All Drivers
If you’re renewing a license that has been expired for longer than a year, or if you’re applying for reinstatement after a suspension, you may have to retake the written exam in order to obtain your license.Free Practice Tests
Driver's License practice testsLearner's Permit practice tests
Motorcycle Endorsement practice tests
CDL practice tests
Road Signs and Signals practice tests
Resources for all drivers
Read the official North Carolina driver’s manualCheck out our frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a driver’s license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Buy a driver’s license renewal test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Read our driving safety articles
North Carolina DMV quick links for all drivers
North Carolina DMV home pageRenewal information
DMV locations
License and permit fees
License forms and applications
New & Teen Drivers
In order to apply for a driver license in North Carolina, you must be at least 16 years of age, pass a series of written exams including traffic signs, regulatory signs, and driving knowledge, and pass a road test. If you are 16 years of age or under, you are subject to the graduated licensing process, which begins with a limited learner permit. You must be between 15 and 18 years old, complete an approved driver education course, pass the written exams, and have a Driving Eligibility Certificate or high school diploma or equivalent in order to apply for a limited learner permit. You must be between 16 and 18 years old, have held a limited learner permit for at least 12 months, complete a Driving Log to Advance to Level 2, and pass a road test in order to advance the limited learner permit to a limited provisional license. You must have held the limited provisional license for at least 6 months in order to advance a limited provisional license to a full provisional license. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a regular Class A, B, or C license.Resources for new & teen drivers
Read the official North Carolina driver’s manualTake one of our free learner’s permit practice tests
Check out our new & teen driver frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a learner’s permit test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Buy a driver’s license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Check rates or buy car insurance
North Carolina DMV quick links for new & teen drivers
Driver license and learner permit informationGraduated license information
Driver license knowledge exam and road test requirements
New-to-State Drivers
New North Carolina residents have 60 days after establishing residency in the state to obtain a North Carolina driver license or learner permit. A new resident applying for a North Carolina driver license may be required to take the vision screening, knowledge exams, or road test, as the examiner deems necessary.Resources for new-to-state drivers
Read the official North Carolina driver’s manualTake one of our free driver’s license practice tests
Check out our new-to-state frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a new-to-state driver’s license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Check rates or buy car insurance
Motorcycles
In order to apply for a motorcycle endorsement in North Carolina, you must be at least 18 years of age, hold a valid full provisional, regular, or commercial driver license, pass a vision screening, pass the traffic signs and motorcycle knowledge exams, and pass a motorcycle road test. If you less than 18 years of age, you are required to hold a motorcycle learner permit in order to operate a motorcycle. In order to apply for a motorcycle learner permit, you must be at least 16 years of age, hold a full provisional or regular driver license, pass a motorcycle driver education course administered by either the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program, pass a vision screening, and pass the traffic signs and motorcycle knowledge exams.Resources for motorcyclists
Read the official North Carolina motorcycle manualTake one of our free motorcycle license practice tests
Check out our motorcycle license frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a motorcycle license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
New-to-state motorcycle insurance
North Carolina DMV quick links for motorcycles
Motorcycle endorsement and permit informationCDL
You must have a valid Commercial Driver License (CDL) or Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) to drive a commercial motor vehicle in North Carolina. In order to apply for a CDL, you must hold a CLP for at least 14 days and pass a road test. In order to apply for a CLP, you must be at least 18 years of age, hold a valid Class A, B, or C driver license, and pass the knowledge exams.Resources for CDL
Read the official North Carolina CDL manualTake one of our free CDL practice tests
Buy a CDL test paid cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Check rates or buy CDL insurance