NC Permit Practice Test 13

All 20 questions in test 13

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. You are already crossing the tracks when the warning lights begin flashing. What does the North Carolina handbook say to do?

   1. Stop right away on the tracks and wait
   2. Back up off the tracks as fast as possible
   3. Keep moving and finish crossing
   4. Stop and get everyone out of the car
   Show answer

   Keep moving and finish crossing. The handbook is clear that if you are already crossing when the warning lights start flashing or the gates begin to come down, you should not stop and should not back up. Keep moving. The warning signals allow enough time for you to finish driving through before the train arrives. Stopping or backing up can stall the vehicle on the tracks. Getting everyone out is the response to a stalled vehicle, not to lights starting while you are rolling.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and funeral processions

2. 2. You have a green light when you hear a siren and see a fire engine with flashing lights coming toward the intersection from the side. Who has the right of way?

   1. You, since your green light gives you priority over any vehicle
   2. Whoever reaches the crossing first
   3. The fire engine, but only if your light turns red
   4. The fire engine, even though your light is green
   Show answer

   The fire engine, even though your light is green. Police cars, ambulances, fire engines and rescue vehicles with flashing lights and sirens always have the right of way, according to the handbook. A green light does not change that. When one approaches from ahead or behind, you drive to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop completely, then stay stopped until it has passed or an officer directs you to move.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, school buses and emergency vehicles

3. 3. Why are roads especially slippery during the first 10 to 15 minutes of a rain shower?

   1. Rain mixes with oil, dirt, dust, and rubber on the road
   2. The rain is colder at the start of a storm
   3. Drivers turn on their wipers too late
   4. The pavement soaks up the first rain like a sponge
   Show answer

   Rain mixes with oil, dirt, dust, and rubber on the road. The handbook says roads are more dangerous just after rain begins, especially if it has not rained for a while. For the first 10 to 15 minutes, rain combines with oil from asphalt and vehicles, along with dirt, dust, and rubber, to create a slick surface. Drive with extreme caution during that window. The danger comes from what sits on the pavement, not the temperature of the rain or when wipers go on.

   Study this in the handbook: Turn signals, headlights and bad weather

4. 4. Why does the North Carolina handbook say a drinking driver cannot simply concentrate harder to make up for alcohol?

   1. Alcohol affects only the eyes, which effort cannot fix
   2. Its effects reach most of the brain and cannot be offset
   3. Concentrating harder does work below 0.08 percent
   4. Alcohol is a stimulant that speeds up every reaction
   Show answer

   Its effects reach most of the brain and cannot be offset. The handbook explains that alcohol affects most areas of your brain, so its effects are wide-ranging and impossible to compensate for. Alcohol is a depressant, not a stimulant, which means it slows brain functions instead of speeding them up. Its effects are not limited to vision; it weakens judgment of speed and distance, balance, and the ability to handle more than one task. No one drives as well after drinking, even a person who appears unaffected to others.

5. 5. When a child is big enough to use an adult seat belt, where should the lap part of the belt fit?

   1. Loosely across the stomach so it is comfortable
   2. High across the ribs, under the arms
   3. Snugly across the hips, not the stomach
   4. Across the thighs near the knees
   Show answer

   Snugly across the hips, not the stomach. The handbook says adult belts should not be used for children until the belt fits correctly. The lap belt must fit snugly across the child's hips, not across the stomach, and the shoulder portion must cross the shoulder and chest rather than the face or throat. If the belt does not fit that way, a belt-positioning booster seat that raises the child for a proper fit is the answer. Comfort is not a reason to loosen the belt.

   Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child restraints and window tint

6. 6. Where are a car's blind spots, according to the North Carolina handbook?

   1. Directly ahead of the front bumper
   2. Near the left and right rear corners
   3. Straight behind the rear bumper
   4. Beside the doors under each mirror
   Show answer

   Near the left and right rear corners. Mirrors are useful, but the handbook reminds you that they do not show the full picture. Blind spots are the areas near the left and right rear corners of your vehicle that you cannot see in the mirrors from the driver's seat. That is why, before any lane change or turn, you should quickly turn your head and look over your shoulder. The handbook also advises staying out of other drivers' blind spots, where they have a harder time seeing you.

7. 7. You are first in line at a railroad crossing on a two-lane road, waiting for a train. The driver behind you pulls up on your left to be first across. Is that allowed?

