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## New Residents Between the Ages of 15 and 18 Years 

If you are a new resident moving into North Carolina and are 15 but less than 18 years old and have a learner permit, a restricted license or an unrestricted license, you should contact your local driver license office to determine which type of license or learner permit you are eligible to apply for. 

## The Provisional Licensee 

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 consisting of at least 30 hours classroom instruction and six hours behind-the-wheel instruction that meets North Carolina requirements before you can take the test for a learner permit or license. 

• The DMV reviews your driving record more closely and may contact you if you have certain types of traffic convictions or crashes. 

• It is unlawful for a provisional licensee to drive a motor vehicle after or while consuming any amount of alcohol or drugs — a conviction of such a violation will result in a one-year license revocation. 

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

• You are not permitted to use a cellphone. 

• You are not permitted to operate a vehicle while manually entering multiple letters or text as a means of communicating or read any electronic mail or text message. 

• Every person occupying a vehicle in motion must have a safety belt properly fastened when the vehicle is in motion. 

## Thinking Of Dropping Out? 

Driver license applicants less than 18 years old must have a Driving Eligibility Certificate, high school diploma or its equivalent to be eligible for a North Carolina driving permit or license. The Driving Eligibility Certificate must be signed by the applicant’s school administrator who certifies that the applicant is currently enrolled in school and making progress toward a high school diploma; or that substantial hardship would be placed on the applicant or the applicant’s family if he or she does not receive a driver license. The steps in graduated licensing must still be followed even if the Driving Eligibility Certificate is issued due to hardship conditions. North Carolina does not issue a hardship driving permit or license. 

DMV must revoke the driver license of any person under age 18 when it receives notice from the proper school authority that the person is no longer eligible for a Driving Eligibility Certificate. This revocation remains in effect until the person’s 18th birthday unless a Driving Eligibility Certificate, high school diploma or GED Certificate is obtained. 

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