Check Your Knowledge of North Carolina Graduated Driver Licensing Law
What is North Carolina Graduated Driver Licensing Law?
Teen drivers are much more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents than other drivers, which is why North Carolina and other states have implemented Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws. They are designed to let young drivers gradually gain the skills and experience needed for a driver’s license and safe driving.
The North Carolina GDL law applies to all teenagers under 18 years and consists of three steps.
Level 1: Limited Learner’s Permit
Level 2: Limited Provisional License
Level 3: Full Provisional License
Each step has its requirements and driving restrictions.
Read more: North Carolina Graduated Driver Licensing
Level 1: Limited Learner’s Permit
To get the first level one limited learner’s permit, you must be at least 15 years (and under 18 years).
All applicants must pass a driver education course, usually available through your high school.
At a DMV office, you must pass a road sign identification test and a written knowledge test .
Note that there will always be a question about the handicap symbol on your test.
Level 1: Limited Learner’s Permit – Restrictions
You cannot drive without having the learner’s permit in your possession.
Under no circumstances can you drive alone. You must always be accompanied by a supervising driver sitting beside you in the front seat.
The supervising driver can be a parent, guardian, grandparent, or responsible person approved by the parent/guardian or the DMV. The supervising driver must also be a licensed driver who has been licensed for at least five years.
No other person than the supervising driver may sit in the front seat.
For the first six months, you can drive only between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
After the first six months, you may drive anytime as long as you drive with the supervising driver.
Everyone in the vehicle must wear seat belts or child safety restraints.
You cannot use a mobile telephone or other similar electronic devices.
Level 2: Limited Provisional License
To be eligible for a limited provisional license under the North Carolina Graduated Driver Licensing Law, you must be at least 16 years (and under 18 years).
You must have held the limited learner’s permit for at least 9 months, and there can be no motor vehicle moving violations or seat belt infractions during the preceding six months on your record.
In addition, you must present a driving log showing a minimum of 60 hours of driving practice, of which 10 hours must be at night. No more than 10 hours of driving per week can be counted toward the 60-hour requirement.
You must also pass the road skills test to get your provisional license.
Level 2: Limited Provisional License – Restrictions
When driving with a limited provisional license, you:
Must always have the license in your possession.
Can drive alone only from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Exemptions from the night curfew exist when you drive to and from work or to and from an activity of a volunteer fire department, rescue squad, or emergency medical services if you are a member of the organization.
You can also drive during the night curfew if a supervising driver in the front seat beside you accompanies you.
Must make sure that everyone in the vehicle wears seat belts or child safety restraints.
Cannot have more than one passenger under 21 years of age in the vehicle.
This passenger limit does not apply to passengers who are members of your immediate family and live at the same address as you. An additional unrelated passenger under 21 is also permitted if that passenger is being driven directly to or from school.
Must not use a mobile telephone or other similar electronic devices.
Level 3: Full Provisional License
After holding a limited provisional license for at least six months, you may apply for the full North Carolina driver’s license.
You can have no moving violations or seat belt infractions to get your license during the preceding six months.
You must also show a completed driving log with a minimum of 12 hours, including six hours at nighttime.
Practice Tests to Pass the Knowledge Exam
