North Carolina NCDMV permit practice test 8
25 questions written from the North Carolina Driver Handbook, covering turns and intersections, hazards, weather and night driving, emergencies, lanes, highways and freeways, licensing laws and penalties and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.
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Question 1In a single-lane roundabout, how far around do you go to make what would be a left turn?
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D: Three-quarters of the way around. You go a quarter of the way around to turn right, halfway to go straight, three-quarters for a left, and full circle for a U-turn. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Roundabouts: Single-Lane Roundabout, page 61.
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Question 2What should you do when you come to standing water across the road?
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C: Never drive through it; the water may be deeper or the road washed out. Never drive through standing water: it may be much deeper than it looks, and part of the road may be washed away. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Driving in Flood Conditions, page 75.
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Question 3If a crash seems likely and you face oncoming traffic, what should you do?
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C: Turn away from oncoming traffic, even if you must leave the road. Sound the horn, keep right, and turn away from oncoming traffic, even if you have to leave the road; an open field is a good choice. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Crashes, page 79.
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Question 4Why can driving on rural roads be more dangerous than heavy city traffic?
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C: Roads may be narrower, lighting poorer, and speeds higher. Rural roads may be narrower, have poorer lighting and higher travel speeds. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Open Roads, page 65.
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Question 5A Level Two driver is driving unsupervised and every passenger lives in the driver's household. How many passengers under 21 may ride?
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A: There is no under-21 limit. There is no under-21 passenger limit when all passengers are members of the driver's household. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Level Two Limited Provisional License, page 15.
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Question 6Alcohol is classified as what kind of drug?
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C: A depressant. Alcohol is a depressant that slows brain functions, reaction time and judgment. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Driver Safety: Alcohol, page 44.
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Question 7Where should an infant in a rear-facing child safety seat never ride?
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A: In the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag. Rear-facing infant seats must never be placed in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Children and Air Bags: Child Safety Points, page 47.
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Question 8What does a steady red light on a freeway ramp meter mean?
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C: Stop and wait for green. A circular red ramp meter display means stop; go down the ramp and merge when it turns green. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Ramp Meter Traffic Signals, page 84.
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Question 9What is the blue Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign at a railroad crossing used for?
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A: To call the railroad to report an emergency or a problem at the crossing. The blue ENS sign lists the crossing ID number, railroad name and an emergency phone number for reporting emergencies or crossing problems. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Railroad Crossing Safety: Railroad related emergencies, page 64.
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Question 10How close may you park to an emergency vehicle stopped to investigate a crash or give assistance?
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B: No closer than 100 feet. Do not park within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle stopped to investigate an accident or give assistance. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Emergency and Law Enforcement Vehicles, page 50.
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Question 11How should you pass a motorcycle?
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D: Change lanes and pass as you would a larger vehicle. Motorcycles are entitled to the full width of their lane; change lanes and pass as you would for a larger vehicle. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Motorcycles and Mopeds, page 94.
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Question 12When backing your vehicle, how fast should you go?
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C: Very slowly, not more than 10 mph. Back very slowly, not more than 10 mph, because a vehicle is harder to control and stop when backing. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Backing, page 58.
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Question 13Before passing a tractor-trailer that appears to be starting a left turn, what should you do?
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A: Check which way the truck driver is signaling. Large trucks swing wide; if a truck seems to be starting a left turn, check which way the driver is signaling before you try to pass. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Trucks and Other Vehicles, page 93.
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Question 14In a multi-lane roundabout, which lane do you normally use to exit right?
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D: The right lane. Typically you use the right lane to exit right; the left lane is used to go straight, turn left or make a U-turn. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Roundabouts: Multi-Lane Roundabout, page 61.
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Question 15Which headlights should you use when driving in fog?
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D: Low beams. In fog, turn on your low-beam headlights, slow down, and watch for taillights ahead and vehicles behind. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Fog, page 75.
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Question 16You are about to be hit from behind and there is no traffic ahead. What should you do?
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C: Press the accelerator to move away, and brace yourself with your head against the head rest. Accelerate away if you can, be ready to brake, brace between the wheel and seat, and press your head against the head rest. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Crashes, page 79.
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Question 17What is true about many paved secondary roads?
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A: Hills may be steeper and curves sharper, so they cannot be driven at primary-highway speeds. Secondary roads are built for local traffic; hills are steeper, curves sharper and sight distances short, so drive slower. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Secondary Roads, page 65.
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Question 18How long must a Level Two Limited Provisional License be held before applying for a Full Provisional License?
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A: At least 6 months. You must hold the Limited Provisional License at least six months before applying for the Level Three Full Provisional License. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Level Two Limited Provisional License, page 15.
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Question 19How does alcohol affect a driver's confidence?
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B: It gives false confidence, so the driver may take greater risks. Alcohol gives false confidence, leading drivers to take bigger risks because they think they are driving better than they are. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Driver Safety: Alcohol, page 44.
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Question 20Where should the shoulder portion of an adult's seat belt cross the body?
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D: Over the collarbone, away from the neck, and across the breastbone. The shoulder belt should come over the collarbone away from the neck and cross the breastbone; the lap belt goes low across the hips. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Children and Air Bags: Adult Safety Points, page 47.
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Question 21A pedestrian hybrid beacon is flashing red after pedestrians have begun crossing. What may drivers do?
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C: After a complete stop, proceed once the pedestrians have cleared the crossing. During the flashing red phase, drivers stay stopped until pedestrians have cleared, then may move after first coming to a complete stop. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Hybrid Beacons, page 84.
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Question 22What shape are North Carolina state route markers?
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C: Diamond. North Carolina route markers are diamond shaped; U.S. route markers are shields. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Traffic Signs: Guide/Informational Signs, page 87.
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Question 23When following fire trucks responding to a fire alarm, how close may you drive or park?
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C: No closer than one block. Do not drive or park closer than one block from fire trucks responding to a fire alarm, and never drive over a fire hose. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Emergency and Law Enforcement Vehicles, page 50.
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Question 24When passing a moped, how far to the left must you stay?
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A: At least two feet. A moped travels on the right side of the lane; to pass one you must stay at least two feet to the left. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Motorcycles and Mopeds, page 94.
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Question 25How much clear roadway may you need to safely pass a vehicle towing a trailer?
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C: Up to a half mile. Use extreme caution when passing a trailer and towing vehicle; it may take a half mile of clear roadway. North Carolina Driver Handbook: Recreational Vehicles and Trailers, page 94.
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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.