   1. Yes, if the left lane is empty and the driver signals
   2. Yes, because the road is wide enough for two lines
   3. No, drivers must stay as far right as possible in one line
   4. No, but only when a gate is lowered across the road
   Show answer

   No, drivers must stay as far right as possible in one line. When stopping for a railroad crossing, the driver must keep as far to the right of the road as possible and must not form two lanes of traffic. The only exception is a roadway marked for four or more lanes. On a two-lane road, pulling up beside the first car breaks that rule whether or not the other lane is empty and whether or not a gate is down.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and funeral processions

8. 8. You are driving on a divided four-lane highway with a grass median. A school bus stops on the other side of the median. What must you do?

   1. Stop until the bus's red lights go off
   2. Slow to 25 mph until past the bus
   3. Pull onto the median and stop
   4. You may continue, but watch for children
   Show answer

   You may continue, but watch for children. On a divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation, only traffic following the bus must stop when it stops for passengers. Traffic on the other side of the median may continue, though the handbook asks drivers to always be careful around school buses and bus stops. This exception depends on the median: on a four-lane road without one, traffic from both directions must stop.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, school buses and emergency vehicles

9. 9. Late at night, you approach an intersection where your signal is flashing yellow. What should you do?

   1. Come to a full stop every time
   2. Speed up, since the way is clear
   3. Turn around, since the signal is broken
   4. Slow down and proceed with caution
   Show answer

   Slow down and proceed with caution. A flashing yellow signal has the same meaning as a warning sign: slow down and proceed with caution. It does not require a full stop, which is what a flashing red signal means. The handbook treats it as a warning, so watch for cross traffic and pedestrians as you go through. A flashing yellow arrow is a different signal head, used for turns that must yield to oncoming traffic.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and pavement markings

10. 10. What does the North Carolina handbook say about paved secondary roads compared with primary highways?

    1. Steeper hills, sharper curves, short sight lines
    2. They are built for heavy traffic at highway speed
    3. They are safe at the same speeds as primary roads
    4. They rarely have wildlife or sharp curves
    Show answer

    Steeper hills, sharper curves, short sight lines. The handbook explains that most paved secondary roads are built for local transportation, not as main highways, and are not always designed for heavy traffic or regular highway speed. Hills are likely to be steeper, curves sharper, and sight distances are often very short. For that reason, secondary roads cannot be traveled safely at speeds that would be proper on primary highways. The handbook also tells drivers to slow down and watch for crossing wildlife.

11. 11. Outside city limits, how close to a fire or fire truck may you park in North Carolina?

    1. No closer than 100 feet
    2. No closer than 400 feet
    3. No closer than 200 feet
    4. No closer than one mile
    Show answer

    No closer than 400 feet. The handbook's list of places not to park includes within one block of a fire or fire truck inside city limits, or within 400 feet of a fire or fire truck outside the city. Outside town there may be no blocks to count, so the handbook uses a distance instead. Do not confuse this with the 100-foot rule for an emergency vehicle stopped at a crash, or the 15-foot rule for a fire hydrant.

    Study this in the handbook: Passing, backing and parking

12. 12. On a highway with several lanes in your direction, what extra check does the North Carolina handbook advise before changing lanes?

    1. Check that the car ahead has its signal on
    2. Check the lane beyond the one you are entering
    3. Check that your speed exactly matches the limit
    4. Check that the lane is marked with a solid white line
    Show answer

    Check the lane beyond the one you are entering. On a multi-lane highway, two drivers can aim for the same gap from opposite sides. The handbook tells you to check the lane you are changing to and the lane beyond it, so you know no one else plans to move into the same space. Then follow the usual steps: check your mirrors, look over your shoulder for the blind spot, signal in advance, and move over. The car ahead's signal and your exact speed are not the extra check.

13. 13. What does the North Carolina handbook suggest pedestrians wear or carry to help drivers see them?

    1. Something white
    2. Dark, plain clothing
    3. A phone held to the ear
    4. A hat with a wide brim
    Show answer

    Something white. The handbook tells pedestrians to do everything they can to be visible to drivers. That includes wearing or carrying something white, walking on the left side of the road facing traffic, and using a flashlight at night, when drivers have more trouble seeing people. Never assume a driver has seen you, and be ready to move out of the way. Dark clothing works against being seen.

14. 14. You pull completely off the road to change a flat tire. Where should your passengers be?

