Drivers’ Education

FAQs About Driver Education from NCDNPE

Jordan Driving School (704.566.9900) offers Driver Education classes to homeschooled students; normally there is a class every 2-3 months. Watch for announcements of upcoming classes. NOTE: Students must have reached age 14 ½ by the first day of class and must attend every class. They must bring a birth certificate to the first class meeting, as well as lunch, pencil and paper each day. The Lees have worked with the homeschool community for years; contact info.

The Career Center (Central Academy of Technology and Arts, 600 Brewer Drive, Monroe) offers Driver Education classes that meet for 2 hours each afternoon during the class period. No preregistration is required. Arrive at the Career Center at in Monroe at 3:45 pm with your student. You must provide a birth certificate and proof of enrollment (Driver Eligibility Certificate). Students must be at least 14 1/2 years old. All classes are filled by older students first and then first come, first served. Call the Career Center at 704-296-3088 for upcoming classes.

Driver Ed classes are now being held at Union Academy, 675 North M L King Jr. Blvd [use 2218 Weddington Road for Mapquest], Monroe , NC 28110.  Classes are available to Union County residents attending Union Academy , private and home schools. Please call the Upper Campus at 704.238.8883 to add your student to the list. Click here for 2008-2009 schedule.

Professional race car driver Jeff Payne founded and developed Driver's Edge, an innovative and free youth driver's education program. It is hands-on experience in controlled simulations of dangerous driving situations. You must have a valid permit or license and be under 21 to participate. You can sign up to be notified when a class will be offered in the Charlotte area. Feedback on these courses has been really positive.

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Getting a North Carolina License

When the under-age-18 student is ready to go to the local North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles office to obtain his driver's permit or license, the student must present to DMV the student's birth certificate, the official State of North Carolina Driver Education course completion certificate, the official State of North Carolina Driving Eligibility Certificate (DEC) and his social security number. 

FAQs About Driving Eligibilty Certificate from NCDNPE

The student must be registered with the DNPE or with a recognized school in NC until he has graduated from high school in order to receive and maintain his DEC.

Once the student has completed and passed the course and finished the driving portion of the class, the homeschool administrator will need to contact the DNPE to obtain a DEC. This applies to North Carolina residents attending school out of state, attending non-public schools, or homeschools, as well as those attending North Carolina public schools.

Pursuant to N.C. General Statues 20-11, the Driver License Section cannot issue a license or limited learner’s permit to a person under age 18 unless the person provides proof of high school graduation (or its equivalent) or unless the person is enrolled in school and making adequate progress towards graduation.

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

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Driver’s License Requirements

North Carolina has enacted a Graduated Driver License law that affects persons under age 18. It consists of three levels: Limited Learner Permit, Limited Provisional License and Full Provisional License.

Limited Learner Permit

• If you are at least 15 years of age and have completed an approved driver education course, you may apply for a Level One Limited Learner Permit to operate vehicles requiring a Class C License.

• 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.

• Note: Before graduating to Level Two, you must keep this permit for at least 12 months and have no moving violations or seat belt infractions within the preceding six months.

Click here to learn in which states your permit is valid -- note that you may NOT drive in South Carolina with a North Carolina permit.

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).

• Note: Before graduating to Level Three, you must keep this license for at least 6 months and have no moving violations or seat belt infractions within the preceding six months.

Full Provisional License

• Upon completion of six months of driving with no moving violations or seat belt infractions, you are eligible to receive a Level Three License.

The Provisional License

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 before you can take the driver license test.

• You must also present a Driver Eligibility Certificate, High School Diploma or Equivalent.

• 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 license revocation period of one year.

• If moving from another state, the supervising driver must be able to certify to at least five years licensed driving experience.

• A parent or legal guardian must sign for a minor.

• A Motor Vehicle Report from your prior state(s) of residence may be required