If you are a resident of North Carolina, you should be aware of the new laws coming into effect regarding both driving legislation and road safety policies, as well as those related to the driver’s license. The last year has been characterized by the implementation of a variety of changes in driving laws. In particular, there has been an effort to strengthen safety on the roads by increasing the amounts of fines and including jail sentences for offenders. In addition to the installation of radar and cameras on the roads, North Carolina will soon experience changes related to driver’s licenses.
This will be due to the new Bill 199 of the North Carolina General Assembly, signed by former Gov. Roy Cooper, last July 2024. Through this new law, drivers will be able to carry digital licenses, without the need to carry the physical one. However, the law has not yet come into effect, and there is currently no date. This type of license is becoming increasingly common, and it is already used in other states such as Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Utah, and Puerto Rico. Some of these states even allow the Apple Wallet app to store digital driver’s licenses.
Changes in traffic legislation
The last year has been marked by updates to legislation on driving and road safety policies, especially focused on updating speed limits and the relevant penalties. These regulations aim to reinforce safety on roads and thus reduce the percentage of traffic accidents and the mortality rate. Until relatively recently, penalties related to speed limit violations were punished with a monetary fine, which did not seem to deter drivers from committing offenses.
For this reason, not only have those figures increased, but prison sentences for offenders have also been introduced. Another method that has been proposed is the use of technological methods, such as automated cameras or red-light cameras. With them, the aim is to detect offenders without the need for the police to be present at the moment, and to be able to sanction those who break the law.
House Bill 199 North Carolina
Not only should one stay informed about changes in traffic regulations, but also regarding the driver’s license. This is the case in North Carolina, where changes will soon be implemented. In July of last year, 2024, former Governor Roy Cooper signed Bill 199 into law in the North Carolina General Assembly, allowing drivers in the state to use a digital driver’s license instead of a physical one. Jillian Kossman, operations director of IDScan.net, stated, “That is definitely a situation where there really is no substitute for that physical identification document.” There is still no effective date set by the administration, as they are still establishing the necessary technology and digital platforms.
Which other states are also moving toward digital licenses?
This measure is not new in other states where identification through a digital driver’s license is already allowed. This is the case in:
- Arizona.
- California.
- Colorado.
- Delaware.
- Georgia.
- Hawaii.
- Iowa.
- Louisiana.
- Maryland.
- Mississippi.
- Missouri.
- New York.
- Ohio.
- Utah.
- Puerto Rico.
In states like Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, Ohio, Iowa, New Mexico, and Puerto Rico, Apple Wallet is even allowed to store digital driver’s licenses. Other states that are in the same position as North Carolina include: Alaska, Connecticut, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Despite these advances, it is important to remember and emphasize that the authorities in the states where digital licenses are already in use still require physical licenses for certain activities.
Do you know the new mandatory exams to renew the driving license?