Free practice test

Tests

Driving testsCitizenship testsSchool and university admissionsNursing, medicine and healthEnglish and French testsTeachingMoney, law and insuranceTrades and work licencesPilots, drones, boats and radio

Countries

United StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAustraliaNew Zealand

North Carolina · Permit test

NC learner’s permit rules: Level 1 and the adult permit

Teens 15 to 17 start with a Level 1 limited learner permit and drive with a supervising driver beside them every time. For the first six months, driving is limited to 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. After nine months, a clean record and 60 logged hours, you can move up to Level 2. If you’re 18 or older, an NC learner’s permit only requires a licensed driver seated beside you.

  • 15Youngest age for Level 1
  • 9 monthsOn Level 1 before Level 2
  • 60 hoursLogged driving, 10 of them at night
  • 5 yearsYour supervisor’s licensed driving, at least
NCDMV: Level 1 learner permitFree practice test

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What are the NC learner’s permit laws for teens?

On a Level 1 permit:

  • A supervising driver sits beside you every time you drive, and nobody else rides in the front seat
  • For the first six months you can drive only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. After that, any time, still supervised
  • No cell phone or other mobile device while driving, except emergency calls and calls to a parent, guardian or spouse
  • Everyone in the car wears a seat belt or sits in a child safety seat
  • You need no moving violations, seat belt or phone convictions in the six months before you move up
Rules for all drivers under 18 →

Who can supervise you

Your supervising driver must be a parent, legal guardian or grandparent, or an adult your parent or guardian approves. They need a valid license and must have been licensed for at least five years.

The driving log

The handbook says you’ll get a driving log to record at least 60 hours of driving, at least 10 of them at night, meaning after sunset and before daylight. Your supervising driver signs it, and you hand it in when you apply for Level 2. NCDMV takes the log as a printed or digital copy.

NCDMV: Driving log, form DL-4A (PDF) ↗NC provisional license: Level 2 and Level 3 →

Getting the permit

Book a teen learner permit visit or walk in, bring your documents and your driver education certificate, and pass the written, signs and vision tests with a parent or guardian there. Anyone else who brings you needs written consent from a parent or guardian. The permit is mailed within 20 business days.

NC DMV permit requirements →The NC permit test →The NC DMV eye exam →

If you’re 18 or older

Learner permits are for new drivers 18 and older. You take the vision, signs and knowledge tests, and whenever you drive, someone licensed for that vehicle must sit beside you. You don’t need driver education, and you don’t need proof of insurance for the permit.

How to get an NC driver’s license →

Renewing or replacing a permit

A Level 1 permit can be renewed at a driver license office up to one year after it expires, with no retesting, but not online. A lost permit that still has active status can be replaced online.

License replacement in NC →
Sources: NCDMV and 3 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewPractice testWhere to learnDMV appointmentCostWhat to bringMy NC DMVRoad testRoad signsAge rulesNC Driver Handbook

Your license

Driver’s licenseProvisional licenseLicense renewalReplace a licenseLicense checkEye examMoving to NCREAL IDCDL

Offices and help

DMV officesEn español