How many practice hours do you need in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, a learner driver must log 60 hours of supervised driving practice—including 10 at night—before applying for a license.
North Carolina learner permit requirements
- Minimum permit age: 15
- Supervised practice required: 60 hours total, 10 at night (what counts as night driving)
- Permit hold period: 9 months
- License eligibility age: 16
- How hours are certified: NCDMV Form DL-4A (driving log of 60 hours, 10 at night), signed by a supervising driver licensed at least five years. DriveMint fills in the DL-4A Driving Log from your logged drives (see every state form).
During Level 1 (Limited Learner Permit), drivers must complete 60 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) and hold the permit for at least 9 months before moving to Level 2. No more than 10 hours per week count toward the 60. The official log is NCDMV Form DL-4A; NCDMV currently accepts digital and printed copies at the Level 2 road test. You also need a clean record: no moving violation or seat belt / mobile phone convictions in the previous six months.
When can you drive with a permit in North Carolina?
For the first six months of a North Carolina Level 1 learner permit, you can drive only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., always with your supervising driver beside you. After six months you can drive at any hour, still supervised. At Level 2, driving alone is limited to 5 a.m.–9 p.m. again.
With your supervising driver beside you.
Not allowed.
With your supervising driver beside you.
Allowed, with your supervising driver beside you.
Alone, with one passenger under 21 from outside your household (plus one student going to or from school).
Only with a supervising driver, or driving directly to or from work or a volunteer fire, rescue or EMS activity you belong to.
- A supervising driver is a parent, grandparent or guardian, or a responsible person approved by them or by NCDMV, and must have been licensed for at least five years.
- On a Level 1 permit, the supervising driver is the only person allowed in the front seat, and everyone in the car must be buckled.
- Driving outside the allowed hours, or without the required supervisor, counts as driving without a license under North Carolina law.
Night hours on the DL-4A log mean after sunset, not after 9 p.m. In the first six months, all 10 night hours have to fit between sunset and 9 p.m. That's easy in December, when the sun sets around 5 p.m., and tight in late June, when it sets after 8:30 p.m.
Checked against N.C. General Statute §20-11 in October 2026. Limits after the road test are under restrictions for new drivers.
Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the NC DMV before applying.
Still need to pass the North Carolina permit test?
Before the practice hours comes the permit test. Drive Prep NC has 355 practice questions from the official NC Driver's Handbook, in 11 languages, with topic-by-topic study and a readiness score.
Practice for the North Carolina permit test with Drive Prep NC →North Carolina's graduated licensing stages
Drive only with a supervising adult; log 60 hours (10 at night) and hold the permit at least 9 months.
Drive unsupervised 5 a.m.–9 p.m.; one young passenger limit applies.
Issued after 6 months at Level 2 with a clean record; restrictions removed.
Driving restrictions for new North Carolina drivers
At Level 2 (Limited Provisional) you may drive unsupervised only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.; outside those hours a supervising driver must be present, unless you're driving directly to or from work or a volunteer fire, rescue or EMS activity.
At Level 2, driving unsupervised, you may carry only one passenger under 21 who isn't a member of your household — plus one more if you're driving them directly to or from school. No limit if everyone is from your household.
Drivers under 18 may not use a mobile phone while driving.
North Carolina learner permit guide
- 1How many hours?
60 hours of supervised driving before Level 2. Details
- 2How many night hours?
10 of those 60 must be at night (after sunset). Details
- 3How long must you hold the permit?
At least 9 months at Level 1. Details
- 4What counts as nighttime?
After sunset, while daylight is gone. Not the same as the 9 p.m. curfew. Details
- 5What form do I need?
NCDMV Form DL-4A, the driving log for Level 2. Details
- 6Can I use an app instead of paper?
NCDMV accepts digital and printed driving logs. DriveMint keeps the hours, then you export a PDF. Details
- 7How should parents track the hours?
Log from the passenger seat, watch the 10-hour weekly cap, and keep night hours separate. Details
Track all 60 hours automatically with DriveMint. No account. The log stays on the phone.
Log every North Carolina practice hour automatically
DriveMint tracks each supervised drive, separates day and night hours, and generates a PDF you can print or show at the DMV. Prove all 60 hours without a paper logbook falling apart in the glove box.
New to DriveMint? Watch the one-minute video guides, from setup to a signed log.
North Carolina driving practice FAQs
How many driving hours do you need in North Carolina?+
North Carolina requires 60 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.
What time can you drive with a permit in North Carolina?+
With a North Carolina Level 1 limited learner permit, you can drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. for the first six months, and at any time after that, always with a supervising driver in the front passenger seat. The supervisor must be a parent, grandparent or guardian, or a responsible person they or NCDMV approve, and must have been licensed for at least five years. At Level 2 (limited provisional license), you can drive alone from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., or directly to or from work or a volunteer fire, rescue or EMS activity; at other hours you need a supervising driver.
What are North Carolina's GDL levels?+
Level 1 (Limited Learner Permit) at 15, Level 2 (Limited Provisional) at 16, and Level 3 (Full Provisional) at 16½ after a clean six months at Level 2.
Can I drive after 9 p.m. with a Level 2 license?+
Only with a supervising driver, or when driving directly to or from work or a volunteer fire, rescue or EMS activity you belong to. Otherwise unsupervised driving is limited to 5 a.m.–9 p.m.
How long do I have to hold a Level 1 permit in North Carolina?+
At least 9 months, and you must log 60 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) during that time. You also need no moving violation or seat belt / mobile phone convictions in the previous six months before moving up to Level 2.
What is NC Form DL-4A?+
DL-4A is NCDMV's Driving Log to Advance to a Level 2 Limited Provisional License. It records each session's date, day or night time, hours, and the supervising driver's name and license. Official PDF: ncdot.gov/dmv/downloads/Documents/DL-4A.pdf.
Can I count more than 10 hours in one week?+
You can practice more, but G.S. 20-11 says no more than 10 hours per week count toward the 60-hour total. A week with 15 logged hours can get the whole log questioned.
Does NCDMV accept a driving-log app instead of paper?+
NCDMV's Level 2 page says digital and printed copies of the driving log are accepted at the road test. DriveMint exports a PDF with totals and a session breakdown. Confirm current rules with NCDMV before you go.
North Carolina permit guides
Requirements in other states
Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.