NC Permit Practice Test 1

All 20 questions in test 1

Every question below comes from the North Carolina question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. In North Carolina, how far to the left must a passing driver pass the vehicle being overtaken?

   1. At least two feet
   2. At least six inches
   3. At least one foot
   4. At least ten feet
   Show answer

   At least two feet. The passing rule requires the driver to pass at least two feet to the left of the vehicle being passed. Six inches and one foot provide less separation than the handbook states, while ten feet is not the listed legal distance. The driver still needs enough sight distance and room to return safely before meeting oncoming traffic. A concrete cue is to pair the two foot lateral minimum with the requirement to maintain a steady speed and leave plenty of room during the maneuver. Passing distance does not replace checking whether passing is permitted.

2. 2. What age range must an applicant meet for a North Carolina Level One Limited Learner Permit?

   1. At least 14 but less than 16 years old
   2. At least 16 but less than 21 years old
   3. At least 15 but less than 18 years old
   4. At least 18 but less than 25 years old
   Show answer

   At least 15 but less than 18 years old. North Carolina says an applicant for a Level One Limited Learner Permit must be at least 15 years old but less than 18 and must reside in North Carolina. The lower age is 15, not 14, and reaching 16 does not eliminate the upper limit for this permit. Applicants who are already 18 follow the adult licensing path rather than this under-18 graduated stage. Use the age cue as a range: the permit begins at 15 and ends before the applicant’s 18th birthday, alongside the other application requirements.

3. 3. What does the yellow pennant-shaped sign mark?

   
   1. A route where passing is required
   2. The beginning of a no-passing zone
   3. The end of every posted speed limit
   4. A school crossing with reduced hours
   Show answer

   The beginning of a no-passing zone. The yellow pennant is positioned on the left side of the road and points to the beginning of a no-passing zone. It emphasizes the regulatory DO NOT PASS sign and corresponds with the solid yellow line in your lane. It does not require passing, end a speed limit, or identify a school crossing. When the pennant appears, treat the upcoming section as a place where passing is prohibited and keep your vehicle behind the slower traffic until the restriction ends.

4. 4. What is the first priority when a vehicle breaks down on a roadway?

   1. Move the vehicle completely onto the shoulder
   2. Stand behind it to direct traffic
   3. Leave it blocking the lane with no lights
   4. Repair it in the travel lane
   Show answer

   Move the vehicle completely onto the shoulder. For a breakdown, the handbook says to exit the main part of the road and move the vehicle completely onto the shoulder. Repairs should not be attempted where passing traffic can reach you. Standing in front of or behind the vehicle creates a serious exposure, so passengers should leave from the passenger side and stand away from the road. The vehicle should also be made visible with parking lights or emergency flashers when it is dark. The immediate cue is separation: get the disabled vehicle and people out of the active travel path before seeking a tow truck or mechanic.

5. 5. How many hours must a North Carolina teen log on the Driving Log before a Level Two license, and how many at night?

   1. At least 40 hours, with 6 at night
   2. At least 50 hours, with 10 at night
   3. At least 60 hours, with at least 10 at night
   4. At least 30 hours, all in daylight
   Show answer

   At least 60 hours, with at least 10 at night. A Level One permit holder receives a Driving Log that must detail a minimum of 60 hours of operation, and at least 10 of those hours must occur during nighttime hours. Daytime driving counts from sunrise to sunset, and nighttime driving is after sunset and before sunrise. Totals of 30, 40, or 50 hours fall short of the North Carolina minimum, and an all daylight log skips the required night hours. The completed log is presented when applying for the Level Two license.

6. 6. What should a North Carolina driver check before entering a vehicle to back up?

   1. Only the rearview mirror
   2. The fuel gauge and dashboard lights
   3. The lane on the opposite side of the street
   4. The area behind the vehicle for small objects or children
   Show answer

   The area behind the vehicle for small objects or children. The handbook's backing rules begin before entering the vehicle: check behind it for small objects or children. A rearview mirror alone may not reveal low or nearby hazards, while the fuel gauge and distant lane are not the immediate safety check. Walk around or otherwise inspect the rear area, then continue looking as you back. The key cue is that children and small objects can be hidden below normal mirror sightlines.

7. 7. In a North Carolina roundabout, how far around do you travel to continue straight?

