RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in
NCDOT Now, the department's weekly newscast.
DMV Anticipates Busy Summer
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is anticipating a busy summer. The DMV points to several factors that will play a role in the rise in customer demand at license offices, including:
- Many people waiting until they were vaccinated to conduct in-person business.
- A backlog of teen drivers who needed to wait until COVID-19 restrictions were lifted to take their required road tests for a Class 3 license.
- Summer is typically the busiest time for the DMV.
Due to expected rise in demand, the DMV has increased capacity by adding new offices, including walk-in locations, added Saturday hours and extended weekday hours at busier offices, hired new examiners and increased the number of online services.
During these busy summer months, the DMV encourages people to wait until after Labor Day if possible and use online services and schedule an appointment at ncdot.gov/dmv.
7 Million Pounds of Litter Collected
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s crews, contractors and volunteers have collected over 7 million pounds of litter statewide since the start of the year.
This year’s total litter collection surpasses the 6.3 million pounds collected in 2020 and puts the department on track to exceed the record setting 10.5 million pounds collected in 2019. However, everyone must continue to do their part to keep North Carolina clean. The most effective way to stop litter is to prevent it from ending up on roadways in the first place. So please follow these rules when it comes litter:
- Secure your load before driving.
- Clear any loose items from your truck bed.
- Keep a trash bag in your vehicle and never throw garbage out of your vehicle. Dispose of it properly.
- Recycle when possible.
Fly Drones Safely this Summer
More North Carolina residents and visitors are expected to use their personal drones this summer than ever before. As such, NCDOT’s Division of Aviation has provided eight tips to ensure all drone pilots are flying safely and legally.
- Always fly within 400 feet of ground level.
- Never fly near airports.
- Avoid flying over events or crowds.
- Don't fly at night, even if your drone has lights.
- Never fly directly over people.
- Don't fly near or above prisons.
- Respect people's privacy.
- Always keep the drone within your visual line of sight.
For more information, go to
ncdot.gov/aviation.
For more information about NCDOT Now, contact the NCDOT Communications Office at (919) 707-2660. Additional news stories from throughout the week can be found on
NCDOT.gov.