NC H782

All applicants for a driver's license in North Carolina who are 18 years or older must complete a mandatory three-hour course in alcohol and drug abuse awareness, unless they hold an out-of-state license or have completed a Department of Education driver education course.

The course may be offered online or in person and must cover physiological and psychological consequences of alcohol and drug abuse, effects on drivers, state motor vehicle laws, and high-risk driving behaviors including fatigued driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving.

The Division of Motor Vehicles shall use third-party vendors to offer the courses, with each vendor required to obtain certification that their course meets state requirements and remain subject to Division oversight.

Attendees must pay a fee set by the Division for course completion.

The act becomes effective October 1, 2019.