In North Carolina, youths under age 18 must pass through the state's graduated driver licensing (GDL) system. GDL involves three progressively more responsible levels of licensure:
I. Limited Learner's Permit
A person who is 15 or older and has passed an approved driver education class may obtain a limited learner's permit. Under a limited learner's permit, a person:
� Must drive only while supervised by a parent, guardian or other
person approved by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
� Must drive only from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the first six months.
� Must maintain a clean driving record for six continuous months in order to progress to a limited provisional license.
� All persons riding with a limited learner's permit holder must wear seat belts.
II. Limited Provisional License
A person who has held a limited learner's permit for at least 12 months and maintained a clean driving record for six continuous months graduates to the next level and may obtain a limited provisional license. Under a limited provisional license, a person:
� May drive unsupervised from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
� May drive after 9 p.m. only while supervised, unless driving directly to or from work.
� Must maintain a clean driving record for six continuous months in order to progress to a full provisional license.
� All persons riding with a limited provisional license holder must wear seat belts.
III. Full Provisional License
A person who has held a limited provisional permit for at least six months and maintained a clean driving record for six continuous months graduates to the next level and will receive a full provisional license. Under a full provisional license, a person:
� May drive unsupervised at any time.
� All persons riding with a full provisional license holder must wear seat belts. Ways a Youth's Driver's Permit or License may be Suspended under the "Lose Control Lose Your License Law", a student's driver's permit or license will be suspended for one year whenever the student is given an expulsion/suspension or an assignment to an alternative educational setting for more than 10 consecutive days for one or more of the following reasons:
� The possession or sale of an alcoholic beverage or illegal controlled substance on school property.
� The possession or use on school property of a weapon or firearm that resulted in disciplinary action under G.S. 115-C-391(d1) or that could have resulted in that disciplinary action if the conduct occurred in a public school.
� The physical assault on a teacher or other school personnel on
school property. Students who are at least 14 years old or who are rising 8th graders on or after July 1, 2000 are subject to this law.
The "Dropout Prevention/Driver's License Law" reflects an effort
to motivate and encourage students to complete high school. A student's driver's permit or license will be revoked if the student is unable to maintain adequate academic progress or drops out of school. The law is directed to all North Carolina students under the age of 18 who attend public school, federal school, home school, private school or community college and are eligible for a driving permit or license.
46. Is a parent's signature required for a minor to obtain a driver's license?
Yes, North Carolina law requires that a parent or guardian sign a minor's application for a driver's license.
47. What identifying documents are required for a youth to obtain a driver's license?
The applicant's birth certificate or some other acceptable proof of identity and date of birth must be presented to the examiner. If a birth certificate is unavailable, the applicant must show the examiner two other documents of identification, with at least one form reflecting date of birth. A youth must also provide a certificate demonstrating successful completion of a driver education course.
48. Is any type of identification available for those not old enough to obtain a driver's license or for those who are old enough but do not have a license?
The Division of Motor Vehicles issues a special card to any person age 11 or older who desires a form of identification. To obtain such a card, an applicant must present the same types of documents that are required to obtain a driver's license.
49. May parents or guardians request the cancellation of their child's driver's license?
A parent may request the cancellation; however, this will be done only in order to require a re-examination for some special cause. A minor may choose to surrender his/her license by signing a voluntary surrender form available at the local driver's license office.
50. Is wearing seat belts mandatory?
Yes. Everyone in a car driven by someone under 18 must wear a seat belt. Violators may be fined. In addition, violators will be required to wait longer to graduate to the next level of licensure.
51. At what age can a youth qualify for automobile insurance?
Emancipated youths between ages 16 and 18 may enter into contracts and can therefore obtain automobile insurance. Youths not emancipated must be included on their parent's insurance policy.
52. May a youth purchase a car or motorcycle?
In North Carolina, it is necessary to have insurance before purchasing a car or motorcycle. A youth who is insured and has the resources to purchase a car may make such a purchase but should be careful not to create a debt that he/she cannot pay off. There may be restrictions on a youth obtaining an automobile lease or a loan, such as requiring an adult to guar- antee the debt.
53. Is a driver's license required to operate a motorcycle?
In North Carolina, a motorcycle license is required. To obtain that endorsement in addition to a driver's license, it is necessary to take a written and an off-street skill test for motorcycles.
54. Are there any special requirements for motorcycles?
In North Carolina, the driver and all passengers on a motorcycle must wear safety helmets. The motorcycle's headlight must always be on when the vehicle is in operation.
55. Is it lawful to operate a motorized bicycle or moped on roads and highways in North Carolina?
It is lawful to operate a motorized bicycle on public roads in North Carolina if the operator is at least 16 years old.
56. Are motorized bicycles required to be registered in North Carolina?
Motorized bicycles are governed by the same laws as regular bicycles. They are not required to be registered and the operator is not required to wear a safety helmet, but it is wise to wear one.
57. Are there any regulations for bicycles in North Carolina?
Bicycles and motorized bicycles are legal moving vehicles. After dark, they must have a white light on the front visible from 300 feet and red lights on the rear visible from 200 feet. Like automobile operators, bicycle operators must obey all traffic laws. For example, bicycle operators must drive on the right side of the road, stop at stop signs and red lights, and yield to pedestrians.