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Driver Education
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If you're 18 or older, you don't have to take a driver education course to obtain your driver's license. Head on over to Applying for a New License to learn more about your application process.
Top Education to Keep You Safe
Teenage drivers have higher accident and motor vehicle death rates than those of older and more experienced drivers. Driver education and safety training is an important part of staying safe while you learn to drive and gain confidence and better judgment.
More than half of the states in the U.S., including North Carolina, have a graduated driver licensing system. This enables you to improve your skills while supervised by experienced drivers. Then you may gain enough practice so that you are experienced enough to drive on your own.
In North Carolina, the licensing process for drivers under age 18 is divided into three steps for the safety of everyone on the road: learner's permit (Level One), a provisional license (Level Two), and an unrestricted license (Level Three).
Top Level One: Learner's Permit
In North Carolina, you may begin a driver education course as early as age 14 and a half. You must complete a DMV-approved driver training course, which is state funded.
Driving schools contract with many high schools in the state to provide this instruction. If your high school does not offer driver education, you can do an Internet search for local driving schools to see if they offer the state-approved teen driving course.
Upon completing the course, you will receive a Driver Education Certificate from the driving school instructor. Keep this certificate with your records.
You will not be permitted to begin behind-the-wheel training until you have completed the 30-hour education course and passed a vision test.
Even with practical driving training, most students will not be proficient enough to pass the driving test and be licensed at this point. You will need more practice with a driving supervisor, such as a parent or guardian.
You can apply for a learner's permit once you've passed the education course and turned 15 years old. At this point, you'll take the written and driving tests.
Learner's Permit Application
Bring the following documents with you to your local driver license office:
- Driver Education Certificate, obtained upon completion of your 30-hour course.
- Driving Eligibility Certificate, obtained at your high school. This document certifies that you are enrolled in school and are passing the majority of your classes. (It is good for 30 days, so do not ask for it until you're ready to apply for your permit.)
- Birth certificate and Social Security card.
- Parent or guardian to sign application.
- $15 permit fee.
Learner's Permit Restrictions
The learner's permit comes with a batch of limitations to help you progress gradually. For the first six months after getting it, you will only be allowed to drive with a licensed adult between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day. You also must wear your seatbelt at all times in the vehicle.
After six months of the limited hours, you will be able to drive during any hours of the day or night with your licensed adult supervisor.
Top Your Driver License: Levels Two and Three
Once you've had your learner's permit for 12 months without any traffic violations or accidents, you are ready to move on to Level Two, your provisional license. You have to be at least 16 years old and younger than 18.
Level Two Restrictions
This provisional license restricts the hours you can drive without supervision. After passing your road test and getting licensed, if you are 16 or 17, generally you may not drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless supervised. You may only drive during those restricted hours if you are going to or from work.
As of December 1, 2002, the provisional license also carries a restriction of how many teenage passengers you may carry while you're driving. You can only have one other teenager in the car with you while you have your provisional license, unless you are with your licensed adult supervisor and/or the other passengers are immediate family members.
Level Three: Congratulations!
After six months with the provisional license and a clean driving record, you can graduate to an unrestricted license. This license allows you to drive at any hour of day or night without a licensed adult supervisor.
Find more teen-related driving information at these other pages on our site: First-time Drivers, Practice Tests, Teen Drivers, and Drivers Training.
Related Questions from DMV Answers
What is the legal driving age in my state?
See the chart below to determine the legal driving age in your state. Keep in mind that most states have additional steps to complete prior to obtaining your drivers license or drivers permit. For example, find out whether your particular state requires a drivers ed class for teen drivers or first time drivers. These drivers education requirements will vary from state-to-state, so refer to your local DMV Web site for specific requirements. Your local DMV Web site will also be a good source for downloading a practice test, any requisite administrative forms, study guides and manuals. These materials will make the quest for a learners permit and drivers license much easier. The following chart specifies the age at which one may be fully privileged to drive in a particular state.
Read more >>What are the age requirements to get a learners permit?
See the chart below for the age requirements in the various states for obtaining your learners permit. Note that most states require teens to complete a driver's ed course before obtaining a learner's permit or drivers license, and several states will allow you to obtain a drivers permit sooner if you take an appropriate driver's ed class.Look to your particular state's DMV Web site to find out about any additional steps necessary for obtaining a permit and eventually your driver's license. The individual state's driver's manual often provides an excellent resource for the various requirements and will provide the information you will need regarding testing, forms, fees, and driver's ed details.The Age Requirements for Getting a Learner's Permit by State...
Read more >>How many questions do I have to get right to pass drivers permit test?
Check the grid below for your state’s requirements. It will tell you how many questions – or, how high a percentage of questions – you must answer correctly in order to pass your drivers permit test.Every state requires applicants to take a written test (or, knowledge test, as it’s often called) at some point, whether it’s to obtain a learners permit, a junior or provisional license, or a full drivers license. The results of this test help examiners determine whether or not you have a sufficient knowledge and understanding of driving-related matters like the rules of the road and traffic signs and markers. In order to make sure you do have that knowledge and understanding – and can prove it to examiners – it’s best to actually prepare for the test. Many states require applicants to complete a driver education or training course, but other ways to get ready for the drivers permit exam include studying your driver handbook and taking a p...
Read more >>How long must I hold a learners permit before I can apply for my license?
The time requirements vary from state to state; check the grid below.Before you commit the grid to memory (or, at least your state’s part of it), keep these factors in mind: States employ graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs, and within these programs many states require more than one kind of learners permit. This grid deals mostly with each state’s first learners permit, but notes other kinds of drivers permits (like provisional licenses) when possible. The majority of states allow drivers 18 years old and older to apply for their drivers license the same day they pass their written exams – or, very soon after. This isn’t always the case, so be sure to get details from your examiner when you go in for the written test. This grid focuses on the amount of time you have to wait between obtaining your learners permit and obtaining your drivers license; it doesn’t focus on any other requirements, such as completing a drivers ed course. Be sure to che...
Read more >>How do I apply for a temporary license?
There are huge differences from state to state about this matter, so it's impossible to give a single answer. You'll need to visit your state's drivers license agency site to get this information, or call the department directly (you can find the number on the site).No matter where you live, you'll need to pass a written exam that will test your driving knowledge. The information on this test varies, but it will likely include questions about driving laws in your state, situational driving, parking requirements, road signs, and other driving safety matters. Additionally, you'll need pass a vision test, and complete a permit application. Your parents or guardians may have to be with you at the license branch office.Your state dictate the minimum age needed to take this test. And, you may need to be enrolled - or have completed - a driver education class to be eligible for the exam.
Read more >>
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