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North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2026
Free practice questions for the North Carolina driverβs permit knowledge test. Tap an answer to see if you are right and why.
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Every North Carolina topic, mock exams and your progress, right here or in the app.
About the test
Questions
25
Correct to pass
20
Passing score
80%
Study from
North Carolina Driver Handbook
Free practice: 20 questions
Question 1
Is it legal to sit in the driver's seat of a car with the engine running if you have no valid license?
No, it is against the law
Only on private driveways
Yes, as long as the car is parked
Yes, if a licensed adult is nearby
Correct answer: No, it is against the law
North Carolina law makes it illegal to sit in the driver's seat with the engine running, or to steer a towed vehicle, without a valid license.
Source: Chapter 1 β Your License
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 2
What driver education must a teen complete before testing for a Level One Limited Learner Permit?
An online quiz
At least 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel
60 hours of supervised driving
At least 10 hours of classroom and 2 hours of behind-the-wheel time
Correct answer: At least 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel
Applicants must show a certificate for an approved course of at least 30 classroom hours and 6 behind-the-wheel hours.
Source: Chapter 1 β Your License
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Question 3
At what BAC is everyone's driving impaired, according to the North Carolina handbook?
0.12 percent
0.08 percent
0.15 percent
0.10 percent
Correct answer: 0.08 percent
Everyone's driving is impaired at 0.08; crash risk already rises at 0.05.
Source: Chapter 2 β Alcohol and the Law
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Question 4
Which is a warning sign of drowsy driving?
You feel hungry or thirsty an hour after a meal
You can't remember the last few miles driven
Your radio seems too loud
Your car pulls to the right
Correct answer: You can't remember the last few miles driven
Warning signs include not remembering the last few miles, hitting a rumble strip, repeated yawning, and trouble keeping your eyes open.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: Driver Safety
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Question 5
At an intersection without traffic signals, when do pedestrians have the right of way?
Only when a crossing guard is present
Only in marked crosswalks with painted lines
Never; cars go first
When in a marked or unmarked crosswalk
Correct answer: When in a marked or unmarked crosswalk
Pedestrians have the right of way in marked crosswalks or unmarked crosswalks formed by extending the sidewalk lines.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: General Driving
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Question 6
A school bus stops with its stop arm out on a two-lane road. Who must stop?
Only oncoming traffic
Only traffic behind the bus
All traffic from both directions
No one if no children are visible
Correct answer: All traffic from both directions
On a two-lane road (with or without a center turn lane), all traffic from both directions must stop.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: General Driving
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Question 7
Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in North Carolina cities and towns?
35 mph
45 mph
25 mph
30 mph
Correct answer: 35 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 35 mph in cities and towns.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: Basic Driving Skills and Rules
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 8
When making a right turn, where should your vehicle be?
In the center of the lane
Near the center line, to make a wider turn
In the left lane
Close to the right edge of the road
Correct answer: Close to the right edge of the road
Stay close to the right edge so another vehicle can't move between you and the curb.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: Basic Driving Skills and Rules
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 9
What is the "two-second rule"?
Allow two seconds between when the car ahead passes a point and when you reach it
Stop for two full seconds at every stop sign before going on through
Signal two seconds before a turn
Check mirrors every two seconds
Correct answer: Allow two seconds between when the car ahead passes a point and when you reach it
Allow two seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a given point and your vehicle reaching it.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: Basic Driving Skills and Rules
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 10
How close to a fire hydrant may you park in North Carolina?
No closer than 15 feet
Any distance, if you stay in the car
No closer than 30 feet
No closer than 5 feet
Correct answer: No closer than 15 feet
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or the entrance to a fire station.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: Basic Driving Skills and Rules
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 11
When a railroad signal warns of an approaching train, where must you stop?
Right at the first rail
Anywhere before the gate
Within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail
At least 100 feet away, behind the round advance warning sign only
Correct answer: Within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail
G.S. 20-142.1: stop within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet, from the nearest rail.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: Railroad Crossing Safety
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Question 12
Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks. What should you do?
