North Carolina DMV Permit Test Learner Permit and Graduated Licensing Summary

You can get a Level 1 limited learner permit at 15 (up to age 17) after finishing an approved driver education course.

Wrong choices

• 14: You may enroll in driver education at 14 and a half, but the permit itself starts at 15.
• 16: 16 is the youngest age for the Level 2 license, not the permit.
• 18: 18 is when you can get a regular learner permit as an adult.

For the first six months, a Level 1 permit lets you drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., always with your supervising driver. After six months you may drive at any hour, still supervised.

Wrong choices

• Any time, alone: A Level 1 permit holder may never drive alone.
• Only on weekends: There is no weekend-only rule.
• From 6 a.m. to midnight with any adult: The hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the adult must be a qualified supervising driver.

You must hold the Level 1 permit for nine months before you apply for the Level 2 limited provisional license.

Wrong choices

• 3 months: 3 months is far shorter than the required time.
• 6 months: Six months is when the permit's time limit ends, not when you can move up.
• 12 months: The required time is nine months, not a full year.

Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or related technology while driving. The only exception is a call about an emergency, such as to 911, a hospital, police, fire, or a parent, guardian, or spouse.

Wrong choices

• Yes, with a hands-free device: The rule covers hands-free use as well.
• Yes, if a parent is in the car: Having a parent in the car does not change the rule.
• Yes, only to send text messages at red lights: Texting while driving is illegal for all drivers.

The driving log must show at least 60 hours of driving, with at least 10 hours at night. The supervising driver signs the log, and you turn it in when you apply for the Level 2 license.

Wrong choices

• At least 30 hours, with 5 at night: 30 hours is the classroom part of driver education, not the driving log.
• At least 40 hours, with 6 at night: North Carolina requires more than this: 60 hours with 10 at night.
• At least 100 hours, with 20 at night: The requirement is 60 hours, not 100.

With a Level 1 permit, no one except the driver and the supervising driver may sit in the front seat, and all passengers must wear seat belts or be in child seats.

Wrong choices

• Any friend: Friends may not ride in the front seat with a Level 1 driver.
• Anyone over 16: Age alone does not allow someone to sit in front.
• No one; the supervisor sits in back: The supervising driver must sit beside the driver.

A supervising driver must be a parent, grandparent, or guardian, or a responsible adult approved by the parent or guardian. The person must hold a valid license, have been licensed at least five years, and sit beside the driver.

Wrong choices

• A 19-year-old friend with a new license: A new license does not meet the five-year rule.
• Any adult passenger, licensed or not: The supervising driver must hold a valid license.
• An older brother who has a learner permit: A learner permit is not a full license, and the five-year rule is not met.

A Level 2 driver may drive without supervision from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and at any time when driving directly to or from work or volunteer fire, rescue, or EMS duty. Other times, a supervising driver is required.

Wrong choices

• Any time of day or night: Unlimited hours begin only at Level 3.
• Only during school hours: The rule is not limited to school hours.
• Only on weekends: There is no weekend-only rule.

You must hold the Level 2 limited provisional license for at least six months, with no moving violation, seat belt, or cell phone convictions in the last six months, before upgrading to Level 3. The upgrade can be done online.

Wrong choices

• One month: One month is far shorter than the required time.
• Three months: Three months is shorter than the required six months.
• One year: The required time is six months, not a full year.

To get a Level 2 license you must be 16, hold the permit nine months, log 60 hours with 10 at night, have no moving violation, seat belt, or cell phone convictions in the last six months, and pass a road test. One hundred hours of night driving is not required.

Wrong choices

• Being at least 16 years old: This is required: you must be at least 16.
• Holding the Level 1 permit for nine months: This is required: you must hold the permit nine months.
• No moving violation, seat belt, or cell phone convictions in the last six months: This is required: you need a clean record for the last six months.