North Carolina Permit Practice Test 3
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 · Speed limits
A NC driver goes over 55 mph and at least 15 mph above the legal limit while trying to avoid arrest. What is the suspension?
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Correct answer: B. 1 year
Fleeing arrest at a speed over 55 mph and 15 or more mph above the limit carries a one-year suspension, much longer than ordinary speeding penalties.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Suspensions”, page 37. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SPD-0010
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Question 2 of 25 · Road signs
In NC, a five-sided sign (pentagon) is posted beside the road. What does this sign tell drivers?
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Correct answer: A. A school zone or school crossing is nearby
The pentagon shape is reserved for school zones and school crossings. Drivers should watch closely for children, and speed limits are often lowered during school hours.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 85. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SIG-0004
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Question 3 of 25 · Road signs
Which marker shape identifies a North Carolina numbered highway, as opposed to a U.S. highway?
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Correct answer: C. A diamond
North Carolina route markers are diamond shaped, while U.S. highway markers are shaped like a shield.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 85. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SIG-0028
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Question 4 of 25 · Road signs
You approach a railroad crossing marked with a crossbuck, and its red lights are flashing. How should you treat those lights?
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Correct answer: A. Stop, as you would at any flashing red traffic signal
Flashing red lights at a crossbuck require a full stop, the same as for any flashing red traffic signal, whether or not a train is visible.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 61. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SIG-0018
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Question 5 of 25 · Safe driving practices
Why should you avoid using cruise control while driving on wet roads?
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Correct answer: A. Turning it off during a hydroplane costs time you may not have
If the car begins to hydroplane, the delay needed to cancel cruise control could decide whether you keep control of the vehicle.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 72. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0060
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Question 6 of 25 · Parking
Under what condition may you leave your vehicle parked on the shoulder of a highway in NC?
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Correct answer: C. Only when drivers from both directions can see it 200 feet away
Shoulder parking is unlawful unless approaching drivers in both directions can see the parked vehicle from at least 200 feet away.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 56. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-PRK-0011
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Question 7 of 25 · Safe driving practices
Before changing lanes, what must you do in addition to checking your mirrors?
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Correct answer: A. Briefly turn your head to look over your shoulder
Mirrors leave blind spots near the rear corners of the vehicle, so you must quickly look over your shoulder to see what is there before moving over.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Defensive Driving”, page 68. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0052
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Question 8 of 25 · Right of way
You are on a four-lane limited-access highway with a center median. An ambulance with siren and lights is approaching on the opposite side of the median. What should you do?
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Correct answer: A. Keep driving normally, since opposing traffic need not yield here
Drivers must normally yield to emergency vehicles from any direction. The exception is traffic traveling opposite the emergency vehicle on a four-lane limited-access highway with a center median.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “General Driving”, page 48. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ROW-0018
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Question 9 of 25 · Licensing rules
An NC owner is selling a car and signs over the title to the buyer. What must happen for the ownership transfer to be valid?
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Correct answer: A. The signing must be done before a Notary Public
Reassigning the title must happen in front of a Notary Public, and the vehicle must actually be delivered to the new owner.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Tag & Tax Together”, page 100. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0079
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Question 10 of 25 · Safe driving practices
You are about to drive down a long, steep hill. How can you control speed without wearing out your brakes?
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Correct answer: A. Use a lower gear, ideally selected before you start downhill
A lower gear lets the engine hold your speed, which prevents too much brake wear. It works best when you shift at the top of the hill.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Emergencies”, page 75. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0065
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Question 11 of 25 · Licensing rules
In NC, a driver commits a traffic offense in another state and is convicted there. How might this affect the driver's NC license?
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Correct answer: A. It may be suspended or revoked as if it happened in NC
Convictions from outside North Carolina can lead to suspension or revocation just as if the violation had happened inside the state.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Suspensions”, page 38. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0054
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Question 12 of 25 · Licensing rules
A driver in NC moves to a new home. Within how many days must DMV be told about the new address and a duplicate license obtained?
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Correct answer: C. 60 days
NC gives license holders 60 days to report an address change to DMV and get a duplicate license showing it.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Renewal and Duplicate Licenses”, page 28. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0031
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Question 13 of 25 · Right of way
In NC, you face a steady red light with no sign banning turns on red, and you want to turn right. What must you do?
