NCDMV certifies private driver's ed schools for teen road tests, reducing wait times

North Carolina may soon offer teen drivers a new option for taking their road test.

On Tuesday, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) announced that the office has begun certifying private driver education schools to administer road tests for teen drivers seeking to get their Level 2 Limited Provisional License.

Officials said the new initiative allows teens with a Level 1 Limited Learner’s Permit to take their driving skills or road test before arriving at the NCDMV. This reduces wait times and offers greater flexibility for teens and their parents.

“By outsourcing some road tests to certified private driver education schools, we're providing more options for teens and their families while increasing efficiency at our driver license offices," said NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine. “This allows our driver license examiners to focus on in-office services, streamlining the process for everyone."

The change was recommended in a recent report published by State Auditor Dave Boliek. Teen drivers can still opt to take their road test at an NCDMV office. Those who choose to take their road test at a certified private driving education school will only need to visit an NCDMV office to complete the final transaction for their Level 2 Limited Provisional License, reducing the amount of time spent at the office.

The NCDMV began certifying private driver education schools through training sessions earlier in September. Officials said once schools are certified, they will be listed online as “authorized providers of teen road tests.”

Officials said the cost of the road test will be determined by each individual driver education school.

This comes as the North Carolina House of Representatives voted earlier this year to pass Senate Bill 245, which would allow North Carolinians to renew their driver’s license online more frequently and ease a law allowing new drivers to document their driving practice hours and submit logs to the state.

Officials said the bill will allow teen drivers to soon be able to upgrade from a Level 2 Limited Provisional License to a Level 3 Full Provisional License online.

WRAL News has previously reported the long wait times at DMV offices across the state as locations struggle to keep up with the demand of residents needing services. NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine has promised to significantly reduce wait times and improve customer experiences.