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North Carolina Right to Drive

Privilege to Drive—North Carolina recognizes no “right to drive,” and instead has

developed a strict “privilege to drive” approach to violations of its motor vehicle laws

that can be unforgiving.

A. North Carolina Licenses

1. A person must hold a valid license by the North Carolina

Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), and must be in possession of that license, in

order to lawfully operate a motor vehicle in this state. NCGS § 20—7.

2. New Residents—with licenses issued by another jurisdiction, must

obtain a license from the NCDMV within 60 days after becoming a resident.

3. Motorcycles—require a valid license and a motorcycle

endorsement or a motorcycle learner’s permit.

4. Exemptions—NCGS § 20—8

(a). Any person operating a motor vehicle that is the property of

and in the service of the armed forces of the United States;

(b). Any person driving farm machinery on a highway; or

(c). A nonresident who is at least 16 years old who has in his

immediate possession a valid driver’s license issued to him by his home state or country.

5. Issuance of Limited Learner’s Permits, Limited Provisional

Driver’s Licenses, and Provisional Driver’s Licenses—see NCGS § 20—11 for the

details and restrictions of this three-phase licensing scheme for drivers under 18 years of

age.