North Carolina Trucking Insurance

Trucking in North Carolina

North Carolina bridges the coast and the mountains. I-95 runs the eastern flatlands, I-85 threads the Piedmont through Charlotte, and I-40 crosses the Blue Ridge from the Tennessee Smokies to the Port of Wilmington. What connects them is a statewide left-lane ban that every trucker needs to know: vehicles with 3 or more axles or weighing 26,000 lbs or more cannot use the far-left lane on any NC interstate. It is enforced, and it applies everywhere.

North Carolina has the highest personal auto bodily injury minimums in the Southeast at $30K/$60K/$25K, and intrastate motor carriers must carry $750,000 minimum liability — matching the federal floor. RMS recommends $1,000,000 CSL. Charlotte is growing fast as a distribution center, the I-85 corridor between Charlotte and the Triad is increasingly congested, and the Blue Ridge mountain grades on I-40 between mile markers 20 and 55 demand respect from November through March.

The tandem axle limit on North Carolina state highways is 38,000 lbs — a full 4,000 lbs above the federal 34,000 lb standard. Interstates follow the federal limit, but for carriers running state routes, this weight advantage matters. The I-77 Express Lanes in Charlotte prohibit trucks with 3 or more axles outright, so do not plan on using them. NC Quick Pass is E-ZPass compatible and covers the Triangle Expressway and Monroe Expressway, with proper transponder setup for commercial vehicles available by calling 1-877-769-7277.

Starting a Trucking Company in North Carolina?

If you’re launching a new carrier in North Carolina, our free guide walks you through every step from business formation to passing your first FMCSA safety audit. Start with the decision guide or jump to insurance costs for new authorities.