Carolina Researchers Investigating Graduated Driver Licensing Systems,
Safety Impacts of Potential Changes in NC

CHAPEL HILL, NC – April 7, 2026 – Researchers at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC) are working on a new project investigating potential changes to improve the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system in North Carolina.

“We’re thrilled to partner with HSRC on this important work,” said NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine. “Our goal is clear: explore practical improvements that ease the process for families – such as reducing office visits – without compromising the safety protections that have saved so many lives.”

The GDL system in North Carolina is responsible for reducing crashes among teen drivers and savings lives. Past research found that caregivers overwhelmingly supported the GDL system, but current challenges related to NCDMV appointment availability and long walk-in wait times are putting pressure on the system. The purpose of the project is to explore how potential changes to the GDL system, like fewer visits to NCDMV offices and more options to fulfill the testing requirements, could impact the safety of NC’s youngest drivers and everyone on the roadways. 

“We’re fortunate to have a solid GDL system in North Carolina,” said Kristel Robison, HSRC’s Senior Research Associate leading the study. “It was built on research that identified 12 months of practice during the learner period as being imperative to ensuring new drivers are prepared to drive independently. During this time, teen drivers practice in many different real world driving conditions – daytime and night, seasonal and weather changes, on different types of roads – all with a supervising driver in the passenger seat to help as they learn this complicated task.”

In the first phase of this current project, which is funded by the North Carolina Collaboratory, HSRC researchers conducted a scan of research literature and DMV policies and procedures from 50 states plus Washington D.C. to define the landscape of driver license testing and outcomes. Initial findings identified no meaningful differences in teen driver crash rates in states that allow third party permit testing and/or license testing off-site from a DMV office. See a quick summary of initial results here.

“We’re excited to work on this project to provide NCDMV and policymakers with updated research as they contemplate making changes to GDL in NC.” Robison continued. “It’s encouraging that some of the changes NCDMV is considering, and in some cases has already started implementing, have initially been found to improve the system without impacting safety.”

The second phase of the 12-month project will focus on survey and focus groups to solicit feedback from caregivers of teen drivers and staff within NCDMV offices. The goal of this phase is to better understand the respective stressors and issues they have experienced with NC’s GDL system.

This project is supported by the North Carolina Collaboratory at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with funding appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly.

To learn more, visit: www.hsrc.unc.edu/our-work/gdl-collaboratory-project.