North Carolina regulates self-driving cars through established statutes but has limited specific rules for drones beyond federal oversight. The state permits operation of fully autonomous vehicles on public roads under defined conditions, while drone regulations emphasize registration and airspace compliance.​
Autonomous Vehicles
North Carolina General Statutes § 20-401 allows fully autonomous vehicles without a human driver’s license if equipped with automated driving systems capable of minimal risk conditions, proper insurance, and vehicle registration identifying them as such. Operators remain responsible for crashes and moving violations, with rules barring unsupervised minors under 12 and requiring crash reporting. No major 2025 updates appear, leaving deployment subject to these 2017 provisions amid national testing trends.​
Drone Regulations
Drones fall primarily under FAA rules requiring registration for devices over 0.55 pounds, remote ID broadcasting, and visual line-of-sight operation. North Carolina law prohibits drone use for hunting, surveillance of critical infrastructure without permits, and weaponized flights, with local bans on flights over events or unsanctioned gatherings. Commercial operations need Part 107 certification, and privacy concerns limit voyeuristic use under state peeping tom statutes.​
Gaps and Trends
The state preempts local AV regulations but lacks comprehensive testing permits or liability frameworks for Level 4/5 autonomy, relying on general traffic laws. Drone rules prioritize safety over innovation, with no 2025 expansions noted, contrasting proactive AV statutes. Enforcement involves the NC DMV for vehicles and state aviation for drones.​
SOURCES
[1](https://whitleylawfirm.com/blog/north-carolina-self-driving-vehicle-laws/)
[2](https://law.justia.com/codes/north-carolina/chapter-20/article-18/section-20-401/)
[3](https://legaleasesolutions.com/articles/autonomous-vehicles-on-public-roads-what-auto-companies-can-expect-from-the-legal-standpoint/)
[4](https://raleigh.legalexaminer.com/all/transportation/after-waymos-school-bus-failures-how-ready-is-north-carolina-for-driverless-cars/)
[5](https://nccriminallaw.sog.unc.edu/2024/10/02/navigating-autonomous-vehicle-technology-and-the-law/)
