North Carolina Road Signs Test (2026)
Every road sign on the North Carolina exam, with what it means. Free and unlimited.
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What this test covers
This draw of 40 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 17
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 6
- Sharing the Road — 4
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 3
- Adverse Conditions — 2
- Signaling & Communication — 2
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 2
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
- Emergencies & Crashes — 1
- Safe Driving — 1
- Vehicle Equipment — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (17 of 40) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
5 are North Carolina-specific questions, drawn from the state handbook rather than general road rules.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. At a four-way stop with a car directly across turning left as you go straight:
- Both stop forever
- You (going straight) generally have the right-of-way
- They go first
- Largest goes
Show answer
Answer: You (going straight) generally have the right-of-way
Through traffic generally has priority over a car turning left across your path.
2. A red-and-white striped 'DO NOT ENTER' or 'WRONG WAY' sign is meant to:
- Mark a school
- Guide you to services
- Show distances
- Keep you from driving into oncoming traffic
Show answer
Answer: Keep you from driving into oncoming traffic
These signs stop you from entering a road the wrong way against traffic.
3. A green light turns to a steady green arrow for your turn. This means:
- Turn is now prohibited
- Stop
- You now have a protected turn — oncoming traffic is stopped
- Yield to oncoming still
Show answer
Answer: You now have a protected turn — oncoming traffic is stopped
A green arrow gives a protected turn; opposing traffic is held.
4. What does this sign mean?
- A loop ramp only
- A roundabout is ahead
- No turns
- A detour
Show answer
Answer: A roundabout is ahead
A roundabout-ahead sign warns of a traffic circle; slow down and prepare to yield.
5. You come upon a crash scene ahead. You should:
- Slow down, move over if possible, and watch for people and debris
- Speed by quickly
- Stop in your lane
- Take photos while driving
Show answer
Answer: Slow down, move over if possible, and watch for people and debris
Slow down, move over, and watch for injured people, responders, and debris.
6. On a divided highway, an emergency vehicle approaches from behind on your side. You should:
- Pull to the right and stop until it passes
- Cross the median
- Stop in the left lane
- Speed up
Show answer
Answer: Pull to the right and stop until it passes
Pull to the right edge and stop; don't cross a median.
7. North Carolina's Move Over law requires that, for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, you:
- Honk
- Stop in the lane
- Move over a lane if safe, or slow down
- Speed up
Show answer
Answer: Move over a lane if safe, or slow down
Move over a lane if safe, otherwise slow down.
8. Your total stopping distance increases with:
- Lower speed
- Higher speed, wet roads, and slow reactions
- Daylight
- New tires
Show answer
Answer: Higher speed, wet roads, and slow reactions
Speed, poor road conditions, and slow reaction all lengthen your stopping distance.
9. Brown signs indicate:
- Emergency routes
- Recreational and cultural areas (parks)
- Weigh stations
- Detours
Show answer
Answer: Recreational and cultural areas (parks)
Brown signs mark recreational and cultural sites such as parks and campgrounds.
10. During North Carolina's GDL stages, using a cell phone while driving is:
- Required
- Allowed
- Prohibited (except limited exceptions)
- Encouraged
Show answer
Answer: Prohibited (except limited exceptions)
GDL drivers may not use a cell phone while driving except in limited emergencies.
11. What does this sign tell you to do?
- No left turn
- Turn left only
- Merge left
- Keep to the left of a divider or obstruction
Show answer
Answer: Keep to the left of a divider or obstruction
A keep-left sign directs you to pass to the left of a median or obstacle.
12. If your turn signals fail in North Carolina, you should:
- Use hand signals
- Use the horn
- Turn without warning
- Not signal
Show answer
Answer: Use hand signals
Use hand signals if your turn signals fail.
13. What does this sign tell you to do?
- Keep to the right of a divider or obstruction
- Merge right
- Turn right only
- No right turn
Show answer
Answer: Keep to the right of a divider or obstruction
A keep-right sign directs you to pass to the right of a median or obstacle.
14. What does this sign mean?
- Right lane closed
- Road ends
- No right turn
- Sharp curve to the right ahead
Show answer
Answer: Sharp curve to the right ahead
A curved-arrow warning sign means the road curves to the right ahead — slow down.
15. What does this sign warn of?
- A bridge
- A tunnel light
- Low clearance — height limit ahead
- A dip
Show answer
Answer: Low clearance — height limit ahead
A low-clearance sign warns of limited overhead height; tall vehicles must not proceed if too high.
16. Driving in the center two-way left-turn lane to travel straight is:
- Allowed for a short distance
- Not allowed — it is only for turning left
- Required
- Allowed to pass
Show answer
Answer: Not allowed — it is only for turning left
Never drive straight through in a center turn lane; use it only to turn left.
17. When following another vehicle closely at night, you should:
- Flash your brights
- Use high beams
- Turn off your lights
- Use low beams to avoid blinding the driver ahead
Show answer
Answer: Use low beams to avoid blinding the driver ahead
Dim to low beams within 300 feet when following, so you don't blind the driver ahead.
18. What does this sign mean?
- No passing
- A lane is being added — you may not need to merge
- Right lane ends
- The road ends
Show answer
Answer: A lane is being added — you may not need to merge
An added-lane sign means a lane is joining; the added traffic doesn't have to merge immediately.
