North Carolina Permit Practice Test 1
25 questions, the same length as the NCDMV test. You need 20 correct to pass. Pick an answer to see whether you are right and why.
Questions from the North Carolina Driver Handbook, last checked November 1, 2026. Your progress is saved on this device.
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Question 1 of 25 · Licensing rules
How long must a NC teen hold a Level One Limited Learner Permit before applying for a Limited Provisional License?
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Correct answer: D. Nine months
The level one permit must be held for nine months before a Limited Provisional License application. The six-month mark only removes the time-of-day limit.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Chapter 1 — Your License”, page 12. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0016
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Question 2 of 25 · Alcohol & drugs
Why can a driver who has been drinking alcohol be more likely to take dangerous risks on the road?
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Correct answer: C. Alcohol creates false confidence about driving ability
Alcohol is a depressant that gives a false sense of confidence, so drivers think they drive better than they really do and take greater risks.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Your Driving”, page 42. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ALC-0003
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Question 3 of 25 · Licensing rules
Some NC residents living outside the state can renew their license by mail. Which type of license can never be renewed this way?
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Correct answer: B. A commercial driver license
Commercial licenses, along with full provisional licenses, cannot be renewed by mail. The other situations can still qualify if other requirements are met.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Renewal and Duplicate Licenses”, page 26. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0028
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Question 4 of 25 · Licensing rules
A driver's last name changes after marriage. Which document can be used to get a duplicate NC license with the new name?
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Correct answer: C. A certified marriage certificate from a government agency
A certified marriage certificate issued by a governmental agency is an accepted proof of a name change. Employer letters, bills, and personal statements are not listed as acceptable proof.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Renewal and Duplicate Licenses”, page 28. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0032
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Question 5 of 25 · Safe driving practices
Your vehicle stalls on a railroad crossing and you cannot restart it. What should you do first?
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Correct answer: D. Get out right away and move away from the tracks
A train can need more than a mile to stop, so you must leave the vehicle immediately and walk to safety. Report the problem only after you are away from the tracks.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 62. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0027
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Question 6 of 25 · Licensing rules
In NC, a teen with a Level Two Limited Provisional License drives without a supervising adult on a trip that has nothing to do with work. Which hours is this allowed?
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Correct answer: C. From 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Unsupervised driving on a Level Two license is limited to the window from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Exceptions exist for driving directly to or from work or volunteer emergency service.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Chapter 1 — Your License”, page 13. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0001
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Question 7 of 25 · Right of way
On a two-lane NC road with no median, you are traveling toward a stopped school bus that is loading children with flashing red lights. What is required?
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Correct answer: D. Traffic in both directions must stop
On a two-lane roadway, a stopped school bus requires all traffic from both directions to stop until the bus moves again.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “General Driving”, page 48. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ROW-0004
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Question 8 of 25 · Safe driving practices
You approach a hill on a two-lane road and cannot see 500 feet beyond the crest. What should you do about passing?
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Correct answer: A. Do not pass, since you lack enough clear view ahead
Passing is unsafe and usually illegal on a curve or hill where you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead, regardless of horn use or the other vehicle's speed.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 55. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0023
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Question 9 of 25 · Safe driving practices
A passenger tosses a fast-food bag out the window of a moving car in NC. Who is held legally responsible for the littering?
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Correct answer: B. The driver of the vehicle
Under NC littering law, the driver is held responsible when trash is thrown or blown from a vehicle, regardless of who actually threw it.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Keeping the Road Litter-Free”, page 95. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0071
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Question 10 of 25 · Alcohol & drugs
You are at a party and have been drinking, and you need to get home. Which choice does the NC handbook recommend?
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Correct answer: D. Ask a friend or relative who has not been drinking for a ride
The handbook says to plan ahead and arrange another way home, such as a ride from someone who has not been drinking. Coffee and fresh air do not remove alcohol's effects; only time does.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Your Driving”, page 42. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ALC-0014
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Question 11 of 25 · Sharing the road
You are about to turn right at an intersection, and a bike lane runs alongside the road. Which risk deserves your special attention?
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Correct answer: B. A bicyclist riding straight ahead on your right
Bicyclists ride to the right of traffic, so one going straight through the intersection can collide with a car turning right.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 63. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SHR-0004
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Question 12 of 25 · Road signs
A yellow pennant-shaped sign is posted on the left side of the road. What does this sign tell you?
