RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is resuming road tests for teenagers after the coronavirus pandemic stopped them for more than a year.
The DMV on Monday started to allow appointments for drivers under 18 who want provisional licenses. Officials are continuing to waive the road test for most other drivers if they show proof of training or driving records.
While the spread of COVID-19 led the DMV to halt road tests in March 2020, the agency said vaccines have lowered the risk.
“Health safety conditions have improved, with the large number of N.C. residents who have had at least one or both shots,” DMV spokesperson Steve Abbott said. “We will still institute health precautions with masks and temperature checks.”
North Carolina uses a graduated license program for its youngest drivers:
- Level 1 lets teens drive while supervised after completing Driver’s Ed.
- After 12 months and 60 hours of driving, they can move to Level 2 and drive unsupervised during certain hours.
- Level 3 comes six months later, after that contactless road test.
Drivers 15-17 who have their Level 2 limited for at least six months can schedule their full road test online. There are now 100 offices across the state able to handle those tests.
Drivers and examiners will wear a mask and have their temperatures checked.
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Cox Media Group
