Gov. Cooper signs bill allowing N.C. teens to get provisional licenses without road test

This is a follow-up story to the story first reported on a local teen starting a petition to allow N.C. teens to get their drivers’ licenses.

Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 158 into law on Friday, June 19. The bill allows the North Carolina DMV to temporarily waive the road test requirement for a Level 2 limited provisional license.

Road tests have been suspended since March due to safety requirements.

To qualify for the waiver, drivers must be 16-17 years old, have held a Level 1 limited learner permit for 12 months or more, have driven at least 60 hours of supervised driving, to include time at night. Drivers must also not have had a moving violation, seat belt violation, or cell phone violation in the last six months.

The Level 2 limited provisional license allows drivers to drive without supervision from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and to travel to and from work or volunteer rescue, fire or emergency medical service.

Drivers with a Level 2 license cannot have more than one passenger under 21 in the car while driving except for household family members.

“Our top priority is safety and ensuring that drivers who are licensed in this state are equipped with the skills and knowledge to be safe on our roadways for themselves and any passengers, other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians,” said DMV Commissioner Torre Jessup in a statement on June 19. “We believe a young driver who has gone through the graduated licensing process to qualify for a Level 2 license should have sufficient supervised driving experience and instruction to be able to forego a road test and to continue gaining driving experience.” 

The road test will still be required to move to a Level 3 license, which allows for unsupervised driving at any time.

Online appointment scheduling is available for drivers seeking their Level 2 limited provisional license.

Elliana Sylvia, who lives in Kinston and started a petition in April to temporarily waive the road test requirement, got her Level 2 license on Monday, June 22. 

“I feel so happy and relieved that teenagers are now able to get their license,” said Sylvia. “I was able to make an appointment this past Monday at the DMV in Greenville to get my license. It was a very quick and easy process, and I was out in less than 30 minutes. I’m so grateful for everything Senator Perry did to help all the teenagers in North Carolina.”