YieldGoStart a free examFree exam
Menu
  • 15Youngest age, after driver educationp. 12
  • 60 hoursOf supervised driving, 10 at nightp. 12
  • 9 monthsHolding the permit before Level Twop. 12
  • 5 yearsLicensed experience the supervisor needsp. 12

Step by step

  1. Finish driver education

    Complete an approved course of at least 30 hours in class and 6 hours behind the wheel, and get the certificate. (North Carolina Driver Handbook, p. 12)

  2. Gather your documents

    With a parent or guardian to sign, bring proof of:

    • Your identity and date of birth
    • Your Social Security number
    • Your North Carolina residence (two documents)
    • Legal presence, if you aren't a U.S. citizen

    (North Carolina Driver Handbook, p. 14–15)

  3. Pass the written, signs and vision tests

    Each test is passed separately at a driver license office. (North Carolina Driver Handbook, p. 9, 12)

  4. Drive with your supervising driver

    Keep a driving log of at least 60 hours, 10 at night, signed by your supervisor. (North Carolina Driver Handbook, p. 12)

Fees and the full list of accepted documents change from time to time, so check them on the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) website before you go.

Rules while you have a Level One Limited Learner Permit

  • First six months: drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., always with your supervising driver. (North Carolina Driver Handbook, p. 12)
  • Only you and your supervising driver may sit in the front seat, and every passenger must be buckled. (North Carolina Driver Handbook, p. 12)
  • No cell phone use while driving, except to call for emergencies or a parent, guardian or spouse. (North Carolina Driver Handbook, p. 12)

What comes next

At 16, after nine months on the permit, a signed 60-hour log and six months with no moving, seat belt or phone convictions, you can apply for a Level Two Limited Provisional License. (North Carolina Driver Handbook, p. 12–13)

Ready for the knowledge test?Free North Carolina practice exam: 25 questions, 20 to pass.

This guide is a free learning aid based on the North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), not official advice. Rules, documents and fees can change: always confirm with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) before you go. Page numbers are the ones printed on the handbook pages; tap one to open the official PDF at that page. A PDF viewer counts the cover too, so its page numbers run 2 higher.