North Carolina § 20-30 - Violations of license, learner's permit, or special identification card provisions.

Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 20-30 — Violations of license, learner's permit, or special identification card provisions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 20-30. Violations of license, learner's permit, or special identification card provisions.

It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any of the following acts: To display or cause to be displayed or to have in possession a driver's license, learner's permit, or special identification card, knowing the same to be fictitious or to have been canceled, revoked, suspended or altered. To counterfeit, sell, lend to, or knowingly permit the use of, by one not entitled thereto, a driver's license, learner's permit, or special identification card. To display or to represent as one's own a drivers license, learner's permit, or special identification card not issued to the person so displaying same. To fail or refuse to surrender to the Division upon demand any driver's license, learner's permit, or special identification card that has been suspended, canceled or revoked as provided by law. To use a false or fictitious name or give a false or fictitious address in any application for a driver's license, learner's permit, or special identification card, or any renewal or duplicate thereof, or knowingly to make a false statement or knowingly conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application, or for any person to procure, or knowingly permit or allow another to commit any of the foregoing acts. Any license, learner's permit, or special identification card procured as aforesaid shall be void from the issuance thereof, and any moneys paid therefor shall be forfeited to the State. Any person violating the provisions of this subdivision shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. To make a color photocopy or otherwise make a color reproduction of a drivers license, learner's permit, or special identification card which has been color-photocopied or otherwise reproduced in color, unless such color photocopy or other color reproduction was authorized by the Commissioner or is made to comply with G.S. 163-230.2. It shall be lawful to make a black and white photocopy of a drivers license, learner's permit, or special identification card or otherwise make a black and white reproduction of a drivers license, learner's permit, or special identification card. To sell or offer for sale any reproduction or facsimile or simulation of a driver's license, learner's permit, or special identification card. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to agents or employees of the Division while acting in the course and scope of their employment. Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a Class I felony. To possess more than one commercial drivers license or to possess a commercial drivers license and a regular drivers license. Any commercial drivers license other than the one most recently issued is subject to immediate seizure by any law enforcement officer or judicial official. Any regular drivers license possessed at the same time as a commercial drivers license is subject to immediate seizure by any law enforcement officer or judicial official. To present, display, or use a drivers license, learner's permit, or special identification card that contains a false or fictitious name in the commission or attempted commission of a felony. Any person violating the provisions of this subdivision shall be guilty of a Class I felony. History (1935, c. 52, s. 24; 1951, c. 542, s. 4; 1967, c. 1098, s. 1; 1973, c. 18, s. 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 415; c. 667, ss. 27, 41; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1316, s. 22; 1989, c. 771, s. 8; 1991, c. 726, s. 13; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1007, s. 29; 1993, c. 539, s. 1247; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1999-299, s. 1; 2001-461, s. 1.1; 2001-487, s. 50(b); 2011-381, s. 4; 2019-239, s. 1.3(c).) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2019-239, s. 1.3(d), provides: "On or before May 1, 2020, the State Board of Elections shall report to the Joint Legislative Elections Oversight Committee and the General Assembly as to its plans to implement Sections 1.2 and 1.3 of this act and any recommendations for statutory changes necessary to implement these provisions." Session Laws 2019-239, s. 1.6, provides: "Rule Making. - The State Board of Elections shall adopt emergency rules for the implementation of this Part in accordance with G.S. 150B-21.1 A. This section does not require any rule making if not otherwise required by law." Session Laws 2019-239, s. 7, made the amendment to subdivision (6) of this section by Session Laws 2019-239, s. 1.3(c), effective January 1, 2020, and applicable to elections conducted on or after that date. Session Laws 2019-239, s. 5.14, is a severability clause. Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2011-381, s. 4, added "or special identification card' throughout subdivisions (1) through (5), (7), and (9), and in the section heading; and made related changes. For effective date and applicability, see Editor's note. Session Laws 2019-239, s. 1.3(c), inserted "or is made to comply with G.S. 163-230.2 " at the end of the first sentence of subdivision (6). For effective date and applicability, see editor's note.

Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 20-30

What does North Carolina General Statutes § 20-30 cover?

Section 20-30 ("Violations of license, learner's permit, or special identification card provisions.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite North Carolina § 20-30?

A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 20-30" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of North Carolina law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.

How does North Carolina § 20-30 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.