Bill > H980

This bill aims to remove barriers to employment caused by court-related driver's license suspensions in North Carolina. The legislation repeals existing laws that allowed driver's licenses to be suspended for failure to appear in court or failure to pay fines and costs. Under the new provisions, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is prohibited from revoking a person's driver's license solely for these reasons. Within three months of the bill's effective date, the DMV must terminate all existing suspensions related to failure to appear or pay fines, waive all associated reinstatement fees, and automatically reinstate licenses for individuals with no other outstanding suspensions. The bill also requires the DMV to collect and publish detailed data about these license suspensions, including demographic information, and mandates that the Administrative Office of the Courts report on court fee collections, appearance rates, and other related metrics. Additionally, as of October 1, 2025, any unpaid fines and fees from previous suspensions under the repealed laws will no longer be enforceable. To support court attendance, the bill allocates $250,000 in recurring funds to implement a text reminder system for upcoming court appearances. The provisions will become effective on October 1, 2025, with some sections taking effect earlier or immediately.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H980