50 NC counties and 1 VA county are under alert, including Wake, Cumberland, Durham, Johnston, and Orange counties.

Capitol Broadcasting Company, the parent company of WRAL News, is part of the 2024 class inducted into the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame at the University of North Carolina.

WRAL parent company inducted to NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame 

More than 21% of North Carolina's four-year-olds enrolled in the state's pre-kindergarten programs during the 2022-2023 school year, up from the prior year but still below the state's pre-pandemic highs, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

North Carolina ranks 29th in public pre-K enrollment, new report shows

Durham County budget increases funding for pre-K students

All assets associated with the tag: driver's education

Driver's education Coverage

Starting Jan. 1, North Carolina will change the process of how teenagers get their driver's permits. If they can't get their road test by the end of the year, they might have to wait a little longer to get their provisional licenses.

WHICH BARRED ANY BLESSINGS SAYING GOD CANNOT BLESS CENT. >> ALL RIGHT. STARTING JANUARY FIRST, OUR STATE WILL CHANGE THE PROCESS OF HOW TEENS GET THEIR DRIVER'S PERMITS IF THEY CAN'T CUT THEIR ROAD TEST BY THE END OF THE YEAR, THEY MAY HAVE TO WAIT A BIT LONGER TO GET THEIR PROVISIONAL LICENSES. WRAL CAPITOL BUREAU CHIEF LAURA LESLIE JOINING US NOW IN STUDIO TO EXPLAIN THIS NEW LAW, WHICH IS JUST WEEKS AWAY FROM TAKING EFFECT TOMORROW WHEN IT'S RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. YOU KNOW, THIS WON'T AFFECT A LOT OF WOULD-BE TEEN DRIVERS, BUT IT COULD BE A DELAY FOR SOME AND GETTING TO THAT NEXT LEVEL. A DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR MANY YEARS. A NORTH CAROLINA TEEN DRIVERS HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEIR LEARNER'S PERMIT FOR A FULL YEAR AND SKEWS ME BEFORE THEY GET THE PROVISIONAL LICENSE. THAT'S THE ONE THAT ALLOWS TEENS TO DRIVE IN THE DAYLIGHT HOURS. WHAT THEY WANT TO GET WITH AN ADULT IN THE CAR. >> DURING COVID LAWMAKERS SHORTEN THAT LEARNER'S PERMIT PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS. BUT NOW THEY'VE MADE IT LONGER AGAIN. IT WILL BE 9 MONTHS AS OF JANUARY. FIRST, THAT COULD MEAN A DELAY FOR TEENS WHO GOT TO LEARNERS PERMIT EARLIER THIS YEAR AND COMPLETED ALL THE REQUIREMENTS BUT HAVEN'T YET GOTTEN AROUND TO GETTING THAT ROAD TEST. STATE DMV COMMISSIONER WAYNE GOODWIN SAYS THE CLOCK IS TICKING. >> IF YOU ALREADY DOUBLED, WE ALREADY HAD YOUR 6 MONTHS AND YOU'RE 16 OR OLDER IN ALREADY HAVE HAD YOUR 60 HOURS OF DRY. THEN IF YOU DON'T GET TO READ TO US BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE 9 MONTH PERIOD. >> THAT LEAVES THOSE YOUNG DRIVERS JUST A FEW DAYS TO GET IT DONE. THE DMV IS CLOSE NEXT MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS. SO THEY HAVE TO DO IT EITHER THIS WEEK OR NEXT THURSDAY OR FRIDAY. OTHERWISE THEY COULD HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER. GOODWIN SAYS THE DMV HAS ADDED 250 STAFFERS STATEWIDE TO TRY TO CUT DOWN ON WAIT TIMES. SO THAT MIGHT HELP YOU. HE SAYS THOSE SEATED THOSE DRIVERS SHOULD CALL THE DMV OR GO ONLINE FOR AN APPOINTMENT. HOWEVER, THE APPOINTMENTS APPEAR TO BE BOOKED ATLANTA. SO LOCK AND MAY BE THEIR ONLY OPTION. OK, IF YOU'VE GOT A CAR FOR CHRISTMAS,

New law changing process for teen drivers takes effect in January

North Carolina, like most states, uses a graduated driver's licensing program. Here is a guide to get you or your teens permit.

How to get a learner's permit in North Carolina: A comprehensive guide

Driving in the country 

Jordan Driving School is one of the top driving class in Raleigh serving over 26 schools. 