19. This sign, posted on the left side of the road, marks:
- A one-way street
- A truck route
- A picnic area
- A no-passing zone
Show answer
Answer: A no-passing zone
The yellow pennant is the No Passing Zone sign, posted on the left where passing is prohibited.
20. A pedestrian who is using a white cane or a guide dog steps into the road. You must:
- Proceed carefully around them
- Yield only if at a crosswalk
- Honk to warn them
- Yield and stop — they always have the right-of-way
Show answer
Answer: Yield and stop — they always have the right-of-way
You must always yield to a blind pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog.
21. What does this sign warn of?
- A rest area
- A dead end
- A crossroad ahead where another road crosses
- A hospital
Show answer
Answer: A crossroad ahead where another road crosses
A cross-road warning shows an intersecting road ahead — watch for entering traffic.
22. On entering a sharp curve too fast, you risk:
- A ticket only
- Losing traction and running off the road
- Better handling
- Nothing
Show answer
Answer: Losing traction and running off the road
Too much speed in a curve can break traction and send you off the road — slow before it.
23. North Carolina drivers under 21 may not drive after consuming:
- Only beer
- A full case
- Only spirits
- Any alcohol
Show answer
Answer: Any alcohol
Under-21 drivers may not drive after consuming any alcohol.
24. When a North Carolina school bus stops with red lights flashing on a two-lane road, traffic:
- In both directions must stop
- Only behind stops
- May pass slowly
- Slows to 20
Show answer
Answer: In both directions must stop
Both directions must stop for a stopped school bus on a two-lane road.
25. A pedestrian steps off the curb into the crosswalk against a 'Walk' signal as you turn. You must:
- Speed up
- Honk
- Proceed
- Yield and let them cross safely
Show answer
Answer: Yield and let them cross safely
Yield to pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk, even while you're turning.
26. A sign of this shape and color indicates:
- A construction or work zone
- A hospital zone
- A scenic route
- A school zone
Show answer
Answer: A construction or work zone
Orange means a construction or maintenance work zone — slow down and watch for workers.
27. At a red light, when may you turn right?
- After a complete stop, if it's safe and no sign prohibits it
- Never
- Anytime without stopping
- Only with a green arrow
Show answer
Answer: After a complete stop, if it's safe and no sign prohibits it
Right on red is allowed after a full stop, when safe, unless a 'No Turn on Red' sign is posted.
28. A school-zone sign is what color and shape?
- Orange diamond
- Red octagon
- Blue rectangle
- Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon
Show answer
Answer: Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon
School zones use a fluorescent yellow-green pentagon.
29. What does this sign warn of?
- A rest stop
- A right turn only
- A merge
- A side road entering from the right
Show answer
Answer: A side road entering from the right
A side-road sign warns that another road joins from the right; watch for vehicles entering.
30. What does this sign warn of?
- A detour
- A winding road — a series of curves ahead
- A one-way street
- A racetrack
Show answer
Answer: A winding road — a series of curves ahead
This warns of a winding road (several curves). Reduce speed.
31. Before changing lanes, in addition to checking your mirrors you should:
- Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot
- Honk
- Speed up
- Just use your mirrors
Show answer
Answer: Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot
Mirrors don't show your blind spot — glance over your shoulder before moving over.
32. When roads are wet, you should increase your following distance to:
- The same 3-4 seconds
- More than the normal 3-4 seconds
- Zero
- 1 second
Show answer
Answer: More than the normal 3-4 seconds
Wet roads lengthen stopping distance — leave more than the normal following gap.
33. At a T-intersection, who has the right-of-way?
- The vehicle turning right
- The vehicle on the road that ends (the stem)
- The vehicle going faster
- Vehicles on the through road (the top of the T)
Show answer
Answer: Vehicles on the through road (the top of the T)
Traffic on the through road has the right-of-way; the driver on the ending road must yield.
34. What does this sign mean?
- No parking
- Yield
- U-turns are not permitted here
- One way
Show answer
Answer: U-turns are not permitted here
This regulatory sign prohibits U-turns.
35. You are following a large truck and cannot see its side mirrors. This means:
- You are at a safe distance
- The driver can still see you
- The truck driver probably cannot see you — drop back
- Nothing
Show answer
Answer: The truck driver probably cannot see you — drop back
If you can't see the truck's mirrors, the driver can't see you. Move back so you're visible.
36. What does this hand signal mean?
- Go
- Stop or slow
- Left turn
- Right turn
Show answer
Answer: Right turn
Left arm bent upward = a right turn.
37. If your car goes into a skid, you should:
- Turn the wheel opposite
- Accelerate hard
- Slam on the brakes
- Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
Show answer
Answer: Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
Take your foot off the gas and steer where you want to go; avoid slamming the brakes.
38. A steady yellow traffic light means:
- Speed up to beat the red
- The light is about to turn red — stop if you can do so safely
- Go, the intersection is yours
- Yield only to pedestrians
Show answer
Answer: The light is about to turn red — stop if you can do so safely
Steady yellow warns the signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely.
39. When following or passing a motorcycle, you should:
- Pass closely on the right
- Give it a full lane width, just like a car
- Share its lane to save space
- Tailgate to encourage it to speed up
Show answer
Answer: Give it a full lane width, just like a car
A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane. Never crowd or share a lane with one.
40. As your speed increases, the distance needed to stop:
- Increases sharply
- Only matters at night
- Decreases
- Stays the same
Show answer
Answer: Increases sharply
Higher speed means a much longer stopping distance — roughly quadrupling when you double your speed.
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