NC Drivers License and Lessons

First of all please note that all international students and short-term scholars who are planning to return home after getting a degree or finishing a program DO NOT have to get a North Carolina driver's license.  It is legal to drive on your home country license as long as it is valid.  To drive in North Carolina, you must have a valid driver's license.  This can be a license from your home country, a North Carolina driver's license or a valid license from another U.S. state.  The state of North Carolina does NOT recognize the International Driver's License (IDL).  That said, it is a very good idea to eventually get a North Carolina driver's license for both insurance and identification purposes.

If you do not drive, we strongly suggest you get a North Carolina State Identification Card so you do not have to carry your passport around.

For more information, see our handout on Getting a Driver's License.

Please note that effective September 1st, 2007, one must have either a North Carolina State Identification Card or a North Carolina Learner's Permit (written portion of driving exam) or a North Carolina License before you can register your car in the state.  The Department of Motor Vehicles office where you obtain these items is in a completely different location from the Department of Motor Vehicles office where you register your car.  (Please do not ask us why?!)

Driving Lessons
If you would like to learn how to drive one day, Durham is an excellent place to learn how.  Although driving lessons can be costly, we STRONGLY recommend lessons from a private company as opposed to learning from a friend.  It is well worth the money.  For information about driving lessons, check out Andes Driving School or All Around Driving School.