North Carolina Road Signs Test
25 questions on road signs, signals and pavement markings from the North Carolina Driver Handbook. Each answer is explained with the handbook page it comes from.
Questions from the North Carolina Driver Handbook, last checked November 2, 2026. Your progress is saved on this device.
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Question 1 of 25 · Road signs
You see a sign warning that a railroad crossing is ahead. Which response is correct as you get closer to it?
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Correct answer: C. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop for a train
A railroad crossing warning sign means you should slow down, look both ways, listen, and be prepared to stop for a train.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 61. Handbook PDF
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Question 2 of 25 · Road signs
When you see this sign ahead of you on the road, what should you do?
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Correct answer: A. Reduce speed and be ready to stop so you can cross the tracks safely
This round yellow sign warns that a railroad crossing is ahead. The handbook says to slow down and stop if needed to be sure you can get across safely.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 84. Handbook PDF
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Question 3 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
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Question 4 of 25 · Road signs
A blue and white sign is posted along a highway. What does this type of sign most likely point out?
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Correct answer: A. A nearby hospital, Highway Patrol station, or telephone
Blue and white signs are informational signs for nearby services such as a hospital, Highway Patrol station or telephone.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 85. Handbook PDF
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Question 5 of 25 · Road signs
At a railroad crossing, a signal warns of an approaching train and the gate is down. How long must you stay stopped?
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Correct answer: D. Until the gate rises or the signal or flagger shows it is safe
You must remain stopped until the gate goes up or the signal or flagger tells you it is safe to proceed. Your own judgement of the train's sound or timing is not enough.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 84. Handbook PDF
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Question 6 of 25 · Road signs
You see a diamond-shaped warning sign with black symbols on an orange background. What does the color combination indicate?
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Correct answer: C. A construction or maintenance area is ahead
Black on orange diamond signs warn of road construction or maintenance. Black on yellow diamonds are general warnings, so orange signals work-zone conditions and calls for extra care.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 84. Handbook PDF
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Question 7 of 25 · Road signs
Besides warning you as you approach a work zone, how are black-on-orange signs also used once you are inside the zone?
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Correct answer: A. To give specific information and directions for driving through
Inside the work zone, black-on-orange signs continue to give drivers specific information and directions as they pass through the area.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 70. Handbook PDF
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Question 8 of 25 · Road signs
In North Carolina, which part of the road is treated as the highway work zone, where the posted work zone speed limit applies?
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Correct answer: B. The area from the first beginning sign to the last ending sign
A highway work zone runs from the first sign announcing its start to the last sign marking its end. The posted speed limit must be obeyed throughout that whole stretch.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 70. Handbook PDF
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Question 9 of 25 · Road signs
You come to a work zone sign warning that a flagger is ahead. What is the correct way to respond as you approach?
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Correct answer: C. Stay alert and be ready to stop
A flagger sign means a person is controlling traffic ahead and may stop you. You need to be alert and prepared to stop.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 70. Handbook PDF
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Question 10 of 25 · Road signs
In NC, what generally is true about numbered highways that are marked with odd numbers?
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Correct answer: B. They generally run north and south
Odd-numbered highways generally run north and south, while even-numbered ones generally run east and west. This helps a lost driver work out the direction of travel.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 85. Handbook PDF
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Question 11 of 25 · Road signs
A black-on-orange sign far ahead tells you to shift into another lane. When is the best time to make that move?
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Correct answer: B. Soon after the sign, since it gives you enough advance notice
Advance work zone signs give notice early enough for you to react in time. Waiting until the last minute is unnecessary and creates problems for traffic.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 71. Handbook PDF
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Question 12 of 25 · Road signs
When you approach this sign, what must you do?
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Correct answer: B. Slow down and give right of way, stopping if traffic on the other road requires it
The yield sign tells drivers to slow down and give up the right of way. Whether a full stop is needed depends on traffic on the intersecting street, unlike a stop sign, which always requires a full stop.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 83. Handbook PDF
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Question 13 of 25 · Road signs
How are Interstate highways marked on route signs?
