Q: What are the requirements for Driver’s Education?

A: To enroll in Driver’s Education, you must be 14½ years old on the first day of class. Completion of the Driver’s Education curriculum includes 30 hours of classroom training and 6 hours of behind the wheel training.

Q: When do I actually get to drive?

A: Upon completion of the class, students are placed in driving order by their date of birth from oldest to the youngest. You will typically get a call from your instructor within 30 to 90 days after completion of the classroom phase. The behind- the-wheel training generally takes 3 to 4 days to complete. Instructors drive mornings, afternoons, evenings and Saturdays. The instructor will do their best to work around any scheduling conflicts you may have.  

Q: I’ve successfully completed Driver’s Ed. Now how do I get my permit?

A:

• • The instructor will issue the completion certificate on the student’s final day of behind the wheel training. This certificate will be valid proof that the student has completed the state requirements for driver education in NC.
  • It is the responsibility of the student/parent to get a DEC (Driver Eligibility Certificate). This certificate is issued by the high school, not the instructor. This verifies that the student is meeting the standards of the adequate progress law.
  • Certified or original copy of birth certificate and Social Security Card.
  • The NCDMV cost to issue a learners permit is $21.50.
  • Parent must sign the application for permit at the DMV.
  • Students must pass the NC DMV written test as well as successfully identify a group of road signs. Each student will also have their vision checked during this time.

Q: What is the “Adequate Progress” law?

A: On August 1, 1998 North Carolina’s Dropout Prevention and Adequate Progress Law came into effect. This law was passed to help motivate and encourage better grades and high school completion. Students must pass 70% of their courses to receive or maintain their permit and/or license. This means they must pass three out of four classes on the block schedule.

If they fail to meet these requirements the Division of Motor Vehicles will be notified and the student’s driving privileges will be revoked until the student provides a Driver Eligibility Certificate, which provides proof that adequate progress has been accomplished. Driver Eligibility Certificates are given to students that complete Driver Education and have met the Adequate Progress rules and regulations. Student’s grades are reported by the school after the first semester and at the end of the year. The principal or his/her designee provides these certificates. You cannot receive a Driver Eligibility Certificate from your Driver Education Instructor. 

Q: What is the “Graduated Licensing” law?

A:
LEVEL I

• • Limited Learner’s Permit involves parent, guardians, and/or other responsible drivers in the training of young drivers.
  • Must be 15 or older, complete driver’s education and obtain limited learner’s permit.
  • For at least 12 months, the Level I driver must be supervised by parent, guardian or other approved licensed driver who has been licensed at least five years.
  • All people in vehicle driven by the Level I driver must wear a seat belt and only the supervisor can ride in the front seat.
  • For the first six months, a Level I driver may only drive from 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. with his/her supervisor.
  • For the second six months, a Level I driver may drive at any time with his/her supervisor.
  • The Level I driver must have no violations during the last six months to graduate to the next level.

LEVEL II

• • Limited Provisional License protects young drivers during the night time hours when they are most at risk.
  • Unsupervised driving is allowed between 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. or when driving to or from work.
  • Unsupervised driving is also allowed to or from an activity of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad or volunteer emergency medical service if the driver is a member of the organization.
  • Supervised driving is allowed at any time.
  • All people in a vehicle driven by a Level II driver must wear a seatbelt.
  • The Level II driver must have six months of violation-free driving to graduate to the next level.

LEVEL III

Full Provisional License rewards violation-free driving.

• • Unsupervised driving is allowed at any time.
  • The Level III driver is subject to all other conditions of provisional license.

Q: What is the “Lose Control Lose Your License” law?

A:
When did the law become effective?
The law became effective July 1, 2000.

What Does the Law Do?
The law will suspend a student’s permit or license for one year. The legislation directs public schools, community colleges, and nonpublic schools to notify the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles whenever a student is given an expulsion/suspension for more than 10 consecutive days or an assignment to an alternative educational setting for more than 10 consecutive days for one of the following reasons:

1. 1. The possession or sale of an alcoholic beverage or an illegal controlled substance on school property.
   2. The possession or use on school property of a weapon or firearm that resulted in disciplinary action under G.S. 115C-391(d1) or that could have resulted in that disciplinary action if the conduct had occurred in a public school.
   3. The physical assault on a teacher or other school personnel on school property.

What is School Property?
The physical premises of the school, school buses or other vehicles under the school’s control or contract and that are used to transport students, and school-sponsored or school-related activities that occur on or off the physical premises of the school.

What About Students Who Turn 18?
“Dropout Prevention/Driver’s License” law that stops when a student turns 18 years old, the “Lose Control” law does not stop at age 18. It is possible for a student to have his or her license suspended as a 17½ year old. If a student is unable to demonstrate exemplary behavior, then he or she will be 18½ before being eligible to drive.
Refer to the schedules page to find out about classes in your area.

Q: What is North Carolina Driving School’s Inclement Weather Policy?

If your area is experiencing inclement weather conditions, North Carolina Driving School will always abide by the decision made by your local school system.

Therefore, if school is closed then there will be no classroom or behind the wheel sessions that day. If the schools are on a two hour delay, then there will be no morning classroom or behind the wheel. If inclement weather takes place on a Saturday session, please call your instructor or our home office at 800-375-6550, but usually these sessions will be canceled and rescheduled.

**School systems typically announce their closing decisions on your local news channel, local radio stations and on the school system web page.