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HB 853

Mobile Home Park Regulations

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Daryl Campbell and 2 co-sponsors

Restored revoked-license drivers must operate only vehicles bearing a distinct-color special plate (3-7 years) or face a 1-year license revocation; employer-use exceptions apply.

Died in Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
#subjectindex #(vetoed)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 853

Summary — HB 853 (North Carolina): "Special License Plate After Revocation"

Note: This summary addresses the HB 853 version titled “Special License Plate After Revocation” (North Carolina), as provided in the bill text.

Purpose

Require drivers whose licenses have been revoked (and later restored or granted limited driving privileges) to operate only vehicles that display a conspicuously different-colored special registration plate, to enable ready identification by law enforcement and to impose continuing restrictions as a condition of restored driving privileges.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new restriction to G.S. 20‑19 (new subsection (l)):

    • When the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) restores a revoked license, the restoration may include a restriction that the person may operate only vehicles that display a special registration plate (see G.S. 20‑82.1).
    • The driver must obtain a special registration plate for every registered vehicle they own and operate; they may not operate vehicles without the special plate.
    • Limited exception for employer‑owned vehicles: the driver may operate an employer vehicle without the special plate if (1) operation is required for employment, (2) the employer has been notified that the driver is subject to the special‑plate restriction, and (3) the driver carries proof of employer notification while operating that vehicle.
    • Duration of the special‑plate restriction: 7 years if the driver is also under the subsection (c3) restriction; otherwise 3 years.
    • Violation of the restriction results in a one‑year revocation. If the original revocation included additional unpaid time under certain statutes, any remaining portion of the original revocation is reinstated and the one‑year revocation runs after other periods end.

  • New section G.S. 20‑82.1 (special registration plate):

    • DMV must issue a special registration plate of a different color than standard plates; the Commissioner designates the color, which remains fixed and unique to this plate class.
    • It is unlawful to knowingly disguise or obscure the plate color.
    • Plate fees: regular motor vehicle registration fee plus an additional $10; $10 credited to a Special Registration Plate Account (SRPA).

  • Mandatory inclusion in limited driving privilege orders:

    • Judges must include the special plate requirement in limited driving‑privilege orders under G.S. 20‑179.3(h1) and related statutory cross‑references (G.S. 20‑16.1(b)(1), G.S. 20‑20.1(i)(2a)).

  • Technical and recordkeeping:

    • The judge’s imposition of the limited driving privilege and plate restriction must be recorded in the written judgment and transmitted to DMV as with other restricted permits.

Who is affected

  • Primary: individuals whose driver’s licenses were revoked and who later have licenses restored or receive limited driving privileges.
  • Secondary: employers (must be notified in order to permit some employer vehicles to be driven without a special plate), DMV (administration and issuance of a new plate type), law enforcement (identification and enforcement), and courts (imposing the restriction in limited‑privilege orders).

Enforcement, penalties, and compliance

  • Operating a vehicle without the required special plate = violation and triggers a one‑year license revocation.
  • Knowingly disguising/obscuring the special plate color is prohibited.
  • Employer‑notification requirements create an affirmative defense for limited employer‑vehicle use when the specified conditions are met.

Fiscal/administrative effects (not quantified in the bill)

  • DMV will incur administrative and production costs to produce and manage a new special plate type; the bill raises an extra $10 per plate (credited to SRPA).
  • Law enforcement and courts will incur modest enforcement and compliance workload.
  • Potential indirect impacts on individuals’ employment and mobility when required to display a special plate (stigma or operational limitations) — depends on implementation and compliance options.

Statutory changes

Amends/creates provisions in Article 3 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes, including:
- G.S. 20‑19 (new subsection (l))
- New § 20‑82.1
- Amendment to G.S. 20‑179.3 (add subsection (h1))
- Cross‑references in G.S. 20‑16.1 and G.S. 20‑20.1

Procedural status (from provided materials)

  • Introduced and filed April 9–10, 2025 (first reading recorded April 10, 2025).
  • Primary sponsor: Rep. Pike (with additional co‑sponsors listed in the bill text).
  • Referred to committee(s) for further consideration (as of first reading).

If you want, I can:
- Draft a one‑page explainer for affected drivers (what to do if your license is restored under this law),
- Identify likely implementation questions for DMV and courts, or
- Outline constitutional/privacy considerations and precedents from other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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