Bill to waive road tests for young drivers passes NC House

A bill to delay road test requirements for new drivers until the state's DMV gets back to normal operations passed the N.C. House of Representatives Wednesday evening.

House Bill 1189 would temporarily waive the required tests for young people seeking provisional licenses, which many people get at 16. The waiver would end after the Division of Motor Vehicles starts offering road tests again, but new drivers licensed during the waiver period would not have to go back and get their road tests.

The bill initially required them to do so, but it was amended Wednesday in an N.C. House committee. The Division of Motor Vehicles said it was on board with the change, and that 90 percent of people pass this road test anyway.

The test typically lasts 15 minutes, and the DMV's lobbyist told lawmakers Wednesday that it is "not a litmus test on whether you’re going to be a safe driver or not.”

The DMV suspended road tests in March due to COVID-19, leaving young drivers with no way to complete state requirements. The division does not have a time table in place to start offering these tests again.

The system will still require driver's education, including hours of practice with a parent or other licensed driver. Young people can get their learners permits to accumulate those hours at 15, and apply for a provisional license after that.

Those over 18, and who need a road test because they're getting a license for the first time or because they've lost their license and want it back, are out of luck under this bill. They would still need the road test.

The bill passed the House Wednesday by a wide margin. It moves now to the state Senate for more debate.