North Carolina has a large and diverse transportation system consisting of all modes of transportation, including highways, rail, aviation, ferries, public transit and bicycle and pedestrian transportation.
With state appropriations of about $5 billion, the N.C. Department of Transportation is responsible for building and maintaining this transportation network, as well as overseeing the state's Division of Motor Vehicles.
Transportation funding is comprised of approximately 75 percent state revenues and 25 percent federal revenues.
State Funding Resources
Motor Fuel Tax
| 47 percent
|
The motor fuel tax changes at the beginning of each year are based on a statutory formula that takes into consideration population and energy cost inflation.
On Jan. 1, 2024 as required by N.C. General Statute 105-449.80, the motor fuels tax rate changed to 40.4 cents per gallon. This rate is in effect through Dec. 31, 2024. |
DMV Fees
| 21 percent
| The N.C. General Assembly sets various fees that the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles collects primarily from licensed drivers and vehicle registrations. Fees are adjusted for inflation every four years beginning July 1, 2020 per G.S 20-4.02. |
Highway Use Tax on Vehicle Title Transfers
| 24 percent
| The N.C. General Assembly set a 3 percent tax on a motor vehicle's net retail value (after trade-in allowance). When a certificate of title is issued in North Carolina it is credited to the Highway Trust Fund. There is also an 8 percent use tax for short-term vehicle leases or rentals and a 5 percent tax on vehicle subscriptions, both of which are credited to the Highway Fund.
|
State Funding Allocation & Distribution
Funding from the four state revenue sources (Motor Fuel Tax, DMV fees, Highway Use Tax, and Sales Tax) are allocated to two state funds
– the Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund
– as outlined in the chart below.
| Motor Fuel Tax | 75 percent
| 25 percent
|
| DMV Fees | Approximately 85 percent | Approximately 15 percent |
Highway Use Tax
| Approximately 7 percent
| Approximately 93 percent |
Highway Fund
The Highway Fund primarily supports projects that help take care of the state's existing transportation system. This includes resurfacing highways, replacing bridges and paving unpaved secondary roads. Funds are distributed across North Carolina based on need.
The Highway Fund also supports the
Powell Bill Program, which provides state aid to municipalities for pedestrian, bicycle and road improvements.
Strategic Transportation Investments
Strategic Transportation Investments primarily fund new construction and expansion projects across all modes of transportation. Funding is allocated on local, regional and statewide levels based on data and input from local planning organizations and NCDOT divisions.
Federal Funding
Appropriated by Congress, federal transportation funding comes from a federal motor fuel tax and vehicle fees (mostly on trucks). It accounts for approximately 25 percent of NCDOT's overall budget and about 45 percent of its construction budget.
Details about the current appropriations bill, called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, are available on the Federal Highway Administration website.
Advance Construction
Advance Construction is a funding tool used by all states. It allows NCDOT to program more projects throughout the year, start them sooner and save money.
When projects eligible for federal funding have been identified, NCDOT can accelerate the project by using state funds to pay for the project’s cost first; then the department will use Federal Highway Administration dollars to reimburse itself for the federal portion of construction, which is typically 80 percent.
People may visit the
Advance Construction webpage to learn more about this funding tool and view related documents.
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