§ 20-121.2.  Operation of a neighborhood occupantless vehicle on certain roadways; regulations; equipment requirements.

(a) Authorization. - A neighborhood occupantless vehicle may operate on streets and highways with the following restrictions:

(1) A neighborhood occupantless vehicle may be operated only on streets and highways where the posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour or less.

(2) A neighborhood occupantless vehicle must be operated in the right-hand travel lane or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the street or highway, except when preparing for a left turn.

(3) On a highway with two travel lanes, a neighborhood occupantless vehicle must turn off the roadway to a controlled stop as soon as practicable and when it is safe to do so to allow faster moving vehicles to pass when passing is unsafe because of traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions and there are five or more vehicles immediately behind the neighborhood occupantless vehicle.

(b) Equipment Exemptions. - A fully autonomous vehicle that is designed to be operated exclusively and at all times by an automated driving system shall not be subject to any State law or regulation requiring the installation, maintenance, or inspection of vehicle equipment that relates to or supports motor vehicle operation by a human driver, but is not necessary for operation by an automated driving system alone. "Automated driving system" is defined in G.S. 20-400. (2021-179, s. 2.)