As established in the comprehensive transportation law passed this year by the General Assembly, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) will eliminate the Certificate of Driver Eligibility (DEC) requirement for teenage drivers starting October 1, 2026.
This means that, after that date, people under the age of 18 will no longer need the official North Carolina state school form to obtain a provisional driver's license or a Level 1 limited learner's permit.
Marty Homan, NCDMV communications director, explained to Enlace Latino NC that “everything else will remain the same.”
A little context: What was the DEC used for?
According to the North Carolina Department of Administration (NCDOA), the Certificate of Driver Eligibility (DEC) is an official school form required for drivers under the age of 18 to obtain or maintain a driver's license. learner's permit or provisional driver's license.
Unlike driver education, supervised driving hours, or the practical exam, the DEC (Driving Eligibility Certificate) is not a road safety requirement, but a school verification mechanism.
According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), this certificate verifies that the student is currently enrolled in school and has demonstrated sufficient academic progress to graduate.
Due to a change in state law, this document will no longer be required. Homan stated that the NCDMV website will continue to display the DEC requirement until October 1, 2026, at which time it will be removed.
What does change mean for teenagers?
Eliminating the DEC does not eliminate the other requirements for teens to obtain a provisional driver's license or a Level 1 limited learner's permit.
This means that those under 18 will still need to complete the course of vial education approved, taught at your North Carolina high school or at an NCDMV-authorized driver education school, and present your driver education certificate upon completion.
Starting October 1, 2026, ask yourself the following before scheduling an appointment:
- Am I between 15 and 17 years old?
- Do I have a Driver Education Certificate?
If you answer yes to both questions, you meet these requirements to obtain a Level 1 Limited Learner's Permit.
For more information on Level 1 Limited Learner's Permit, visit the NCDMV website.
Links of interest:
>>> Comprehensive Transportation Law
>>> Frequently asked questions about the eligibility certificate
>>> North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
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