NC H864

All applicants for a driver's license in North Carolina who are 18 years and older must complete a 3-hour course in alcohol and drug abuse awareness, unless they are already licensed in another state or completed a Department of Education driver education course.

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

The Division of Transportation shall contract with third-party vendors to offer the courses, which must be certified as compliant with state requirements, with attendees paying a fee set by the Division.

The Department of Transportation receives $200,000 in recurring Highway Fund appropriations for fiscal year 2021-2022 to implement this requirement.

The act becomes effective January 1, 2022.