North Carolina Drivers License

The State of North Carolina required a new driver to complete 2 steps before being able to obtain a Full Provisional Drivers License.

Level 1 (limited learner permit for operating vehicle requiring a Class C license)

1. You must be at least 15 years of age and completed a drivers’ education course. This course must be one that meets North Carolina Requirements.

2. You must also present a Driving Eligibility Certificate. This Certificate is issued by the public school system. You may also present a high school diploma or its equivalent instead of the Certificate.

3. You must present present proof of residency and your social security card or documentation issued by the United States Government indicating legal presence.

4. You must pass written, signs and vision tests.

5. All passengers in your vehicles must be restrained by seatbelt or child safety seat.

6. No one except the driver and the supervising driver* are allowed in the front seat.

7. You are only to drive between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. while accompanied by your supervising driver* during the first six months of obtaining a Limited Learner Permit.

8. After six months, you are eligible to drive anytime with your supervising driver*.

*Supervising Driver: A supervising driver must be a parent, grandparent, guardian of the permit/license holder, or a responsible person approved by the parent or guardian. A supervising driver must hold a valid driver license and must have been licensed for at least five years.

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

Level 2 (limited provisional license)

1. You must be at least 16 years of age but less than 18 years of age.

2. All passengers must always be restrained by seat belt or child safety seat.

3. Supervising Driver* must be seated beside the driver

4. You are only to drive between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. or at any time when driving directly to or from work. You may also drive any time if you are a volunteer fire, rescue or EMS (emergency medical service) person. You may drive without supervision during these times and these instances.

5. You may not have more than one passenger under the age of 21 in the vehicle if you are not with your supervising driver*. The exception to this rule is that you may have any number of passengers as long as they are members of the license holder’s immediate family or live in the same primary residents. The catch for this is that if any member of your immediate family (or who resides in the same primary residence) is under the age of 21 you may not have any other passenger in the vehicle that is under the age of 21.

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

Level 3 (full provisional license – provisional licensees are drivers under the age of 18)

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

2. You must have a certificate that shows you have passed an approved driver education course that meets State of North Carolina requirements before you are able to take the test for a Learner Permit or License.

3. The Department of Motor Vehicles reviews the driving record of all Level 3 drivers more closely and may contact you if you have certain types of traffic violations or crashes.

4. It is unlawful for a Level 3 (provisional licensee) to drive a motor vehicle after or while consuming alcohol or drugs – a conviction of such a violation will result in a one-year license revocation.

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

Vermont Drivers License

The State of Vermont allows new drivers at the age of 15 to get a Learners Permit. You must, however, be accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, certified drivers education instructor or licensed person over the age of 25.

At the age of 15 you must maintain a clean driving record for a minimum of 6 months in order to get a Junior Operator License. You may carry passengers but you must not charge the passengers; you may not drive for employment; and you may not get more than three points on your driving record.

You must also complete forty hours of driving time, ten of those hours must be during night time conditions. You must also submit a Driving Practice Log Sheet to prove that you have completed this requirement along with your application for a Junior Operator License.

You must also pass a road test

A Junior Operator License allows you to drive alone or with a properly licensed person. If you are driving with a licensed driver over the age of 25, you are allowed to transport as many passengers as you have seat belts for.

During the 2^nd three months of having your Junior Operator’s License, you may transport immediate family members in the front seat of your car.

After six months of having your Junior Operator’s License, you may drive a car containing as many passengers as you have proper restraints for.

You must be 18 in order to obtain a full license, and must not have any recalls, suspensions or revocations for a period not less than six months.

The Vermont Drivers License Manual will help you prepare for your written tests as well as your knowledge of road signs and safety rules.

New Mexico Drivers License

In the State of New Mexico there is a three step, or phase, graduated drivers program. All first time drivers under the age of 18 must go through all three steps until they have completed all the requirements for an Unrestricted License.

1: Instructional Permit:

1. You must be at least 15 years of age.

2. You will need to pass a knowledge test as well as a vision test and must have your parents, or guardians, permission.

3. You will be able to drive as long as there is another driver who is over the age of 21 in the vehicle with you.

4. While keeping this permit for six months you must also be enrolled in and attending a driver education course. This course includes DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) education as well as practice driving.

5. Before you are able to participate in the next step you must have approval by an instructor or a driver who has been licensed for at least three years and is over the age of 21.