<p>Hello, I'm Thomas Hunter with Jordan driving school. I've been employed with Jordan driving school for about 20 years now. So I'm celebrating my 20 year anniversary. I mean, Jordan driving school supports all the way county schools. We have roughly about 26 high schools in Wake County and we support public, private charter and home schools. They only get six hours behind the wheel of instruction. We do have a classroom portion that they have to complete in the state of North Carolina requires 30 hours of classroom instruction. Kids assigned to the classroom. A minimum of 25 kids. We have a maximum average of 35 kids per class classes take place in the afternoons after school from 2 30 to 5 30 and for 10 days. So it's three hours a day for 10 days. Once that is completed, they have to do the behind the wheel driving, whereas they actually get into a car with a behind the wheel instructor. And once they complete their six hours of behind the wheel instruction, they receive a driver's</p>

Behind the wheel with Thomas Hunter: A spotlight on Jordan Driving School

Jordan Driving School

If you are a teenager anticipating your freedom or an adult looking to refine your skills, choosing the right driving school in the Raleigh-Durham area is essential. 

The top 5 driving schools in the Triangle area

Plus, 'Career Accelerator' applications are now open. Notes from the Wake County Public School System:

Wake eyes school calendar changes, signs new driver's ed contracts

Wake County Public School System

The school district is trying to reduce the backlog to the six to eight weeks waiting period that existed prior to the pandemic.

New contract aims to reduce Wake schools driver's education backlog

Driver's education students facing long road ahead while schools work through training backlog

THE TRIAL WILL TEST 35,000 ADULTS AROUND THE WORLD. >>> THE PANDEMIC HAS DELAYED A LOT OF THINGS INCLUDING A TEENAGER GETTING THEIR FIRST DRIVER'S LICENSE. THE WAIT IS ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO SCHEDULE BEHIND-THE-WHEEL DRIVER'S ED TRAINING. AMANDA LAMB TELLS US THAT DOESN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE WITNESS TO GET INTO THE DMV. AMANDA. >> Reporter: GERALD, YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER THAT FEELING. I DO. THE FIRST TIME YOU GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE CAR, THE EXCITEMENT, THE ANTICIPATION OF THE INDEPENDENCE THAT YOU WERE GOING TO GET. WELL, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC THIS TRAINING HAS BEEN DELAYED, AND IT COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE MANY STUDENTS GET THIS OPPORTUNITY. DRIVING IS FREEDOM. NOT ONLY FOR PARENTS BUT FOR TEENS WHO NEED TO GO TO ACTIVITIES AND WORK. >> IT IS A RITE OF PASSAGE FOR TEENS TO GET THEIR PERMIT AND TO GET THEIR LICENSE. >> Reporter: JENNIFER'S SON CARSON WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVER'S ED CLASS WHEN THE PANDEMIC SHUT IT DOWN. >> IT HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING, AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S NOT A LOT YOU CAN DO. >> WE HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS WAS GOING TO AFFECT US. >> Reporter: WAKE COUNTY CONTRACTS WITH THE JORDAN DRIVING SCHOOL TO PROVIDE DRIVER'S ED. THEY PIVOTED AND STARTED OFFERING ONLINE CLASSES. >>> INSTEAD OF JUST SHUTTING THE WHOLE PROGRAM DOWN, WE FOUND OUT THAT WE COULD TEACH KIDS VIRTUALLY. >> Reporter: BUT BECAUSE THE BEHIND-THE-WHEEL TRAINING HAD TO BE IN PERSON, IT WAS A NO-GO UNTIL RECOMMEND. >> WHEN THEY FINALLY ALLOWED US TO START DRIVING AGAIN, WE HAD TAUGHT 3,000 KIDS. >> Reporter: THEY ALSO LOST ABOUT HALF OF THEIR INSTRUCTORS, CHIPPING AWAY AT THE BACKLOG HAS BEEN SLOW. >> AND IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS FOR US. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET THROUGH IT. >> Reporter: NOW, RIGHT NOW KIDS WHO TOOK THAT VIRTUAL CLASS BACK IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, THEY ARE DRIVING. THEY ARE GOING TO DO THIS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. AND AS FAR AS THE DMV GOES, THEY STOPPED THE DRIVING TEST FOR A SHORT TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC. THEY STARTED THEM AGAIN A LIMITED MANNER. THEY HAVE NOW REOPENED THEM, BUT THEY HAVE 6,000 KIDS, GERALD, WHO HAVE TO GET THOSE DRIVER'S TESTS. THERE'S GOING TO BE A WAIT. >> THEY ARE SO ANXIOUS. THIS IS A RITE OF PASSAGE.

Driver's Education instructors working through training backlog

Driving schools work to chip away at the backlog of students needing behind-the-wheel training.

Drag racing star Doug Herbert went through something no parent should ever have to face -- he lost both of his sons in a car crash.

