FOR YOU TO KNOW
NC INTERLOCK LAWS
North Carolina has some of the toughest Drunk Driving Laws:
- The open container law prohibits anyone in motor vehicle from having open containers of beer or wine while in a public vehicular area. The ignition-interlock law requires that an offender must have the alcohol-sensing device installed not just in his or her primary vehicle, but all vehicle registered in their name.
- Establishes a blood alcohol content of 0.04 for those who have been convicted of a DWI and have had their license reinstated. Establishes a blood alcohol content of 0.00 for those who have been convicted of a second DWI and have had their license reinstated.
- Requires those who are convicted of having a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or greater -- in other words, at twice the legal limit-- to use an ignition interlock system in their vehicles before their license is restored.
- In addition, North Carolina can now seize the vehicle of a driver whose license is revoked by another state, if the revocation is for an offense that is "substantially" similar to one -- if committed in North Carolina -- would make the vehicle subject to seizure. This would apply to a DWI violation charged to an out-of-state driver whose license has been revoked for a previous DWI.
GENERAL INFORMATION LINKS
Underage Drinking -- Beer and wine drinking by 19 or 20-year-olds is now a misdemeanor.
Possession of Alcohol in a Commercial Vehicle -- Possession of an unopened or open container of alcohol in a commercial motor vehicle in an infraction. (This does not apply to excursion passenger vehicles, for-hire passenger vehicles, or motor homes if the alcohol beverage is in the possession of a passenger or is in the passenger area.)
Results From Alcohol Screening Devices Admissible -- Alcohol screening devices, are admissible to prove the presence of alcohol. As such, results are admissible to establish probable cause; to prove drinking in an open container case; and/or to prove drinking in an under-age-21 case.
