AN ACT requiring the division of motor vehicles to request emergency contact information on drivers license applications and renewal applications.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑7 reads as rewritten:

§ 20‑7.  Issuance and renewal of drivers licenses.

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(b1)      Application. – To obtain an identification card, learners permit, or drivers license from the Division, a person shall complete an application form provided by the Division, present at least two forms of identification approved by the Commissioner, be a resident of this State, and, except for an identification card, demonstrate his or her physical and mental ability to drive safely a motor vehicle included in the class of license for which the person has applied. At least one of the forms of identification shall indicate the applicant's residence address. The Division may copy the identification presented or hold it for a brief period of time to verify its authenticity. To obtain an endorsement, a person shall demonstrate his or her physical and mental ability to drive safely the type of motor vehicle for which the endorsement is required.

The application form shall request all of the following information, and it shall contain the disclosures concerning the request for an applicant's social security number required by section 7 of the federal Privacy Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93‑579:

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(5a)      The applicant's emergency contact information. Provision of this information by the applicant shall be optional.

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(f)        Duration and Renewal of Licenses. – Drivers licenses shall be issued and renewed pursuant to the provisions of this subsection:

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(3a)      When to renew. – A person may apply to the Division to renew a license during the 180‑day period before the license expires. The Division may not accept an application for renewal made before the 180‑day period begins. A renewal application shall include an optional request for the applicant to provide updated emergency contact information.

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SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2026, and applies to applications submitted on or after that date.