In response to the pandemic, North Carolina's Department of Motor Vehicles temporarily waived the road tests for specific drivers. For instance, 18 years old and older who needed a Class C license were allowed to apply for the waivers. On the other hand, those 17 and 16 years old were allowed to apply for a Level 2 limited license.
The NCDOT noted that the road test waivers would be discontinued on September 14. The agency said that the COVID-19 State of Emergency ended on August 15. The agency also stated that the pandemic had only temporarily affected the procedures of the Department of Motor Vehicles. One of the changes was the reduction in the time that teen drivers had to hold a Level 1 limited license.
The period that a teen driver had to hold a Level 1 license before they could apply for a Level 2 license was reduced to six months from 12 months. This change is expected to end at the end of the year.
Those hoping to get a Level 1 license will have to wait a little longer. Due to the lack of appointments at the agency's facilities, many people could not get their positions until the end of October or November. In addition, the agency announced that it would stop waiving the road tests for specific drivers. It also said it would start offering some of its facilities walk-in services.
Ten of the agency's facilities started offering walk-in services last week. These facilities could accommodate walk-in customers at 7 a.m., an hour earlier than their usual schedule.
According to Wayne Goodwin, the commissioner of the NCDMV, the agency has experienced a hectic summer at its facilities due to the shortage of workers. He noted that the agency's staff members are working hard to meet the customers' needs. The walk-in service hours for 16 local DMV offices ended the previous week.
