Free North Carolina Permit Practice Tests 2025

In North Carolina you must be at least 15 years old to apply for a Limited Learner Permit. This is the first step in North Carolina’s graduated licensing program for teen drivers.

To apply for a permit in North Carolina, you must bring:

• Proof of age and identity (birth certificate or passport)
• Proof of Social Security Number (Social Security card, W-2 form or 1099)
• Two proofs of North Carolina residency (showing your current address)
• Proof of liability insurance for the vehicle you’ll be driving
• If you’re under 18, a Driving Eligibility Certificate from your school or proof of high school graduation/GED

Yes. If you’re under 18, a parent or legal guardian must:

• Sign your permit application
• Accept financial responsibility for you
• Be present with you at the DMV when you apply
• If your parents share joint custody, both should sign (though typically only one signature is required if full custody applies)

The application process in North Carolina is as follows:

1. Complete a Driver License Application (Form DL-4)
2. Bring all the required documents (identity, residency, etc.)
3. If you’re under 18, have your parent or guardian sign the application
4. Pass a vision test
5. Pass the knowledge test
6. Pay the application fee
7. Have your photo taken for your permit

North Carolina allows you to start parts of the application process online through the NCDMV website. However, you must visit a DMV office in person to:

• Complete the application
• Bring your required documents
• Take your vision test
• Complete your knowledge test

The North Carolina DMV charges a fee for a Limited Learner Permit. This fee covers processing your application, the knowledge test, and issuing your permit. Visit the North Carolina DMV website for current fee information.

To get your permit in North Carolina, you must pass:

• A vision test to make sure you can see well enough to drive safely
• A knowledge test with multiple-choice questions about traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices

The North Carolina permit knowledge test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. You need to answer at least 20 questions correctly (80%) to pass the test.

The North Carolina permit test covers:

• Traffic laws and regulations
• Road signs and signals
• Right-of-way rules
• Safe driving practices
• Alcohol and drug effects on driving
• Penalties for violating traffic laws

The best ways to prepare for your North Carolina permit test:

• Study the North Carolina Driver’s Handbook thoroughly, available on our website at North Carolina Driver’s Manual
• Take our free practice tests that simulate the actual permit test
• Review road signs and traffic laws multiple times
• Consider enrolling in a driver education course

If you fail the North Carolina permit test:

• You can retake it after waiting at least one day
• Each retest requires the same fee as the original test
• There is no limit to how many times you can take the test

With a North Carolina Limited Learner Permit, you can:

• Practice driving with a supervising driver who is at least 21 years old and has been licensed for at least five years
• Drive on all public roadways

When driving with a Limited Learner Permit in North Carolina you:

• Must be accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 21 years old and has been licensed for at least five years
• Can only drive between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. for the first six months (after that, you may drive at any time with a supervising driver)
• Cannot use mobile phones or any electronic devices while driving
• Must ensure all occupants wear seat belts
• Cannot drive with any alcohol in your system

In North Carolina, you must hold your Limited Learner Permit for at least 12 months before you can apply for a Limited Provisional License. During this time you must:

• Complete at least 60 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night) with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has been licensed for at least five years
• Keep a driving log signed by your supervising driver
• Have no moving violations or seat belt/mobile phone violations during the last six months of the permit period

North Carolina requires different driver education based on your age:

• If you are under 18: Yes, you must complete an approved driver education course before getting a Limited Learner Permit. This course typically includes 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of behind-the-wheel training.
• If you are 18 or older: No, driver education is not required, although it is recommended to help you become a safer driver.

In North Carolina, before you get your driver’s license, the requirements depend on your age:

• If you are under 18, you must complete:
  • An approved driver education course (30 hours classroom, six hours behind-the-wheel)
  • At least 60 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night) with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has been licensed for at least five years
• If you are 18 or older: No formal driver education is required, though it is still beneficial.

You can find North Carolina-approved driver education programs by:

• Checking your high school’s offerings (most public high schools offer driver education)
• Visiting the North Carolina DMV website for a list of approved commercial driving schools
• Contacting your local school district for information on available programs

The North Carolina driving test checks:

• If you can safely operate the vehicle
• If you follow traffic laws and signs
• Basic maneuvers such as turns, lane changes, and parking
• Awareness of other road users
• Good decision-making in various traffic situations

Before you start, the DMV examiner will verify your knowledge of vehicle controls and safety features.

