BAC restrictions and interlock — North Carolina Permit Test

BAC restrictions and interlock on the North Carolina permit test — 3 rules, each with the reason behind it and a question on it while it is fresh.

The rules

When a license is restored after a DWI suspension, a BAC restriction applies: 0.04 on the first restoration and 0.00 on a second or later restoration.

A restored license comes with less room for alcohol than a new one. The second time, there is no room at all.

On the first restoration, the alcohol concentration restriction will be 0.04. On a second or subsequent restoration, the alcohol concentration restriction will be 0.00.

North Carolina Driver Handbook, p.32

A DWI conviction with a BAC of 0.15 or more, or another DWI conviction within the past seven years, requires an ignition interlock device on the vehicle.

An interlock makes the car refuse to start for a drinker. It is ordered where the record says a promise is not enough.

Furthermore, a conviction of Driving While Impaired with a BAC of 0.15 or more, or another conviction within the past seven years, will require an ignition interlock device to be installed on the vehicle.

North Carolina Driver Handbook, p.32

A 0.00 alcohol restriction also applies after a DWI in a commercial vehicle, driving after consuming alcohol or drugs while under 21, or felony death by vehicle.

Some offenses show that any alcohol at all was too much. The restored license then allows none.

Additionally, if you are convicted of DWI in a commercial motor vehicle, driving after consuming alcohol or drugs while under the age of 21 or felony death by vehicle, the alcohol concentration restriction will be 0.00.

North Carolina Driver Handbook, p.32

On the test

What alcohol concentration restriction applies on a driver’s first license restoration after DWI?

0.04. A restored license comes with less room for alcohol than a new one. The second time, there is no room at all. North Carolina Driver Handbook, p.32: “On the first restoration, the alcohol concentration restriction will be 0.04. On a second or subsequent restoration, the alcohol concentration restriction will be 0.00.”

How this works

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Where these come from

Every rule here is checked against North Carolina Driver Handbook, published by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, and against the state code itself. Last checked 2026-10-03.