N. Carolina Driver License Requirements for Youths Changing

Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The mandatory supervised driving period in North Carolina for young people before they can drive by themselves will be scaled back permanently after Gov. Roy Cooper said on Friday he’ll let a bill become law without his signature.

The General Assembly sent Cooper last month legislation addressing in part when a teen can move up from a learner’s permit to what’s called a limited provisional license and drive by themselves.

State law has required a young person to hold the permit for at least 12 months, although lawmakers reduced it to six months temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic to address delayed driver’s education classes.

The law reverted to 12 months at the end of 2022, but legislators said they were still receiving complaints from parents whose children are trying to get to the next level of driving. So the latest measure reinstates the six-month minimum for the rest of 2023 before settling the time at nine months.

In a news release, Cooper recognized that the legislation passed the General Assembly by a large margin because it should help reduce waiting times for youths seeking their license.

But “I have concerns that this law could make our roads less safe and I encourage the Division of Motor Vehicles and the legislature to monitor its effects closely,” the governor said. Cooper had until Friday night to sign the bill or veto it. Since he’ll do neither, it will become law.

Other rules remain in place. A young driver is eligible to obtain a learner’s permit at age 15 but must be at least 16 to move up to the limited provisional license. In between, the youth must complete 60 hours of supervised driving with an adult — usually a parent — and pass a road test.

As regulations around young drivers’ permit durations undergo adjustments, it’s equally crucial for individuals, especially parents, to stay informed about consumer protections when purchasing vehicles. Lemon laws, designed to address persistent issues with newly bought automobiles, play a pivotal role in ensuring buyers’ rights. If, despite meeting the stipulated requirements, a vehicle consistently exhibits defects that affect its safety or functionality, consumers have recourse under lemon laws.

To understand how these laws apply in your jurisdiction and to stay abreast of any changes, it’s recommended to explore information on this page. Being aware of your rights as a consumer can be instrumental in navigating potential challenges related to vehicle purchases and ensuring a safe driving experience for young and novice drivers.

The bill also would slightly ease passenger constraints for a limited provisional licensee so that the person could drive someone unrelated to them to and from school. This change begins Aug. 1. The Division of Motor Vehicles said later Friday that the supervised driving period change to six months will take effect starting Monday.

Photo by Mathias Reding.

‹

Governor's Pandemic Rules for Bars Violated North Carolina Constitution, Appeals Court Says

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's orders to bars to stay closed during the COVID-19 pandemic were “illogical," an appeals court ruled Tuesday.

North Carolina Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.2% In March

North Carolina’s unemployment rate fell sharply in March, state officials announced on Friday, as the number of people holding jobs grew by over 11,000 compared to the month before. The seasonally adjusted jobless rate decreased from 5.7% in February to 5.2%, the state Commerce Department said in a news release, marking sixth consecutive month of […]

CHCCS, Orange County Schools Adopt Updated In-Person Learning Models for K-5 Students

With new mandates in place from the state government, Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools recently made changes to their plans of in-person instruction for elementary school students. The Orange County Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a variation to the Plan A learning model during its meeting Monday night, which will see […]

North Carolina Supreme Court Says Bars’ COVID-19 Lawsuits Can Continue

The North Carolina Supreme Court issued favorable rulings Friday for bars and their operators in litigation seeking monetary compensation from the state for COVID-19 restrictions.

North Carolina Public School Students Inch Higher in Test Scores

North Carolina’s public school students made small performance gains on standardized tests during the past school year, officials announced Wednesday.

North Carolina’s Restrictions on Public Mask-Wearing Are Now Law After Some Key Revisions

Written by MAKIYA SEMINERA North Carolina’s contentious restrictions on public mask-wearing became law on Thursday after GOP lawmakers successfully overrode a veto by the state’s Democratic governor. The Senate gave its final stamp of approval in a 30-14 override vote along party lines. The state House initiated the process Wednesday when it voted to override Gov. […]

Mental Health, Infant Mortality and Environmental Racism: Takeaways From Orange County's Health Assessment Data

Every four years, the Orange County Health Department embarks on an intensive effort to gather wide-ranging, local health information in its Community Health Assessment, which happened in 2023. One month ago, the health department shared those results and data with residents. The health department published its public copies of the 2023 assessment after surveys, focus […]

North Carolina’s Governor Visits Rural Areas To Promote Medicaid Expansion Delayed by Budget Wait

Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS With a Medicaid expansion kickoff likely delayed further in North Carolina as General Assembly budget negotiations drag on, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper wrapped up a week of rural travel Thursday to attempt to build pressure upon Republicans to hustle on an agreement. Cooper met with elected officials and physicians in […]

Suicides and Homicides Among Young Americans Jumped Early in the Pandemic, Study Says

Written by MIKE STOBBE The homicide rate for older U.S. teenagers rose to its highest point in nearly 25 years during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the suicide rate for adults in their early 20s was the worst in more than 50 years, government researchers said Thursday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report examined the homicide […]

N. Carolina Driver License Requirements for Youths Changing

Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The mandatory supervised driving period in North Carolina for young people before they can drive by themselves will be scaled back permanently after Gov. Roy Cooper said on Friday he’ll let a bill become law without his signature. The General Assembly sent Cooper last month legislation addressing in part when […]

›