Raleigh, N.C. – Legislation providing temporary accommodations for students enrolled in drivers education this spring or applying for a provisional license was approved by the North Carolina General Assembly and sent to the Governor today.
House Bill 158: COVID-19 New Driver Response directs the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to temporarily waive the requirement that applicants pass a road test to obtain a Level 2 limited provisional license. That waiver would expire once the DMV resumes road test administration. A level 2 limited provisional license holder who receives a waiver would have to pass a road test in order to receive a Level 3 full provisional license.
Public schools are also authorized to resume driver education programs in accordance with guidance issued by the Department of Public Instruction. Driver education students are still required to complete 15 hours of classroom instruction and at least 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction under the legislation.
Consistent with current law, passage of the driver education program will remain a requirement to receive a limited learner’s permit in North Carolina for persons under the age of 18.
NC House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) released the following statement:
“This is a well-balanced bill that reflects careful bipartisan legislating by members of the General Assembly who are working together to issue a robust response that gets it right for North Carolinians,” Speaker Moore said.“I appreciate the work of my colleagues collaborating with stakeholders across our state’s education and transportation systems to tackle these challenges together and offer assistance for North Carolina families.”
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