NC H84

Division of Motor Vehicles shall develop a voluntary designation for drivers licenses that may be placed on request for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, displayed as a unique symbol on the front of the license without additional descriptors.

Persons requesting the designation must provide verification of hearing loss, acceptable forms including certification by medical or audiology professionals, affidavits executed by the person or guardian, or other documentation deemed satisfactory by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

The hearing loss designation information shall only be available to law enforcement for ensuring safe interactions and cannot be accessed or used for any other purpose.

Division of Motor Vehicles may also enter the designation into electronic motor vehicle registration records for vehicles registered in the same name as the deaf or hard of hearing person, entirely at the person's voluntary request.

Criminal justice training standards must include minimum education on recognizing and appropriately interacting with deaf and hard of hearing persons and on the optional drivers license and vehicle registration identifiers authorized by this act.