“The only difference is it’s a much shorter test than what a road test would be, and they’re not out in regular traffic,” DMV spokesman Steve Abbott said. Then, they had me back up in a straight line and then do a safety stop.”Ī DMV spokesman said the no-contact test was functionally the same as the tests drivers used to take before the pandemic. It was definitely different than what I expected it to be,” Matthew Stutts told WRAL. “I was a lot more nervous about this one because I didn’t know what it would be like. The test takes place in a closed parking lot where DMV staffers have set up various obstacles and road signs the driver must navigate.Ī story from Raleigh TV news station WRAL in February includes an anecdote from a young driver who said the no-contact test had a three-point turn maneuver and backing up in a straight line. The no-contact driving test works similarly to how some drivers learn to handle a vehicle on an obstacle course safely. The no-contact driving test is a way to test drivers’ skills in a safe, controlled environment. Since it’s not safe to have a driver and a DMV employee in a car together for a prolonged time, North Carolina has had to find another way to have drivers demonstrate the necessary skills to obtain a license.

Recognizing this issue, North Carolina has adopted a new solution to help drivers obtain their licenses: a no-contact road test. As part of this test, the DMV employee would be in the car with the driver as the driver navigated through traffic and demonstrated certain driving skills.Īn in-person road test became impractical during the pandemic due to the safety concerns about having people in such proximity for an extended period. Its effect has been especially strong on a specific subset of North Carolina residents: People looking to obtain or renew their driver’s license.īefore the pandemic, state law required drivers who wanted to obtain a license to take a road test with an employee of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a noticeable impact on our daily lives in ways both large and small.

Sc drivers license road test