2: Provisional License Program:

1. You must have held the Instructional permit at least six months.

2. This Program allows you to drive without supervision after 5 a.m. and before Midnight.

3. You must complete not less than fifty hours of practice driving. This includes not less than ten hours of nighttime driving. Your parent or guardian must agree that you have completed the practice portion.

4. You will also need to pass a written test, a road test, and a vision screening.

5. You must be no younger than 15 years and 6 months, of course holding the instructional permit for at least 6 months.

6. If convicted of any traffic violation in the 90 days prior to applying for your Provisional License you will be disapproved.

7. You must only operate a motor vehicle on public highways between 5 a.m. and midnight.

8. You can drive at any hour if:

   1. you are accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years or

   2. Are required by family necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian;

   3. Are required by medical necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian

   4. Are driving to and from work as evidenced by a signed statement from your employer;

   5. You are driving to and from school or a religious activity as evidenced by a signed statement of a school, religious official or a parent or guardian,

   6. Or if it is required due to a medical emergency.

You may find the New Mexico Drivers Handbook helpful in preparing for your permit and the written tests.

Alabama Drivers Education

A new driver in the state of Alabama must obtain a Learners License (or drivers license depending upon your age) before you begin driving.

If you wish to drive a motorcycle, you can get your license at the age of 14.

If you wish to drive a vehicle (car, truck, etc) you are able to obtain a Learners’ License at the age of 15.

At the age of 16 you are able to get a Class D drivers license.

As always you can confirm any of this information with the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Okay now you must have two (2) forms of identification to apply for a new drivers’ license.

They include the following but you must also know that if you cannot provide any type of photo identification you will need three (3) forms of identification.

* Birth Certificate (certified)
* Social Security Card
* Valid Passport
* Alabama Identification card
* Naturalization papers

Now that you have the identification you will also need:

* Proof of insurance for your vehicle (including motorcycle)

* If you are transferring your drivers license from another state, you should be prepared to present that drivers license along with your Social Security card and one additional form of identification (remember to see the list above)

* You will need to have $28.00 cash which you will bring to the Alabama Department of Safety ($5.00 testing fee as well as $23.00 licensing fee) (they are able to take a Debit or Check Card if you parents are along)

*If you are under the age of 19, you must provide a completed enrollment form or proof of graduation

Of course before you are able to take you drivers test you will need to get the State of Alabama’s Drivers Handbook. You can contact the Alabama Department of Safety for a copy.

The Drivers handbook will not only give you instructions on how to apply for your license it will also give you Alabama’s rules of the road.

As a teen drivers, you are also required to complete thirty (30) hours of driving time or to pass a drivers education course which must be state approved. You will need to provide verification forms to prove that you’ve met these requirements.

Another reason for Drivers Education

If you were to do the research I’m sure that more than 75% of states required a new driver to take a drivers education course; and, of course, successfully pass it. Some states require the course to be taken before getting a learners’ permit while others allow a new driver to immediately get their license.

Many insurance companies lower the insurance for the person after successfully taking a course and some states allow a driver to take a drivers education course in order to remove traffic violations.

Drivers education courses give an overview of driving and more importantly the particulars of driving a vehicle, road signs, possible ways to avoid hazards including driving in the rain etc.

I know I took a drivers’ education course and it helped me tremendously. I was more confident behind the wheel, more relaxed and able to pay attention to the road far easier than if I had a family member teach me.

There are various ways to take a drivers education course. With the internet so widely used there are many schools online that offer the course at a price with teachers available online so it’s convenient for the person (and parent). Instead of taking the person to the DMV office they are able to take the test online as well and the certificate is mailed to the home.

Windshield & Mirrors – do you clean them?

I was driving behind someone the other day and caught a glare off THEIR windshield. The inside was a mess. I may not be a cleaning nut but REALLY how do you see out of a filthy windshield. Even the frailest of us can clean the windows of a car. Granted you can get the outside done by going through the carwash (and you should if you don’t do it yourself. Mother Nature can only clean so much off your car) but the inside needs to be cleaned as well. Let’s not discuss vacuuming or just generally get the junk out of the car that’s another discussion to have another time.

Taking some Windex (or whichever window cleaner your prefer) and some paper towels and spending say 15 minutes cleaning your windows monthly will help your visibility so immensely which in turn will do a great deal in the prevention of an accident. Oh the old standby of using old newspaper is still a great tip! The ink really does help clean your windows better.

