GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

SESSION LAW 2015-188

SENATE BILL 345

AN ACT to limit the amount of time a motor vehicle can be impounded after a collision.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 20‑166.3.  Limit storage duration for vehicle damaged as a result of a collision.

(a) Limited Duration of Storage. – A motor vehicle that is towed and stored at the direction of a law enforcement agency following a collision may be held for evidence for not more than 20 days without a court order. Absent a court order, the vehicle must be released to the vehicle owner, insurer, or lien holder upon payment of the towing and storage fees.

(b) Application. – This section shall not apply to a motor vehicle (i) seized as a result of a violation of law or (ii) abandoned by the owner."

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective August 1, 2015, and applies to motor vehicles impounded on or after that date.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 29^th day of July, 2015.

                                                            s/ Philip E. Berger

                                                                President Pro Tempore of the Senate

                                                            s/ Paul Stam

                                                                Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives

                                                            s/ Pat McCrory

                                                                Governor

Approved 3:15 p.m. this 5^th day of August, 2015