North Carolina Permit Practice Test 5
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
A North Carolina license holder moves to a new home in the same state. How long do they have to update the physical address with the DMV?
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Correct answer: D. Within 60 days
Anyone with a license or ID who moves within North Carolina must update their physical address and get a duplicate within 60 days.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Vehicle Registration”, page 98. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0066
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Question 2 of 25 · Safe driving practices
On a multi-lane highway, what should you check besides the lane you plan to move into before changing lanes?
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Correct answer: A. The lane beyond it, in case another car aims for the same space
Another driver might be heading for the same spot from the farther lane, so you check the next lane over as well as your target lane, along with mirrors and blind spot.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 54. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0021
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Question 3 of 25 · Speed limits
As your speed increases, what happens to the distance ahead that you need to be able to see for safe stopping?
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Correct answer: D. You must be able to see farther ahead
The faster you travel, the more road you need to see in front of you so that you have enough space to stop.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 53. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SPD-0022
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Question 4 of 25 · Licensing rules
In NC, a teen has held a Level One Limited Learner Permit for three months. When may this teen drive with a supervising driver?
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Correct answer: B. Only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
For the first six months, a level one permit limits driving to the hours from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Unrestricted hours with a supervising driver begin only after six months.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Chapter 1 — Your License”, page 12. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0015
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Question 5 of 25 · Licensing rules
In NC, a vehicle has window tint added after it left the factory. What is the lowest amount of light the tinted windows may let through?
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Correct answer: C. 35 percent
Tinted windows in NC must allow at least 35% light transmittance. Anything darker than that does not meet the allowed limit.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Vehicle Emissines & Safety Inspection”, page 102. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0075
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Question 6 of 25 · Sharing the road
In NC, on which type of road is slow-moving farm equipment generally not permitted to travel?
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Correct answer: A. Interstate highways
Farm equipment may legally use most NC roads, but interstates are the exception.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 52. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SHR-0007
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Question 7 of 25 · Signals & pavement markings
At a mid-block crosswalk, a hybrid beacon is alternating flashing red lights while pedestrians are still crossing. What must you do?
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Correct answer: D. Stay stopped until the pedestrians clear, then go after a full stop
During the flashing red phase of a hybrid beacon, vehicles must stay stopped until pedestrians have cleared the crossing. After that, and after a complete stop, drivers may proceed.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings”, page 82. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SGM-0011
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Question 8 of 25 · Safe driving practices
Your car breaks down and you pull onto the shoulder. Where should you and your passengers go once you get out?
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Correct answer: A. Exit on the passenger side and stand off the road, away from the front and rear
After a breakdown you should leave by the passenger side and stay off the road. Do not stand in front of or behind the vehicle, where another car could strike you.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Emergencies”, page 76. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0068
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Question 9 of 25 · Right of way
You are on a divided highway with four lanes and a grass median. A school bus ahead in your direction stops with red lights flashing, and you are following it. What must you do?
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Correct answer: B. Stop and wait until the bus lights go off and it moves
On a divided highway with a median, traffic following the bus must stop. Only traffic traveling the opposite way is allowed to continue.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “General Driving”, page 48. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ROW-0003
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Question 10 of 25 · Right of way
A fire truck with siren and flashing lights approaches from behind on a typical two-lane street. What should you do?
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Correct answer: D. Pull to the right edge of the road and stop completely
Drivers must go to the right-hand curb or road edge and stop, staying stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed or an officer directs otherwise.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “General Driving”, page 48. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ROW-0005
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Question 11 of 25 · Safe driving practices
Emergency lights flash behind you on a road with no safe place to stop right away. What should you do to show the officer you know about them?
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Correct answer: C. Turn on four-way flashers and slow down about 10 mph
If no obvious safe stopping spot exists, you should use your flashers and reduce speed slightly to signal awareness. Keep obeying traffic laws until you reach a safe place to stop.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “MOVE OVER”, page 49. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0008
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Question 12 of 25 · Licensing rules
Once a moped is registered in North Carolina, where must its license plate be displayed?
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Correct answer: B. On the rear of the moped at all times
NC requires the moped plate to be mounted on the back of the moped whenever it is in use, along with a registration card.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Recreational Vehicles and Trailers”, page 94. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0073
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Question 13 of 25 · Road signs
You notice that the blue emergency sign at a railroad crossing is damaged. Which agency does the NC handbook say to contact about it?
