Driver Education COVID-19 Response Bill Approved by North Carolina House of Representatives

The bill maintains classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction for students

Raleigh, N.C. – Legislation to provide temporary accommodations for students enrolled in drivers education this spring or applying for a provisional license was approved by the North Carolina House in a bipartisan 107-13 vote this week.

Driver education students would still required to complete 15 hours of classroom instruction and at least 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction under the bill. Consistent with current law, passage of the driver education program would remain a requirement to receive a limited learner’s permit in North Carolina for persons under the age of 18.
 
House Bill 1189 Driver Education Covid-19 Response directs the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to temporarily waive the requirement that applicants pass a road test to obtain a limited provisional license.
 
That waiver would expire once the DMV resumes road test administration, or 180 days from the effective date of the act, whichever occurs earlier.
 
The bill also appropriates funds to DMV to maintain a list of individuals issued a limited provisional license without a permit.
 
“This is a limited accommodation to help a lot of families in difficult times while we maintain classroom driver education programs and behind-the-wheel instruction for our students,” Speaker Moore said.
 
“I appreciate the work of my colleagues in the House to balance these needs across our state’s education and transportation systems to tackle challenges together and offer bipartisan assistance for North Carolina families facing unprecedented challenges.”
 
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