North Carolina
What North Carolina asks of a teen driver before the first license, from the practice hours to the road test.
60hours
of supervised practice, including 10 at night
- Permit
- Limited Learner Permit (Level 1)
- License
- Level 2 Limited Provisional License
- Practice can start at
- 15 years old
Before the road test
- Limited learner permit held 9 monthsLevel 2 eligibility needs both the 9-month hold and the 16th birthday, whichever comes later.
- Minimum age16 years old
- Moving-violation reviewNo conviction for a moving violation, or a seat belt or mobile telephone infraction, in the 6 months before applying for Level 2.
When they can drive
- 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.For the first 6 months with this permit, no driving in this window.
Where this comes from
- N.C. General Statutes Section 20-11
- DL-214: Graduated Driver License Informational Handout
- Form DL-4A: Driving Log to Advance to N.C. Level 2 Limited Provisional Driver License
- North Carolina Driver Handbook
- Teen Drivers
- Driver Education
Moonroof checked these sources on October 9, 2026. Rules change, so check with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles before booking the road test.