AN ACT to require a course in alcohol and drug abuse awareness for persons EIGHTEEN years and older and who are first‑time drivers.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 2 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 20‑11.2.  Mandatory course in drug and alcohol abuse awareness for unlicensed drivers 18 years and older.

(a)        Mandatory Course. – All applicants for a drivers license who are 18 years and older, including those who have been licensed in another country, must complete a course in alcohol and drug abuse awareness, unless the applicant is licensed in another state or has satisfactorily completed a Department of Education driver education course offered pursuant to Article 14 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.

(b)        Course Requirements. – The course shall be three hours in length, may be offered online or in person, and shall promote traffic safety and provide instruction on (i) the physiological and psychological consequences of the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, (ii) the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the driver of a motor vehicle, (iii) the laws of this State relating to the operation of a motor vehicle, and (iv) high‑risk driving behaviors, such as fatigued driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving, including the use of electronic devices while driving.

(c)        Third‑Party Vendors. – The Division shall utilize third‑party vendors to offer the course in alcohol and drug abuse awareness. Each third‑party vendor shall obtain a certification from the Division that the third‑party vendor's course complies with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section. The Division shall maintain oversight of the courses established and conducted by the third‑party vendors. Each person who attends the course shall pay a fee in the amount set by the Division.

SECTION 2.  Of the funds appropriated from the Highway Fund to the Department of Transportation for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in recurring funds shall be used by the Department for the purposes of this act.

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective January 1, 2022.