North Carolina DMV Practice Test 2026

Practice Questions

12 free North Carolina DMV practice questions

Real North Carolina-specific questions sourced from the official North Carolina Driver Handbook. Read each one, pick your answer, then check the explanation.

1. Question 1 · DUI Laws

   What is the legal BAC limit for drivers 21 and older in North Carolina?

   • A0.08✓ Correct
   • B0.05
   • C0.10

   Why: The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers 21 and older is 0.08%. Driving with a BAC at or above this level is illegal in North Carolina.

   Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 31 · Alcohol and the Law

2. Question 2 · Speed Limits

   What is the default speed limit in North Carolina cities and towns?

   • A25 mph
   • B45 mph
   • C35 mph✓ Correct

   Why: The default speed limit in North Carolina cities and towns is 35 mph unless otherwise posted by signs.

   Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 53 · Speed Limits

3. Question 3 · Highway Driving

   What is the minimum following distance recommended in North Carolina?

   • A1-second rule
   • B2-second rule✓ Correct
   • C4-second rule

   Why: Maintain at least a 2-second following distance behind the vehicle ahead. Increase this distance in poor weather, low visibility, or on slippery roads.

   Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 53 · Following Distance

4. Question 4 · Traffic Signs & Signals

   When approaching a school bus with flashing red lights, you must:

   • AStop until the lights stop flashing.✓ Correct
   • BHonk and pass quickly.
   • CSlow to 15 mph and proceed carefully.

   Why: You must stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights. You may not proceed until the lights stop flashing — this rule has one of the strictest penalties in North Carolina.

   Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 59 · School Buses

5. Question 5 · Parking Rules

   When parking downhill, you should turn your front wheels:

   • AAway from the curb.
   • BStraight ahead.
   • CToward the curb.✓ Correct

   Why: When parking downhill, turn your front wheels toward the curb so the vehicle will roll into the curb — not into traffic — if the brakes fail.

   Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 73 · Parking on Hills

6. Question 6 · Turns & Intersections

   In a roundabout, traffic travels in which direction?

   • AClockwise.
   • BCounterclockwise.✓ Correct
   • CEither direction.

   Why: All traffic in a roundabout must travel counterclockwise around the central island. Yield to vehicles already in the roundabout before entering.

   Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 59 · Roundabouts

7. Question 7 · Accidents & Emergencies

   How should you handle a skid?

   • ABrake hard and turn sharply.
   • BEase off the gas and steer where you want to go.✓ Correct
   • CAccelerate to regain traction.

   Why: If your vehicle skids, ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. Do not brake hard, which can worsen the skid.

   Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 73 · Skid Recovery

8. Question 8 · General Rules

   Children in North Carolina must be secured in a child safety seat until what age or weight?

   • AUntil age 8 or 80 lbs.✓ Correct
   • BUntil age 4 or 40 lbs.
   • CUntil age 6 or 60 lbs.

   Why: Children must be properly secured in an appropriate child passenger safety seat system until they reach age 8 or weigh 80 pounds.

   Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 45 · Child Restraint Laws

9. Question 9 · Lane Changes & Passing

   Passing on hills or curves in North Carolina is prohibited because:

   • AYou cannot see oncoming traffic.✓ Correct
   • BIt is always slower than waiting.
   • CThe road surface is usually slippery.

   Why: Never pass on hills or curves — limited visibility prevents you from seeing oncoming traffic and creates a serious collision risk.

   Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 93 · Passing

10. Question 10 · Weather & Visibility

    When driving in fog, you should use:

    • AHazard lights instead of headlights.
    • BHigh beams for maximum visibility.
    • CLow beams to reduce glare.✓ Correct

    Why: Use low-beam headlights in fog. High beams reflect off fog particles, creating glare and reducing your ability to see the road ahead.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 73 · Fog and Bad Weather

11. Question 11 · Right of Way

    Right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection goes to:

    • AThe vehicle on the left.
    • BThe vehicle on the right.✓ Correct
    • CThe vehicle traveling at higher speed.

    Why: At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to the vehicle on your right. If you arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 53 · Right of Way

12. Question 12 · Pedestrian Laws

    When must you yield to pedestrians in North Carolina?

    • AOnly at marked crosswalks with signals.
    • BAt all crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked.✓ Correct
    • COnly when a pedestrian signal shows the walk symbol.

    Why: Drivers must yield to pedestrians at all crosswalks — both marked with lines and unmarked at intersections where sidewalks extend to the road.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, page 47 · Pedestrians

How to get your North Carolina driver's license

The knowledge test is one step in North Carolina's licensing process. Here's how the path typically works for a new driver.

1. 1

   Check the age and eligibility requirements

   Eligibility in North Carolina: 15 for a limited learner permit, 16 for a limited provisional license, 16 years 6 months for a full provisional license. Have your proof of identity, residency, and any required parental consent ready.

2. 2

   Study the official handbook

   Read the Official North Carolina Driver's Handbook (ncdot.gov) and practice with DMV Ace until you're consistently scoring above 80%.

3. 3

   Pass the knowledge test

   The North Carolina written test has 25 questions, and you need 20 correct (80%) to pass. You have 45 minutes. Permit/licensing fee: $21.50.

4. 4

   Build supervised driving experience

   Hold your permit for the period North Carolina requires and log supervised driving hours with a licensed adult before you schedule the road test.

5. 5

   Pass the road test and get licensed

   After you pass the behind-the-wheel road test, North Carolina issues your driver's license — often an intermediate/provisional license first for younger drivers.

Steps are a general guide — always confirm the current process with your local North Carolina DMV office.

How DMV Ace prepares you for the North Carolina test

• 1,000+ North Carolina-specific questions

  Every question is sourced from the official North Carolina Driver Handbook — same wording style, same topic mix as the real test.

• Explanations on every answer

  Right or wrong, you see exactly why — with a handbook page citation so you can dig deeper.

• Hard Questions module

  A curated bank of the trickiest North Carolina questions — the ones most testers fail. Master these and you're ready.

• Smart progress tracking

  See exactly which topics you've mastered and which need work. A pass-readiness score tells you when you're truly ready for the North Carolina DMV.