The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) notes that if you are 18 years of age or older you may apply for an original North Carolina driver license or a learner permit. This type of learner permit is valid for 18 months for you to practice driving and get ready for the driving test required to get a full driver's license. There is not a minimum amount of time that we are aware of that you would have to hold the learner's permit if you are 18 or older and choose to get it instead of applying for a full license.

A NC learner permit authorizes the permit holder to drive specified type or class of motor vehicle while in possession of the permit. The permit holder must, while operating a motor vehicle over the highways, be accompanied by a person who is licensed to operate the motor vehicle being driven and is seated beside the permit holder.

To get a permit one is required to go through testing which includes vision, traffic signs, and knowledge of motor vehicle laws. It is our understanding that one would get a learner permit instead of directly trying to obtain a full drivers license if they are 18 or older is so that they may practice driving and be ready to pass the driving road test that one must take in order to obtain a NC driver's license.

The North Carolina driving test is an on-the-road demonstration of your driving ability. You must perform this test after you have passed all the other tests. The first time you apply for a license, you must take the driving test but it of course is not required to get a learner's permit. During the road test, you will be given an opportunity to perform basic driving patterns and to show your ability to drive safely with traffic.

For more information on the licensing process in NC for those individuals 18 or older contact the North Carolina DMV directly. They can also advise you what documentation you will need to bring in to apply for either a permit or a driver's license.

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