North Carolina NCDMV permit practice test 12
25 questions written from the North Carolina Driver Handbook, covering sharing the road, hazards, weather and night driving, licensing laws and penalties, safe and defensive driving, signals and pavement markings and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.
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Question 1Why do large trucks need extra room when turning?
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C: Their rear wheels do not follow the path of their front wheels. Large trucks need additional turning room because their rear wheels do not follow the front wheels' path. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Trucks and Other Vehicles, page 93.
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Question 2Your car stalls on a railroad track and a train is coming. What should you do?
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D: Get out immediately and move away from the tracks. If your vehicle stalls on or near tracks, get out immediately and move away; a train at 55 mph can need more than a mile to stop. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Railroad Crossing Safety: Railroad related emergencies, page 64.
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Question 3Which tests are required for a North Carolina learner permit?
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D: Vision, traffic signs and knowledge of motor vehicle laws. Required testing for a learner permit includes vision, traffic signs and knowledge of motor vehicle laws; the driving test is not required for a permit. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Learner Permit, page 10.
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Question 4A vehicle's horn must be loud enough to be heard from at least:
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D: 200 feet. Every licensed motor vehicle must have a working horn that can be heard for at least 200 feet. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Vehicle Equipment: Horns and Sirens, page 69.
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Question 5In some areas, what do blue reflective pavement markers indicate?
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A: The location of nearby fire hydrants or water supplies. Blue reflective markers can show the location of nearby fire hydrants or water supplies for firefighters. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Pavement Markings, page 90.
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Question 6What does a yellow 'roundabout ahead' sign tell you as you approach a roundabout?
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D: Slow down. The yellow roundabout ahead sign indicates you should slow down as you approach. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Roundabouts: How You Travel Through A Roundabout, page 61.
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Question 7Who has the right of way at a railroad crossing, including over police, fire and ambulance vehicles?
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C: The train. Trains always have the right of way over all highway traffic, including emergency vehicles. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Railroad Crossing Safety, page 62.
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Question 8Farm equipment must have a rear red light visible for up to how many feet (or two red reflectors instead)?
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B: 500 feet. Farm equipment must have a front white light and a rear red light visible up to 500 feet; two red reflectors at least four inches across can replace the rear light. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Safe Driving Around Farm Equipment, page 53.
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Question 9You are on the tracks when crossing lights begin flashing and the gates start to come down. What should you do?
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A: Keep moving across; the gate is flexible and will not trap you. Do not stop or back up: keep moving. The gates cannot trap you; drive through if the far gate comes down. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Railroad Crossing Safety, page 63.
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Question 10To pass the North Carolina traffic signs test, you must:
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D: Identify signs by color and shape and explain what each means. The signs test requires you to identify traffic signs by color and shape and explain what each one means. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Test Requirements for an Original Driver License: Traffic Signs, page 11.
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Question 11When fully pressed, how far from the floor should the brake pedal be at a minimum?
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A: At least one-third of its original distance from the floor. The brake pedal should stay at least one-third of its original distance from the floor when fully pressed; otherwise the brakes need checking. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Vehicle Equipment: Brakes, page 68.
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Question 12A traffic officer is directing traffic at an intersection with a working signal. Whose directions do you follow?
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A: The officer's hand signals. When an officer is directing traffic, obey the officer's hand signals instead of the normal signals or signs. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Traffic Officers, page 90.
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Question 13The 'Flagger' warning sign means:
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C: A flagger with a STOP/SLOW paddle is controlling traffic ahead; be prepared to stop. The Flagger sign warns of road work where a flagger in an orange vest uses a STOP/SLOW paddle; stay alert and be ready to stop. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Work Zones, page 72.
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Question 14The law requires you to sound your horn when a pedestrian may be affected by your:
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B: Turn, stop, or start from a parked position. Drivers must use the horn whenever a pedestrian may be affected by a turn, stop or start from a parked position; if the pedestrian does not stop, the driver must. North Carolina Driver Handbook: The Driver and Pedestrian, page 49.
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Question 15On which roads is farm equipment NOT legally entitled to travel in North Carolina?
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B: Interstates. Farm equipment may legally travel on most North Carolina roads, except interstates. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Safe Driving Around Farm Equipment, page 54.
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Question 16After a train has passed a crossing, why shouldn't you start across immediately?
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B: Another train may be coming from either direction. Another train may be following or coming from the opposite direction; wait until the red lights stop flashing. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Railroad Crossing Safety, page 63.
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Question 17If you accumulate 7 driver license points in North Carolina, what may happen?
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C: You may be assigned to a driver improvement clinic. At seven points you may be assigned to a driver improvement clinic. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Points: Driver License Points, page 36.
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Question 18When stopping with anti-lock brakes (ABS), you should:
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A: Brake hard and keep firm, steady pressure on the pedal. With ABS, brake hard and keep firm, steady pressure; pumping or releasing pressure reduces ABS effectiveness. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Anti-lock Braking System, page 68.
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Question 19How many points are removed from your North Carolina driving record after you satisfactorily complete a driver improvement clinic?
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D: 3. Satisfactory completion of the driver improvement clinic deducts three points from your record. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Points: Driver License Points, page 36.
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Question 20In North Carolina, a tire is considered unsafe when its tread depth is less than:
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D: 1/16 inch. Tires are unsafe if cut, cracked or worn to the cord, or with tread separation, chunking or less than 1/16-inch tread depth. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Vehicle Equipment: Tires, page 68.
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Question 21Your North Carolina license may be suspended if you accumulate how many points within three years?
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C: 12. Accumulating 12 points within a three-year period can lead to suspension. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Points: Driver License Points, page 36.
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Question 22How often should you check your tire air pressure?
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B: At least once each month. Tire pressure must be checked at least once a month, preferably when the tires are cool. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Vehicle Equipment: Tires, page 69.
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Question 23After your license is reinstated following a point suspension, how many points within three years can lead to a second suspension?
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D: 8. Eight points within three years after reinstatement can result in a second suspension. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Points: Driver License Points, page 36.
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Question 24How should side mirrors be adjusted?
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A: To show the left and right rear, barely reflecting the side of your vehicle. Adjust the side mirrors to show the scene to the left and right rear; they should barely reflect the side of the vehicle. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Vehicle Equipment: Mirrors, page 68.
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Question 25How long is a first North Carolina license suspension under the point system?
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D: 60 days. Under the point system, the first suspension may be for 60 days, the second for 6 months and the third for 12 months. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Points: Driver License Points, page 36.
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How to use these tests
Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses 25 questions at the NCDMV's pass mark, since it doesn't publish the number of questions.
Our own questions, written from the North Carolina Driver Handbook and checked against it. Not affiliated with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (N.C. Department of Transportation). Found a mistake? Tell us.