All 40 North Carolina Permit Test Questions

Every question in our North Carolina bank, with the correct answer and an explanation. Free to read, no signup.

Free North Carolina Permit Practice Test 1Free North Carolina Permit Practice Test 2Free North Carolina Permit Practice Test 3North Carolina Road Signs TestGeneral road-rules questions (all states)
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Licensing & Permits

In North Carolina, the minimum age for a Level One Limited Learner Permit is:
Answer: 15
You must be at least 15 (and under 18) for a Level One Limited Learner Permit.
A North Carolina Level One permit applicant must have completed:
Answer: An approved driver education course
You must complete an approved driver education course.
During the first six months of a NC Level One permit, you may drive only between:
Answer: 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. (with a supervising driver)
First six months: drive only 5 a.m.–9 p.m., accompanied by your supervising driver.
A North Carolina Level One permit must be held for at least:
Answer: 9 months
You must hold the Level One permit at least 9 months.
North Carolina requires a driving log showing a minimum of:
Answer: 60 hours (10 at night)
You must log at least 60 hours of driving, including at least 10 at night.
The minimum age for a North Carolina Level Two Limited Provisional License is:
Answer: 16
The Level Two Limited Provisional License is available at 16 (under 18).
A North Carolina Level Two driver may drive unsupervised only between:
Answer: 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Level Two drivers may drive unsupervised 5 a.m.–9 p.m.; otherwise supervised.
When driving unsupervised, a North Carolina Level Two driver may carry:
Answer: One passenger under 21 who is not a household member
When unsupervised, only one passenger under 21 who is not a household member.
A North Carolina supervising driver must be at least 21 and have been licensed for at least:
Answer: 5 years
A supervising driver must be 21+ and licensed at least 5 years.
Before graduating to a North Carolina Level Three license, you must have no convictions in the prior six months for:
Answer: Moving, seat-belt, or cell-phone violations
No moving, seat-belt, or cell-phone convictions in the preceding six months.
A North Carolina driver may upgrade to a regular Class C license at age:
Answer: 18
At age 18, eligible drivers may upgrade to a regular Class C license.
To be licensed in North Carolina you must pass a road sign and:
Answer: Vision test
You must pass road sign and vision tests.

Alcohol, Drugs & the Law

.02under 21.08adult
In North Carolina, you are guilty of Driving While Impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of:
Answer: .08 or more
DWI applies at 0.08% or more (0.04% for a commercial vehicle).
A North Carolina commercial driver is impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of:
Answer: .04 or more
Commercial drivers are DWI at 0.04% or more.
In North Carolina, you can be convicted of DWI even under .08 if you are:
Answer: Appreciably impaired by alcohol or drugs
You can be convicted if appreciably impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both.
.02under 21.08adult
North Carolina drivers under 21 may not drive after consuming:
Answer: Any alcohol
Under-21 drivers may not drive after consuming any alcohol.
The only thing that lowers your blood alcohol concentration is:
Answer: Time
Only time removes alcohol from your body.
If you plan to drink in North Carolina, the safest choice is to:
Answer: Arrange a sober ride or designated driver
Line up a sober ride before you drink.

Points & Penalties

In North Carolina, speeding in excess of 55 mph adds points and can lead to:
Answer: License suspension after repeat convictions
Two convictions of speeding over 55 mph within 12 months can suspend your license.
In North Carolina, your license can be taken for 30 days for driving more than 15 mph over the limit while going faster than:
Answer: 55 mph
A 30-day revocation applies for going 15+ mph over while driving over 55 mph.
In North Carolina, failing to stop and give aid after a crash can suspend your license for:
Answer: 1 year
Failure to stop and give aid can suspend your license for one year.
If you are involved in a crash in North Carolina, you must:
Answer: Stop and give information
Stop and exchange information at any crash.

Speed Limits & Speed Management

In North Carolina, speeding more than 55 mph is treated as a serious violation because:
Answer: It sharply increases crash risk and adds points
Speeding over 55 mph adds points and raises crash risk.
Even at the posted North Carolina limit, in rain, snow, or fog you should:
Answer: Slow down for conditions
Reduce speed for weather and road conditions.
In North Carolina, driving much slower than surrounding traffic:
Answer: Can be dangerous and impede traffic
Going too slowly can be dangerous and impede other traffic.
North Carolina's basic speed rule requires you to drive:
Answer: At a speed reasonable for conditions
Always drive at a speed reasonable and prudent for conditions.

Sharing the Road

move over
North Carolina's Move Over law requires that, for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, you:
Answer: Move over a lane if safe, or slow down
Move over a lane if safe, otherwise slow down.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren in North Carolina, you should:
Answer: Pull to the right and stop
Pull to the right edge and stop until it passes.
both directions stop
When a North Carolina school bus stops with red lights flashing on a two-lane road, traffic:
Answer: In both directions must stop
Both directions must stop for a stopped school bus on a two-lane road.
give a full lane
A motorcycle in North Carolina is entitled to:
Answer: A full lane of travel
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.
When passing a bicyclist in North Carolina, you should:
Answer: Give room and pass only when safe
Give bicyclists room and pass only when it is safe.

Vehicle Equipment

In North Carolina, all occupants of a vehicle with seat belts must:
Answer: Wear a seat belt at all times when moving
All occupants must have a seat belt fastened whenever the vehicle is in forward motion.
In North Carolina, children under age 16 should be in a:
Answer: Age- and weight-appropriate restraint
Children under 16 should be in an age- and weight-appropriate restraint.
If your turn signals fail in North Carolina, you should:
Answer: Use hand signals
Use hand signals if your turn signals fail.

Signaling & Communication

An arm extended straight out the driver's window means:
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
In North Carolina you must use headlights at night and:
Answer: Whenever you use your wipers in bad weather
Use headlights at night and whenever wipers are needed in bad weather.

Safe Driving

During North Carolina's GDL stages, using a cell phone while driving is:
Answer: Prohibited (except limited exceptions)
GDL drivers may not use a cell phone while driving except in limited emergencies.
If you become drowsy while driving in North Carolina, you should:
Answer: Pull over safely and rest
Only rest cures drowsiness — pull over.
A safe following distance in North Carolina gives you:
Answer: Time to react and avoid a crash
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending others.
Keeping a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead helps you:
Answer: React safely to sudden stops
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending others.