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Chapter 1: Types of Licenses, Permits and Certifications
North Carolina has a regular driver license system and a commercial driver license (CDL). The type of vehicle you will operate determines the class of driver license you must have and the type vehicle in which you must take the driving skills test. The driving skills test must be performed in a vehicle representative of the class license desired.
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If you are 18 years of age or older you may apply for an original North Carolina driver license.
Under North Carolina's classified license system most drivers need only a Class C license to
operate personal automobiles and small trucks.
| Class A: |
Required to operate any combination of vehicles exempt from commercial driver license (CDL)
requirements with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided
the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is greater than 10,000 pounds. Also required for
operating any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds, if the vehicle
being towed has a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds.
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| Class B: |
Required to operate any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more that is exempt from CDL requirements, and any such vehicle while towing another vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less.
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| Class C: |
Required to operate any vehicle with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds that is exempt from CDL requirements and is not towing a vehicle with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds. Most drivers need only a Regular C license to operate personal automobiles and small trucks.
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If you are age 18 or older you can apply for a Learner Permit.
- A Learner Permit authorizes the permit holder to drive a specified type or class of motor vehicle while in possession of the permit.
- The permit holder must, while operating a motor vehicle over the highways, be accompanied by a
person who is licensed to operate the motor vehicle being driven and is seated beside the permit
holder.
- A Learner Permit is valid for a period of 18 months.
- Required testing for a Learner Permit includes: vision, traffic signs, and driving knowledge.
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A CDL is required for drivers, paid or volunteer, who drive the following types of vehicles that are
designed or used to transport passengers or property.
| Class A: |
Required to operate a vehicle that has a combined gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of at least
26,001 lbs and includes as part of the combination a towed unit that has a GVWR of at least 10,001 lbs.
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| Class B: |
Required to operate:
- A single motor vehicle that has a GVWR of at least 26,001 lbs.
- A combination of motor vehicles that includes as part of the combination a towing unit that has a GVWR of at least 26,001 lbs and a towed unit that has a GVWR of less than 10,001 lbs.
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| Class C: |
A single or combination of motor vehicles not included in Class A or B but meets any of the
following descriptions:
- is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
- is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded.
You do not need a CDL to drive recreational vehicles, military equipment, fire and/ or emergency equipment or certain farm vehicles. However, a regular license of the appropriate class is always required.
A special CDL endorsement is required to haul hazardous materials, transport passengers, pull double trailers, drive tank vehicles or drive school buses or school activity buses. Additional information about the CDL is in the North Carolina Commercial Driver License Handbook.
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Motorcycle Learner Permit:
- If the applicant is at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old, the applicant must
possess a full provisional license issued by the DMV. In addition a parent or guardian's
signature is required.
- If the applicant is 18 years of age or older, the applicant must possess a license issued
by the DMV.
- The Motorcycle Learner Permit authorizes a person to operate a motorcycle without passengers.
- The Motorcyle Learner Permit is valid for 18 months. Required testing includes vision, traffic
signs, and the motorcycle knowledge test.
Motorcycle Endorsement:
- To obtain a motorcycle endorsement you must possess a full provisional license, a regular or commercial
license.
- A motorcycle endorsement may be obtained upon initial issuance of a driver license, or at any time
thereafter.
- In addition to the required tests for a driver license the motorcycle endorsement initially requires
the motorcycle knowledge exam and motorcycle on-cycle test. Upon renewal of the motorcycle endorsement
no testing is required.
School Bus/ School Activity Bus:
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The driver of a school bus must be at least 18 years of age, have at least six months driving experience and hold either a Class "b" or Class "C" CDL with an "S" and a "P" Endorsement along with a School bus Driver's Certificate. To obtain a School Bus Driver's Certificate, a person must be specially trained and pass an examination demonstrating the fitness and competency required to operate the bus.
The requirements for the driver of a school activity bus are the same except a School Bus driver's certificate is not required.
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The Provisional Licensee:
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Drivers under age 18 are provisional licensees. Because these drivers have a much higher crash rate, special
laws apply to them. If you are a driver under age 18:
- You must present a certificate showing you have passed an approved driver education course that
meets North Carolina requirements before you can take the test for a Learner Permit or License.
- The DMV reviews your driving record more closely and may contact you if you have certain types
of traffic violations or crashes.
- It is unlawful for a provisional licensee to drive a motor vehicle after or while consuming
alcohol or drugs - a conviction of such a violation will result in a one-year license revocation.
- A parent or legal guardian must sign for a minor.
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Limited Learner Permit:
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If you are at least 15 years of age and have completed an approved driver education course that meets North Carolina requirements and can present a Driving Eligibility Certificate (issued by the public school system), a high school diploma or its equivalent, you may apply for a Level One Limited Learner Permit to operate vehicles requiring a Class C License. You must also present proof of residency and your social security card.If you are not eligible for a Social Security card, you must provide documentation issued by the United States Government indicating legal presence.
- You must be at least 15 years old but less than 18 years old and reside in North Carolina.
- You must pass written, signs and vision tests.
- All passengers must be restrained by seatbelt or child safety seat.
- No one except the driver and the supervising driver are allowed in the front seat.
- During the first six months, a Level One permit authorizes you to drive between the hours of 5 a.m.
and 9 p.m. while accompanied by your supervising driver.
- Six months from Level One issuance, you are eligible to drive anytime with your supervising driver.
- 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.
Note: Before graduating to Level Two, you must keep this permit for at least 12 months and have no convictions of moving violations or seat belt/mobile telephone infractions within the preceding six months.
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Level Two Limited Provisional License:
- Drivers must be at least 16 years old, but less than 18.
- All passengers must be restrained by seat belt or child safety seat.
- Supervising driver must be seated beside the driver.
- You may drive without supervision from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. and at any time when driving directly to or from work or any volunteer fire, rescue or EMS (emergency medical service), if you are a member.
- When the 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 in the vehicle. This limit does not apply to passengers who are members of the license holder's immediate family or whose primary residence is the same household as the license holder. However, if a family member or member of the same household as the license holder who is younger than 21 years of age is a passenger in the vehicle, no other passengers under 21 years of age who are not member of the license holder's immediate family or members of the license holder's household, may be in the vehicle.
- 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.
Note: Before graduating to Level Three, you must keep this permit for at least 6 months and have no convictions of moving violations or seat belt/mobile telephone infractions within the preceding six months.
SUPERVISING DRIVER: A supervising driver must be a parent, grandparent, 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.
Level Three Full Provisional License:
- Upon completion of six months of driving with no convictions of moving violations or seat belt infractions, you are eligible to receive a Level Three License.
- The restrictions on level one and level two concerning time of driving, supervision and passenger limitations do not apply to a full provisional license.
- 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; or a law enforcement agency; your parent, legal guardian or spouse.
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Did You Know?
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NC SMARTLINK
NC DOT
NC GOV
Commercial Carriers
