Can you be ticketed for driving with snow or ice on your car in NC? We asked police

The winter storm on its way to North Carolina could create hazardous conditions on the road.

The storm is expected to bring snow and ice to much of the central part of the North Carolina beginning Friday afternoon before leaving the state by midday Saturday. The Charlotte area could see up to 1.5 inches of snow in some areas Friday as well as sleet and freezing rain, The Charlotte Observer reported. That would be Charlotte’s first measurable snow in three years.

Traveling in the snow can be dangerous, especially if other drivers don’t clear the snow off their cars. But can they be ticketed for that? Here’s what to know.

Is it illegal to drive around with snow or ice on your car in NC?

There is no law that explicitly requires drivers in North Carolina to clear snow and ice from their vehicles, Master Trooper Christopher Casey with N.C. State Highway Patrol told The Charlotte Observer.

But there are a few state laws that either imply or explicitly require drivers to have unobstructed views of the road:

▪ It’s illegal to drive any vehicle upon a highway with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings, side or rear window.

▪ State law also says “no person shall drive a motor vehicle on the streets or highways of this State unless equipped with an inside rearview mirror … which provides the driver with a clear, undistorted and reasonably unobstructed view of the highway to the rear of such vehicle.”

▪ A person who “drives any vehicle upon a highway or any public vehicular area carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others” could be guilty of reckless driving, state law says.

Are there penalties for not clearing snow or ice from your car in NC?

While there is no law regarding snow on vehicles, Casey said an officer could pull you over if snow coming from your car creates obstacles for other drivers.

“An officer could possibly stop you if the snow coming off your vehicle was creating a traffic or roadway hazard,” Casey said.

That’s why the N.C. Department of Public Safety advises drivers to clear as much snow and ice from your vehicle before hitting road, including on the hood, trunk, bumper, headlights and tail lights.

Prepare your car for snow & ice

While you’re at it, do these five things to prepare your car for icy weather, The Observer previously reported:

1. Wash your car
2. Check your cabin air filter
3. Check your tire pressure
4. Check the battery
5. Top off your antifreeze

This story was originally published January 10, 2025 at 3:47 PM with the headline "Can you be ticketed for driving with snow or ice on your car in NC? We asked police."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.