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Correct answer: A. Stop completely, yield to pedestrians and traffic, then turn right
A right turn on red is allowed only after a complete stop, and only if no sign prohibits it. The driver must yield to other traffic and to pedestrians who are starting to cross.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings”, page 80. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ROW-0015
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Question 14 of 25 · Safe driving practices
You come to a road where water is flowing across the pavement after heavy rain. It looks fairly shallow. What is the safest choice?
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Correct answer: D. Stay off the flooded road and find another route
Water depth is hard to judge and the road beneath may be washed away. Moving water can stall a vehicle and carry it off the road, so you should not enter it.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 73. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0045
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Question 15 of 25 · Licensing rules
Which of these NC traffic convictions adds the most driver license points to a regular (non-commercial) driver's record?
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Correct answer: A. Passing a stopped school bus
Passing a stopped school bus costs 5 points. Following too closely is 4, and running a red light or stop sign is 3 each.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Your Driving Privilege”, page 34. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0058
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Question 16 of 25 · Safe driving practices
You are driving behind another car and cannot see its inside rear-view mirror. What does this usually mean?
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Correct answer: D. You are in that driver's blind spot
If you cannot see the inside mirror of the car ahead, you are probably in that driver's blind spot, so you should avoid staying there.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 63. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0029
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Question 17 of 25 · Alcohol & drugs
A 30-year-old NC driver is convicted of handing an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21. What happens to the adult's driver license?
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Correct answer: D. It is revoked for one year
NC law requires a one-year license revocation for anyone convicted of providing alcohol to an underage person. The penalty applies to adults, not just to underage buyers.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Alcohol and the Young Driver”, page 33. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ALC-0018
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Question 18 of 25 · Safe driving practices
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS) and you need to stop quickly. What is the correct braking technique?
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Correct answer: C. Brake hard and hold firm, steady pressure on the pedal
ABS works best when you press hard and keep steady pressure on the pedal. Pumping or releasing pressure makes the system less effective.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 66. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0042
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Question 19 of 25 · Speed limits
Why does it take a longer distance to stop a vehicle when you drive at higher speeds?
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Correct answer: C. The car covers more ground before you react and needs more braking distance
Higher speed means the vehicle travels farther during the driver's reaction time, and it also needs more distance for braking. Both add to total stopping distance.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 52. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SPD-0018
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Question 20 of 25 · Licensing rules
Your insurance company offers a grace period after your policy expires. How does North Carolina treat a gap in coverage during that grace period?
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Correct answer: B. The state does not recognize the grace period
A grace period is only an agreement between the insured and the insurer. North Carolina does not honor it, so the lapse still counts.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Vehicle Registration”, page 99. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0070
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Question 21 of 25 · Licensing rules
In North Carolina, which feature shows that a driver license, learner permit, or ID card is a REAL ID?
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Correct answer: A. A star printed on the card
A REAL ID is marked with a star. Cards without it are labeled as not valid for federal identification.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “North Carolina's REAL ID”, page 24. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0022
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Question 22 of 25 · Signals & pavement markings
A circular traffic light turns yellow while you are still well back from the intersection and have plenty of room to stop. What should you do?
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Correct answer: C. Stop before the intersection
A yellow light warns that red is coming. You should stop unless you are too close to stop safely, and you should never accelerate to beat the red.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings”, page 80. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SGM-0007
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Question 23 of 25 · Alcohol & drugs
A 19-year-old NC driver is convicted of driving with some alcohol in their body, even a small amount. What happens to the license?
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Correct answer: A. It is revoked for one year
For drivers under 21, any amount of alcohol or drugs in the body is an offense. A conviction brings a one-year license revocation.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Alcohol and the Young Driver”, page 33. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ALC-0012
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Question 24 of 25 · Sharing the road
You are on a road with only one lane in your direction and approach a police car parked on the shoulder with its emergency lights flashing. What must you do?
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Correct answer: B. Slow down and drive at a reduced, safe speed until past
On a road with a single lane in your direction, you cannot move over, so the rule is to reduce your speed to a safe level until you have completely passed the emergency vehicle.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “MOVE OVER”, page 49. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SHR-0002
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Question 25 of 25 · Sharing the road
You are already driving inside a roundabout when an emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches. What is the correct action?
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Correct answer: B. Exit the roundabout first, then pull over
Drivers already in the roundabout should leave it before pulling over, so they do not block the emergency vehicle. Others should not enter while it passes.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 59. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SHR-0010