North Carolina NCDMV Permit Practice Test 1
Test 1 of 10. Pick an answer for each question to see if it is right and why; your score appears at the end. You need 20 correct answers to pass, the same ratio as the real North Carolina test.
- Questions25
- Correct to pass20
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age15 years
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1. An emergency vehicle is stopped on the shoulder ahead with its lights flashing. What does the move over principle require?
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Answer D: Change lanes away from it, or slow down if you cannot
Move over laws ask you to give responders an empty lane, and where traffic or a two-lane road makes that impossible, you slow down instead.
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2. Which North Carolina vehicles are exempt from the emissions portion of the annual inspection?
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Answer B: Those in the three most recent model years with under 70,000 miles
North Carolina exempts from emissions testing vehicles within the three most recent model years that have fewer than 70,000 miles on the odometer, though the safety inspection still applies.
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3. A North Carolina chemical test returns an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more. What happens to the driving privilege at once?
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Answer D: It is revoked immediately for a minimum of 30 days
North Carolina revokes the driving privilege immediately for a minimum of 30 days when the chemical test shows 0.08 or more, or 0.04 or more in a commercial motor vehicle.
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4. The center line beside your lane is a broken yellow line. What does it allow?
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Answer D: You may cross into the opposing lane to pass when it is safe and clear
A broken yellow center line marks a passing zone where traffic in that direction may cross into the opposing lane to pass when the way ahead is clear.
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5. Which of these is announced with the same family of signs as the facility shown here?
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Answer A: A rest area for travelers
A rest area belongs to the same motorist service series, which points travelers toward facilities such as fuel, food, lodging and medical care.
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6. North Carolina's Move Over rule applies to an authorized emergency or public service vehicle stopped how close to the roadway?
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Answer D: Parked or standing within 12 feet of the roadway with warning lights activated
North Carolina triggers the duty when an authorized emergency or public service vehicle is parked or standing within 12 feet of the roadway with its emergency or warning lights on.
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7. Your vehicle is stuck in deep snow and you run the engine for heat while waiting for help. What must you check?
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Answer C: That the exhaust pipe is clear of snow
Snow packed around the tailpipe pushes exhaust back into the cabin, and carbon monoxide can kill without warning. Clear the pipe and crack a window open.
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8. Why does even a small reduction in speed matter so much where people are walking?
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Answer D: Because a pedestrian struck at a lower speed is far more likely to survive
The chance that a pedestrian survives falls steeply as impact speed rises, so a few miles per hour can decide the outcome.
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9. Visibility drops suddenly and you decide to leave the highway. What is the safest way to do it?
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Answer A: Take the next exit or a wide pull off, well clear of the traffic lanes
Get right off the traveled way, and off the shoulder too if you can, because vehicles in poor visibility often drift onto the shoulder.
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10. What may happen to a North Carolina license plate when the Division learns the vehicle has no liability insurance?
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Answer B: It may be revoked for 30 days unless continuous coverage is proved
North Carolina may revoke the vehicle's license plate for 30 days when it is notified of a lapse, unless proof of continuous coverage is provided, and the owner may also face a fine or penalty.
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11. How long must a North Carolina Level One permit be held before applying for a Limited Provisional License?
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Answer C: Nine months
North Carolina requires the Level One Limited Learner Permit to be held for nine months before an application for the Level Two Limited Provisional License.
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12. How many hours must appear on the North Carolina driving log submitted with a Limited Provisional License application?
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Answer A: A minimum of 60 hours, with at least 10 at night
North Carolina requires a signed driving log detailing a minimum of 60 hours of operation, of which at least 10 must be at night.
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13. A North Carolina driver on a highway with at least two lanes in the same direction approaches a stopped emergency vehicle showing warning lights. What is required?
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Answer A: Move out of the lane nearest it and stay clear until safely past
On a North Carolina highway with two or more lanes running in the driver's direction, the driver must move into a lane that is not nearest the stopped emergency vehicle and continue there until safely clear of it.
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14. A power line has fallen across your vehicle after a crash. What should you do?
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Answer C: Stay inside and wait for utility workers unless fire forces you out
The vehicle body may be energized, and touching it and the ground at the same time can be fatal. If you must leave because of fire, jump clear with both feet together and shuffle away.
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15. How long does a new North Carolina resident have to obtain a North Carolina driver license?
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Answer B: 60 days after establishing residence
North Carolina gives a new resident 60 days to obtain a license or learner permit, while a driver who wants to keep a commercial license must apply within 30 days.
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16. You are turning onto a street that has two lanes going your way. Which lane should you enter?
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Answer B: The lane closest to you, changing lanes later if you need to
Turn into the nearest lane going your direction and make any lane change afterwards, when you have signaled and checked that it is clear.
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17. The overhead signal above your lane changes to a steady yellow X. What should you do?
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Answer B: Prepare to move out of that lane
A steady yellow X warns that the lane is about to close, so drivers should get ready to vacate it in favor of an open lane.
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18. During the first six months with a North Carolina Level One permit, when may the holder drive?
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Answer A: Between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., with the supervising driver aboard
For the first six months a Level One permit authorizes driving only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. with the supervising driver; after six months the holder may drive at any time with that supervisor.
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19. What driver license point value does North Carolina attach to a littering conviction involving the use of a motor vehicle?
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Answer D: 1 point
North Carolina places one driver license point on the record for littering under G.S. 14-399 when the offense involves the use of a motor vehicle, on both the private and commercial schedules.
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20. Every signal head at an intersection is flashing red in all directions. How should you treat the intersection?
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Answer C: As an all-way stop, stopping and then going in turn
Red flashing in every direction means each approach must stop, so the intersection works exactly like an all-way stop.
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21. How many driver license points does North Carolina assign for running through a stop sign?
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Answer A: 3 points
North Carolina assigns three points for running through a stop sign, the same value it gives to running a red light and to failure to yield the right of way.
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22. What is the proper use of the horn?
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Answer C: To give a brief warning when another road user may not have seen you
The horn is a warning device meant to alert someone to your presence when a collision is possible, and using it in anger tends to escalate conflict rather than prevent crashes.
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23. You are stopped in slow traffic and a motorcycle comes up between the lanes. What should you do?
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Answer D: Hold your position and avoid any sudden lane change
The danger to a rider between lanes comes from a vehicle moving sideways without warning, so staying predictable is what protects them.
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24. Your engine stalls while you are driving in traffic. What is the correct response?
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Answer A: Shift to neutral, try to restart it, and steer and brake toward the side of the road
With the engine off, power steering and power brake assistance fade, so steering and braking take more effort but still work. Neutral lets you attempt a restart while you coast to safety.
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25. A driver moves into the space you were keeping ahead of you. What should you do?
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Answer D: Ease off and rebuild the gap in front of you
Losing a following gap is common in traffic; the answer is simply to drop back and recreate it rather than drive too close.