North Carolina permit test cheat sheet

North Carolina-specific rules from our question bank, condensed to one line each with the handbook page. Read it the night before; don’t use it instead of practicing.

Study sheet for before your test. Notes aren’t allowed in the DMV test room. See the study sheets to print.

Test format: Not published
Passing score: 80%
Permit and test fees: $25.50 total
Minimum age for a permit: 15 years
Supervised driving: 60 hours (10 at night)
Hold your permit: 9 months minimum

Permits & licensing

A Level 1 limited learner permit is for teens who are at least 15 and under 18 and live in North Carolina. p. 14
Applicants under 18 must show a certificate from an approved driver education course of at least 30 classroom hours and six behind-the-wheel hours. p. 14
For the first six months, a Level 1 permit holder may drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., and always with the supervising driver. p. 14
North Carolina requires the Level 1 permit to be held for nine months before moving to Level 2. p. 14
Level 1 drivers keep a log of at least 60 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours at night. p. 14
A supervising driver must be a parent, grandparent or guardian, or a responsible person the parent or guardian approves. p. 14
North Carolina allows no one in the front seat except the permit holder and the supervising driver. p. 14
When driving unsupervised, a Level 2 driver may carry one passenger under 21 who is not a household member. p. 15
Level 2 drivers may drive unsupervised from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. p. 15
Before each graduation step, the driver must have a clean record for the preceding six months: no moving violations, seat belt infractions or cell phone infractions. p. 15
Learner permits for people 18 and older allow driving only with a person licensed for that vehicle seated beside the permit holder. p. 10

Laws, points & insurance

At seven points you may be sent to a driver improvement clinic, and finishing it removes three points. p. 36
Reaching 12 points within three years can lead to a suspension: 60 days the first time, six months the second and 12 months the third. p. 36
Passing a stopped school bus carries 5 points, tied with aggressive driving for the highest value on the regular schedule. p. 36
North Carolina revokes your license for at least 30 days if you are convicted of driving more than 15 mph over the limit at a speed higher than 55 mph. p. 38
For policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2025, North Carolina's minimum liability limits are $50,000 for injury to one person, $100,000 for all injuries in a crash and $50,000 for property damage. source
For policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2025, the required minimums are $50,000 per person and $100,000 for all injuries in one crash, plus $50,000 for property damage. source
North Carolina requires you to report an address change within 60 days and obtain a duplicate license. p. 30
If DMV is notified that a vehicle is operating without proper liability insurance, its plate can be revoked for 30 days unless continuous coverage is proven. p. 101
Drivers under 18 face extra penalties: 30 days for a second moving violation in 12 months, 90 days for a third and six months for a fourth. p. 41