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Correct answer: B. With a red, white and blue shield
Interstate route markers use a shield colored red, white and blue, which sets them apart from other numbered routes.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 85. Handbook PDF
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Question 14 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
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Question 15 of 25 · Road signs
Why is a diamond-shaped STOP AHEAD sign placed a good distance before certain stop signs?
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Correct answer: B. A curve or object may block the view of the stop sign
A STOP AHEAD sign gives early warning when a curve or other obstruction would keep a driver from seeing the stop sign in time.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 84. Handbook PDF
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Question 16 of 25 · Road signs
In NC, when can a driver caught speeding in a highway work zone receive an extra work zone penalty on top of the usual speeding penalties?
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Correct answer: D. When a sign at the start of the zone lists the penalty
The added work zone penalty applies when a sign posted at the beginning of the zone lists it. It is in addition to the other penalties for the speeding conviction.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 70. Handbook PDF
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Question 17 of 25 · Road signs
You see a round yellow sign with a black cross and the letters RR. What should you do as you approach it?
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Correct answer: B. Slow down and stop if needed to cross safely
The round yellow RR sign is an advance warning of a railroad crossing. Slow down and be ready to stop if that is needed to cross safely.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 84. Handbook PDF
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Question 18 of 25 · Road signs
Watching for this sign helps a driver avoid which error on an interstate?
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Correct answer: B. Going onto the roadway facing the wrong way
The handbook says drivers can avoid heading the wrong way onto an interstate by watching for Do Not Enter signs. If a driver does enter going the wrong way, the driver should pull onto the right shoulder and stop.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 65. Handbook PDF
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Question 19 of 25 · Road signs
A blue sign at a North Carolina railroad crossing lists a crossing ID number and a phone number. What is its purpose?
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Correct answer: B. To report emergencies or problems directly to the railroad
The Emergency Notification System sign gives the crossing's identification number and the railroad's emergency phone number so you can report emergencies or faulty signals or gates.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “TIP”, page 62. Handbook PDF
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Question 20 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
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Question 21 of 25 · Road signs
What is the general purpose of a warning sign along the road?
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Correct answer: A. To alert drivers to unusual features or conditions ahead
Warning signs tell drivers about unusual features or conditions they are about to meet so they can prepare.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 70. Handbook PDF
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Question 22 of 25 · Road signs
A railroad crossing has more than one set of tracks. How does the crossbuck sign show this?
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Correct answer: D. A separate sign under the crossbuck shows the track count
When a crossing has multiple tracks, the number of tracks appears on a sign mounted below the white crossbuck.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 84. Handbook PDF
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Question 23 of 25 · Road signs
A driver approaches a sign shaped like a triangle with one point facing down, in red and white. What must the driver do at this sign?
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Correct answer: C. Slow down and give way, stopping if cross traffic requires it
A downward-pointing triangle is a yield sign. Drivers slow and give the right of way, stopping only when traffic on the intersecting road makes it necessary.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 83. Handbook PDF
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Question 24 of 25 · Road signs
A driver sees this sign along the road. What is the sign telling the driver?
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Correct answer: C. A stop sign is coming up, and the driver's view of it may be blocked
The handbook says the Stop Ahead sign is posted well before a stop sign when a curve or other objects block the driver's view of it. It warns the driver to prepare to stop, not to stop at the sign itself.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Traffic Signs”, page 84. Handbook PDF
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Question 25 of 25 · Road signs
In North Carolina, what does a sign with black lettering on an orange background tell you as you approach it on the road?
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Correct answer: C. You are about to enter a highway work zone
Black-on-orange signs are used only to mark work zones. Seeing one means you should stay alert and be ready to react to changed conditions.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, “Hazardous Driving”, page 70. Handbook PDF
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