Article 14.

Driver Training School Licensing Law.

§ 20-320.  Definitions.

As used in this Article:

(1) "Commercial driver training school" or "school" means a business enterprise conducted by an individual, association, partnership or corporation which educates or trains persons to operate or drive motor vehicles, administers road tests pursuant to G.S. 20-329, or which furnishes educational materials to prepare an applicant for an examination given by the State for a driver's license or learner's permit, and charges a consideration or tuition for such service or materials.

(2) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(3) "Instructor" means any person who operates a commercial driver training school or who teaches, conducts classes, gives demonstrations, administers road tests, or supervises practical training of persons learning to operate or drive motor vehicles in connection with operation of a commercial driver training school. (1965, c. 873; 1979, c. 667, s. 39; 2021-185, s. 15(b).)

§ 20-321.  Enforcement of Article by Commissioner.

(a) The Commissioner shall adopt and prescribe such regulations concerning the administration and enforcement of this Article as are necessary to protect the public. The Commissioner or his authorized representative shall have the duty of examining applicants for commercial driver training schools and instructor's licenses, licensing successful applicants, and inspecting school facilities, records, and equipment.

(b) The Commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Article, and may call upon the State Superintendent of Public  Instruction for assistance in developing and formulating appropriate regulations. (1965, c. 873; 1973, c. 1331, s. 3; 1987, c. 69, c. 827, s. 3.)

§ 20-322.  Licenses for schools necessary; regulations as to requirements.

(a) No commercial driver training school shall be established nor any such existing school be continued on or after July 1, 1965, unless such school applies for and obtains from the Commissioner a license in the manner and form prescribed by the Commissioner.

(b) Regulations adopted by the Commissioner shall state the requirements for a school license, including requirements concerning location, equipment, courses of instruction, instructors, financial statements, schedule of fees and charges, character and reputation of the operators, insurance, bond or other security in such sum and with such provisions as the Commissioner deems necessary to protect adequately the interests of the public, and such other matters as the Commissioner may prescribe. A driver education course offered to prepare an individual for a limited learner's permit or another provisional license must meet the requirements set in G.S. 115C-215 for the program of driver education offered in the public schools. (1965, c. 873; 1997-16, s. 4; 1997-443, s. 32.20; 2011-145, s. 28.37(e).)

§ 20-323.  Licenses for instructors necessary; regulations as to requirements.

(a) No person shall act as an instructor on or after July 1, 1965, unless such person applies for and obtains from the Commissioner a license in the manner and form prescribed by the Commissioner.

(b) Regulations adopted by the Commissioner shall state the requirements for an instructor's license, including requirements concerning moral character, physical condition, knowledge of the courses of instruction, knowledge of the motor vehicle laws and safety principles, previous personal and employment records, and such other matters as the Commissioner may prescribe, for the protection of the public. (1965, c. 873.)

§ 20-324.  Expiration and renewal of licenses; fees.

(a) Renewal. - A license issued under this Article expires two years after the date the license is issued. To renew a license, the license holder must file an application for renewal with the Division.

(b) Fees. - An application for an initial license or the renewal of a license must be accompanied by the application fee for the license. The application fee for a school license is eighty dollars ($80.00). The application fee for an instructor license is sixteen dollars ($16.00). The application fee for a license is not refundable. Fees collected under this section must be credited to the Highway Fund. (1965, c. 873; 1977, c. 802, s. 9; 1981, c. 690, s. 15; 1997-33, s. 1.)

§ 20-325.  Cancellation, suspension, revocation, and refusal to issue or renew licenses.

The Commissioner may cancel, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew a school or instructor's license in any case where he finds the licensee or applicant has not complied with, or has violated any of the provisions of this Article or any regulation adopted by the Commissioner hereunder. A suspended or revoked license shall be returned to the Commissioner by the licensee, and its holder shall not be eligible to apply for a license under this Article until 12 months have elapsed since the date of such suspension or revocation. (1965, c. 873.)

§ 20-326.  Exemptions from Article.

The provisions of this Article shall not apply to any person giving driver training lessons without charge, to employers maintaining driver training schools without charge for their employees only, or to schools or classes conducted by colleges, universities and high schools. (1965, c. 873.)

§ 20-327.  Penalties for violating Article or regulations.

Violation of any provision of this Article or any regulation promulgated pursuant hereto, shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1965, c. 873; 1993, c. 539, s. 390; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

§ 20-328.  Administration of Article.

This Article shall be administered by the Division of Motor Vehicles with no additional appropriations. (1965, c. 873; 1973, c. 440; 1975, c. 716, s. 5.)

§ 20-329.  Commercial driver training school road test certification.

(a) A licensed commercial driver training school is authorized to administer road tests required for licensure under G.S. 20-11(d)(3) only when certified under this section by the Division.

(b) A person that successfully passes a road test required for licensure administered by a commercial driver training school may submit proof to the Division that the person passed the road test, in a format specified by the Division, for the purpose of meeting the requirement of G.S. 20-11(d)(3).

(c) The Commissioner may adopt rules for school certification to administer road tests, including requirements concerning location, equipment, instructors, schedule of fees and charges, insurance, bond or other security in such sum and with such provisions as the Commissioner deems necessary to protect adequately the interests of the public, and such other matters as the Commissioner may prescribe. (2021-185, s. 15(c).)