GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2017

SESSION LAW 2017-95

HOUSE BILL 21

AN ACT to require driver instruction on law enforcement procedures during traffic stops.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑88.1(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d)      The Division shall prepare a driver license handbook that explains the traffic laws of the State and shall periodically revise the handbook to reflect changes in these laws. The Division, in consultation with the State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina Sheriff's Association, and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, shall include in the driver license handbook a description of law enforcement procedures during traffic stops and the actions that a motorist should take during a traffic stop, including appropriate interactions with law enforcement officers. At the request of the Department of Public Instruction, the Division shall provide free copies of the handbook to that Department for use in the program of driver education offered at public high schools."

SECTION 2.  G.S. 115C‑215(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b)      The driver education curriculum shall include the following:

(1)        Instruction on the rights and privileges of the handicapped and the signs and symbols used to assist the handicapped relative to motor vehicles, including the "international symbol of accessibility" and other symbols and devices as provided in Article 2A of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes.

(2)        At least six hours of instruction on the offense of driving while impaired and related subjects.

(3)        At least six hours of actual driving experience. To the extent practicable, this experience may include at least one hour of instruction on the techniques of defensive driving.

(4)        At least one hour of motorcycle safety awareness training.

(5) Instruction on law enforcement procedures for traffic stops that is developed in consultation with the State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina Sheriff's Association, and the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. The instruction shall provide a description of the actions that a motorist should take during a traffic stop, including appropriate interactions with law enforcement officers."

SECTION 3.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective January 1, 2018. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2017‑2018 school year.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 28^th day of June, 2017.

                                                                    s/  Daniel J. Forest

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Roy Cooper

                                                                         Governor

Approved 1:45 p.m. this 12^th day of July, 2017