Photo: Candeadly, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
North Carolina has long required teens to keep a supervised driving log before moving from a Level 1 permit to a Level 2 license, and again before Level 3. In 2026 the state changed parts of its teen licensing law, so the first job is to confirm what NCDMV currently asks for. This checklist covers what to check, how to keep a log that NCDMV will accept, and how to plan practice so you are ready for the road test either way.
Key facts (North Carolina, as of November 2026)
- The log has been part of the Level 1 to Level 2 and Level 2 to Level 3 applications.
- Level 1 log: at least 60 hours of supervised driving, at least 10 of them at night, with no more than 10 hours a week counted toward the 60 (G.S. 20-11).
- The 12-hour Level 2 log was dropped by Senate Bill 245, signed September 30, 2025. Session Law 2026-46 removed the Driving Eligibility Certificate from October 1, 2026, but the legislature’s summary of it does not mention the logs, so the 60-hour log still applies.
- The supervisor must be a parent, grandparent, guardian or approved adult, licensed for at least 5 years.
- A falsified log is a false statement on an official application. Never sign for hours that did not happen.
Is the NC driving log still required in 2026?
Check before your Level 2 appointment:
- Download the current NCDMV graduated licensing handout (form DL-214) and the current driving log form from the NCDMV teen drivers page.
- Check the revision date on the handout. A version dated after October 1, 2026 reflects the 2026 law change.
- If a log is listed, note the total hours, the night-time hours and any daily limit it sets.
- If in doubt, call NCDMV or ask at your driver license office before you book the road test.
Older school letters, driving school pages and third-party sites may still show the old rules.
How to fill in the log (if required)
- Use the official NCDMV form, not a homemade sheet or app printout, unless NCDMV says otherwise.
- Write each session on the day you drive: date, start and end time, total time, and whether it was day or night.
- Only count driving you did yourself, with your supervising driver in the front seat.
- Get every signature the form asks for, from the supervising driver and, if listed, your parent or guardian.
- Bring it with your road test paperwork. Keep a photo of every page in case the original is lost.
A practice plan worth following anyway
Whatever the paperwork rule, the road test covers the same skills. A simple progression:
| Stage | Where | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Early weeks | Empty parking lot | Steering, smooth starts and stops, quick stop, backing in a straight line |
| Next | Quiet residential streets | Right and left turns, approaching corners, stop signs, turnabouts |
| Then | Busier roads | Traffic lights, lane changes, following distance, school zones |
| After 6 months on Level 1 | Same roads after dark | Night driving, headlight use, glare |
| Before the road test | Highways, rain, unfamiliar areas | Merging, speed control, bad weather |
Remember the Level 1 time rule: for the first 6 months you can drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., so night practice comes later. Useful reading: driving at night as a learner, freeway driving and driving in snow, fog and rain.
Common questions
How many hours do I need to drive in NC before Level 2?
At least 60 hours over your 9 months on Level 1, including at least 10 at night. No more than 10 hours in any week count toward the total, so spread practice across the whole permit period. Confirm the form on the current DL-214 handout.
Do driver’s ed hours count toward the log?
The 6 behind-the-wheel hours in driver education are a separate requirement. Ask NCDMV whether they can also count toward any log total.
Can a driving instructor supervise logged hours?
Only drivers who meet the supervising driver rules, such as a parent, guardian or approved adult licensed for at least 5 years, can supervise Level 1 driving.
What if I lose my log?
Rebuild it from your own records (photos, calendar) and talk to NCDMV before your appointment. Never estimate hours you cannot back up.
Is there a log for Level 3?
No longer. The 12-hour Level 2 log was removed by a 2025 law, and Level 3 can now be requested by mail, phone or online once you have held Level 2 for 6 months with a clean record.
Related: Level 1 limited learner permit, NC graduated license levels, North Carolina road test, supervised driving hours by state. Back to: learning to drive in North Carolina.
Sources
- North Carolina Department of Administration, Division of Non-Public Education, “Teen Drivers” (doa.nc.gov)
- North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings, “19A NCAC 03B .0201 Driver’s License Examination and Online Renewal” (reports.oah.state.nc.us)
- North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-11 (Issuance of limited learner permit and provisional license)
- North State Journal, “Changes to DMV’s online services signed into law”, October 2025, on Senate Bill 245 (nsjonline.com)
- UNC School of Government, Legislative Reporting Service, “Bill Summary for H 1094 (2025-2026)”, enacted as S.L. 2026-46 (lrs.sog.unc.edu)