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- 25 questions, 20 to pass
- 9 of 12 signs
- Retake after 7 days
Quick guide: your situation and what to bring
A table to check before you go. The detail for each item is further down.
| Your situation | Identity | Social Security number | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. citizen, first license | Certified birth certificate with a raised seal, a valid U.S. passport or a naturalization certificate. | Social Security card, or a W-2, 1099 or pay stub with the full number. | Two different documents with your name and your North Carolina address (utility bill, bank statement, lease, and others). |
| Permanent resident (Green Card) | The Green Card (I-551). | Social Security card, or a W-2, 1099 or pay stub with the full number. | |
| Moving from another state | One of the documents above. | Social Security card, or a W-2, 1099 or pay stub with the full number. |
These rows are a general guide, and your case may have details: confirm with the NCDMV. If you are unsure about your set of documents, bring more rather than less.
The steps
- Gather your documents (list below).
- Study the official NC Driver Handbook and practice. A teen under 18 starts with a learner's permit.
- Book an appointment on the official NCDMV appointments page, up to seven days ahead, or go without one.
- At the office: vision test, road sign test and knowledge test.
- Take the road test on the road.
- Pay the fee and receive your license.
Moving to North Carolina from another state
If you moved to North Carolina, the law gives you 60 days from the day you become a resident to get a North Carolina license (G.S. 20-7(a)). You bring the same documents as any other applicant, including two proofs of your new North Carolina address, such as a lease and a utility bill.
Applying for a North Carolina driver license or learner's permit cancels the licenses and permits you hold from other states, through the State-to-State Verification program. The NCDMV pages we checked do not say that an out-of-state license replaces any of the tests, so ask your driver license office whether you will take them again.
Documents
| Document | What is required |
|---|---|
| Identity and age | One of these: a certified birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, a permanent resident card (I-551), an employment authorization document (I-766) or a naturalization certificate. |
| Social Security number (SSN) | The original Social Security card, or a W-2, a 1099 or a pay stub with the full number. |
| Residency in North Carolina | Two different documents with your name and your address: a utility bill, bank statement, lease, vehicle registration, insurance policy, and others. |
| Insurance | Proof of liability insurance from an insurer licensed in North Carolina. You can bring it printed or upload a digital copy at the office. |
Bring recent documents. For a teen learner's permit, the lists are in the NC learner's permit guide.
The tests
| Test | What it is |
|---|---|
| Vision test | The standard is 20/40 or better. If you wear glasses or contacts, the license will say so. |
| Road sign test | For Class C: identify 9 of 12 signs by shape and color. Review the NC road signs. |
| Knowledge test | 25 multiple-choice questions on traffic laws and safe driving. You pass with 20 correct. |
| Road test | A demonstration on the road that you drive safely. |
The NCDMV says oral tests are available on request, and that the knowledge test is offered in different languages.
If you do not pass the knowledge test or the driving test, you may retake it in seven calendar days.
Costs and validity
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Class C license | $6.50 per year of validity. An eight-year license costs $52. |
| Learner permit | $25.50 |
| Validity | Eight years for people ages 18 to 65, and five years for people 66 and older. |
Fees change. Confirm the current amount on ncdot.gov before you go.
Social Security number and legal presence
North Carolina asks for a valid Social Security number (G.S. 20-7(b1)). If you are not eligible for one, you bring U.S. government documents that prove your legal presence instead, for example a visa with an I-94 (printed at i94.cbp.dhs.gov), an EAD (I-766), a Green Card or an I-797 approval notice, and the license is issued for no longer than your authorized stay (G.S. 20-7(s)). An ITIN is not accepted. See the NCDMV list: Proving Legal Presence. A person with no legal status cannot get a North Carolina license.
Two proofs of North Carolina residency
You need two different documents, both with your name and your North Carolina address. It is best if they are recent, from the last 60 to 90 days. The NCDMV does not publish a strict 60-day rule on its official page, but offices prefer recent documents. Examples that work:
- A utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet or cable).
- A lease or a mortgage statement.
- A bank statement.
- A letter from your employer on letterhead.
- An enrollment letter from a school or university.
- A tax return.
- Your vehicle registration.
- An insurance policy.
Additional documents
- If your vision is below the standard, you may need Form DL-77 from a vision specialist to apply for a restricted license.
- If you want a REAL ID license, the document categories are the same, but the requirements are stricter: see the NCDMV REAL ID page.
What to bring on the day
- All of your original documents.
- Money or a card for the fee, and proof of liability insurance. Confirm the current amounts on ncdot.gov.
- Your glasses or contacts, if you use them: the vision standard is 20/40 or better in at least one eye, and corrective lenses are noted as a restriction on the license.
In the same visit you take the knowledge test: 25 questions, 20 correct, plus the separate road sign test (9 of 12). The full format is in how many questions are on the test and the step-by-step process is in how to get an NC driver's license.
Get ready before your appointment. Check your level with the free test. For more practice, the full set has 400 questions with explanations. Living near Charlotte? Read the Charlotte DMV guide.
Take the free 25-question test
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to get a driver license in North Carolina?
Proof of identity and age, your Social Security number (or documents that prove legal presence if you are not eligible for one), two proofs of North Carolina residency and proof of liability insurance. Confirm the current list on the NCDMV site.
How many questions are on the test and how many do I need to pass?
The knowledge test has 25 questions and you pass with 20 correct. On the road sign test, for a Class C license, you must identify 9 of 12 signs.
What happens if I do not pass?
The NCDMV says that applicants who do not pass the knowledge test or the driving test for a regular Class C license may retake it in seven calendar days.
I just moved to North Carolina. How long do I have to get a North Carolina license?
The law gives you 60 days from the day you become a North Carolina resident (G.S. 20-7(a)). Applying for a North Carolina license cancels the license you hold from your old state.
Can I use copies of my documents?
The NCDMV asks for original documents. For example, the Social Security card must be the original, not a photocopy or a laminated card.
What if my Social Security card is laminated?
A laminated card is not accepted. You can bring a W-2, a 1099 or a pay stub that shows your full number instead.
I just moved and I do not have two proofs of residency. What do I do?
The accepted list is wide. Besides utility bills, a bank statement, a lease, an insurance policy, or a letter from your employer or school also work. Gather two of them that show your name and your North Carolina address.
How much does a driver license cost?
A Class C license costs $6.50 for each year of validity, which is $52 for an eight-year license. The learner permit costs $25.50. Confirm the current fees on the NCDMV site.
Can I get a license with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number?
No. North Carolina does not accept an ITIN for a driver license. If you are not eligible for a Social Security number, you present U.S. government documents that prove your legal presence instead.
Driver-Prep is an independent project. It is not affiliated with the NCDMV or the NCDOT.