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Correct answer: C. A no-passing zone begins just ahead
The yellow pennant reinforces the rectangular DO NOT PASS sign. It sits on the left side and points to where the no-passing zone, marked by a solid yellow line in your lane, starts.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 84. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SIG-0022
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Question 13 of 25 · Road signs
In NC, a stop sign is normally posted within what distance of the intersection it controls?
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Correct answer: B. About 6 to 50 feet from the intersection
Stop signs are usually placed fairly close to the intersection, between six and fifty feet away, so drivers know where to stop and look for traffic.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 83. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SIG-0021
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Question 14 of 25 · Signals & pavement markings
While waiting to turn, you see the green turn arrow change to a solid yellow arrow. What does this change tell you?
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Correct answer: A. The protected turn phase is ending, so prepare to stop
A solid yellow arrow warns that the protected arrow is about to end and will change to a circular green, circular red, or red arrow. Drivers should get ready to stop.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Signals, Signs and”, page 81. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SGM-0018
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Question 15 of 25 · Road signs
In NC, a smaller sign is mounted beneath the X-shaped crossbuck at a railroad crossing. What does that smaller sign tell drivers?
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Correct answer: D. The crossing has more than one set of tracks
A smaller sign below the crossbuck is used to show that there is more than one track at the crossing, so drivers know another train may be coming.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 61. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SIG-0014
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Question 16 of 25 · Licensing rules
An applicant owns no registered vehicle and does not drive private passenger cars owned by other people. They sign a certification of exemption (DL-123A) at the office. What restriction goes on the license?
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Correct answer: B. Fleet vehicles only
Applicants exempt from the insurance proof because they have no vehicle to insure are limited to fleet vehicles only on their license.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Liability Insurance Requirement”, page 23. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0046
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Question 17 of 25 · Sharing the road
To leave as much room as possible between a moped and other traffic, where should the rider position the moped within the lane?
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Correct answer: C. Toward the right side of the lane
Moped riders should stay toward the right portion of their lane to maximize space, and they must not share a lane with another vehicle.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Recreational Vehicles and Trailers”, page 94. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SHR-0020
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Question 18 of 25 · Safe driving practices
Why is driving far below the posted speed limit on an interstate considered dangerous?
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Correct answer: C. Crashes are more likely when a vehicle is much slower than traffic
Because interstate traffic moves fast, a vehicle going much slower than the flow raises the chance of a crash. Drivers should keep with traffic when they can do so without speeding.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 65. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0040
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Question 19 of 25 · Safe driving practices
Under NC law, a driver must make sure every passenger younger than what age is secured in a child restraint or seat belt?
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Correct answer: C. 16 years
The driver is responsible for securing every passenger under 16 in an approved child restraint system or seat belt. Age 12 is only the guideline for riding in the rear seat.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers”, page 44. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0014
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Question 20 of 25 · Speed limits
A regular NC driver is convicted of going faster than the posted limit in a school zone. How many license points does this add?
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Correct answer: A. 3 points
Exceeding the posted school zone speed limit is a three-point offense for a regular license. It is not treated like an ordinary two-point moving violation.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Your Driving Privilege”, page 35. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SPD-0004
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Question 21 of 25 · Licensing rules
Which NC driver could potentially use the DMV's online system to renew a license, instead of visiting a license office?
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Correct answer: B. A person whose only restriction is corrective lenses
Online renewal is blocked for first-time licenses, commercial licenses, and medical review cases. A restriction for corrective lenses alone does not prevent online renewal.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “DMV on the Web NCDMV.gov”, page 4. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0011
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Question 22 of 25 · Safe driving practices
What does the two-second rule help a driver do while following another vehicle on the road?
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Correct answer: C. Keep a safe gap so there is time to react
The rule has you leave about two seconds between the lead vehicle passing a point and you reaching it, which provides reaction time if it stops suddenly.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 54. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0020
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Question 23 of 25 · Speed limits
In NC, what is the maximum speed limit for a school bus?
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Correct answer: C. 45 mph
School buses are limited to 45 mph, while school activity buses may go up to 55 mph.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 53. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SPD-0002
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Question 24 of 25 · Right of way
In NC, you reach a railroad crossing that has only a crossbuck sign, with no lights or gates. No train is visible yet. What must you do?
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Correct answer: B. Yield to any train that is approaching
Drivers must always give way to trains, even where a crossing has just a crossbuck and no lights or gates.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 61. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ROW-0007
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Question 25 of 25 · Parking
In NC, what is the minimum distance you must keep between your parked vehicle and the entrance to a fire station?
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Correct answer: C. At least 15 feet
NC prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire station entrance, so emergency vehicles can get in and out. Closer spots are illegal.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 56. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-PRK-0021