ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WITN) – New changes to teen driver laws will take effect Monday.

After the passage of a bill by the North Carolina General Assembly, N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is announcing changes to the Graduated Driver Licensing Program (GDL) for teens.

Starting today, teen drivers will need to have their level 1 limited learner permit for six months before getting their level 2 limited provisional license.

The requirement to advance to Level 2 had been 12 months for most of the last 25 years since the GDL system was put into place in 1997, but modifications were made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Teen drivers will still be required to be at least 16 years old, log 60 hours of driving time, pass a road test, and show printed proof of insurance in the teen driver’s name.

WITN is told that according to the new legislation, this six-month provision will again lapse at the end of the year. Beginning January 1, 2024, the provision will permanently change to nine months.