NC Graduated Licensing Quick Facts
Limited Learner Permit (Level 1)
- Must have completed an approved driver education course (at least 30 hours in the classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel)
- Must be 15 - 17 years old and live in NC
- Must pass written, sign and vision test at DMV
- Must be accompanied by supervising driver
- Must maintain the Driving Log provided by DMV (60 hours)
- No one except supervising driver allowed in front seat
- No cell phone use while operating vehicle (review exception in the Driver Handbook)
- Have permit for 1 year and be 16 years of age before applying for a Limited Provisional License (Level 2)
Limited Provisional License (Level 2)
- Must be 16 - 17 years old
- Drive without supervision from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and at any time when driving directly to/from work or any volunteer fire, rescue, or emergency medical service
- Maintain a Driving Log provided by DMV (12 hours)
- Limits to number of passengers
- One passenger under the age of 21 OR
- Members of driver's immediate family or household (under 21 does not apply)
- Restrictions do not apply if supervising driver is in the vehicle
- No cell phone use while operating the vehicle (review exception in the Driver Handbook)
Full Provisional License (Level 3)
- No restriction for time of day, supervision, and passenger limitation
DMV Requirements
Required Documents
- Proof of full name and date of birth (usually a birth certificate or US passport)
- Proof of NC residence (for minors this is usually a bank statement or some form of mail with the driver's name on it)
- Proof of Social Security Number (usually a Social Security card or a W-2 form) or documentation indicating legal presence in US
- Proof of vehicle liability insurance (when applying for your Level 2 permit)
- Driving Eligibility Certificate (issued by public/private school or the Division of Non-Public Education for homeschoolers), proof of graduation from high school, or submit a GED. You will take our certificate of completion to your high school to show them you have completed Drivers Ed. The DEC certificate that they give you expires in 30 days
- Driving Log (Given to you by the DMV)
- Drivers Education Certificate of Completion (we give you this when you finish our course) This certificate does not expire until you turn 18 years old
Fees
- Limited Learner Permit, Level 1: $21.50
- Limited Provisional License, Level 2: $21.50
- Full Provisional License, Level 3: $5.50 per year
Tests
- To receive Level 1 permit
- Written / knowledge:
- Covers traffic laws and safe-driving practice
- Consist of 25 multiple choice questions (must answer at least 20 correctly to pass)
- Offered in different languages or oral (when requested)
- Covers regulatory and warning signs
- Identify by color and shape and provide an explanation of each
- Consists of 12 oral questions (must answer at least 9 correctly to pass)
- Must meet NC vision standards
- License will indicate if corrective lenses are required while driving
- To receive Level 2 license
- Road Test
- Stopping, starting and parking
- Approaching intersections, stop signs, and traffic signals
- Turn signals and using the horn
- Turning
- Use of lanes
- Backing
- Quick stops
- Following another vehicle
- Passing and being passed
- Three-point turnabouts
- Yielding right of way to pedestrians and vehicles
