required to pull over, Sgt. Christopher Casey of the N.C. State Highway Patrol told the Observer, noting policies vary by department.

Some agencies use steady blue lights to increase visibility, while others may require drivers to stop depending on the circumstances. In Charlotte, for example, the police department began running steady blue lights on marked patrol cars around the clock, and other departments have tested similar measures on a limited basis.

Can I run a red light that won’t turn green in NC?

No. Drivers can’t simply run a red light that won’t turn green in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol.

If a traffic signal is malfunctioning, motorists should treat the intersection as a four-way stop, Casey told the Observer. Standard right-of-way rules then apply, including yielding to the first vehicle to arrive or to the driver on the right when cars arrive simultaneously.

Who can use a handicap placard or license plate in NC?

In North Carolina, disability parking placards are issued to people with qualifying mobility impairments and may only be used by the individual to whom the placard or license plate was issued, according to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.

Using someone else’s placard is illegal, and violations can result in a fine of up to $100 plus court costs, totaling $291, the State Highway Patrol says. The offense is considered a non-moving violation with no license points, though vehicles can be towed in some cases.

Can you drive in the left lane without passing in NC?

Drivers in North Carolina can be ticketed for staying in the left lane without passing, but only if the behavior clearly violates other traffic laws, according to the Highway Patrol.

Casey told The Observer that while no state law explicitly bans left-lane driving, officers may cite motorists for related offenses such as speeding or reckless driving.