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North Carolina

Reading the North Carolina driving manual will only get you so far. The next step is practice tests like the North Carolina driver's license renewal test. Learn how to get your North Carolina driver's license with our series of practice tests.

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North Carolina DMV Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your North Carolina License
  • Preparing For Your NC Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your NC Permit Test
  • Renewing Your NC License
  • Taking Your NC Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your NC Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to North Carolina or Just Visiting?
If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

Yes. North Carolina follows a graduated driver's license (GDL) system, which allocates different driving responsibilities over a period of time.

If you're under 18 and driving on your limited learner's permit, you'll ONLY be able to drive when accompanied by:

  • A parent or legal guardian.
  • A grandparent.
  • An adult who has been approved of by a parent or legal guardian.

The driver must also be fully licensed for at least 5 years.

If you're under 18 and driving on your limited provisional license, you will NOT be able to drive:

  • Between 9 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by one of the above approved passengers.
    • Does not apply in cases of emergency.
  • With more than one passenger under age 21.
    • Members of your immediate household don't count.

Once you turn 17, you'll be eligible for your full provisional license, which has no restrictions.

What happens after I pass my NC road test?

After passing the North Carolina road test, you'll be eligible to receive your license.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

While driving on your permit, you'll be able to drive with:

  • A parent, legal guardian, or grandparent.
  • A licensed driving instructor.
  • A fully-licensed passenger who's approved by your parent or guardian and has had their license for at least 5 years.

You may not drive unless accompanied by one of the above.

Once I get my NC permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

Once you earn your North Carolina learner's permit, you will automatically be eligible to drive with your parents.

What are the auto insurance requirements for NC drivers?

North Carolina auto insurance minimum requirements include:

  • Bodily injury liability: $30,000 per person/$60,000 per accident.
  • Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident.

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How To Get A North Carolina Driver’ License

Driving is one of the greatest freedoms you can have—but freedom and responsibility are two sides of the same coin.

In order to legally drive in North Carolina, you must pass a number of tests that show the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that you can handle a vehicle and follow the rules of the road.

Still, the process looks slightly different, depending on your age and the type of vehicle you want to drive.

North Carolina Graduated Driver’s License (GLD) Program (Under Age 18)

The NC DMV has a system called the Graduated Driver’s License, which allocates certain driving privileges over a period of time.

If you’re under 18, you must use this system to earn your license.

Limited Learner’s Permit

The first step toward getting a full driver’s license in North Carolina is getting your learner’s permit.

Before you’re eligible to apply, you must:

  • Be at least 15 years old.

AND

Once the above requirements are met, schedule an appointment with the NC Division of Motor Vehicles, and:

Your parent or guardian will also have to be with you to sign paperwork on your behalf.

Once the paperwork is filed, tests passed, and fee paid, you’ll be issued your learner’s permit.

NC Learner’s Permit Restrictions

As part of the GDL, each step of the process comes with certain restrictions.

While driving on your learner’s permit in North Carolina, you’ll ONLY be able to drive when accompanied by:

  • A parent or legal guardian.
  • A grandparent.
  • An adult who has been approved of by a parent or legal guardian.

The driver must also be fully licensed for at least 5 years.

Provisional Driver’s License

The next step is earning your provisional license.

In order to do so, you’ll need to:

  • Be at least 15 ½ years old.
  • Practice on your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • Log at least 60 hours of driving practice.

Once those requirements have been met, it’s time to take your driving test. Schedule an appointment with the Division of Motor Vehicles and bring:

The car you test in will also need current:

  • Liability insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.

After passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your provisional license.

Provisional License Restrictions

If you’re under 18 and driving on your limited provisional license, you will NOT be able to drive:

  • Between 9 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless:
    • Accompanied by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or passenger who’s been fully licensed for at least 5 years.
    • In cases of emergency.
  • With more than one passenger under age 21 who is not a member of your immediate household.

Full Driver’s License

To go from your provisional license to your full license in North Carolina, you must:

  • Practice on your provisional license for at least 6 months.
  • Have no motor vehicle convictions during your provisional license period.
  • Log at least 12 hours of additional behind-the-wheel practice.
  • Pass the NC road test.

To take the final step, schedule an appointment with the DMV and bring:

The state will then issue your license. Congratulations!

