North Carolina DMV Permit practice quiz

Question 1

In North Carolina, the per se DWI blood alcohol limit for drivers 21 and older is:

Accepted Answer

0.08%

Answer

0.05%

Answer

0.02%

Answer

0.10%

Question 2

At an all-way stop, if two vehicles arrive at the same time, who goes first?

Accepted Answer

The driver on the right

Answer

The driver in the larger vehicle, because size gives priority

Answer

Whichever driver gestures to the other to go first, regardless of the rules

Answer

The driver on the left, since they were first to see the other

Question 3

North Carolinians may apply for a limited learner permit (Level 1) starting at age:

Accepted Answer

15

Answer

18

Answer

14

Answer

16

Question 4

When parking downhill next to a curb, you should turn your front wheels:

Accepted Answer

Toward the curb

Answer

Toward the center of the road

Answer

Away from the curb

Answer

Straight ahead only

Question 5

Before passing on a two-lane road, you must be sure:

Accepted Answer

The way is clear, the zone allows it, and you can return safely

Answer

Horns are working

Answer

Trucks approve

Answer

The way is clear, the zone allows it, and you can return safely, but signaling is optional

Question 6

An octagonal red sign always means what?

Accepted Answer

Stop

Answer

School zone ahead

Answer

Do not pass

Answer

Yield to traffic

Question 7

A school bus with flashing red lights is stopped ahead on an undivided road. You must:

Accepted Answer

Stop and remain stopped until the signal is withdrawn, the lights turn off and the bus moves

Answer

Stop only if the bus is on your side of the road, and ignore it if it is oncoming

Answer

Pass slowly on the left, once you have checked that no children are crossing

Answer

Continue at the posted speed, because the stop arm applies only to following traffic

Question 8

When you see a flagger paddle showing SLOW/STOP in a work zone, you must:

Accepted Answer

Obey the flagger's directions exactly

Answer

Stop permanently, since a paddle means the lane is closed to all vehicles

Answer

Pass quickly before they change it

Answer

Honk to hurry them

Question 9

North Carolina defaults to 55 mph outside municipalities unless posted, and drivers must:

Accepted Answer

Reduce speed for weather, traffic, and road conditions

Answer

Match trucks exactly

Answer

Exceed it when late, since the default is enforced only on weekends

Answer

Hold 55 in every condition, because the default is a minimum on rural roads

Question 10

A steady yellow traffic light means:

Accepted Answer

The signal is about to turn red — stop if you can do so safely

Answer

The signal is turning green soon, so prepare to accelerate through the intersection

Answer

You may make a turn only if the way is clear, and you must yield to cross traffic first

Answer

Traffic in all directions must stop, and drivers should wait for an officer's signal

Question 11

A North Carolina driver under 21 with any measurable alcohol faces:

Accepted Answer

License revocation and penalties — zero tolerance

Answer

A free warning course

Answer

No penalty

Answer

Higher speed limits

Question 12

Before turning left at a green light, you should:

Accepted Answer

Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when safe

Answer

Speed up and turn before oncoming vehicles arrive, since you have the green light

Answer

Turn from the center of the intersection once the light turns yellow, whether or not traffic clears

Answer

Stay in the left lane and turn when the oncoming driver flashes their headlights

Question 13

Before a Level 2 provisional license, the driving log must show at least:

Accepted Answer

60 hours of operation with 10 at night, signed by the supervisor

Answer

No hours at all, since a signed form from a driving school is enough

Answer

Night driving only, at least fifty hours logged after sunset and before midnight

Answer

Six minutes total of driving, signed by a parent when the permit is issued

Question 14

Before opening your door into traffic after parking, you must:

Accepted Answer

Check mirrors and blind spot for cyclists and vehicles

Answer

Exit from the right always

Answer

Open without looking

Answer

Fling it open quickly

Question 15

When being passed by another vehicle, you should:

Accepted Answer

Hold steady or slow slightly and stay right

Answer

Brake firmly to let the passing driver finish the maneuver quickly and safely

Answer

Move left toward the center line to give the passing vehicle more room to return

Answer

Speed up to keep the passing driver from cutting in front of your car

Question 16

A sign shaped like an inverted triangle (point down) tells you to:

Accepted Answer

Yield the right-of-way

Answer

No entry for cars

Answer

Merge only

Answer

Stop completely always

Question 17

When passing a cyclist with no bike lane, you should:

Accepted Answer

Wait until you can pass with at least two feet of clearance, then pass wide

Answer

Squeeze past immediately

Answer

Tailgate until they move

Answer

Force them onto the sidewalk, since bicycles are not allowed to use the travel lane

Question 18

What does a yellow diamond with a black curving arrow warn about?

Accepted Answer

Curve ahead

Answer

Parking allowed

Answer

No U-turn

Answer

Detour end

Question 19

A red circle with a white horizontal bar (DO NOT ENTER style) means:

Accepted Answer

No vehicles may enter this way

Answer

Yield after this point

Answer

The way is a dead end, but entry is optional if you signal first

Answer

You must yield, then continue after cross traffic has cleared the street

Question 20

A crossbuck sign stands at every railroad crossing. It tells you to:

Accepted Answer

Yield to any approaching trains

Answer

Stop always, even when no train is coming and the tracks are visible for a long way

Answer

Speed up, so you clear the crossing before any train can reach it

Answer

Park beside it, so you can look both ways and listen before crossing the tracks