Stay inside and lock the doors
Push the car off the tracks
Try to restart the engine a few times before you get out of the car
Get out immediately, move away, then call the number on the blue ENS sign
Correct answer: Get out immediately, move away, then call the number on the blue ENS sign
Get out immediately and move away from the tracks; then use the blue Emergency Notification System sign to report it.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: Railroad Crossing Safety
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 13
STOP
How far from the intersection is a stop sign usually posted?
500 feet
Six to 50 feet
Exactly at the corner
100 to 200 feet
Correct answer: Six to 50 feet
The stop sign is usually posted six to 50 feet from the intersection.
Source: Chapter 5 β Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings
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Question 14
When must a crash be reported immediately to law enforcement in North Carolina?
Never, if the drivers agree to settle it
When anyone is killed or injured, or damage appears to be $1,000 or more
Only if someone is killed, or if total damage is more than $5,000
Only when an insurance company asks
Correct answer: When anyone is killed or injured, or damage appears to be $1,000 or more
Report immediately when anyone is killed or injured, or total damage appears to be $1,000 or more.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: Crashes
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 15
In North Carolina, a regular (adult) learner permit is available to people of what age?
16 and older
21 and older
15 and older
18 and older
Correct answer: 18 and older
Learner permits are available to persons 18 and older; younger drivers use the graduated licensing system.
Source: Chapter 1 β Your License
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 16
What is the minimum age for a Level One Limited Learner Permit?
17
16
15
14
Correct answer: 15
You must be at least 15 but less than 18 and reside in North Carolina.
Source: Chapter 1 β Your License
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 17
What BAC is the limit for someone driving a commercial motor vehicle in North Carolina?
0.04
0.08
0.10
0.02
Correct answer: 0.04
DWI can be proven by a BAC of 0.08 or more, or 0.04 or more in a commercial motor vehicle.
Source: Chapter 2 β Alcohol and the Law
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 18
On long trips, how often should you get out of the car to stretch?
Once a day
Only when you need fuel
Every 6 hours
At least every 2 hours
Correct answer: At least every 2 hours
Get out of the car at least every 2 hours; also try to limit driving to 300β400 miles a day.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: Driver Safety
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 19
The light turns yellow or red while a pedestrian is still in the street. What must you do?
Allow the pedestrian to finish crossing safely
Go around them
Honk so they hurry
Proceed if your light was green when you entered
Correct answer: Allow the pedestrian to finish crossing safely
If the signal changes while a pedestrian remains in the street, drivers must let them complete the crossing safely.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: General Driving
Open the handbook βΊ
Question 20
On a four-lane road with a center turning lane, a school bus stops for passengers. Who must stop?
Only traffic in the turn lane
Only traffic following the bus
All traffic in both directions, in every lane
No one
Correct answer: Only traffic following the bus
On roads of four or more lanes with a center turning lane, or divided by a median, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Source: Chapter 4 β Your Driving: General Driving
Open the handbook βΊ
Practice by topic
Road Signs
Questions: 10
Signals & Pavement Markings
Questions: 17
Right-of-Way
Questions: 14
Speed Limits
Questions: 10
Turning
Questions: 9
Lanes & Passing
Questions: 13
Parking
Questions: 7
Alcohol & Drugs
Questions: 14
Safe Driving
Questions: 35
Emergencies
Questions: 13
Sharing the Road
Questions: 22
Licensing
Questions: 40
Insurance & Collisions
Questions: 9
Teen & Provisional Drivers
Questions: 20
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the North Carolina permit test?
The North Carolina knowledge test has 25 questions.
What score do I need to pass the North Carolina permit test?
You need at least 20 correct answers out of 25 (80%).
Is this practice test free?
Yes. The questions on this page are free. The app adds the full question bank and timed practice tests.
Is this the official DMV test?
No. DMV Practice Pro is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with any state DMV. Questions are written from the official driver handbook.
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Practice questions are written from official driver handbooks. Always check your state DMV for current rules.
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