Reduce your DMV stress - Come to us for your Road Test!

Why wait weeks or months for a DMV appointment, stand in long lines, and leave your future in the hands of a rushed examiner? Beginning October 1st, teens ages 16 & 17 years-old will be able to take their DMV-approved road test at Summers Driving School LLC at our Spring Lake and Sanford locations.

Thanks to NC’s new initiative to make road tests more accessible to teens and cut down on the lines at the DMV overall, teens can now take the official road test at our driving school with a friendly, student-focused examiner who is dedicated to helping new drivers feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel.

Here are the FAQs

When will the test be available at Summers Driving School LLC?  Tests are currently available at our Spring Lake office Mondays and Tuesdays and in our Sanford location Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. We will be adding weekend availability in the coming weeks as well. 

What will be required to take the road test? Just like if they were taking the road test at the DMV, teens will be required to be at least 16 years of age and have completed all the requirements of the NORTH CAROLINA Level 1 learner’s permit (possession of a valid NC learner’s permit, 9 months of driving and 60 or more hours behind the wheel with a parent or guardian, no moving violations, and meet the insurance requirements as outlined by the DMV). If you have a valid permit from another state, you will need to visit the NCDMV to have them verify your existing driver's education requirements are equivalent to NC and issue you a North Carolina permit. 

Can we use our own vehicle? You may use your car or ours! Just like at the DMV, drivers can use their own vehicle, as long as it meets the safety requirements defined by the DMV. However, examinees can save time on the pre-test inspection of their own vehicle by choosing to use one of Summers Driving School LLC’s vehicles instead.

How will teens schedule to take the test? Once our routes have been certified and we are approved to begin giving the road test examination, we will provide links on our website and Facebook to access the scheduling website. Tests will be provided in Spring Lake and Sanford, and teens will be required to schedule at least 48 hours in advance of their desired test date (if available).  Contracts must be completed online at the time of registration. Payments will be accepted online or at the testing appointment.

How long will the test take? You won’t find any long lines at our test sites! Students will be able to schedule a specific time to take their test and your entire time spent at our office including inspecting your vehicle to ensure it meets the DMV safety standards and completing paperwork should be about 20-30 minutes.

What happens if my teen fails the road test exam? Just like at the DMV, there is no guarantee your new driver will pass the exam. They will be required to complete the same maneuvers as they would during a test at a DMV office. However, unlike the DMV where you are required to wait at least 7 days to re-test, Summers Driving School LLC is able to re-test 48 hours later.  Another contract will also need to be completed when registering for the re-test.

Will we still have to go to the DMV?  Yes, but just to drop off paperwork!! Once the teen passes their road test, they will need to take the paperwork to a DMV office within 180 days so they can verify the teen has had no moving violations and verify the driving log hours, and issue the actual license. But the days of waiting months to take the road test are over! If a teen passes their road test at Summers Driving School LLC they can walk in at a DMV office to drop off their paperwork and get on the road ASAP!

How much will the Road Test cost? Just as we have tried to keep our driver’s education classes as affordable as possible, Summers Driving School LLC wants to make sure the road test is accessible to as many teens as possible. We are aware there are still going to be fees due to the DMV when the license is issued. We are currently in the process of determining the fee for the test and how to make it cost-effective for families. The first attempt at a Road Test will be $60. In the event the student does not pass on their first attempt, the 2nd attempt will be at the reduced rate of $40. Alumni of Summers Driving School LLC's driver's education class will get the reduced rate of $50 for their first attempt. 

What if we didn’t take driver’s education at Summers Driving School LLC?  Any teen in North Carolina over the age of 16 but not yet 18 years old who has completed the requirements of the Level 1 Learner’s Permit can take their Road Test at Summers Driving School LLC. Students who have taken our teen driver’s education class at any of our locations will be eligible for a discount on the exam.