North Carolina Retake Rules & Pass Rates

Seven calendar days. NCDMV says applicants who do not pass the knowledge test (or driving test) for a regular Class C license may retake it in seven calendar days; no escalation, age split, or attempt cap is published.

Source: NCDMV web page 'Driver License Tests': "Applicants who do not pass the knowledge test or driving test for a regular Class C license may retake the test in seven calendar days." · Verified Aug 2026

There is no retake fee for a regular Class C knowledge or road test. NCDMV's fee schedule has no test or retest charge for a regular license; you pay the permit or license fee once, when it is issued. You can retake a failed test after seven calendar days.

Source: Official NCDMV: Fees (Driver Licenses Fees table), read Sept. 27, 2026; NCDMV "Driver License Tests" page for the seven-day wait · Verified Sep 2026

56% pass; 2020-2023 pooled; all tests administered (first attempts not separated); knowledge test. The figure comes from a 2024 analysis of test results supplied by 36 state licensing agencies, pooled across 2020 to 2023. It counts every test administered, so retakes are mixed in with first attempts.

Source: USA TODAY Blueprint, 'Nearly 35% fail driver's license tests: Indiana leads the way' (Apr 18, 2024), analysis of test results provided by each state's licensing agency ("We analyzed knowledge and skill driver's license test results from 36 states from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2023. Test results were provided by the state organization overseeing driver's licensing and motor vehicles.") · Verified Aug 2026