Driving
North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2026
Practice for the written knowledge test you take at the North Carolina DMV for a limited learner permit. The questions cover North Carolina's three-level graduated licensing law, plus shared US road rules and road signs.
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Question 1 of 25
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Answer: A. 15
A Level 1 limited learner permit is for drivers at least 15 but under 18.
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Question 2 of 25
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Answer: D. A completed driver education course, a passed written test and a driving eligibility certificate
Applicants must finish driver education, pass the written test and hold a driving eligibility certificate or a high school diploma.
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Question 3 of 25
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Answer: C. In the front passenger seat, with no one else in the front
The supervising driver must be in the front passenger seat, and no one else may sit in the front.
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Question 4 of 25
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Answer: B. Only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For the first six months, Level 1 drivers may drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. After that, they may drive at any time with a supervisor.
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Question 5 of 25
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Answer: C. A parent, grandparent or guardian, or an approved responsible person, licensed for at least five years
The supervisor must be a parent, grandparent, guardian or approved responsible person, and must have been licensed for at least five years.
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Question 6 of 25
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Answer: A. Every occupant
Every person in the vehicle must wear a seat belt or be in a child restraint system.
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Question 7 of 25
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Answer: B. They may not use a mobile phone at all while driving
Drivers under 18 with a permit or provisional license may not use a mobile phone or related technology while driving.
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Question 8 of 25
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Answer: D. 16
A Level 2 limited provisional license is for drivers at least 16 but under 18.
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Question 9 of 25
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Answer: B. At least 9 months
The learner permit must be held for at least nine months before Level 2.
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Question 10 of 25
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Answer: A. At least 60 hours, including 10 at night
The driving log must show at least 60 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 at night.
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Question 11 of 25
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Answer: A. 10 hours
No more than 10 hours per week may count toward the 60-hour total.
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Question 12 of 25
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Answer: A. No moving violation, seat belt or teen phone convictions
To advance, you need six months with no conviction for a moving violation, a seat belt infraction or a teen phone violation.
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Question 13 of 25
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Answer: A. From 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., or directly to or from work or volunteer fire, rescue or EMS duty
Level 2 drivers may drive alone from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and at other times only directly to or from work or volunteer emergency duty.
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Question 14 of 25
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Answer: B. One
Unsupervised Level 2 drivers may carry no more than one passenger under 21, with exceptions for family and household members and some school trips.
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Question 15 of 25
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Answer: D. At least 6 months
Level 3 requires holding the limited provisional license for at least six months with a clean record for the last six months.
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Question 16 of 25
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Answer: B. The ban on mobile phone use while driving
Level 3 removes the time, supervision and passenger limits, but the under-18 phone ban still applies.
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Question 17 of 25
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Answer: C. As driving without a license
Breaking the time-of-day or supervisor rules at Level 1 or Level 2 is treated as driving without a license.
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Question 18 of 25
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Answer: C. They must complete a new log and wait six months for a limited provisional license
With a falsified log, the teen must complete a new log and cannot get a limited provisional license for six months.
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Question 19 of 25
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Answer: C. On the holder's 18th birthday
Both the limited learner permit and the limited provisional license expire on the 18th birthday.
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Question 20 of 25
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Answer: A. The Division of Motor Vehicles or a certified commercial driving school
The road test may be given by the Division or by a certified commercial driver training school.
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Question 21 of 25
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Answer: C. No, it is an infraction with no license points
A teen phone violation is an infraction with no license points or insurance surcharge, but it still blocks moving up a level for six months.
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Question 22 of 25
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Answer: D. All drivers
North Carolina bans texting for all drivers. It is a primary law.
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Question 23 of 25
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Answer: A. The applicant and at least one supervising driver
The application must be signed by the applicant and by at least one supervising driver.
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Question 24 of 25
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Answer: B. At any time, with a supervising driver
After six months, the time limit ends, but a supervising driver must still be in the front seat.
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Question 25 of 25
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Answer: B. No, school bus drivers may not use a cell phone while driving
North Carolina bans all cell phone use by school bus drivers while driving.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- You can get a Level 1 limited learner permit at 15 after finishing driver education and passing the written test.
- For the first six months, permit holders may drive only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., always with a supervisor in the front seat.
- You must hold the permit at least nine months and log 60 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night, before the Level 2 license.
- Level 2 drivers may drive alone from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and carry only one non-family passenger under 21.
- Drivers under 18 may not use a mobile phone while driving, even with a full provisional license.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in North Carolina?
15. You must complete driver education, pass the written test and have a driving eligibility certificate or diploma.
How long do you have to hold a permit in North Carolina?
At least nine months before you can get a Level 2 limited provisional license at 16.
How many driving hours do I need in North Carolina?
At least 60 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night. No more than 10 hours per week count.
What are the Level 2 rules in North Carolina?
You may drive alone from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. or directly to and from work, carry only one non-family passenger under 21, and everyone must wear a seat belt.
Can teen drivers in North Carolina use a phone?
No. Drivers under 18 may not use a mobile phone while driving at any level.