Photo ID

Having a photo ID is important and required for most jobs and is now required to vote! There are 2 options for getting a photo ID:

• Getting a "voter" photo ID by going to your local county board of elections.                                           
  • Pros: no documents needed and it's free.
  • Cons: cannot be used for employment verification purposes.
• Getting a State ID at the DMV. More info here

Documents needed:

• Document verifying age and identity (birth certificate OR certified school transcript) 
• Social Security Card
• Document providing residency (utility bill, lease, income tax statement, school records).
• For more detailed info about all the acceptable documents, click here and scroll down to the "Get Started" section.

Cost:

• under age 17: $16.75                                 
• 17 or over: FREE 

Step 1: Contact Mr. Robinson (arobinson@wcpss.net; 919-928-4297)

Step 2: Completing the Drivers Education Class and the Behind the Wheel portion is REQUIRED to get a learners permit. Jordan Driving School provides driver education for all WCPSS students, and SCORE students are eligible for driver's education and can sign up for virtual classes here.

Age & Expectations: Students must be at least 14.5 years old by the first day of the classroom portion to participate in driver's education. The class is 30 hours long (spread over 10 days). Students must bring a copy of their birth certificate on the 1st day of class. There is a strict attendance and tardy policy - students arriving late must make up a full class session, and if students miss more than 2 days of class, they are dismissed and must register for (and pay for) another session.

Cost: $65 (includes both the classroom and behind-the-wheel training). Some students are eligible for a fee waiver (if the student is eligible for free and reduced lunch). To request a waiver, the parent can email cnsmealbenefits@wcpss.net to request a verification letter for their child. The letter will be emailed to the parent or the parent can pick up a verification letter from the CNS 1551 Rock Quarry Road Office, Raleigh, NC 27610 (919-856-2919 or 919-856-2918). 

Students must apply for a Learners Permit. Learn more here.

Scheduling an appointment: An appointment is not REQUIRED but recommended to insure you are able to be seen on the day you visit the DMV. Also, making an appointment essentially allows students "skip the line."

Make an appointment online - students can search for availability throughout the entire state and may have better luck in areas outside of Wake County. Checking the site overnight or in the early mornings often yields better results as missed/unused appointments are added back to the site.

Students & parents can also sign up to receive notifications about open DMV appointments by clicking here

Testing: Students must pass three tests at the DMV: road signs test, multiple-choice test, & a vision test. It is HIGHLY recommended that students study/prepare ahead of time.

• Practice Tests
• The Drivers Handbook
• Other prep information, including the road signs

Note: a road test is not required for a learner's permit

Requirements for Permit:

• A document verifying age and identity (birth certificate OR certified school transcript) 
• Social Security Card
• A document providing residency (utility bill, lease, income tax statement, school records)
• DEC form: Drivers Eligibility Certificate - provided by SCORE to verify the student's enrollment and good academic standing (contact the counselor at the student's site)
  • The DEC is only good for 30 days once issued 
• Driver's Education Completion Form: this certificate will be issued by the student's driver's education instructor at the conclusion of the behind-the-wheel training 
• Cost: $25.50 (can be paid in cash, check, credit/debit card or money order)
• Parent or guardian must be present

After receiving the permit: Once you receive your permit, you must have it for at least 9 months and complete 60 hours of supervised driving practice (with at least 10 hours being at night). This information will be provided at the DMV, including a handbook with a log sheet for your hours (there is also an app called Road Ready that tracks driving hours)

After completing the practice hours for the permit (60 hours of driving practice and 9 months time from the date of permit), you are eligible for the Level 2: Limited Provisional License.

DMV:

• Students must pass a road test at the DMV (limited spots are available each day for this test so making an appointment is highly advised).
• You must provide your own vehicle.
• Must present a valid vehicle registration card, proof of insurance, and the vehicle must pass pre-trip inspection. 

Documents Needed for Level 2 License:

• A document verifying age and identity (birth certificate OR certified school transcript)
• Social Security Card
• A document providing residency (utility bill, lease, income tax statement, school records)
• A document proving liability insurance coverage (must be printed and in your name - not parents name)
• Driving log showing that the student has completed 60 hours of driving practice
• Parent/guardian must be present
• More information about acceptable documents

Cost: $25.50

Scheduling an appointment: An appointment is not REQUIRED but recommended to insure you are able to be seen on the day you visit the DMV. Also, making an appointment essentially allows students "skip the line."

Make an appointment online - students can search for availability throughout the entire state and may have better luck in areas outside of Wake County. Checking the site overnight or in the early mornings often yields better results as missed/unused appointments are added back to the site.

Students & parents can also sign up to receive notifications about open DMV appointments by clicking here

Level 2 Provisional License Restrictions: Once students receive a Level 2 provisional license, they can drive unsupervised between 5am and 9pm. Drivers must log at least 12 hours of driving. After six months driving under the Level 2 provisional license, students can move up to the Level 3: Full Provisional License, which allows students to drive unsupervised any hours of the day.

Once a student turns 18, a permit is not required to obtain a driver's license.

Requirements:

• Complete several tests, including a written exam, eys exam, and driving test.
• More info here
• English version for written practice test
• Spanish version for written practice test

At the DMV:

• Students must pass a road test at the DMV (limited spots are available each day for this test so making an appointment is highly advised).
• Students must provide their own vehicle.
• Students must present a valid vehicle registration card, proof of insurance, and the vehicle must pass pre-trip inspection.

Documents Needed for Driver's License: 

• A document verifying age and identity (birth certificate OR certified school transcript)
• Social Security Card
• A document providing residency (utility bill, lease, income tax statement, school records)
• A document proving liability insurance coverage (must be printed in the student's name - not parents name).
• More information about acceptable documents 

Cost: $52 (for an eight-year license)

Scheduling an appointment: An appointment is not REQUIRED but recommended to insure you are able to be seen on the day you visit the DMV. Also, making an appointment essentially allows students "skip the line."

Make an appointment online - students can search for availability throughout the entire state and may have better luck in areas outside of Wake County. Checking the site overnight or in the early mornings often yields better results as missed/unused appointments are added back to the site.

Students & parents can also sign up to receive notifications about open DMV appointments by clicking here

An appointment is not REQUIRED but recommended to insure you are able to be seen on the day you visit the DMV. Also, making an appointment essentially allows students "skip the line."

Make an appointment online - students can search for availability throughout the entire state and may have better luck in areas outside of Wake County. Checking the site overnight or in the early mornings often yields better results as missed/unused appointments are added back to the site.

Students & parents can also sign up to receive notifications about open DMV appointments by clicking here