NC General Statutes
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-74 (2026)
Penalty for making false statement about transfer of vehicle
✓ current as of July 2026
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A dealer or another person who, in an application required by this Division, knowingly makes a false statement about the date a vehicle was sold or acquired shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1937, c. 407, s. 38; 1939, c. 275; 1961, c. 360, s. 10; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1979, c. 801, s. 8; 1981, c. 690, s. 21; 1991, c. 689, s. 333; 1993, c. 539, s. 340; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8
cases, 1953–1991 · leading case: State v. Morris, 405 S.E.2d 351 (N.C. Ct. App. 1991).
State v. Morris, 405 S.E.2d 351 (N.C. Ct. App. 1991). “§ 20-72(b) (1989). Every purchaser of a vehicle previously registered shall make application for transfer of title within twenty days after acquiring the vehicle, and responsibility for such transfer shall rest on the purchaser.”
Hawkins v. M & J Fin. Corp., 77 S.E.2d 669 (N.C. 1953). “The forms merely bore the plaintiff's endorsement in blank, without certificate of proof by notary or other certifying officer.”
Int'l Serv. Ins. Co. v. Iowa Nat. Mut. Ins. Co., 172 S.E.2d 55 (N.C. 1970). “§ 20-73; G.S. § 20-74. This was not done. The purchaser failed to perform his statutory duty, and the certificate of title and application for a new certificate had not been presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles on 4 November 1961 when the purchaser, operating said…”
Cmty. Credit Co. of Lenoir, Inc. v. Norwood, 125 S.E.2d 369 (N.C. 1962). “If the new owner purchased free of encumbrance, it was his duty to make application for transfer of title and registration within twenty days after he made his purchase. If the certificate of title and registration certificate were retained by the lien holder, it was the…”
Home Indem. Co. v. West Trade Motors, Inc., 129 S.E.2d 248 (N.C. 1963). “20-73, and when the certificate of title is delivered to a lien holder, it is nonetheless the duty of the purchaser to see that the certificate is forwarded to the Department of Motor Vehicles.”
Int'l Serv. Ins. v. Iowa Nat'l Mut. Ins., 172 S.E.2d 55 (N.C. 1970). “20-73; G.S. 20-74. This was not done. The purchaser failed to perform his statutory duty, and the certificate of title and application for a new certificate had not been presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles on 4 November 1961 when the purchaser, operating said vehicle,…”
Hawkins v. M & J Fin. Corp., 77 S.E.2d 669 (N.C. 1953). “The forms merely bore the plaintiff’s endorsement in blank, without certificate of proof by notary or other certifying officer.”
Nationwide Mut. Ins. v. Hayes, 172 S.E.2d 269 (N.C. Ct. App. 1970). “title retaining contract is obtained from purchaser or transferee in payment of purchase price or otherwise, the lien holder shall forward such certificate •of title papers to the Department within twenty days together with necessary fees, or deliver such papers to the purchaser…”
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