You can schedule your driving test in North Carolina by:

• Visiting the North Carolina DMV website and using their online appointment system
• Calling your local DMV office
• Visiting a driver license office in person

On the day of your driving test in North Carolina, bring:

• Your Limited Learner Permit
• A properly registered and insured vehicle
• Proof of liability insurance for the vehicle
• Your driving log showing completed practice hours
• A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old with at least five years of driving experience (to drive you to the test)

Common reasons for failing the North Carolina driving test include:

• Not checking blind spots before changing lanes
• Rolling through stop signs instead of coming to a complete stop
• Driving too fast or too slow for conditions
• Improper lane positioning or lane changes
• Not yielding to pedestrians or other vehicles
• Lack of steering control
• Poor awareness of surroundings
• Inability to parallel park

To convert your learner’s permit to a driver’s license in North Carolina:
If you are under 18:

• Hold your Limited Learner Permit for at least 12 months
• Complete at least 60 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night)
• Have no moving violations in the last six months
• Pass the driving test
• Pay the required fee

If you are 18 or older:

• Practice with your permit
• Schedule and pass the driving test
• Pay the required fee

North Carolina’s graduated licensing program has these stages:

• Limited Learner Permit: Must be at least 15 years old; requires driver education and supervised driving with a licensed adult (at least 21 years old with five years of experience).
• Limited Provisional License: Must be at least 16 years old, have held your permit for at least 12 months, and complete the required supervised driving practice. You must pass the driving test to obtain this license.
• Full Provisional License: Obtained after holding the Limited Provisional License for at least six months with no moving violations.
• Regular Driver’s License: Granted when provisional restrictions end, typically when you turn 18.
• Adults 18 and older can go directly from permit to full license after passing the driving test.

As a new driver under 18 in North Carolina, your Limited Provisional License will have these restrictions:

• No driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless driving to or from work or volunteer emergency services
• Only one passenger under 21 is allowed (family members are exempt)
• No use of mobile phones or electronic devices while driving

After holding your Limited Provisional License for at least six months with no moving violations, you can upgrade to a Full Provisional License, which removes time restrictions and allows more passengers. These restrictions end when you turn 18.

North Carolina may recognize out-of-state permits, but with limitations:

• You can drive in North Carolina with an out-of-state permit following both that state’s restrictions and North Carolina laws
• If you’re moving permanently, you should apply for a North Carolina permit
• If you’re under 18, you may receive credit for time spent with an out-of-state permit, but you must still meet all North Carolina requirements

North Carolina offers the following accommodations for applicants with disabilities:

• Audio versions of the driver handbook
• Oral knowledge tests
• Sign language interpreters (with advance notice)
• Extended testing time
• The ability to use special equipment in your vehicle for the driving test
• Contact your local DMV office before your appointment to request accommodations

Yes, non-U.S. citizens can get a permit or license in North Carolina by providing:

• Valid immigration documents
• Proof of North Carolina residency
• Proof of age and identity
• Proof of Social Security Number or ITIN (or a declaration that you don’t have one)

Visit the North Carolina DMV website for more information on documentation requirements for non-citizens.

You can download a copy of the North Carolina Driver’s Manual from our website at this link. Physical copies are also available at any DMV office.

Yes! We offer free North Carolina-specific practice tests that mimic the actual permit test. They are designed to help you study the material and get comfortable with the test format before your exam.

For more information about the North Carolina permit process:

• Visit the North Carolina DMV website at www.ncdot.gov/dmv
• Call the DMV at 919-715-7000 during business hours
• Visit your local DMV driver license office
• Contact the NC DMV TTY service if you have hearing impairments

If you lose your North Carolina permit:

• You can request a replacement at any DMV driver license office
• You will need to provide proof of your identity
• You will need to pay a replacement fee
• If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian may need to be present

A parent or guardian who signed the application for a minor can cancel their teen’s permit or license by:

• Submitting a written request to the DMV
• Including the minor’s full name, date of birth, and permit/license number
• Having the parent or guardian who originally signed the application sign the request
• Submitting the request to any DMV driver license office