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Safe Driving
North Carolina Permit Test: Safe Driving Practice Questions
Following distance, headlights, seat belts and distractions.
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Every North Carolina topic, mock exams and your progress, right here or in the app.
Question 1
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 — Your Driving: Driver Safety
Question 2
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 300–400 miles a day.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Driver Safety
Question 3
What daily driving limit does the handbook suggest to prevent drowsy driving?
100 miles
300–400 miles
No limit
600–700 miles
Correct answer: 300–400 miles
Try to set a limit of 300–400 miles of driving per day.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Driver Safety
Question 4
Is it legal for any driver in North Carolina to text or email while driving?
Yes, if over 18
No
Yes, with one hand on the wheel
Yes, at red lights
Correct answer: No
It is unlawful to use a cell phone for email or text messages while operating a vehicle on a public street or highway.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Driver Safety
Question 5
Who must wear a seat belt in a vehicle in forward motion in North Carolina?
Only the driver and front-seat occupants
The driver and all passengers
Only the driver
Only children
Correct answer: The driver and all passengers
The driver and all passengers must be belted at all times when the vehicle is in forward motion, even with air bags.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 6
A child under 8 who weighs less than how many pounds must be in a weight-appropriate child restraint?
80 pounds
40 pounds
100 pounds
60 pounds
Correct answer: 80 pounds
A child under age 8 and weighing less than 80 pounds must be in a weight-appropriate child restraint.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 7
With an active passenger air bag and a rear seat available, which child must ride in the rear seat?
Only infants under 1
Any child under 12 who weighs less than 100 pounds
A child under 5 who weighs less than 40 pounds
Any child under 16
Correct answer: A child under 5 who weighs less than 40 pounds
A child under 5 and under 40 pounds must ride in the rear unless the restraint is designed for use with a front air bag.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 8
Where should a child's lap belt fit?
Under the arms
Loose across the thighs
Across the stomach, so it stays off the hips
Snugly across the hips, not the stomach
Correct answer: Snugly across the hips, not the stomach
The lap belt must fit snugly across the child's hips; the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder and chest, not the face or throat.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 9
How fast can an air bag come out of the dashboard?
About 20 mph
About 50 mph
About 5 mph
Up to 200 mph
Correct answer: Up to 200 mph
An air bag comes out at up to 200 miles per hour, which is why children are safest in the back.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 10
Children of what age and under should ride buckled up in a rear seat?
5 and under
16 and under
8 and under
12 and under
Correct answer: 12 and under
Children age 12 and under should ride buckled up in a rear seat; rear-facing infants never in front of an air bag.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 11
Who must wear a helmet on a motorcycle or moped in North Carolina?
All operators and passengers
Only riders under 21 and all passengers
Only passengers
Only on highways
Correct answer: All operators and passengers
All operators and passengers on motorcycles and mopeds must wear a helmet meeting FMVSS 218.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 12
Children under what age may not ride in the open bed of a pickup truck (with some exceptions)?
8
16
18
12
Correct answer: 16
North Carolina prohibits children under 16 from riding in an open bed, with exceptions such as an adult supervising in the bed.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 13
How much hotter than outside can the inside of a parked car get in the sun?
About 40–50 degrees
About 10 degrees at most
About 5 degrees
It stays the same
Correct answer: About 40–50 degrees
The temperature inside a vehicle can rise about 40–50 degrees above the outside temperature, so never leave children or pets.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 14
Where should the lap belt be worn by adults?
Under the abdomen and low across the hips
Over the ribs
High across the stomach, above the hip bones
Behind the back
Correct answer: Under the abdomen and low across the hips
The lap belt goes under the abdomen and low across the hips; the shoulder belt crosses the collarbone and breastbone.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers
Question 15
With anti-lock brakes (ABS), how should you brake in an emergency?
Brake hard and keep firm, steady pressure
Use only the parking brake
Pump the brake pedal quickly to avoid a skid
Tap lightly and release
Correct answer: Brake hard and keep firm, steady pressure
With ABS, brake hard and keep steady pressure; pumping or releasing reduces ABS effectiveness.
Source: Chapter 4 — Your Driving: Vehicle Equipment
All North Carolina practice
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Right-of-Way
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Parking
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Practice questions are written from official driver handbooks. Always check your state DMV for current rules.
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