Gov. Roy Cooper decries bill shortening permit time for teen drivers, but lets it become law anyway

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Teens in North Carolina will be able to get a Level 2 limited provisional driver's license sooner starting Monday, despite objections from Gov. Roy Cooper.

"I have concerns that this law could make our roads less safe, and I encourage the Division of Motor Vehicles and the legislature to monitor its effects closely," Cooper said in a statement about his decision to not veto the bill.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers shortened the time a new driver had to have a driver's Level 1 limited learner's permit before getting their Level 2 limited provisional driver's license from 12 months to six months.

That pandemic rule change expired earlier this year, leaving many teens and their parents confused and upset.

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Lawmakers got back together last month to debate and eventually pass Senate Bill 157, which brings that six month waiting period back and permanently changes the wait time to nine months at the start of 2024.

On Friday, Cooper said he would not sign the bill into law, but he also would not veto it. That means the bill will go into law starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday; When DMV offices reopen Monday, teens who qualify will be able to get their licenses. Those are teens who have had their permit for at least six months and have 60 hours of driving time.

The new law will also allow teen drivers to have one person younger than 21 who is not a family member in the car with them.

Beginning in 2024, the new law extends the time for drivers to have their permits to nine months.