Recently, the NC General Assembly passed SL 2020-30, which waives the road test requirement for people age 16 or 17 to get a level two limited driver license.

What about those who are 18 or over?

Starting July 23, NC DMV will have the following rules:

• Drivers who currently hold a Level I permit, have turned 18 years old and meet all requirements to obtain the Level II Limited Provisional License, including no motor vehicle moving violation convictions, seat belt infractions or unlawful use of a mobile phone.
• Drivers who have received training and passed a driving course from a DMV certified North Carolina driving school within the previous 12 months and have not been convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation, seat belt infraction or unlawful use of a mobile phone.
• Drivers who previously held an NC driver’s license, and the license has not been expired more than one renewal cycle and was in good standing at the time of expiration.
  • Drivers 18 years old and less than 66 years old –not expired more than 8 years.
  • Drivers 66 years or older – not expired more than 5 years.
• Drivers from another state, district or territory that has reciprocity with North Carolina. Drivers must provide their most recent license held and a certified 5-year driving record from that jurisdiction. License cannot be expired more than 5 years and must have been in good standing at the time of expiration.

Road test requirements for these drivers will be suspended and the driver will be issued a driver license with the appropriate expiration. Unlike the Level II waiver, these drivers will not be required to return later to take a road test. There may be very limited circumstances outside of those outlined above where DMV may be able to waive a road test.

The new rules take effect July 23, 2020. All DMV services will continue to be by appointment only. You can make an appointment here.

Questions? Contact the NC DMV here.

Recently, we wrote about the issue of wearing masks while also carrying a concealed weapon in North Carolina. We said that

“Section 4.3 of S.L. 2020-3 allows masks worn ‘for the purpose of ensuring the physical health or safety of the wearer or others.’ This exception expires on August 1, 2020, unless the General Assembly extends it.”

This exception has now been extended by S.L. 2020-93. Thus, until a new law is passed, you can wear a mask for health purposes and carry a concealed weapon (unless you are also committing acts prohibited by G.S. 14-12.13).

With many businesses requiring customers to be masked, and now a statewide order from Governor Cooper requiring it, the question naturally arises: Is it illegal to carry a concealed weapon while wearing a mask?

There is no law specifically prohibiting a person with a concealed handgun permit from lawfully carrying a handgun concealed while wearing a mask. However, it is illegal to wear a mask for any reason, according to these statutes:

• G.S. 14-12.7 – Wearing of masks, hoods, etc. on public ways – Class 1 misdemeanor
• G.S. 14-12.8 – Wearing masks, hoods, etc. on public property – Class 1 misdemeanor
• G.S. 14-12.9 – Entry, etc. upon premises of another while wearing mask, hood or other disguise – Class 1 misdemeanor
• G.S. 14-12.10 – Holding meetings or demonstrations while wearing masks, hoods, etc. – Class 1 misdemeanor
• G.S. 14-12.13 – Placing exhibit with intention of intimidating, etc, another (applies whether masked or unmasked) – Class H felony
• G.S. 14-12.14 – Placing exhibit while wearing mask, hood, or other disguise – Class H felony

G.S. 14-12.11 provides some exceptions. The exceptions apply to all of the offenses listed above except for G.S. 14-12.13. Also, Section 4.3 of S.L. 2020-3 allows masks worn “for the purpose of ensuring the physical health or safety of the wearer or others.” This exception expires on August 1, 2020, unless the General Assembly extends it.

Bottom line: At least until August 1, 2020, you can wear a mask for health purposes and carry a concealed weapon (unless you are also committing acts prohibited by G.S. 14-12.13). If/when this exception expires, it is illegal to wear a mask for any reason other than the exceptions listed in G.S. 14-12.11.

Want to tour our library but can’t make the trip to Raleigh? Check out the welcome video on our home page! You’ll see our collection, hear our policies, and learn all the ways we can assist you. Enjoy!

As we grapple each day with the coronavirus pandemic, information has become our most effective weapon. To that end, we’ve developed a page of state and federal COVID-19 resources. You can access the page here: https://sites.ncleg.gov/library/north-carolina-covid-19-information-and-resources.

If you thought, upon visiting the library website, “Well, that looks different”–you’re right! We haven’t just updated the site; we’ve overhauled it, adding lots more of the historical and research content you’ve always relied on . . . plus a little bit of fun.

The site will continue to change over the coming months, so check back often. And call the library at 919-733-9390 if you need assistance!

Curious about what NCGA audio is available? Find the new How to Locate Audio guide plus links to our other guides at the Library’s new Guides & Training page.

If you have questions about how to locate legislative information… please don’t hesitate to come by, email us or give us a call at 919-733-9390. We’re here to help!

The 2019 Crossover List is now available. It’s the list of bills that made the May 9, 2019 Crossover deadline. This is the date by which most bills must pass from one chamber to the other chamber to be eligible for consideration for the remainder of the regular session.

Any questions about Crossover? Please don’t hesitate to come by, email or give us a call at 733-9390. We’re here to help you!