When I was a teenager, we eagerly awaited getting that driver’s license. My son marked the days with excitement. And, believe me I praised the day it happened for him because it made my life easier. He was his own taxi finally. I do remember that North Carolina seemed to have some of the lengthiest, most involved processes in the nation for gaining the fully licensed status. But, that changed with COVID. During the pandemic a law passed shortening the wait time from permit to provisional license. According to WSOC TV, the law that cut the time a new driver had to hold a permit before getting a limited provisional from 12 months to 6, expired in January. And, this week the state Senate modified and extended that COVID law. New North Carolina legislation allows teen drivers to get those provisional licenses quicker.
So, the proposal now goes to the House. According to the WSOC report, the six month minimum agreed upon during the pandemic would be back in place for the rest of 2023. Then, it would finally be set at nine months permanently. Of course, drivers still have to go through the other steps, including the minimum 16 year age requirement, logging those driving hours and the dreaded road test. It’s not that bad by the way. Senators pointed out that these waiting times are similar to neighboring states Virginia and South Carolina. Another change comes with the bill concerning additional passengers in the car. I seem to remember there was a restriction on carrying an additional unrelated passenger under 21 who was not the accompanying ride along “supervisor.” The new North Carolina legislation allows teen drivers one additional under 21 passenger for school travel.
North Carolina Isn't The Best State To Drive In, But It Is Ranked Pretty High
10. Indiana
Total Score: 59.04
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 12
Traffic & Infrastructure: 20
Safety: 33
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 17
9. Kansas
Total Score: 59.60
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 13
Traffic & Infrastructure: 5
Safety: 40
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 33
8. Tennessee
Total Score: 59.68
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 1
Traffic & Infrastructure: 27
Safety: 42
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 21
7. Texas
Total Score: 59.94
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 20
Traffic & Infrastructure: 40
Safety: 14
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 4
6. Idaho
Total Score: 60.51
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 24
Traffic & Infrastructure: 2
Safety: 13
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 42
5. North Carolina
Total Score: 60.65
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 8
Traffic & Infrastructure: 30
Safety: 27
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 10
4. Oklahoma
Total Score: 60.81
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 15
Traffic & Infrastructure: 8
Safety: 30
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 28
3. Ohio
Total Score: 61.38
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 3
Traffic & Infrastructure: 28
Safety: 36
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 7
2. Georgia
Total Score: 61.41
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 2
Traffic & Infrastructure: 32
Safety: 29
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 9
1. Iowa
Total Score: 62.61
Cost of Ownership & Maintenance: 7
Traffic & Infrastructure: 9
Safety: 35
Access to Vehicles & Maintenance: 19