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 passes the tests and meets the requirements listed below and is
otherwise eligible under G.S. 20 to hold a license. Applicants for a driver's
license are subject to the following tests and requirements:
(1) Knowledge Examination. This is an
automated computer test on 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 in order to pass the knowledge examination. For the
issuance of a remote renewal, the requirement of a knowledge examination shall
be waived.
(2) Road Signs. This is a test on knowledge of
highway signs and their meanings. Applicants for a regular Class "C"
license shall correctly identify nine of twelve 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) Visual Acuity Test. The applicant's visual
acuity shall be 20/40 or better in either eye or both eyes together to receive
an unrestricted license. A license is restricted to require corrective lenses
if acuity is less than 20/40 in either eye or both eyes together.
(4) Road Test. The road test 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. Approval or disapproval is determined by the driver license examiner
based upon the applicant's ability to execute the required maneuvers. For the
issuance of a remote renewal, the requirement of a road test shall be waived.
(5) Remote Renewal. The renewal of a driver's
license by mail, telephone, or electronic device. Applicants will find
instructions for remote renewal on the Division of Motor Vehicles' Website at
http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv. A driver's license issued by remote renewal expires
in accordance with G.S. 20-7(f)(6)c.
(6) Attestation. An applicant eligible to make
application for a remote renewal shall truthfully attest to the following as
part of the application for a remote renewal:
(A) The applicant is a resident of North Carolina and
currently resides at the address listed on the license to be renewed;
(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) That 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) Photo Requirement. The requirement of a
newly captured photo in G.S. 20-7(n)(4) shall be waived for an applicant
eligible to make application for a remote renewal, providing the applicant has
an existing DMV photo on file.
(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 may use the current license for all legitimate 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) shall be
administered as follows:
(1) First time applicants. 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) Renewals and licenses expired less than two
years. 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. Applicants
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 with a driver's license issued
by another State, which is valid and current, or expired less than two years.
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. Applicants 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.L. 2014-100, 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.