Racing star launches free driver's ed program after sons killed in car crash 

Family tragedy inspires teen driving school 

After months of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the state Division of Motor Vehicles is ramping up a new way of conducting road tests for young drivers.

SOCIETY IN HENDERSON IS OFFERING THAT REWARD. >>> GOOD NEWS FOR YOUNG DRIVERS FROM THE DMV. AFTER MONTHS OF DELAYS CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC, THEY'RE RAMPING UP A NEW WAY OF ROAD TESTS FOR PHASE THREE LICENSES. THE NEW TESTS ARE UNDERWAY TODAY. LAURA. >> Reporter: WHEN YOU THINK OF DRIVING FOR A ROAD TEST, YOU THINK OF BEING IN YOUR CAR AND THE INSTRUCTOR WITH YOU ON THE ROAD. THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE THAT A PRETTY BAD IDEA FOR OBVIOUS REASONS BUT THE LAW SAYS WE STILL HAVE TO HAVE THE TEST. DMV HAS COME UP WITH A SOCIALLY DISTANT ALTERNATIVE TO GET THE YOUNG DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. WHEN MATTHEW STARTED THE PROCESS OF GETTING HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE, THE PANDEMIC HADN'T EVEN HIT NORTH CAROLINA YET. BY THE TIME HE PASSED HIS FINAL ROAD TEST TODAY, THE PROCESS HAD CHANGED QUITE A BIT. >> I WAS A LOT MORE NERVOUS BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THIS ONE WAS GOING TO BE LIKE. IT WAS DEFINITELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I EXPECTED IT TO BE. >> Reporter: THE ROAD TESTS NOW ARE CONTACT LESS AND THEY'RE IN A PARKING LOT, NOT ON THE ROAD. THE INSTRUCTOR STAYS OUTSIDE THE CAR GIVING THE DRIVER DIRECTIONS TO FOLLOW. THE PARKING LOT IS ALSO SET UP WITH TRAFFIC SIGNS THE DRIVER MUST NAVIGATE. >> THEY HAD ME DO A THREE POINT TURN AND THEY HAD ME BACK UP IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND THEN DO A SAFETY STOP. >> THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS IT IS A MUCH SHORTER TEST THAN A REGULAR ROAD TEST AND THEY'RE NOT IN REGULAR TRAFFIC. >> Reporter: THE STATE DMV SPOKESMAN STEVE ABBOTT SAYS LAST YEAR LAWMAKERS WAVED EARLIER ROAD TEST REQUIREMENT FOR BEGINNING STUDENT DRIVERS. BY LAW THEY STILL NEED TO PASS AT LEAST ONE ROAD TEST TO GET THEIR FULL LICENSE. EARLIER THIS MONTH THE AGENCY DOUBLED NUMBER OF INSTRUCTORS AND LOCATIONS FOR THE NEW CONTACT LESS TEST. ABBOTT IS EXPECTING TO SEE HIGHER DEMAND AS MORE SCHOOLS REOPEN. >> PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE PATIENCE. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO CALL OR CONTACT US MONDAY AND GET A TEST TUESDAY. IT'S ANYWHERE DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION, A WEEK TO FOUR WEEKS. >> Reporter: HE'S BEEN ELIGIBLE SINCE JANUARY BUT IT TOOK TIME TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT. >> I COULD HAVE HAD IT SOONER IF THE PANDEMIC WASN'T HAPPENING. >> Reporter: THE DMV HAS BEEN OFFERING VERY LIMITED ROAD TESTS SINCE OCTOBER BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT VERY MANY. JUST LAST WEEK A STATE SENATE HEARD AND APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW THIRD PARTY VENDORS OUTSIDE DMV TO ADMINISTER THE ROAD TESTS AND HAVE THEM COUNT. THAT BILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO.

Driving 'road' tests set up in parking lots during pandemic

DMV accelerating no-contact road tests for young drivers

Durham Public Schools announced Wednesday it will suspend the student driver's education program indefinitely as the system begins the school year with online learning.

Durham Public Schools to suspend student driver's education program

Driver's education, student driver

State lawmakers signed off Thursday on a bill to allow beginning drivers in North Carolina to obtain limited provisional licenses without passing a driving test administered by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

State lawmakers approve road test waiver for young drivers during pandemic

driving generic, driver generic

A new program in Durham aims to provide a second chance to drivers whose licenses were revoked or suspended.

Second chance for Durham drivers with suspended, revoked license

The state's top educator announced a gift to K-3 reading teachers.

Superintendent Mark Johnson announces iPad gift

I know there will be more "last firsts" ahead, and I'm sure I will approach all of them with a bit of melancholy as I ponder the next stage of my life, the one that is not so wholly consumed by the daily needs of my children.