   1. A quarter of the way around
   2. Three-quarters around
   3. A full circle
   4. Halfway around
   Show answer

   Halfway around. Once inside a roundabout, simply exit at the desired street. You go a quarter of the way around to turn right at the next street, halfway around to continue straight, three quarters around to turn left instead of making a left turn across traffic, and a full circle to make a U-turn. In a multi-lane roundabout, choose the lane for your exit before entering, typically the right lane to exit right.

8. 8. How long must a North Carolina supervising driver have been licensed?

   1. At least one year
   2. At least three years
   3. At least five years
   4. At least ten years
   Show answer

   At least five years. A North Carolina supervising driver must hold a valid license and have been licensed for at least five years. The supervisor must be a parent, grandparent, or guardian, or a responsible person the parent or guardian approves. One and three years fall short of the rule, and ten years is more than required. The same supervisor rules apply at Level One and Level Two.

9. 9. What is the maximum speed for backing a vehicle under the North Carolina handbook’s backing guidance?

   1. Not more than 25 mph
   2. Not more than 5 mph
   3. Not more than 40 mph
   4. Not more than 10 mph
   Show answer

   Not more than 10 mph. The backing guidance says to back very slowly, not more than 10 mph, because a vehicle is harder to control and stop while moving backward. Twenty five and forty miles per hour are plainly too fast for the limited visibility of reversing, while five is not the handbook’s stated maximum. The exam cue is the exact figure ten, paired with the reason that control and stopping are more difficult. Even at or below that ceiling, the driver must check behind the vehicle and maintain a full view rather than rely on speed alone.

10. 10. What restriction follows a second or subsequent license restoration after a North Carolina DWI suspension?

    1. The driver returns to the regular 0.08 standard
    2. The restriction remains 0.04 for every restoration
    3. The alcohol concentration restriction is 0.00
    4. The restriction applies only if the driver operates at night
    Show answer

    The alcohol concentration restriction is 0.00. A later restoration is treated more strictly than the first one. North Carolina sets the alcohol concentration restriction at 0.00 after a second or subsequent restoration following a DWI suspension. Returning to 0.08 confuses the ordinary DWI benchmark with a restoration condition. The 0.04 choice describes the first restoration, and the night driving limitation has no connection to this alcohol rule. Track the count of restorations, since that count changes the restriction from four hundredths to zero.

11. 11. When a ramp meter shows a circular green display, what may a North Carolina driver do?

    1. Proceed down the ramp and merge onto the freeway
    2. Drive onto the freeway without merging
    3. Back up and use the shoulder
    4. Stop at the ramp entrance until the display turns red
    Show answer

    Proceed down the ramp and merge onto the freeway. A circular green ramp-meter display permits a vehicle facing it to proceed down the entrance ramp and merge onto the freeway. The driver still must make a safe merge and yield as normal conditions require. Green does not remove the need to check the freeway lane. A red display requires a stop, while a dark meter allows movement without stopping under ordinary merge or yield conditions.

12. 12. Where do crashes caused by drowsy driving most often happen, according to the North Carolina handbook?

    1. In parking lots
    2. In city traffic during rush hour
    3. On high-speed rural highways when the driver is alone
    4. At school crossings
    Show answer

    On high-speed rural highways when the driver is alone. The National Sleep Foundation reports that crashes caused by drowsy driving are often serious and occur most often on high speed rural highways when the driver is alone, and that the problem is seriously under reported. A lone driver on a long straight road has nothing to keep attention up. Plan breaks, share the driving, and stop when you feel drowsy rather than pushing on.

13. 13. As an emergency vehicle approaches from ahead or behind, what must a driver do?

    1. Drive to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop completely
    2. Move left and stop in the center of the roadway
    3. Pull alongside the emergency vehicle and wait for instructions
    4. Continue at the same speed until the emergency vehicle passes
    Show answer

    Drive to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop completely. North Carolina directs a driver to move to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop completely when an emergency vehicle approaches from either direction. The stop creates a predictable path for the responding vehicle. Continuing at the same speed does not yield, and moving left can place the driver in the emergency vehicle’s path. Pulling alongside it is not the instruction and can obstruct responders. After stopping, remain there until the emergency vehicle has passed or a traffic officer directs you to move. Watch mirrors and listen for sirens so the maneuver begins early.

14. 14. The pictured prohibition sign is an example of a sign used to show what?

