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A public reference institution of the State of North Carolina's law

North Carolina Law

N.C.G.S. § 14-56.4 — revision history

Text is never overwritten. Each amendment lands as a new version row with its own effective range.

  1. Version 1 — 2026-08-08 to present

    Scraped from ncleg.gov; The General Statutes include changes through S.L. 2026-7.

    (a) For purposes of this section: (1) "Manipulative key" means a key, device or instrument, other than a key that is designed to operate a specific lock, that can be variably positioned and manipulated in a vehicle keyway to operate a lock or cylinder or multiple locks or cylinders, including a wiggle key, jiggle key, or rocket key. (2) "Master key" means a key that operates all the keyed locks or cylinders in a similar type or group of locks. (b) It is unlawful for any person to possess any motor vehicle master key, manipulative key, or other motor vehicle lock-picking device or hot wiring device, with the intent to commit any felony, larceny, or unauthorized use of a motor propelled conveyance. (c) It is unlawful for a person to willfully buy, sell, or transfer a motor vehicle master key, manipulative key or device, key-cutting device, lock pick or lock-picking device, or hot wiring device, designed to open or capable of opening the door or trunk of any motor vehicle or of starting the engine of a motor vehicle for use in any manner prohibited by this section. (d) Violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation of this section is a Class I felony. (e) This section shall not apply to any person who is a dealer of new or used motor vehicles, a car rental agent, a locksmith, an employee of a towing service, an employee of an automotive repair business, a person who is lawfully repossessing a vehicle, or a state, county, or municipal law enforcement officer, when that person is acting within the scope of the person's official duties or employment. This section shall not apply to a business which has a key-cutting device located and used on the premises for the purpose of making replacement keys for the owner or person who is in lawful custody of a vehicle. (2005-352, s. 1.)