S.L. 2012-78 (Senate Bill 749) Summary

• Requires drivers licenses of limited duration to bear a distinguishing mark or designation clearly showing the limited duration of the license.

• Expands exemptions from vehicle licensing requirements to include livestock, live poultry, animal waste, pesticides, seeds, and fertilizers transported by farmers between farms or to market.

• Establishes a process for the North Carolina Department of Transportation to approve routes for farm equipment exceeding 10 feet in width on controlled-access highways and interstate highways, with 30-day application review periods and published routes available for general use.

• Modifies weight and dimension regulations for various vehicle types including agricultural transport vehicles, ready-mixed concrete haulers, and aggregate haulers, with specific axle weight limits and distance restrictions.

• Creates commercial motor carrier offense for improper use of mobile telephones or electronic devices while operating vehicles subject to federal Parts 390 or 392, with exception for hands-free technology.

• Protects toll collection customer information from public disclosure under federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act requirements and limits authority use of account information to toll collection and enforcement purposes.