Driver's Training in North Carolina

North Carolina Driver's Training

If you're a teenager applying for your first driver's license, you must complete a Driver's Ed course and supervised driving practice as part of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) graduated driver's licensing (GDL) program.

Your behind-the-wheel practice will help you develop your driving skills and gain the confidence and experience necessary to pass your road test.

On this page you'll find information about your behind-the-wheel requirements and how to get your first driver's license in North Carolina.

Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

If you are younger than 18 years old, the GDL program's behind-the-wheel training requirements will apply to you. You'll need to complete:

  • Driver's training as part of a driver's education course.
  • At least 60 hours of supervised driving practice while you have your learner's permit.
  • At least 12 hours of supervised driving practice while you have your provisional driver's license.

You can begin the GDL program when you are at least 14 1/2 years old by enrolling in a driver's training/driver's education program. For more information, please visit our Driver’s Ed in North Carolina page.

Once you complete Driver's Ed, you can begin your supervised driving practice by obtaining your learner's permit when you are at least 15 years old.

For more information, please visit our Driver’s Permits in North Carolina page.

NC Driver's Training Course

Before you can apply for a learner's permit, you must first complete a driver's education course, which is offered at NC high schools.

Your program will include both a classroom component and in-car training sessions.

Before you begin your driver's training with your driving instructor, you'll need to complete the classroom section and pass a vision exam.

After you complete both sections of your driver's training course, you'll receive a Driving Eligibility Certificate, which you'll need when applying for your learner's permit.

Driving Practice in North Carolina

In North Carolina, you'll need to complete supervised driving practice while you hold your learner's permit and once you advance to your provisional driver's license.

Learner's Permit Supervised Driving

With your learner's permit, you'll be able to begin driving with a supervising adult who has held a driver's license for at least 5 years.

Before advancing to your provisional driver's license, you'll need to complete at least 60 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours completed at night.

NOTE: Only 10 hours each week can count towards your total.

You and your supervisor will need to keep track of your hours and complete the Driving Log to Advance to N.C. Level 2 Limited Provisional Driver License (Form DL-4A).

Provisional Driver's Licensed Supervised Driving

Once you have your provisional driver's license, you'll be allowed to drive unsupervised. Before advancing to your full driver's license, you'll need to complete at least 12 hours of additional supervised driving practice, with at least 6 hours completed at night.

You and your supervisor must complete the Driving Log to Advance to N.C. Level 3 Full Provisional Driver License (Form DL-4B).

Next Steps – Provisional Driver's License

To advance to your provisional driver's license you must:

For more information, please visit our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in North Carolina page.

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Forms

DL-4B
Driving Log to Advance to N.C. Level 3 Full Provisional Driver License
Use this form to track your supervised behind-the-wheel practice hours as part of advancing to a Level 3 NC provisional license.
DL-4A
Driving Log to Advance to N.C. Level 2 Limited Provisional Driver License
Use this form to log your hours of supervised driving practice as part of advancing to a Level 2 NC provisional license.
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