An automobile is a vehicle that moves on four wheels and is one of our primary methods of transportation. Automobiles are also known as cars or vehicles. Trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUV), and minivans are different types of automobiles, and are sometimes referred to as cars, vehicles, or motor vehicles.
Automobiles are usually powered by an internal combustion engine using gasoline or diesel fuel, or by one or more electric motors, using energy stored in one or more rechargeable batteries.
In North Carolina, automobiles, which include cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans, are primarily regulated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These vehicles, whether powered by internal combustion engines using gasoline or diesel, or by electric motors with rechargeable batteries, must be registered with the DMV. Owners must have a valid title and registration, and vehicles must pass an annual safety inspection. In some counties, an emissions inspection is also required. North Carolina state statutes also require that all drivers of motor vehicles maintain minimum liability insurance coverage. Additionally, the state has specific traffic laws that govern the operation of motor vehicles on public roads to ensure safety and order.