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DMV Info

North Carolina Driver License Requirements at-a-glance:

Minimum Age for Learner Permit 15 years. You must have completed an approved drivers education course before receiving your learner's permit
Learner Permit Holding Period 12 months
Minimum Amount of Supervised Driving You must complete an approved drivers education course which includes 30 classroom hours plus 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. No recorded/logged supervised driving practice outside of your drivers education course is required
Minimum Age for Driver License 16 years for a limited provisional license
Road Test Yes
Unsupervised Driving Rules Limited Provisional License holders may drive unsupervised between the hours of 5:00am and 9:00pm. After these hours you must have a qualified supervising driver present unless you’re going to or from work, or a volunteer fire, rescue, or EMS team service site (if you’re a member). A qualified supervising driver is an adult driver who has been licensed for at least 5 years, and who is authorized by your parent/guardian to supervise your driving
Passenger Rules Limited Provisional License holders may only carry one (1) non-family passenger who’s under 21 unless a qualified supervising driver is in the vehicle. If a family member who’s under 21 is in the vehicle, no non-family passengers under 21 are permitted. Full Provisional License holders have no restrictions on the passengers they are allowed to carry
Other All drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to use a cell phone or text-messaging device while they are driving (unless calling 911 due to an emergency).

How to get your North Carolina Driver License step-by-step:

Obtain driver education certificate
Practice for the written Learner Permit Exam using our free practice tests
Find a driver license office and schedule an appointment for the written exam (you may also simply show up but you may have to wait some time)
Take the Written Learner Permit Exam
Practice driving with your learner permit
Take driving exam

Enroll in North Carolina Driver Ed Program