SECTION .0200 - DRIVER'S LICENSE ISSUANCE

19A NCAC 03B .0201      DRIVER'S LICENSE EXAMINATION AND ONLINE RENEWAL

(a)  The Division shall issue a driver's license to any person who is eligible under G.S. 20 and completes the following requirements:

(1)           The Knowledge Examination, which is an automated computer examination that tests the applicant's knowledge of rules of the road. An audio component allows applicants with reading comprehension difficulties to listen to the test questions by use of earphones. Eighty percent of the questions shall be answered correctly to pass. For the issuance of a remote renewal, the requirement of a knowledge examination shall be waived.

(2)           The Road Sign Examination, which tests the applicant's knowledge of highway signs and their meanings. Applicants for a regular Class C license shall correctly identify 9 of 12 road signs. Applicants for A or B licenses shall correctly identify all road signs. For the issuance of a remote renewal, the requirement of the road signs test shall be waived.

(3)           The Visual Acuity Test, which examines an applicant's visual ability to identify letters or symbols from a specific distance. The applicant's vision shall be 20/40 or better in at least one eye to receive an unrestricted license. A license shall be restricted to require corrective lenses if acuity is less than 20/40 in either eye or both eyes together.

(4)           The Road Test, which measures the applicant's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely in actual traffic situations. The required maneuvers are: quick stop, turnabout, backing, approach corner, right turns, left turns, traffic lights, use of vehicle operating equipment, starts, use of lanes, use of brakes, following, and paying attention. Pass or failure is based upon the applicant's ability to execute the required maneuvers. The test is scored by the driver license examiner. For the issuance of a remote renewal, the requirement of a road test shall be waived.

(5)           The Remote Renewal allows drivers to remotely renew a driver's license by mail or electronic device. Eligible applicants who wish to renew remotely by electronic means, may go to www.ncdot.gov/dmv and submit responses to a series of automated questions that guide applicants through the online renewal process. A driver's license issued by remote renewal expires in accordance with G.S. 20-7(f)(6)c.

(6)           The Attestation supports application for a remote renewal to affirm the following as part of the remote renewal process:

(A)          The applicant is a resident of North Carolina;

(B)          The license holder's name as it appears on the license to be renewed has not changed;

(C)          All information provided during the application for a remote renewal has been provided truthfully;

(D)          The applicant knows of no change in his or her vision since the last time the applicant passed the visual acuity test in Subparagraph (a)(3) of this Rule that would impair the applicant's ability to safely drive a motor vehicle; and

(E)           That no change in physical or mental abilities has occurred since the last issuance.

(7)           If the applicant has an existing DMV photo on file, no additional photographs are required and the requirements in G.S. 20-7(n)(4) shall be waived for a remote renewal.

(8)           Upon completion of the remote renewal process, the license shall be renewed if all criteria in G.S. 20-7 are met. The applicant shall use the current license for all driver license purposes until the license becomes invalid for some other reason, or receipt of the new license card.

(b)  The tests contained in Paragraph (a) of this Rule shall be administered as follows:

(1)           Applicants applying for a driver's license for the first time shall complete the full examination to include the knowledge examination, road signs test, visual acuity test, and road test. Applicants in this Subparagraph are not eligible to apply for remote renewal.

(2)           Applicants seeking to renew a valid, unexpired North Carolina driver's license shall complete the road signs test and visual acuity test, unless the applicant is renewing remotely. Applicants possessing a previously issued North Carolina driver's license, expired less than two years, shall complete the road signs test and visual acuity test. An applicant shall attest during the application for a remote driver license renewal that the applicant knows of no change in his or her vision as set out in Part (a)(6)(D) of this Rule.

(3)           Applicants possessing a previously issued North Carolina driver's license expired greater than two years shall complete the full examination, to include the knowledge examination, road signs test, visual acuity test, and road test. Applicants in this Subparagraph are not eligible to apply for remote renewal.

(4)           Applicants seeking to transfer their current driver's license from another state or applicants possessing a driver's license issued by another state that is expired less than two years shall complete the road signs test and visual acuity test. Applicants in this Subparagraph are not eligible to apply for remote renewal.

(5)           Applicants with a driver's license issued by another state, expired more than two years, shall complete the full examination, to include the knowledge examination, road signs test, visual acuity test, and road test. Applicants in this Subparagraph are not eligible to apply for remote renewal.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 20-2; 20-7(a),(c),(f); 20-39; s. 34.8(a), 34.8(b);

Eff. July 1, 1978;

Amended Eff. May 4, 2015; May 1, 2014; December 1, 1993; July 1, 1982; June 5, 1981;

Emergency Amendment Eff. July 22, 2020 to expire pursuant to S.L. 2020-97, s. 3.20, expiration extended pursuant to S.L. 2021-13;

Readopted Eff. November 1, 2021.