Driver’s License (Age 18+)

If you’re applying for a first-time driver’s license in Indiana and you’re 18 or older, the process is a bit more streamlined.

Written Exam

To start, you’ll have to earn your North Carolina learner’s permit. Visit your closest participating DMV office and bring:

At this appointment, you’ll also need to successfully pass:

  • A vision test.
  • The written knowledge exam.

After passing the exam and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your permit. During this time, you’ll be restricted to driving with a fully-licensed passenger who’s at least 21 years old.

Road Skills Exam

To earn your full license, you can either:

  • Take the road skills exam.
  • Apply for a road test waiver.

To qualify for the waiver, you must:

  • Hold your permit for at least 90 days.
  • Log at least 60 hours of practice time with a fully-licensed driver.
  • Have no motor vehicle-related convictions within the practice period.

You can also choose to take the driving exam. There’s no required waiting period if you take this route.

To test through the DMV, schedule an appointment and bring:

Note that you’ll have to show up to this appointment accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger who is either at least 21 years old.

The vehicle you test in will also need current and valid:

  • Liability insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.

After successfully passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your full driver’s license. Congratulations!

Transferring an Out-of-State License

Welcome to North Carolina!

If you’re new to the state, you’ll have to transfer your out-of-state license within 60 days of relocating.

To do so, visit your closest participating Division of Motor Vehicles office and bring:

You’ll also need to pass a vision exam at this appointment.

If your previous license has been expired for more than 1 year, you will also have to take the North Carolina written and driving exams.

Once all of the above credentials have been met, you’ll be issued your new North Carolina license!

North Carolina DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

To legally drive a motorcycle in North Carolina, you’ll have to add an endorsement to your regular driver’s license.

You must already hold your full license or full provisional license in order to apply.

If you’re 18 or younger, you must also:

NC Motorcycle Permit

Before you can earn your endorsement, you’ll have to earn your motorcycle permit. This involves passing a:

  • Vision test.
  • Written motorcycle exam.

In order to do so, schedule an appointment with the closest participating DMV office and bring:

  • Your current, valid NC license.
  • The appropriate motorcycle permit fee.
  • A parent or legal guardian to sign paperwork on your behalf, if younger than 18.
  • Proof of motorcycle education completion, if 18 or younger.

If you don’t have your NC driver’s license, you will also have to bring acceptable proof of your:

  • Identity.
  • North Carolina residence.
  • Social Security number.

After the paperwork is filed and fees are paid, you’ll be issued your motorcycle permit.

NC Motorcycle Permit Restrictions

While practicing on your permit, you’ll have a few restrictions, including NO driving:

  • Between sunset and sunrise.
  • While carrying any passengers.

Your permit is valid for 12 months, and may be renewed once for an additional 6 months of practice.

North Carolina Motorcycle License

To turn your motorcycle permit into an endorsement, you’ll need to pass the on-road skills exam.

Schedule another appointment with the DMV (Note: Not all offices offer this service.) and bring:

  • Your current, valid motorcycle permit.
  • The motorcycle license fee.
  • A parent or legal guardian to sign paperwork on your behalf, if younger than 18.

If you don’t have your NC driver’s license, you will also have to bring acceptable proof of your:

  • Identity.
  • North Carolina residence.
  • Social Security number.

Once the above is complete and the test is passed, you’ll be issued your motorcycle license. Congratulations!

North Carolina CDL Requirements

To turn your CLP into a CDL, you’ll have to pass the driving skills exam. Keep in mind when scheduling an appointment that only certain DMV offices offer this service.

Make sure to bring with you:

  • Your current, valid CLP.
  • Your current, valid driver’s license.

You must arrive to this appointment with a CDL-holding passenger who’s at least 21 years old. The vehicle you test in must also have current and valid:

  • Insurance.
  • Registration.
  • License plates.

After passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll need to return to a regular DMV office to turn in your test results and pay the fine. Once everything has been logged in the system, you’ll be issued your CDL.

North Carolina DMV Handbooks

North Carolina CDL Handbook

North Carolina CDL Handbook

North Carolina CDL Handbook
North Carolina Driver's License Handbook

North Carolina Driver's License Handbook

North Carolina Driver's License Handbook
North Carolina Motorcycle Handbook

North Carolina Motorcycle Handbook

North Carolina Motorcycle Handbook