Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) is designed to reduce crash risks for young new drivers by systematically providing them with more practical experience, gained under the safest possible conditions, before allowing them to drive on their own.

In a series of three levels, the new driver is permitted to drive in more challenging situations. With just a few alterations in the present licensing system, GDL will help reduce the number of young driver crashes.

If a beginning driver starts the licensing process at 15, and has no violations, he or she will be able to get a license by age 16½.

North Carolinians were educated on the issue, and the public—including parents, teen-agers and law enforcement—provided valuable input and support for GDL. Many teen-agers spoke at the forums and believed GDL was a good idea to help save lives, and provide more experience for the teens of tomorrow.

Level 1 - Limited Learner's Permit
Limited Learner's Permit involves parents, 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 1 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 Level 1 driver must wear a seat belt, and only the supervisor can ride in the front seat.
• For the first six months, a Level 1 driver may only drive from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with his or her supervisor.
• For the second six months, a Level 1 driver may drive at any time with his or her supervisor.
• The Level 1 driver must have no violations during the last six months to graduate to the next level.

Level 2 - Limited Provisional Level
The Limited Provisional License protects young drivers during the night time hours when they are most at risk.

• Unsupervised driving is allowed between 5 a.m. and 9 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 2 driver must wear a seat belt.
• The Level 2 driver must have six months of violation-free driving to graduate to the next level.

Level 3 - Full Provisional Level
The Full Provisional License rewards violation-free driving.

• Unsupervised driving is allowed at any time.
• Level 3 driver is subject to all other conditions of provisional license.

For More Information

Please note that the actual NC Graduated Drivers Licensing Law may vary from those of the various sources below. For NC Rules, Regulations and Licensing Information, please refer to the NC Drivers Handbook (PDF format).

Saving Teenage Lives

Why do we need Graduated Driver Licensing? An explaination by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Driving Programs

A look at Graduated Driver Licensing programs and why they are needed by The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA).

Graduated Driver Licensing System

A fact sheet on Graduated Driver Licensing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

TEENAGERS: Graduated Driver Licensing

Graduated Licensing “Q&A” by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

Graduated Licensing Explained

Graduated Driver Licensing concepts Explained by Auto and Road User Journal. (This article is reproduced with permission from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.)