{"data":{"id":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-20-400","jurisdiction":"us-nc","citation":"N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-400","heading":"Definitions.","body":"The following definitions apply in this Article:\n(1)\tAutomated driving system. - The hardware and software that are collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis, regardless of whether it is operating within a limited or unlimited operational design domain.\n(2)\tDynamic driving task. - All of the real-time operational and tactical control functions required to operate a motor vehicle in motion or which has the engine running, such as:\na.\tLateral vehicle motion control via steering.\nb.\tLongitudinal motion control via acceleration and deceleration.\nc.\tMonitoring the driving environment via object and event detection, recognition, classification, and response preparation.\nd.\tObject and event response execution.\ne.\tManeuver planning.\nf.\tEnhancing conspicuity via lighting, signaling, and gesturing.\n(3)\tFully autonomous vehicle. - A motor vehicle equipped with an automated driving system that will not at any time require an occupant to perform any portion of the dynamic driving task when the automated driving system is engaged. If equipment that allows an occupant to perform any portion of the dynamic driving task is installed, it must be stowed or made unusable in such a manner that an occupant cannot assume control of the vehicle when the automated driving system is engaged.\n(4)\tMinimal risk condition. - An operating mode in which a fully autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged achieves a reasonably safe state, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, upon experiencing a failure of the automatic driving system that renders the vehicle unable to perform any portion of the dynamic driving task.\n(5)\tOperator. - For the purposes of this Article, is a person as defined in G.S. 20-4.01. An operator does not include an occupant within a fully autonomous vehicle performing solely strategic driving functions.\n(6)\tOperational design domain. - Specific conditions under which an automated driving system is limited to effectively operate, such as geographical limitations, roadway types, speed range, and environmental conditions.\n(7)\tStrategic driving functions. - Control of navigational parameters such as trip scheduling or the selection of destinations and waypoints but does not include any portion of the dynamic driving task. (2017-166, s. 1.)","path":["Chapter 20. Motor Vehicles.","Article 18. Regulation of Fully Autonomous Vehicles."],"source_url":"https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-400.html","current_through":"S.L. 2026-30","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T17:58:08Z","sha256":"6b914d9f5ed52f59803a153b2ffa38fcc0fa573cad089d9d1e655e4a7e5f8224","source_id":"us-nc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-20-398","next":"us-nc/n.c.-gen.-stat.-20-401"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}