Skipping class could lead to loss of licenses for students

PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) – Students in Pitt County may want to think twice before skipping class. To help students on track, the district will start to enforce state laws that take away students’ drivers licenses and permits if they misbehave or can’t keep up their grades.

The legislation was put into place in the late 90s but school officials say it was hard to enforce the laws until now.

Although Pitt County School officials are seeing fewer dropouts, they hope by reinforcing drivers license laws, it will have an even bigger effect.

"This is another tool in our tool kit that we can use to encourage kids to stay in school,” said Pitt County Director of Student Services, Dr. Pokie Noland.

State law says students who are under 18 will lose their license or permit if they fail more than one class or drop out of school. It’s based on first semester grades.

"At the end of the spring semester if they are passing the 3 out of 4 then they can get a DEC or a drivers eligibility certificate and then have their license reinstated,” said Noland.

Students will immediately lose their license if they get a long term suspension for assaulting a school official – or if they have weapons, drugs or alcohol on campus.

School administrators say it’s been difficult to track students records in the past. But now all schools across the state are on a standard system called NCWise. With the new system, schools can see when students enroll at a school in another district.

"It is much easier to keep up with them and so not revoke a license where it shouldn't be revoked,” said Noland.

The district will mail 105 letters to parents next week to notify them their child’s drivers license will be revoked.

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - Students in Pitt County may want to think twice before skipping class.

To help keep students on track, the district will start to enforce state laws that take away students' drivers licenses and permits if they fail more than one class, get a long term suspension, or drop out of school.

The legislation was put in place in the late 90s, but school officials say it was never really enforced.

Pitt County Schools will begin mailing letters to students next week notifying them if their drivers license is being revoked.

9 On Your Side's Kristen Hunter will be talking to school officials about the laws today and she'll have the full story tonight beginning at 5 on Eyewitness News 9.