LEVELS OF GRADUATED LICENSING

Level 1- Limited Learner’s Permit involves parents/guardians in the training of young drivers

Be 15 to 17 years old, complete driver’s education and obtain a limited learner’s permit
For at least 12 months, the Level 1 driver must be drive with a supervising driver
This permit is held for 12 months prior to applying for a Limited Provisional License
A Driving Log must be completed detailing a minimum of 60 hours of operation. At least 10 hours must occur during nighttime hours. Only 10 hours per week may be counted towards the 60 hours requirement. The log must be signed by the supervising driver and submitted to the Division at the time of application for the Limited Provisional License.
All passengers in the vehicle must be restrained by seat belt or child safety seat
Only the supervising driver can ride in the front seat
For the first 6 months, a Level 1 driver may only drive from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with his or her supervising driver
For the second 6 months, a Level 1 driver may drive any time with their supervising driver
The Level 1 driver must have no violations during each 6 months to graduate to the next level
You are not permitted to use a mobile telephone or other additional technology associated with a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area.

Exception: You can use it to call the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician’s office or a health clinic; a public or privately owned ambulance company or service; a fire department; a law enforcement agency; your parent, legal guardian or spouse.

The Level 1 driver must certify on an approved DMV driving log that they have had 60 hours of supervised practice driving over the course of 12 months. Ten of these hours must be night time practice driving (from sundown to sunrise or when headlights are needed) and no more than 10 hours may be claimed in any given week.

SUPERVISING DRIVER: A supervising driver must be a parent, grandparent or guardian of the permit/ license holder, or a responsible person approved by the parent or guardian. A supervising driver must hold a valid driver license and must have been licensed for at least five years.

NOTE: Before graduating to level two, you must have no convictions of motor vehicle moving violations or seat belt/mobile telephone infractions within the preceding six months.

Supervised Driving Log
Parents or guardians are responsible for making certain that their teen has completed no less than 60 hours of supervised driving, with 10 of those hours completed at night to advance to Level 2 and 12 hours with 6 of those hours completed at night to advance to Level 3.
Sample driving logs to track this time have been made available in the links below and also in the Parent’s Supervised Driving Program Guide below.
Your local DMV will also provide you with the applicable log for your phase in the licensing process or you may visit www.ncdot.gov/dmv to download it. The log will help to ensure that your teen has a diverse supervised driving experience.

DRIVING LOG TO ADVANCE TO NC LEVEL 2 LIMITED PROVISIONAL DRIVER LICENSE

DRIVING LOG TO ADVANCE TO NC LEVEL 3 FULL PROVISIONAL DRIVER LICENSE

Log your driving time.
This can be done 2 ways:
• Carry the printed guide with you during the drive and use the printed log section – supervising driver or teen driver can log the supervised driving hours once the drive is finished.
• Download and use the free RoadReady app to track your driving time. RoadReady tracks your teen’s driving hours until you reach the state requirements. Download for free on the App Store.
*A copy must be printed and taken with you to the DMV
Turn in your log when applying for your license.
The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program
for the parents of teen drivers

supervised driving program (Click on link) This is an excellent resource!

Level 2 - Limited Provisional License protects young drivers during the night-time hours when they are most at risk.

Be 16-17 years old
Unsupervised driving is allowed between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. or when driving to or from work
Unsupervised driving is also allowed to and from an activity of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad if the driver is a member of the organization
Supervised driving is allowed at any time.
The Level 2 driver must have six months of violation free driving to graduate to the next level.
No convictions of moving violations, seat belt, or mobile phone infections within the last six months
Provide proof of liability insurance coverage from a provider licensed to do business in North Carolina
When the provisional license holder is driving the vehicle and is not accompanied by the supervising driver, there may be no more than one passenger under 21 years of age as a passenger in the vehicle. The limit does not apply to passengers who are members of the license holder’s immediate family.
Every person occupying the vehicle being driven by the provisional license holder must wear a seatbelt.
Use of mobile devices is prohibited
The level 2 driver must certify on an approved DMV driving log that they have had 12 hours of supervised practice over the course of 6 months.
Six of these hours must be night time driving.

Level 3 - Full Provisional License

Unsupervised driving is allowed 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 is prohibited
Must pass a road test

Restrictions for Teen Drivers

Anyone under age 18 must be enrolled in school and be making progress toward a high school diploma or GED to stay eligible for a Driving Eligibility Certificate, which is a requirement for graduated licensing.

Students must be passing 70% of the courses taken during the previous semester.

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles revokes teen driving privileges when it receives notice from proper school authorities that an individual has dropped out of school.

Official NCDMV: Graduated Licensing