North Carolina Gov Stein Signs Laws Modernizing DMV Services, Funding Disaster Recovery

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has signed several legislative measures aimed at modernizing the state's DMV services and supporting disaster relief efforts. Senate Bill 245 allows residents to renew their driver's licenses online more frequently, reducing in-person visits and easing long wait times at DMV offices, though Real ID renewals still require office visits every 16 years due to federal requirements. The new law also reduces the number of DMV visits required for teenagers to obtain provisional licenses and removes the need for driving logs. Additionally, House Bill 358 allocates $65 million for disaster relief, primarily for Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Chantal, along with $35 million for public infrastructure improvements near Raleigh's Lenovo Center. Governor Stein praised these laws for improving service efficiency and strengthening state cyber defenses, while allowing a third bill with regulatory reforms to take effect without his endorsement. These changes collectively aim to streamline bureaucratic processes, support recovery from natural disasters, and enhance economic development in North Carolina.