    
    1. A route direction
    2. A driver service
    3. A road hazard
    4. A traffic regulation
    Show answer

    A traffic regulation. The pictured prohibition communicates a rule governing what drivers may do at that location. The handbook explains that rectangular and square-shaped signs are used to show speed limits and other regulations, and it warns that ignoring them violates traffic laws. A route direction belongs to guide signs, a road hazard is the role of a warning sign, and a driver service identifies facilities such as food or fuel. Read the symbol and obey the movement restriction before proceeding.

15. 15. Why is a STOP AHEAD sign placed before a stop sign?

    
    1. The driver’s view of the stop sign may be blocked
    2. The road has no legal stopping point
    3. The next intersection permits passing only
    4. A railroad gate is always nearby
    Show answer

    The driver’s view of the stop sign may be blocked. The STOP AHEAD warning is placed far enough before a stop sign to alert drivers when a curve or another object blocks the view of that stop sign. It is advance notice, not a replacement for the required full stop at the actual stop location. The sign does not remove a stopping point, create a passing rule, or indicate a railroad gate. Once the stop sign becomes relevant, locate the proper stopping position and stop before proceeding when the way is clear.

16. 16. A 17-year-old North Carolina provisional licensee is convicted of a second moving violation within 12 months. What suspension can follow?

    1. A 7-day suspension
    2. A 30-day suspension
    3. A 90-day suspension
    4. A one-year suspension
    Show answer

    A 30-day suspension. A North Carolina provisional licensee under 18 can have the license suspended for 30 days after a second moving violation within 12 months, 90 days after a third, and six months after a fourth. Seven days is not in the handbook. Ninety days is the third violation step, and one year is not listed for moving violations. Examples include speeding, following too closely, running a stop sign or red light, and passing a stopped school bus.

17. 17. How soon before registration expiration may a North Carolina vehicle receive its inspection?

    1. Within 30 days
    2. Within 90 days
    3. Only on the expiration date
    4. Within six months
    Show answer

    Within 90 days. The handbook allows an inspection during the 90-day window before registration expires. This gives the owner time to finish the requirement before renewal is due. Six months is not the inspection timing stated in the handbook, and waiting for the exact expiration date creates avoidable risk if the vehicle fails or an appointment is delayed. Use the registration expiration date to count backward and schedule appropriately.

18. 18. What does the handbook say about special speed limits in North Carolina?

    1. Drivers may ignore a special limit when traffic is light
    2. Special areas must always use the city and town limit
    3. A special limit applies only to interstate highways
    4. Special speed limits may be posted for special areas
    Show answer

    Special speed limits may be posted for special areas. North Carolina allows special speed limits to be posted for special areas. That means the driver must read the sign controlling the location instead of automatically applying the ordinary city, rural-road, or interstate number. Light traffic does not cancel a posted limit, and the rule is not confined to interstates. A special area may also require a speed below the posted maximum when conditions call for extra care. The visual cue is the sign at the roadway: identify the local limit first, then choose a safe speed at or below it.

19. 19. Which vehicles have the right of way when their flashing lights and sirens are operating?

    1. Any vehicle displaying four-way flashers
    2. Police cars, ambulances, fire engines, and rescue vehicles
    3. Only a school bus with red lights
    4. A private vehicle traveling faster than traffic
    Show answer

    Police cars, ambulances, fire engines, and rescue vehicles. Police cars, ambulances, fire engines, and rescue vehicles with flashing lights and sirens have the right of way under the North Carolina handbook. A private vehicle’s hazard flashers do not create emergency priority, and the school-bus rule is separate. Speed alone also gives no driver authority to demand the roadway. When one of these authorized vehicles approaches, yield promptly, move to the right-hand curb or edge, and stop completely. Scan in both directions because the response vehicle may approach from ahead or behind, then stay stopped until it passes or an officer directs you onward.

20. 20. Before changing lanes on a North Carolina highway, which check is specifically required beyond the mirrors?

    
    1. Sound the horn continuously for ten seconds
    2. Look over your shoulder to clear the blind spot
    3. Look only at the vehicle directly ahead
    4. Turn off the signal before moving
    Show answer

    Look over your shoulder to clear the blind spot. Mirrors cannot show every area beside and just behind your vehicle, so the handbook calls for a shoulder check to confirm that the blind spot is clear. Signal in advance, inspect the mirrors, look beyond the new lane, and then move smoothly when the space is open. The horn is not a substitute for seeing. Turning off the signal before moving also removes useful information from nearby drivers who need to anticipate your maneuver.