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North Carolina Laws Taking Effect on January 1, 2024

Author Kayla Morgan

As we approach the New Year, it’s a good time to think about what changes are taking place regarding new laws in North Carolina. The North Carolina General Assembly has been working on several bills, and on December 1, many of the new laws went into effect.

One big change was with the “Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections” bill. North Carolina leaders voted to tweak the rules about carrying concealed weapons, allowing guns on specific school property during certain times. Part of this bill, Section 1, became law on December 1. It says people can carry concealed guns at religious schools when the school is closed. They even added a clear definition of “school operating hours” to the state’s laws about carrying weapons on school grounds.

But what laws are going into effect beginning on January 1?

Now, when it comes to driving, there’s a new law for teens in North Carolina. It used to be that teens had to have their learner’s permit for a whole year before getting a more advanced driver’s license. But now, they only need to have it for at least six months, with 60 hours of driving time. After that, they can apply for their level 2 license, which lets them drive alone from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., with some restrictions.

The Graduated Driver Licensing was enacted in 1997, which required new drivers to use a permit for one full year before getting their license, according to NCDOT.

Considering the potential delay in DMV appointments, which can extend from weeks to months, walk-ins are recommended for drivers seeking more immediate assistance. Additional details and requirements for obtaining a provisional license can be found here.

Appointments for the DMV can take several weeks to months. Walk-ins are recommended for drivers. Further information and additional requirements for obtaining a provisional license can be found below.

It’s worth mentioning that this is not the only law seeing some changes. There’s a total of 16 new laws going into effect on January 1. Take a look at the complete list here.

Embrace the Unconventional with These 5 Non-Cliché Resolutions

‘Tis the season when many of us craft our New Year’s resolutions, including aspirations such as adopting healthier habits, reducing social media consumption, abstaining from alcohol, and embracing more home-cooked meals. While these goals are admirable, the recurring nature of such resolutions and the common struggle to stick to them is a familiar tale. Whether one opts for one resolution or a collection of them, why not inject a dose of originality by steering clear of clichés?

Why do some people have New Year’s resolutions?

The advent of the New Year presents a blank canvas. It’s an opportunity to rectify past missteps. New Year’s resolutions embody the optimism that the upcoming year will be brighter, symbolizing a departure from the past. Dennis Buttimer, M.Ed., CEAP, RYT, a facilitator at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, shared his take on the motivation behind making these resolutions. He stated, “I think most people desire a second chance to enhance the quality of their lives,” as shared on Piedmont.org. He mentioned that we are employing a concept known as “self-efficacy.” This concept entails that, by setting a goal and actively pursuing it, we gain a sense of control over the events unfolding in our lives.

How some say New Year’s resolutions started.

While the tradition of formulating New Year’s resolutions has been around for quite some time, it has evolved. According to the History Channel, the ancient Babylonians, credited with pioneering this practice some 4,000 years ago, observed a different commencement of the year in mid-March, coinciding with the planting of crops. Their 12-day religious festival, Akitu, involved the coronation of a new king or the reaffirmation of loyalty to the reigning one. Interestingly, the Babylonians made pledges to the gods, promising to settle debts and return borrowed items. Fulfilling these commitments was believed to garner favor from the pagan deities for the ensuing year.

Back to the present day: if you want to embrace the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions but want to steer clear of the usual ones that people typically lean towards, check out our compilation of non-cliché New Year’s resolutions below.

  • Monthly Foodie Fun

    Spice up your palate by trying a new food each month. Whether it’s exotic fruits, international cuisines, or local foods. This resolution will take your taste buds on an adventure.

    Nice white cream. Cute girl trying fresh cake while sits in the room with beautiful fireplace.

    standret/ Getty Images

  • Gratitude in Writing

    Sending handwritten letters to say thank you is a great way to add a personal touch to your New Year. It’s a chance to swap out emails and texts and give someone something tangible. A tangible note carries a special warmth that words on a screen can’t replicate.

    Student hand writing letter at home in the night

    Pheelings Media/ Getty Images

  • Digital Detox Night

    Unplug and unwind by turning off your phone for one night every week. Enjoy some screen-free time and soak in the real world. It’s a resolution you can treat like a mini digital vacation.

    Woman hand using smartphone to switch off or shut down online and social connection. Business, financial, trade stock maket and social network concept.

    Suwaree Tangbovornpichet/ Getty Images

  • Silent Travels

    Travel somewhere special and savor the experience without the pressure to post. Take a trip without turning it into a social media spectacle. Keep it on the down-low, soak in the adventure, and let your experiences be yours alone. No hashtags needed.

    Happy black woman, desert holiday road trip and man driving jeep with body outside car window view of South Africa landscape. Couple on a travel adventure, summer vacation and explore nature together

    PeopleImages/ Getty Images

  • Celebrate Yourself

    Instead of fixating on future goals, try crafting a reverse bucket list. Jot down and cheer for all the quirky and unexpected things you’ve already accomplished. It’s like a highlight reel of your incredible moments.

    Beautiful African woman throwing confetti and smiling against yellow background

    g-stockstudio/ Getty Images

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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