    1. Inside the car with seat belts on
    2. Standing behind the car to warn traffic
    3. Out of the car and off the road
    4. Standing in front of the car to help
    Show answer

    Out of the car and off the road. Before changing a flat, the handbook says to move the vehicle completely off the road, set the parking brake, and warn other drivers with flares if you have them. Direct all passengers to leave by the passenger side and never let them stay in the vehicle during the change. Move them off the road or shoulder, and do not let them stand in front of or behind the vehicle. Turn on the flashers and block the wheels.

    Study this in the handbook: Blowouts, breakdowns and crashes

15. 15. On a foggy night, you can make out only the eight-sided shape of a sign ahead, not its letters. What must you do when you reach it?

    1. Slow down and yield, as at a yield sign
    2. Come to a full stop; only stop signs use that shape
    3. Proceed with caution, as you would at any warning sign
    4. Stop only if other traffic is present
    Show answer

    Come to a full stop; only stop signs use that shape. Shape lets you recognize signs even when you cannot read them. The handbook says the eight-sided octagon is the stop sign and that this shape is used for stop signs only. So even if fog hides the word STOP, an octagon means the law requires a full stop, and you should not move again until you are sure the way is clear. Yield signs are triangles, and warning signs are usually diamonds.

    Study this in the handbook: Sign shapes and colors

16. 16. What kind of sign is this, and what does the North Carolina handbook say to do when you see one?

    
    1. A regulatory sign; stop before passing it
    2. A guide sign; it points to a service area
    3. A warning sign; drive with extra care
    4. A work zone sign; follow the flagger
    Show answer

    A warning sign; drive with extra care. A yellow diamond with black symbols is a caution or warning sign. They alert you to unusual features or conditions ahead, and the handbook says to drive with extra care when you see one. This one warns of a road surface where cars may skid. Black-on-orange diamonds mark construction or maintenance areas instead. Regulatory signs are usually rectangular, and guide signs are green, brown, or blue rectangles.

    Study this in the handbook: Sign shapes and colors

17. 17. On a divided highway, which line normally runs along the left edge of your side of the road?

    1. A single solid yellow line
    2. A single solid white line
    3. A double solid yellow line
    4. A skipped white line
    Show answer

    A single solid yellow line. Single solid yellow lines are used as left-edge lines on divided highways, while single solid white lines are used as right-edge lines. If you see the reverse, with white on your left and yellow on your right, you are traveling in the wrong direction. Double solid yellow lines are center lines on two-way roads that you may not cross to pass.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and pavement markings

18. 18. The crossing gates are down and the lights are flashing, but you see no train and have waited a minute. May you drive around the gates?

    1. No, never drive around a lowered gate
    2. Yes, if you look both ways first
    3. Yes, after waiting two minutes
    4. Yes, if the car ahead goes around
    Show answer

    No, never drive around a lowered gate. North Carolina law says no one may drive through, around, or under a crossing gate or barrier while it is closed or is being opened or closed. The handbook adds that moving through a crossing with the gates down is unlawful and extremely dangerous, because you cannot cross before the train arrives and the train cannot stop. Waiting a while, looking both ways, or following another car does not change the rule. Stay stopped until the gates rise.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and funeral processions

19. 19. On a snowy road, the back of your car begins sliding to the left. Which way should you steer?

    1. To the right, away from the slide
    2. Hard right, then hard left
    3. Keep the wheel still and brake hard
    4. To the left, the way the rear is sliding
    Show answer

    To the left, the way the rear is sliding. When a skid starts, the handbook says to take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding. If the back end slides left, steer left. As soon as the car's path starts to straighten, turn the wheel back the other way so you do not over-steer. Steering away from the slide or braking hard is not the handbook's method.

    Study this in the handbook: Blowouts, breakdowns and crashes

20. 20. You pass this five-sided sign on a weekday morning. What should you expect ahead?

    
    1. A hospital emergency entrance
    2. A playground closed to the public
    3. A bicycle route crossing the road
    4. Children crossing near a school
    Show answer

    Children crossing near a school. The five-sided pentagon sign warns of a school zone or a school crossing, and the handbook says to be especially watchful for children in these areas. In many school zones, the speed limit is reduced during certain school hours. On a weekday morning, school buses are also running, generally between about 7 and 9 a.m., so slow down and scan for children near the road.