The North Carolina Driver's Manual, available through the NCDOT Division of Motor Vehicles, states that drivers under age 18 are provisional licensees. Because these drivers have a much higher crash rate, special laws apply to them. So as a driver under the age of 18 your daughter:

• Must present a certificate showing she has passed an approved driver education course that meets North Carolina requirements before she can take the test for a Learner Permit or License.
• The DMV reviews her driving record more closely and may contact her if she has certain types of traffic violations or crashes.
• It is unlawful for a 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.
• A parent or legal guardian must sign for a minor.

If you are stating that your daughter has a license than she must be in the second or third stage of the licensing process in North Carolina. As we just noted anyone under the age of 18 is a provisional driver in NC, not a licensed driver like other old, experienced licensed drivers.

The first stage of licensing in North Carolina is a learner's permit. We'll explain the graduated driver's licensing (GDL) stages here since it appears you are unclear which type of permit or license your 16 year old has at this point.

To obtain a learner's permit one must be at least 15 years of age and have completed an approved driver education course that meets North Carolina requirements and can present a Driving Eligibility Certificate (issued by the public school system), a high school diploma or its equivalent, you may apply for a Level One Limited Learner Permit to operate vehicles requiring a Class C License.

To get a permit one must be at least 15 years old but less than 18 years old and reside in North Carolina and pass written, signs and vision tests.

For at least 12 months a Level 1 permit driver must be supervised by parent, guardian or other approved licensed driver who has been licensed at least five years. Other provisions of having a limited learner's permit include:

• Supervising Driver -- A supervising driver shall be a parent, grandparent, or guardian of the permit holder or license holder or a responsible adult approved by the parent or guardian. A supervising driver shall be a licensed driver who has been licensed to drive for at least five years.
• All people in vehicle driven by Level 1 driver must wear a seat belt, and only the supervisor can ride in the front seat.
• For the first six months, a Level 1 driver may only drive from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. with his or her supervisor.
• For the second six months, a Level 1 driver may drive at any time with his or her supervisor.
• A permit holder is not permitted to use a mobile telephone or other additional technology associated with a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area.
• Before graduating to Level Two, you must keep Level One for at least 12 months and have no convictions of motor vehicle moving violations or seat belt infraction in the preceding 6 months.

Level 2 is a Limited Provisional License and it protects young drivers during the night time hours when they are most at risk. With this license:

• Drivers must be at least 16 years old, but less than 18.
• All passengers must be restrained by seat belt or child safety seat.
• Supervising driver must be seated beside the driver when supervision is needed.
• You may drive without supervision from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. and at any time when driving directly to or from work or any volunteer fire, rescue or EMS (emergency medical service), if you are a member.
• You are not permitted to use a mobile telephone or other additional technology associated with a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area.

Passengers under 21 in are allowed with a Level 2 driver in two scenarios:

1. The number of passengers allowed in a motor vehicle under the age of 21 is restricted to ONE when the driver of the vehicle is the holder of the Level 2.
2. If all passengers under the age of 21 are members of the driver's immediate family or members of the same household as the driver there is no under 21 limit.

If the supervising driver is in the car, this restriction does not apply. 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.

A Full Provisional License rewards violation-free driving and is level 3 in the North Carolina GDL process. The restrictions on level one and level two concerning time of driving, supervision and passenger limitations do not apply to a full provisional license however you are are still not permitted to use a mobile telephone or other additional technology associated with a mobile telephone while operating a motor vehicle on a public street or highway or public vehicular area.

Remember during the times your daughter needs a supervising driver it 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.

For more information on your daughter's license and restrictions and conditions contact the NC DMV.