MODULE ONEObjectives: Students will learn traffic laws, licensing procedures, and driving responsibilities in North Carolina

Topics covered: –Level I Limited Learners Permit, a driver’s license, inspection and registration process, and being a responsible driver–Road signs, signals & pavement markings–Rules and regulations for right-away concepts and consequences for violating the right-of way procedures

Graduated License-Level I

Level I Limited Learners Permit — You must be at least 15, but less than 18 years old—you must pass a sign test, a 25 question written test, and a vision test– The first six months, the driving hours are 5 am—9 pm

—must have a supervising driver (parent, grandparent or guardian) with a valid drivers license with at least 5 years driving experience

– Six months from getting your Level I Learners Permit —you are allowed to drive anytime with your supervising driver

– Before graduating to Level II—you must keep this permit at least 12 months with no motor vehicle convictions, seat belt, or cell phone infractions

Level II--Provisional LicenseTo obtain a drivers license, you must be 16 years old, but less than 18, and a resident of North Carolina

– Drivers licenses are issued by DMV when you’ve successfully met all requirements

You may drive without supervision from 5 am until 9 pm and any time when driving directly to or from work, or if your are a member of fire, rescue or EMS No more than 1 passenger under 21 years when not accompanied by a supervising driverNo cell phone usage or texting law in North Carolina bans the use of technology while driving for all drivers

Level III--Full Provisional LicenseTo graduate to Level III—must be under age 18 and keep your Level 2 Provisional License for 6 months without vehicle, seat belt, or mobile phone violationTime of driving, supervision, and passenger restrictions do not apply for full provisional licenseesAs a provisional licensee—you may have your license revoked or suspended by: – missing more than ten consecutive school days– being assigned to alternative schools; or – failing to pass minimal required courses

30 days, after a 2nd moving violation within a 12-month period90 days after a 3rd moving violation with a 12-month period

Commercial Licenses CDLs

Allows a person to drive a large truck, a van designed for 16 or more passengers, or transporting hazardous materials

To operate a motorcycle on a public road—you must have

– Level III Class C- (Full provisional license) with a motorcycle endorsement learners permit

To operate a school bus—you must have– Class B or C (CDL) with an S certification or Class A,

B, or C CDL with a P endorsement

Licensing Restrictions

Vision Screening—determines adequate vision to operate vehicles safely– If glasses or contact lenses are required to drive, you will be

required to wear them and your license will indicate restrictionRestricted license—you must only drive within the limits of the restriction

Hearing-drivers who are hearing impaired may request a “hearing impaired” indicator on driver’s license to identify disability

Mental or Physical—individuals with mental or physical conditions must provide DMV with a medical statement– DMV—will evaluate the medical information to determine if a

learner’s permit or driver’s license may be issued or restricted

Financial Responsibilities

Vehicle owners are responsible for maintenance costs to operate vehicle safety

– North Carolina requires all motor vehicles to be in good working order (brakes, safety belts, horn, lights, turn signals, mirrors, and speedometer)

– All motor vehicles registered in North Carolina must have a valid safety inspection sticker, license plate, and vehicle registration card

Automobile Liability Insurance Coverage-- the minimum amount required in North Carolina is

– Bodily injury/death of one person is $30,000– Bodily injury/death of two or more $60,000– Property damage is $25,000

30,000/60,000/25,000– With a learner’s permit—you are covered by your parents’ policy

while driving

Financial Responsibilities (continued)

Uninsured motor vehicle fee—every person registering an uninsured vehicle will pay a $500.00 fee– The fee pays when you are the victim of a crash

involving an uninsured vehicle– The fee does not provide the motorist with any

insurance coverage—if involved in an accident, the uninsured motorist remains personally liable

All registered vehicles in North Carolina, including motor cycles/scooters, and mopeds must be inspected each year by an official motor vehicle inspection station

Traffic Violations

If you accumulate 7-points on your license—you will be assigned to a Driver Improvement Clinic—once completion, 3 points will be deducted from your recordIf you accumulate 8-points within 3 years after reinstatement—your license can result in a second suspensionIf your drivers license is suspended by the point system, it may be taken for – 1st offense--60 days– 2nd offense-- 6 months– 3rd offense--12 months

