The United States, Canada and over 100 other countries are party to the International Convention on Road Traffic. India is listed as one of the countries that are a part of this Convention. This agreement requires the US and its states to allow a foreign driver admitted to the US to drive a private motor vehicle for one year on certain conditions. It is up to each individual state and state laws though to determine if you are permitted to drive in their state with your international or foreign license.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles states that he law enforcement authorities in North Carolina do not honor an International Driver License (or international driving permit). Instead a valid license issued by a government agency from a home state or country is required to legally drive in this State.

From this information it would appear that your valid Indian Driver's License should allow you to drive in Raleigh, North Carolina. If you are going to stay longer than a year or need to obtain insurance in order to drive then you may need to obtain a NC driver's license.

To get insurance on a vehicle most insurance companies will require a US license. You may be able to start a policy with your Indian driver's license but will normally need to obtain a State license within a short period of time, 30 to 45 days, in order to keep the policy in effect. For information on the required car insurance one must have on a vehicle in NC, follow this link.