North Carolina requires Division of Motor Vehicles to request optional emergency contact information on driver's license and renewal applications

Original title: Emergency Info on DMV Applications.

Last action · April 16, 2025: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action)Sponsors: Carson Smith and 16 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

The Division of Motor Vehicles must request optional emergency contact information on all driver's license, , and identification card applications as well as license renewals, starting October 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Residents applying for or renewing driving credentials will have the option to provide emergency contacts to state motor vehicle records starting in October 2026.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Driver's license applicants

Applicants are given the option to provide emergency contact information on their initial applications and renewals.

Directly affected

Division of Motor Vehicles

The agency is required to update its application and renewal forms to request emergency contact information.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it mandatory to provide emergency contact information when applying for a driver's license?

No, providing emergency contact information is optional for the applicant.

When does this new application requirement take effect?

The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026, and applies to applications submitted on or after that date.

Does this requirement apply to license renewals as well as initial applications?

Yes, renewal applications will also include an optional request for the applicant to provide updated emergency contact information.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

16 actions

Apr 16, 2025Senate
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
Apr 16, 2025Senate
Passed 1st Reading
Apr 16, 2025Senate
Regular Message Received From House
Apr 16, 2025House
Regular Message Sent To Senate
Apr 15, 2025House
Passed 3rd Reading
Apr 15, 2025House
Passed 2nd Reading

Show 10 earlier actions

Apr 10, 2025House
Placed On Cal For 04/15/2025
Apr 10, 2025House
Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)
Apr 10, 2025House
Reptd Fav
Apr 9, 2025House
Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Apr 9, 2025House
Reptd Fav
Mar 25, 2025House
Re-ref Com On Transportation
Mar 25, 2025House
Reptd Fav
Feb 27, 2025House
Ref to the Com on Judiciary 1, if favorable, Transportation, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Feb 27, 2025House
Passed 1st Reading
Feb 25, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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