License—Suspension/Revoked

Driving privilege will be revoked for at least—– 30 days if convicted of:

Driving more than 15 mph over the speed limit, while the speed limit is at least 55 mph

– 60 days if convicted of:A second charge of speeding over 55 mph and more than 15 mph above the speed limit within one yearSpeeding plus reckless driving on the same occasion

Driving privilege will be suspended for: – Two convictions of speeding over 55 mph in the same year– One conviction of speeding over 55 and one conviction of reckless

driving in the same year– A conviction of speeding over 75 mph– A suspended court sentence mandating that you must not operate

a motor vehicle for a specified period of time– **ANY OUT OF STATE CONVICTIONS MAY RESULT IN LICENSE

REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION**

Traffic Offenses

Penalty points are assigned for the following:– 5 points—Passing a stopped school bus loading or

unloading children– 5 points—Aggressive Driving– 4 points—Reckless Driving, hit and run, and property

damage only– 3 points—Failure to yield right-of-way to pedestrians,

bicyclist, or motor scooters– 3 points—Running through stop sign, speeding through

a school zone, failure to yield the right of way, running a red light, no driver’s license or license expired more than one year, and failure to stop for a siren

Traffic Offenses—Commercial Motor VehiclePenalty points are assigned for the following:– 8 points—Passing a stopped school bus– 6 points—Careless and reckless driving violation,

aggressive and reckless driving– 5 points—Hit and run property damage only, following

too close, driving on the wrong side of road, failure to yield right-of-way to pedestrians, bicyclist, and motor scooter riders

– 4 points—Running through a stop sign, speeding in excess of 55 mph, speeding through a school zone, running through a red light, no driver license or expired for more than one year, failure to stop for a siren, and driving through safety zones

Alcohol and the Law

One drink can impair a persons driving ability

At .08 percent blood/alcohol concentration (BAC), everyone’s driving ability is impaired, and the risk of causing a fatal crash is high

– Safe Roads Act: drivers younger than 21 will lose their driving privileges for one year if they have any amount of BAC.

“Implied Consent” – You MUST submit to a chemical test for alcohol and other drugs if requested when driving on North Carolina’s public roadways; if you refuse, your license is automatically taken for a minimum of 30 days

– The penalty for a provisional license holder who is convicted of consuming or having consumed alcohol or drugs is loss of license for one year

Alcohol and the Law

It is against the law for any person who is younger than 21 to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol– When young drivers less than 21 are convicted of

driving with any amount of alcohol or drugs, their licenses will be revoked for one year

Road Signs

Steep grade

Regulatory signs

Railroad Crossings

Warning Signs

School crossing signs are fluorescent optic yellow

Road Signs -- page 2

Constructions Signs (orange) –the fine for speeding in a work zone may be up to 250.00

A green arrow indicates

a protected turn lane

A flashing amber light means to proceed with caution

Stop and remain stopped

on red light

Road Signs – page 3 A cross buck is the same as a yield sign– Trains have the right of way—they cannot stop

Keep right

No Passing (double yellow lines)

Broken yellow lines indicate two way traffic, passing with caution

Road Signs – page 4Broken white line means to pass with caution and one way traffic

Bike or bus lane and HOV lane

Left turn only (reserved lane)

Yield Rules—when two cars reach the intersections at the same time, the car on the left must yield to the driver on the right

Road Sign Colors

Red—stop, yield, do not enter, or wrong way signs

Blue—motorist services signs (including police

services and rest areas

Yellow—general warning of what is ahead signs

Orange—construction and maintenance work area

signs

Green—guide information, such as direction or

guidance signs

White—regulatory signs that display speed limits

and other regulations

School Buses, Emergency Vehicles, Pedestrians

School bus--the maximum speed limit is 45 mph

You must STOP when a school bus is loading or discharging passengers

– You may pass a stopped school bus only if there is a median between you and bus

When an emergency vehicle approaches you using its siren, you must pull over to allow a clear path

– Do not park within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle