Driver Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) Quarterly Meeting - May 19, 2026

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's Driver Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) held its quarterly meeting on May 19, 2026. The meeting focused on driver education program updates, including a presentation by Quentin Williams on a new traffic stop safety pilot program funded by the Governor's Highway Safety Program, currently active in Wake and Mecklenburg counties with plans to expand. The committee also received updates on legislative and regulatory matters affecting driver education, including ongoing discussions with the DMV regarding commercial driving schools and instructor training requirements. Notably, the committee discussed Senate Bill 939, which proposes changes to continuing education requirements for commercial driving school instructors, raising concerns about potential impacts on program quality and instructor retention. Presentations from Washington and Ohio officials highlighted national trends in expanding driver education requirements to drivers aged 18 and over, including funding and instructor recruitment challenges. The meeting concluded with announcements about upcoming traffic safety conferences and new educational initiatives, such as an insurance education pilot for teen drivers.