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Correct answer: A. The USDOT Federal Railroad Administration
For blue signs that are damaged or missing, drivers are told to contact the USDOT Federal Railroad Administration, since the sign itself cannot be relied on.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 62. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SIG-0017
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Question 14 of 25 · Alcohol & drugs
A North Carolina driver is convicted of DWI while the driver's license is still revoked because of an earlier DWI conviction. What action may the court take against the driver's vehicle?
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Correct answer: A. Order the vehicle seized and then sold
Driving impaired while already revoked for a prior DWI is treated severely in NC. The court has the authority to seize the vehicle and sell it.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Alcohol and the Law”, page 32. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ALC-0020
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Question 15 of 25 · Licensing rules
How early before its expiration date can an NC driver license be renewed?
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Correct answer: D. Up to 180 days before
NC allows renewal anytime within the 180 days (about six months) leading up to expiration.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Renewal and Duplicate Licenses”, page 26. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0026
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Question 16 of 25 · Road signs
A flagger at a road construction site holds up a paddle to control traffic. What wording appears on this paddle?
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Correct answer: B. STOP/SLOW
Flaggers use a paddle marked STOP/SLOW. They turn it to halt traffic or to let vehicles move through.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 70. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SIG-0008
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Question 17 of 25 · Safe driving practices
In NC, a licensed motor vehicle's horn must be loud enough to be heard from what minimum distance?
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Correct answer: B. 200 feet
A vehicle's horn has to be audible from at least 200 feet, yet it must not produce an unreasonably harsh or loud sound.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 67. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0049
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Question 18 of 25 · Speed limits
A NC driver is convicted of going 72 mph in a 55 mph zone. What is the minimum penalty to the driving privilege?
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Correct answer: C. A revocation of at least 30 days
Driving more than 15 mph over the limit while going faster than 55 mph means the driving privilege is revoked for at least 30 days.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Suspensions”, page 36. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SPD-0001
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Question 19 of 25 · Safe driving practices
When driving on rain-slicked pavement, how much following distance should you leave compared with normal dry-road conditions?
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Correct answer: D. At least double the normal distance
Stopping on slippery pavement takes much farther, so you should allow at least twice your usual following distance in rain.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 72. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0058
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Question 20 of 25 · Alcohol & drugs
In NC, a 17-year-old with a provisional license drives after taking drugs. Which statement describes the rule for drivers under 18?
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Correct answer: D. Driving after any amount of drugs is unlawful
Provisional licensees, meaning drivers under 18, may not drive after using any amount of alcohol or drugs. The ban does not depend on visible impairment, a crash, or the adult limit.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 14. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-ALC-0015
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Question 21 of 25 · Parking
You will only be gone briefly and find an open space reserved for disabled drivers. When may you use it in NC?
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Correct answer: D. Only if your vehicle shows a handicap plate or disability placard
Disabled-use spaces are restricted to vehicles displaying a handicap license plate or a disability parking placard, regardless of how long you stay.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Basic Driving Skills and Rules”, page 56. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-PRK-0015
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Question 22 of 25 · Sharing the road
A motorcycle is ahead of you in your lane on a two-lane road. How should you pass it in NC?
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Correct answer: A. Change lanes and pass as you would a larger vehicle
A motorcycle is entitled to its whole lane, so you must move into another lane to pass, just as you would for any larger vehicle.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Recreational Vehicles and Trailers”, page 92. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SHR-0018
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Question 23 of 25 · Safe driving practices
In NC, a child under 16 is riding in the open bed of a pickup truck in violation of the law. Who is responsible for compliance?
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Correct answer: A. The driver of the truck
NC law bars children under 16 from riding in an open pickup bed, and the vehicle's operator is the one responsible for following this rule.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Protecting Yourself and Your Passengers”, page 45. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SAF-0018
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Question 24 of 25 · Road signs
In NC, how many blue Emergency Notification System signs must each highway-railroad crossing have posted?
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Correct answer: A. One for each direction of traffic
North Carolina requires every highway-railroad crossing to have a blue emergency notification sign facing each direction of traffic.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 62. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-SIG-0016
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Question 25 of 25 · Licensing rules
What is the minimum age to operate a moped on a public road in NC?
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Correct answer: C. 16 years old
Moped operators in NC must be at least 16 and hold a valid NC driver license or NC ID card.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Recreational Vehicles and Trailers”, page 93. Handbook PDF
Report a mistake in NC-LIC-0064