Sen. Britt files bill in North Carolina Senate to address court-related license suspensions

A new bill filed by Sen. Britt seeks to eliminate employment barriers by expiring driver’s license revocations linked solely to unpaid court fines and fees, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 694 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Remove Barriers to Employment from Court Debt.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill aims to eliminate barriers to employment caused by court-related debt by automatically expiring driver’s license revocations that are solely due to unpaid fines, penalties, or costs, effective Dec. 1, 2025. Revocations, except those related to DWI offenses, will be restored after 36 months; a restoration fee applies. Courts must inform the Division of Motor Vehicles of failed appearances or payments within specific time frames. The DMV and courts will collect and publish data on suspensions and reinstatements disaggregated by demographic information. It provides for the forgiveness of unpaid fines and fees connected to previous convictions if the license suspension was due to nonpayment. The bill appropriates funds to set up a text reminder system for court dates and includes several conforming amendments. The act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Benton G. Sawrey proposed the most bills (56) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Britt graduated from University of Oklahoma with a JD.

Britt, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 24th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Amy Galey.