Learning to drive is an integral part of the teenage experience, offering students their first taste of adult freedom. It opens the door for work and internship opportunities, volunteering in the community, sports, going to local events and more. In North Carolina, where ‘First in Freedom’ is proudly stamped on every license plate, this rite of passage holds both symbolic and practical weight. However, while driving represents freedom and opportunity for NC teens, the path toward earning that privilege may include more roadblocks than expected.

North Carolina, like the rest of the country, has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system for those looking to acquire their license. Starting with a limited learners permit issued at 15, students can gradually build up their driving knowledge and experience, taking a written exam for their limited provisional license at 16 and then the road exam for their full provisional license six months later. While this system is in place largely to ensure that our roads are safe and drivers experienced, some students have hedged complaints about long waiting times, unavailable DMVs and limited availability of drivers education courses and instructors impeding their progression.

“I wish the [drivers education] classes were more like actual classes, not just online busywork with quizzes,” said Paige Maxfield, a junior at FVHS. “It’s not very immersive.”

FVHS stopped offering drivers education as an elective back in 2015, after a decision was made by the North Carolina General Assembly to remove state funding for the program. This would result in the program we have today which, due to a lack of available and/or willing part-time instructors, can make it difficult to even book an appointment.

“When I got my permit at 15, my license at 16, we took the class at school,” said Tricia Carson-Myers, FVHS counselor and driving instructor. “I would love for [drivers education] to be taught within the school [curriculum] as an elective, but there aren’t a lot of people that are willing to teach it.”

While the process may be slow and frustrating at times, the importance of the GDL program should not be underestimated. In allowing students to start learning the rules of the road at only 15 years old, the program provides them a strong foundation in driving before they ever step foot on the road.

“The GDL program keeps students on a steady track when it comes to learning the ‘rules of the road’ and then finally learning to drive with an instructor at hand,” said Aden Leach, a senior at FVHS. “I feel like it’s a great way to progress while learning the safety and knowledge needed for driving.”

The problem that many students face with their progression through the GDL process doesn’t seem to be an issue with the program itself, but instead the aforementioned lack of instructors at driving schools and understaffed local DMVs. Examiner positions at North Carolina’s DMVs haven’t changed significantly since 2003, whereas the state population has grown by more than 2.5 million since then. Not to mention the outdated technology used to process information, which only further strains the existing workforce and decreases efficiency.

“There is often a long wait time between finishing the class portion and actually getting behind the wheel to practice driving,” said Nicholas Ogada, parent of an FVHS student. “In my eyes, the program could be improved by reducing that wait time because it makes students forget what they learned in class and delays their progress toward becoming safe and confident drivers.”

For those seeking change, individuals can reach out to Commissioner Paul Tine, the head of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), or submit a petition to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) website. Filing a petition through the NCDOT website is the most direct action the community can take to raise concerns about long wait times, lack of appointment availability or other DMV services. 

Whether it’s through email, phone or formal petition, students and parents alike have the opportunity to make their voices heard and advocate for improvements to a system that affects thousands of young drivers across the state.