North Carolina supervised driving: 60 hours, 10 at night.

Everything a North Carolina parent needs in one place — required practice hours, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps the hours straight.

What North Carolina actually requires

Requirements summarized from the official North Carolina driver handbook.

The North Carolina graduated licensing path

  1. Level 1 - Limited learner permit — from age 15

    Requirements: Complete a state-approved driver education course and pass the written and vision tests. Hold at least 12 months and log 60 supervised hours, including 10 at night.

    Restrictions: A supervising driver 21+ with 5 years of experience must be in the front seat. First 6 months: driving 5 a.m.-9 p.m. only.

  2. Level 2 - Limited provisional license — from age 16

    Requirements: Hold the Level 1 permit 12 months violation-free, complete the 60 logged hours, and pass the road test.

    Restrictions: Unsupervised driving 5 a.m.-9 p.m. only. No more than one passenger under 21 who is not family.

  3. Level 3 - Full provisional license — from age 16.5

    Requirements: Hold Level 2 at least 6 months violation-free and log an additional 12 supervised hours (6 at night).

    Restrictions: None specific to age.

North Carolina laws your teen will be tested on

North Carolina: everyone buckles up, front and back

In North Carolina every occupant of a moving vehicle must have a seat belt properly fastened. Passengers under 16 must be secured in a seat belt or an appropriate child restraint, and children under 8 who weigh less than 80 pounds need a weight-appropriate child seat.

North Carolina speed limits

Unless a sign says otherwise, the limit is 35 mph inside cities and towns and 55 mph outside them, with 70 mph on interstates. Posted limits are a maximum for ideal conditions — slow down for weather, traffic, or visibility.

North Carolina: impairment and phones

North Carolina sets the adult impairment level at 0.08 BAC, but driving is already impaired well below that. Provisional (teen) license holders may not use a cell phone at all while driving, except to call about an emergency.

North Carolina School Bus & Pedestrian Rules

The maximum speed limit for a school bus is 45 mph; on a two-lane roadway, traffic in both directions must stop when a school bus stops for passengers. Always yield to pedestrians, including those in marked or unmarked crosswalks, and let anyone still in the street when the signal changes finish crossing safely.

North Carolina Move Over & Emergency Scenes

When an authorized emergency or service vehicle is parked or standing within 12 feet of the roadway with emergency or warning lights activated, move into a lane that is not nearest the vehicle if at least two lanes travel in your direction. If only one lane travels in your direction, slow down and drive at a reduced, safe speed until completely past it.

A real North Carolina practice question

How long is a Form DL-123 valid from its date of issuance?

A Form DL-123 is valid for only 30 days after it is issued.

North Carolina driving practice questions, answered

How many supervised driving hours does North Carolina require?
North Carolina requires 60 supervised driving hours, including 10 hours after dark.
What counts as a night driving hour in North Carolina?
Driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. local time counts toward the 10-hour night requirement.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in North Carolina?
A North Carolina learner's permit can be issued starting at age 15.
How many questions are on the North Carolina written test?
The North Carolina knowledge exam has 25 questions and requires 80% correct to pass.
Does NextDriver Prep have North Carolina practice questions?
Yes — 61 practice questions written from the official North Carolina driver handbook, with explanations for every answer.
How should we track the 60 hours?
Log each drive the same day it happens. NextDriver Prep's free log records date, duration, day/night split, and conditions, and totals your progress toward North Carolina's 60 hours automatically.
Is the North Carolina driving log free?
Yes. The supervised driving log is free forever, with no card required. The Family Plan adds lessons, coaching scripts, hazard training, and Kai the AI co-pilot.
Does NextDriver Prep submit our log to the state?
No. NextDriver Prep helps your family track and organize practice. The North Carolina licensing agency decides permit and license eligibility.
What restrictions apply during the Level 1 - Limited learner permit stage in North Carolina?
A supervising driver 21+ with 5 years of experience must be in the front seat. First 6 months: driving 5 a.m.-9 p.m. only.
What restrictions apply during the Level 2 - Limited provisional license stage in North Carolina?
Unsupervised driving 5 a.m.-9 p.m. only. No more than one passenger under 21 who is not family.
What restrictions apply during the Level 3 - Full provisional license stage in North Carolina?
None specific to age.

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