A representative of North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) stated that to us that one can drive out of state with a NC permit or provisional license but would need to contact any other states that you want to drive in to make sure that they will accept your graduated license status and find out what restrictions you would need to follow.

Many states will let you drive in them with just a learner's permit if you have a supervising driver with you in the front seat that is over 21. Some states will say how much experience that driver must have and may place other restrictions on you. Some states just say you must the accompanying driver plus follow your own state's restrictions.

As you should know your NC permit restrictions 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.
• 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.

Here is the information we found on the states you asked about driving in with your North Carolina learner's permit:

Alabama - The AL DPS told us that they will accept any valid learner’s permit subject to restrictions mandated by the issuing state as long as the holder is at least 16 years of age.

Georgia - The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) stated that you should contact them at their Customer Service Number of (678) 413-8400 for specific information regarding your right to drive in GA with a North Carolina learner's permit. This is to discuss restrictions and conditions you may have to abide by since the state of issuance (NC) may have different requirements for those under age 18 than the teen driving requirements in Georgia.

From the Georgia representative we contacted it sounded as if you could drive in Georgia with a permit but that you would need to contact the GA DDS first so that they were certain that you and your parents understood what conditions would be placed on you if you operated a vehicle in Georgia with only a permit from NC.

Louisiana - The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles said that an out-of-state learner’s permit is valid in LA for driving purposes. Louisiana requires that anyone with a learner’s permit, from either in state or out of state, must be accompanied by a licensed adult driver at least 21 years of age. Also the representative from the OMV said you cannot drive between the hours of 11:00 pm and 5:00 am if you only have a permit.

Mississippi - This state noted that a teen with a valid learner’s permit from his or her home state may drive legally in our state as long as they drive with a licensed adult who is at least 21. The MS Department of Public Safety (DPS) did not give us any addition information on what restrictions you would have on you so we would advise you to contact them directly to get more information before driving with your NC permit in MS.

While this is the information we received from the Department of Motor vehicles from these states it is always wise to contact them yourself before you plan to drive there with your learner's permit to make sure their rules have not changed and to get more information on the restrictions they require you to follow.

You also should check to make sure that your car insurance will cover you driving out of NC with just your learner's permit.