In North Carolina, as long as there is no sign prohibiting it, you can turn right on red after coming to a complete stop and checking for pedestrians.

There’s no doubt that red light laws can be tricky. Every state has a unique set of laws, every city has its own modifications—heck, there are even different rules for different intersections! If the whirlwind of red light laws is making your head spin,

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We’ll tackle all the basics of right turns on red North Carolina: when they’re allowed, when they’re not, and what happens if you break a red-light law. Plus, we'll share some tips on how to save on your

North Carolina insurance costs

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Can you turn right on red in North Carolina?

Yes—as long as there’s no sign prohibiting right turns on red.

Let’s take a look at the law books. According to

Section 20-158

of the North Carolina General Statutes, you can turn right on red if you:

Make a complete stop at the red light.

Yield to oncoming vehicles.

Yield to approaching pedestrians—even if they aren’t crossing the street yet!

So, to keep it simple: come to a complete stop, check for cars, check for people, then you’re good to go.

If you come across a flashing red light while driving in North Carolina, just pretend that it’s a stop sign. As long as you follow the same right-of-way laws that you would at a stop sign, you’ve got nothing to worry about.

What about left turns on red?

Left turns on red are not legal in North Carolina, even if there’s no traffic! If you’re turning from a one-way street onto a one-way street, you still need to wait for the light to turn green so that you stay out of legal trouble.

Key Takeaway As long as there’s no sign posted, you can turn right on red after coming to a complete stop and checking for vehicles and pedestrians.

Penalties for an illegal right turn on red in North Carolina

Though right turns on red are usually allowed in North Carolina, you could face a hefty fine (and a jump in your insurance premiums!) if you don’t follow the rules.

Most tickets will cost you up to $100 and add three points to your

North Carolina driving record

. That penalty will be more severe, though, if:

You don’t yield to a pedestrian (max fine of $500)

You were speeding or driving recklessly

You don’t pay your ticket on time

You have to handle court costs

And remember, North Carolina can

suspend your license

if you get 12 points in three years.

Not only that, but

your insurance premium will rocket upwards

if you receive a ticket for a red light violation. Best to play it safe and come to a full stop on red lights!

MORE:

Does running a red light increase your car insurance rates?

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How to find affordable car insurance in North Carolina

Now that we’ve broken down the rules of the road, let’s check out the golden rule of insurance savings: the number one way to save money on car insurance is through comparison shopping.

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