GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40010-NEf-23
Short Title: Driver Educ./18 Yrs & Older & Unlicensed. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Lowery.
Referred to:
*DRH40010 -NEf-23*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO REQUIRE A COURSE IN ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE AWARENESS FOR 2
PERSONS EIGHTEEN YEARS AND OLDER THAT ARE NOT LICENSED. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. Article 2 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding 5
a new section to read: 6
"§ 20-11.2. Mandatory course in drug and alcohol abuse awareness for unlicensed drivers 7
18 years and older. 8
(a) Mandatory Course. – All applicants for a drivers license who are 18 years and older, 9
including those who have been licensed in another country, must complete a course in alcohol 10
and drug abuse awareness, unless the applicant is licensed in another state or has satisfactorily 11
completed a Department of Education driver education course offered pursuant to Article 14 of 12
Chapter 115C of the General Statutes. 13
(b) Course Requirements. – The course shall be three hours in length, may be offered 14
online or in person, and shall promote traffic safety and provide instruction on (i) the 15
physiological and psychological consequences of the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, (ii) the 16
effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the driver of a motor vehicle, (iii) the laws of this State 17
relating to the operation of a motor vehicle, and (iv) high-risk driving behaviors, such as fatigued 18
driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving, including the use of electronic devices while 19
driving. 20
(c) Third-Party Vendors. – The Division shall utilize third-party vendors to offer the 21
course in alcohol and drug abuse awareness. Each third-party vendor shall obtain a certification 22
from the Division that the third-party vendor's course complies with the requirements of 23
subsection (b) of this section. The Division shall maintain oversight of the courses established 24
and conducted by the third-party vendors. Each person who attends the course shall pay a fee in 25
the amount set by the Division." 26
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2025. 27
H.B. 217
Feb 25, 2025
HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK