Temporary road test waivers are available to drivers 18 years old and older who need a regular Class C license and meet at least one of the conditions below, and to 16- and 17-year-old drivers who are seeking a Level 2 limited provisional license, with their requirements also below.
Please note: Customers who previously failed a road test do not qualify for a waiver. In order for the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles to assess their ability to safely operate a vehicle, these customers are required to take and successfully pass a road test.
For Class C Licenses
Condition 1
- Turned 18 while holding an N.C. learner permit.
- Has a
supervised driving log demonstrating 60 hours of behind the wheel driving, including at least 10 during nighttime hours. The driving logs must be signed by the supervising driver(s) who holds a valid adult driver’s license issued by the state of North Carolina. Logs must be submitted to NCDMV at the time the driver seeks to obtain a license.
- The applicant must not have been convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation, seat belt infraction or unlawful use of a mobile phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Drivers must show completion of the driver’s education course within the previous 12 months. and has not been convicted of any motor vehicle moving violations, seat belt infractions or unlawful use of a mobile phone.
The applicant will need to contact local school administrators to determine start dates and locations of the next driver education courses in their area.
You must bring the N.C. Driver Education course certificate to your local driver license office after scheduling an appointment online. Customers applying for a regular Class C learner permit must demonstrate their knowledge by passing the auto knowledge, vision and road signs tests and provide driving logs demonstrating 60 hours of behind the wheel driving, including 10 hours of required nighttime driving. Driving logs must be signed by a supervised driver with a valid license of the same class license or higher. Logs must be submitted to the Division at the time the driver seeks to obtain a license.
Driver eligibility certificates must show valid dates at the time of the appointment. Customers will need to contact their school administrator to apply for another driver eligibility certificate.
Condition 2- 18 years or older.
- Held an N.C. learner permit for 90 days.
- Has a
supervised driving log demonstrating 60 hours of behind the wheel driving, including at least 10 during nighttime hours. The driving logs must be signed by the supervising driver(s) who holds a valid adult driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina. Logs must be submitted to NCDMV at the time the driver seeks to obtain a license.
- Has
not been convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation, seat belt infraction or unlawful use of a mobile phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if the supervising driver has the same class license or higher.
No. The supervising driver just needs a valid license of the same class or higher.
Permits are valid for 18 months. A permit that has been expired less than 12 months can be renewed. After 12 months the process starts over.
You are not required to return for a road test after receiving this waiver.
Condition 3
- 18 years or older.
- Most recent N.C. driver license has not been expired more than one renewal cycle and was in good standing at the time of expiration.
- For drivers 18-65 years old – not expired more than eight years.
- For drivers 66 or older – not expired more than five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must retake the written test and then NCDMV can waive the road test.
No, because of the suspended privileges and convictions.
The waiver only applies to adults who are eligible to receive a license with no current suspensions or revocations.
No. A road test is required.
Condition 4
- 18 years or older.
- Held a license from another state, the District of Columbia or U.S. territory. The driver must provide their most recent license and a certified five-year driving record.
- Has not been convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation, seat belt infraction or unlawful use of a mobile phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you are 66 or older and your license has not been expired for more than five years.
Yes, if you are 18-65 years old and your license has not been expired more than eight years.
No. North Carolina does not recognize the transfer of foreign driver licenses.
For Level 2 Provisional Licenses
- Drivers who are 16 or 17 years old, and have held a Level 1 limited learner permit at least 12 months.
- Have completed at least 60 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 during nighttime hours.
- Have not had a moving violation or seat belt/cell phone violation within the last six months.
- Have already passed the DMV’s written, sign and vision tests, and have their driving eligibility and driver’s education certificates.
When making their appointment at a driver license office, they must select “Teen Driver Level 2” as the type of appointment. Drivers must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian, and will need to present proof of liability insurance, and their
driving log showing at least the 60 hours of supervised driving.
The Level 2 license allows unsupervised driving from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., while traveling to and from work, and to work with a volunteer rescue, fire or emergency medical service. The new driver is not allowed to have more than one passenger under 21 in the vehicle, except for family members who live in the same household. They are prohibited from using a cell phone in the vehicle.
Drivers who obtain the Level 2 waiver will still need to pass a road test to move up to the Level 3 full provisional license, which allows unsupervised driving at any time. They will have to wait at least six months after receiving the Level 2 license to advance to that next level, as well as not have convictions for a moving violation or seat belt/cell phone infraction within the last six months before scheduling a road test.
Getting a License
Drivers who qualify for the waiver need to make a DMV driver license office appointment and bring all the necessary documents to the appointment.
Make an Appointment
Drivers 18 or older who qualify for the waiver will be issued a license of the appropriate length for their age, either eight or five years. Waivers under this special provision may apply to certain applicants with permanent residency. This waiver provision does not apply to drivers in the Medical Review program.
Additional Questions
Regular road tests have resumed for drivers 15-17 years old who are trying to obtain their Level 3 full provisional license. All other drivers are required to continue to use the road test waiver process to earn their license.
All states participate with the National Driving Registry, which makes driver eligibility available to North Carolina.
No. For NCDMV to assess their ability to safely operate a vehicle, these customers are required to take and pass a road test.
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