Level 1: Limited learner permit
$21.50
** Supervised operation of a Class C vehicle.

• Be 15 to 17 years old

• Have a Driving Eligibility Certificate and Driver's Education Certificate

• Pass written, sign and vision tests

• Supervised driving is restricted to 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the first six months; thereafter, a supervising driver is still required.​

• Use of mobile devices prohibited

Level 2: Limited provisional license
$21.50  
** Unsupervised driving from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and to/from work or any volunteer fire, rescue or emergency medical service. After 9 p.m. until 5 a.m., a supervising driver is required.

• Be 16 to 17 years old

• Have a limited learner permit for 6 months (Effective Jan. 1, 2024, this requirement will change to 9 months.)

• No convictions of moving violations or seat belt/mobile phone infractions within the last six months

• Completed and logged at least 60 hours of driving (driving log must be printed)

• Must pass a road test.

•  Provide your own vehicle. Must present a valid vehicle registration card and the vehicle must pass pre-trip inspection.   

• Provide printed proof of liability insurance coverage in the name of the teen driver from a provider licensed to do business in North Carolina (images on a mobile device will not be accepted)

• When driving unsupervised, there may be one passenger that is under 21 and is not a member of the same household as the driver if they are being driven directly to or from school. Additionally, there may be one passenger under 21 in the vehicle that is a member of the same household as the driver.

• Use of mobile devices prohibited​

Level 3: Full provisional license
$5.50 per year 
** Unsupervised driving at any time.

• Be 16 to 17 years old

• Maintained a limited provisional license for at least six months

• Have no convictions of motor vehicle moving violations or seat belt/mobile telephone infractions within the last six months

• Completed and logged at least 12 hours of driving

• Use of mobile devices prohibited

At age 18. upgrading a full provisional license to a Class C driver license can ​be done online.