I again use Rainex on the outside of the windows once a month. I may skip the rest of the windows but the windshield is done faithfully. I find it increases my visibility in the elements immensely. On several occasions of rain I didn’t even need my wipers running to see.

As you’re learning to drive or taking driving lessons it’s helpful to stash these little tips in your manual! Enjoy!
Oh and let’s discuss stickers in the windows. You remember your third break light in the rear window – it’s meant to be seen by the driver behind you. Putting a sticker there doesn’t do anything for their view.

Nebraska Drivers Education Requirements

Drivers Ed is required for all new drivers regardless of age. In Nebraska, most new drivers are teens and before they attempt to get a license they must take an approved drivers education course.

Teens now have the variety of online driver’s education. While those born in the 1980s had to go to driver’s education classes either at the Department of Motor Vehicles or at their high school (or wherever offered), now teens can either start their learning encounter, wrap it up, or improve on the knowledge they already have by accessing online driver’s education courses. Most states offer driver’s education online for teens (and adults), and, in this hi-tech era, this is a great way to get the interest of untested drivers. Perhaps, in time, the number of accidents including teens and the number of teen deaths owing to automobile accidents will be erased on the whole. Much effort is needed to perfect driver’s education systems, but it is an evolving work for future generations.

New Hampshire Drivers Education Requirements

Whether you take an approved self-study course or formal driver’s education training, the state of New Hampshire requires that you meet certain criteria before being issued a learner’s permit or driver’s license for the first time. Teens account for a much higher percentage of accidents than do most other age groups, so being sure that the teen driver understands the laws of the road and the consequences of breaking those laws, both in human life and monetary consequences.

A minimum of 30 hours must be taken in classroom study before a learner’s permit will be issued. An additional 10 hours of driving time and 10 hours of driving observation time are also required in order to complete the required training. The last requirement in order to receive your learner’s permit is a minimum of 20 hours of logged driving time outside of the classroom. This can be achieved by driving with your parent or legal guardian that is at least 25 years of age.

While a learner’s permit is not a requirement to drive in the state of New Hampshire, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months old before you can lawfully drive a car. At least one parent is normally present when driving without an official driver’s license, but whoever is riding in the front passenger seat must be at least a licensed driver aged 25 years old or older. Likewise, those driving while under the age of 18 are limited to one passenger under age 25 unless there is at least one person aged 25 or older supervising.”

New Jersey Drivers Education Requirements

New Jersey is a participant in the popular graduated licensing program. This series was designed with the intentions of helping teens learn small responsibilities before they take on large ones, in order to reduce the numbers of young people who have either had an accident or are injured or killed in one (or all three). Pairing of this system with a state-approved driver’s education program helps it to work successfully.

Drivers must be both 16 and enrolled in a driver’s education course or at least a minimum of 17 years old before they can get their learner’s permit. On this note, driver’s education is not required if the teenager is willing to wait until they are 17 years old before driving. Learning drivers may only drive under the supervision of a licensed adult, and those under the age of 18 cannot use cell phones unless it is an emergency. Additionally, time restrictions apply and those driving with a learner’s permit must wear a seat belt at all times (though this should be done no matter how old you are).

While New Jersey does not have as many regulations as many states in the United States, New Jersey still cares about its teen drivers. Driver’s education courses are not required for those over 16, but are highly recommended as a means of gaining valuable training and insight for those wishing to become more responsible members of the driving community and those wishing to protect passengers riding with them and in other vehicles around them.

New Mexico Drivers Education Requirements

New Mexico has one of the most alarming driving statistics in America. The second-highest numbers of deaths recorded by the state of New Mexico are due to automobile accidents for teens and teen drivers. For this reason, the graduated licensing program was established. In order to help teens become aware of the causes and consequences of poor driving decisions, implementation of this program had to take place.

In New Mexico, beginning drivers must be at least 15 years old and have either completed or at the least be enrolled in a state-approved driver’s education course. While you have your learner’s permit, you must be accompanied at all times in the front passenger seat by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old or older and has held a valid driver’s license for no less than three years.

A state-approved driver’s education course should consist of at least 35 hours of classroom time. In addition, a minimum of at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training including 10 hours of night driving must be completed before the teen can apply for the first step in their graduated driver’s license. Parents or legal guardians should also be prepared to accompany students in the application process for their learner’s permit, and will be required to sign a statement that shows they have observed this driving experience.