The Teen License and Its Curfew
G.S. 20-11 — level 2 drives alone from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with one young passenger
A limited learner's permit allows driving only between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. for its first six months, with a supervising driver. Level 2, the limited provisional license, is for a person at least 16 years old but less than 18 who has held the permit, has no moving violation or seat belt infraction in the preceding six months, and has logged at least 60 hours, 10 of them at night.
Who handles this in North Carolina: North Carolina Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the North Carolina directory.
| Level 2 rule | The detail |
|---|---|
| Level 2 ruleDriving without a supervising driver | The detailFrom 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., or to and from work, or a volunteer fire, rescue or emergency medical activity as a member |
| Level 2 rulePassengers when unsupervised | The detailNo more than one under 21, not counting immediate family or members of the household |
| Level 2 ruleSeat belts | The detailEvery person in the vehicle belted or in a child restraint |
| Level 2 rulePhones | The detailNo mobile phone use while driving |
Level 3, the full provisional license, and the penalties for breaking these limits are in the same section, not set out here. A curfew that keeps a minor off the street is set locally where it exists. A particular ticket is a question for a licensed North Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 20-11 — Limited learner permit and provisional license for persons under 18
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.