New NC law changes driver's license renewals, crash reports and road rules
A broad transportation law includes DMV changes, a ferry audit and new statewide rules affecting some roads, e-bikes and commercial drivers.
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina drivers will see changes to driver's license renewals, crash report access and several road rules under a broad transportation law signed by Gov. Josh Stein.
House Bill 1094 became Session Law 2026-46 on July 8. The legislation combines changes involving the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Transportation, road regulations, e-bikes and the state's ferry system.
Beginning Oct. 1, state law will allow regular driver's licenses to be renewed at any time before they expire. Current law generally limits renewals to the 180 days before expiration.
A person renewing more than 180 days before expiration will pay a duplicate license fee and a prorated license fee under the new law.
The legislation also allows people directly involved in a crash to obtain an unredacted crash report electronically through a secure system. Another provision increases the time to respond to certain motor vehicle insurance lapse notices from 10 days to 30 days.
The law eliminates statutory requirements that regular license plates be replaced every seven years and dealer plates every four years.
It also eliminates the driving eligibility certificate requirement associated with the state's graduated licensing system. Licenses revoked solely because of that eligibility requirement are to be restored under provisions taking effect Oct. 1.
Additional road changes take effect Dec. 1. The law establishes a default 25 mph speed limit on roads that are unpaved or do not have a center line unless another speed limit is posted or authorized.
The measure also revises e-bike classifications and statewide operating rules. Electric bicycles will generally be authorized on roadways and bicycle lanes. The law addresses use on multiuse paths and allows some regulation by local governments and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
A performance audit of the DOT Ferry Division is also required. The State Auditor is directed to examine the division and report findings by Jan. 15, 2027.
DMV must separately study its percentage-of-revenue funding structure and report by Jan. 1, 2027.
Stein said the bill would make DMV more efficient and improve access to license renewals and online crash reports.
The law contains additional transportation, tolling, local government and right-of-way provisions with varying effective dates.
Editor's note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.
