Senate Bill 245 cleared the legislature during the second extra session last week. It is designed to offer motorists another potential time-saving option rather than wait in line at the local N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles office.
“This law will enable more people to renew their driver's license online," Stein said in a statement. "It will also strengthen the state’s ability to protect against cyber threats.”
Remote renewals involve mail, telephone, electronic device or other secured method approved by the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles .
The bill does not allow a second consecutive online renewal to motorists with a REAL ID license.
However, motorists with a current REAL ID license who are renewing for a standard driver’s license would be allowed a second consecutive remote renewal.
SB245 cleared the legislature Sept. 30 with significant bipartisan support. The Senate vote was 47-0. The state House approved 109-7.
SB245 also removes the requirement of a completed driver’s log for those ages 16 and 17 to obtain a full provisional driver’s license.
The other three requirements remain: having a limited provisional license for at least six months; no motor vehicle moving or seat belt violations for the preceding six months; and having a driver eligibility certificate, a high school diploma or equivalent.
Two more years
Motorists already have an extra two years to get a driver’s license renewed, courtesy of a N.C. Transportation Department omnibus bill, Senate Bill 391, that Stein signed into law on July 1 .
The two years span from the date the driver’s license expires.
State Rep. Jay Adams , R-Catawba, said the legislation was filed to address long lines at DMV locations due to the demand for Real IDs.
All drivers must have their licenses renewed by Dec. 31, 2027 . The bill affects Class C licenses, the most common license issued to drivers.
There are two exemptions. Any driver’s license that is currently canceled, revoked or suspended is not eligible, and a Real ID driver’s license that has been valid for eight years or more also is not eligible.
Adams said the bill is not a solution to the problem, but gives North Carolinians some relief. “What this bill does is it keeps you from getting a ticket (for having an expired license),” Adams said.
Adams said the bill “relieves the burden on DMV offices so they can sort out their issues. The study is meant to help figure out what’s the problem with the DMVs.
“This state is growing like crazy, and we can’t have this situation persist.”
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