H 311 - Safer Roads and Communities Act of 2021

• Authorizes the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles to issue restricted Class C drivers licenses to immigrants with limited or no legal status who meet specified requirements.

• Applicants must provide an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, passport, consular identification, or community identification card; complete a one-hour training course; prove one year of North Carolina residency; and demonstrate tax compliance or income below standard deduction thresholds.

• Restricted licenses expire on the licensee's birthday in the second year after issuance and cost no more than $53.00; the licenses must have a unique design distinguishing them from REAL ID compliant licenses.

• Prohibits information provided to obtain a restricted license from being admissible in criminal, civil, or immigration proceedings and prevents possession of the restricted license alone from being used as a basis for investigation, arrest, or detention.

• Becomes effective October 1, 2021, and applies to drivers licenses issued on or after that date.