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North Carolina permit practice: 20 free questions

Choose an answer, then check the explanation and its handbook source. These are Steerlet practice questions, not the official test or its exact format.

Written from North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025). Independently checked .

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Study all 20 questions and answers

Read each question, answer and source below, or start one-question-at-a-time practice.

Question 1 of 20

You approach a traffic signal that is flashing red. What must you do?

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Correct answer: A. Stop, then enter only when approaching traffic leaves a safe opening.

Flashing red requires a complete stop. Continue only when your movement will not disrupt traffic approaching the intersection.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Flashing Signals, PDF page 83. Checked .

Question 2 of 20

A traffic light is flashing yellow. How should you proceed?

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Correct answer: C. Reduce speed and continue carefully.

A yellow flashing light warns you to use extra care. Approach more slowly and check for hazards.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Flashing Signals, PDF page 83. Checked .

Question 3 of 20

Two vehicles going straight reach an intersection together. There are no signs or signals, neither vehicle has entered, and the other vehicle is on your right. Who goes first?

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Correct answer: B. The driver on your right.

When drivers arrive together at an uncontrolled intersection, give priority to the vehicle on your right.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Special Driving Situations / Interchanges, Intersections, Roads, Streets and Highways, PDF page 59. Checked .

Question 4 of 20

You are about to leave a private driveway. How must you handle vehicles and pedestrians crossing your path?

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Correct answer: A. Stop and let them go before you enter.

A driver leaving a private driveway must stop and give way to other vehicles and people walking. Wait until entry is safe.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Right-of-Way at Intersections, PDF page 59. Checked .

Question 5 of 20

Before changing lanes, what should you do to check the area your mirrors do not show?

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Correct answer: C. Look over your shoulder before moving.

A shoulder check lets you see traffic hidden from your mirrors. Make that check before moving into another lane.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Changing Lanes, PDF page 56. Checked .

Question 6 of 20

Another driver has started passing your vehicle. What must you avoid doing?

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Correct answer: B. Accelerating while the driver passes.

Do not speed up while another vehicle passes you. You must help the driver complete the pass.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — When your vehicle is being passed, PDF page 57. Checked .

Question 7 of 20

You are driving in a North Carolina town, and no sign sets a different speed limit. What is the limit?

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Correct answer: A. 35 mph.

The default limit inside a city or town is 35 mph. Conditions may require a lower speed.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Adjusting Your Speed to Driving Conditions, PDF page 55. Checked .

Question 8 of 20

Using the basic two-second following rule, when should your car reach a roadside point that the vehicle ahead has just passed?

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Correct answer: C. At least two seconds later.

Use a fixed point beside the road to judge the gap. The basic rule leaves two seconds between the vehicles passing that point.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — The Two-Second Rule, PDF page 56. Checked .

Question 9 of 20

You want to park near a fire hydrant. How much space must you leave?

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Correct answer: B. At least 15 feet.

Keep a parked vehicle at least 15 feet from a hydrant so the space remains accessible.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Parking, PDF page 58. Checked .

Question 10 of 20

An intersecting street has a curb. What is the closest you may park to its curb line?

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Correct answer: C. 25 feet.

Leave at least 25 feet between your parked vehicle and the curb line of the intersecting street.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Parking, PDF page 58. Checked .

Question 11 of 20

A school bus is picking up children on a two-lane road. Its red warning lights are flashing. Which traffic must stop?

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Correct answer: B. Vehicles approaching from either direction.

On a road with two lanes, the bus stop applies to traffic in both directions. Stop while the bus receives its passengers.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — School Buses, PDF page 49. Checked .

Question 12 of 20

An ambulance is stopped beside the highway with warning lights on, within 12 feet of the roadway. You have only one lane in your direction. What must you do as you pass?

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Correct answer: A. Reduce your speed to a safe level until you are beyond it.

With just one lane in your direction, slow down and pass at a safe reduced speed. Keep that lower speed until you have cleared the stopped emergency vehicle.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Emergency and Law Enforcement Vehicles, PDF page 51. Checked .

Question 13 of 20

Your tires begin hydroplaning on a wet road. What should you do with the accelerator and brakes?

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Correct answer: C. Ease off the accelerator and avoid braking while the car slows.

Let the vehicle lose speed without using the brakes. Keep steering straight while the tires recover their grip.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Hydroplaning, PDF page 74. Checked .

Question 14 of 20

Fog has reduced visibility, but you can still drive safely at a reduced speed. Which headlights should you use?

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Correct answer: B. Low beams.

Use low beams in fog. Reduce your speed so you have more time to respond to what you can see.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Fog, PDF page 75. Checked .

Question 15 of 20

What actually allows someone who has been drinking alcohol to become sober?

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Correct answer: C. Enough time for the alcohol to leave the body.

Only time allows sobriety to return. Coffee or a shower cannot make a person ready to drive.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Alcohol, PDF page 44. Checked .

Question 16 of 20

Before taking a medicine when you may need to drive, what should you find out?

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Correct answer: A. How the medicine could affect your driving ability.

Check how a medicine can affect you before taking it. Both prescription products and medicines sold without a prescription can impair driving.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Medications, PDF page 44. Checked .

Question 17 of 20

Your car has air bags and seat belts. You have no seat belt exemption. What should you do before driving?

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Correct answer: B. Fasten your seat belt even though air bags are installed.

Air bags do not remove the requirement to wear a seat belt. Secure the belt before you drive.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Seat Belts, PDF page 45. Checked .

Question 18 of 20

While operating your car on a public street, may you use your phone to read or send email?

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Correct answer: C. No, using the phone for email while operating the car is unlawful.

North Carolina prohibits using a cell phone for email when driving on public streets. This rule is not limited to teen drivers.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Cell Phones, PDF page 43. Checked .

Question 19 of 20

During the first six months with a Level One Limited Learner Permit, when may you drive with your supervising driver?

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Correct answer: A. From 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For the first six months, supervised Level One driving is limited to 5 a.m. through 9 p.m. The time restriction changes after those six months.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Graduated Licensing—Licensing for Drivers 15–18 / Limited Learner Permit, PDF page 14. Checked .

Question 20 of 20

A responsible adult has your parent’s approval to supervise your Level One permit driving. Besides holding a valid license, how long must that adult have been licensed?

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Correct answer: B. At least five years.

An approved supervising adult needs a valid driver license and at least five years of licensing experience.

Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Graduated Licensing—Licensing for Drivers 15–18 / Limited Learner Permit, PDF page 14. Checked .

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Every published answer links to the official handbook section it was checked against.

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