(The Center Square) – The time required to hold a learner’s permit before getting a provisional driver’s license in North Carolina changes on Monday.
The new law passed April 20, early in this two-year session, also amends passenger restrictions applicable to provisional license holders.
Turning the calendar to Jan. 1 was expected to trigger 16 new laws or modifications to existing statutes, according to the state Legislature website. Litigation mires election law battles; there’s impact on the retirements of state teachers and employees; and there’s help for practicing physicians and physician assistants who are military servicemembers and spouses getting relocated to North Carolina.
Owners of alternative powered vehicles will also feel the state’s pinch into their wallets in 2024.
New for teen drivers with their Level 1 Limited Learner Permit is an increase to nine months instead of six before getting the Level 2 Limited Provisional License. Those with Level 1 and already at six months who do not get the road test in by Friday are not grandfathered in; no road test by Friday would mean needing to adhere to the new nine months rule.
Anyone who got Level 1 after June 30 must wait nine months.
COVID-19 changed timing. For most of the last quarter of a century, it was 12 months to advance to Level 2. The Legislature shortened the time to six months during the pandemic, and that exemption had a sunset one year ago this month. A new law extended the six months rule into 2023.
For a teen to get a Level 2 license, the requirements are 16 years old; 60 hours of driving time; pass a road test; and show printed proof of insurance in the teen driver’s name.
