North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the North Carolina driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the North Carolina-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official North Carolina driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real North Carolina test has 25 questions and you need 20 correct (80%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes North Carolina-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

North Carolina Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	25 questions, must score 20/25 (80%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	15
Minimum License Age	16
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 70 mph \| Residential: 35 mph \| School Zone: 15 mph
DWI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: Zero Tolerance)
Point System	Points range from 1 to 5. 12 points in 3 years results in license suspension.

Rules Specific to North Carolina

North Carolina has zero tolerance for drivers under 21 — any BAC triggers revocation
North Carolina uses the term DWI and has an aggravated DWI level for BAC of 0.15+
Move Over law requires changing lanes or slowing down for stopped emergency and public service vehicles with warning lights on

Sample North Carolina Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to North Carolina. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

When the speed limit is 45 mph or higher, how far in advance must you signal before turning?
- A. At least 50 feet
- B. At least 100 feet
- C. At least 200 feet
- D. At least 500 feet
Answer: At least 200 feet. Signal early so other drivers have time to react. Higher-speed roads require a longer signaling distance.
Unless a different limit is posted, what is the maximum speed limit outside city or town limits?
- A. 45 mph
- B. 50 mph
- C. 55 mph
- D. 60 mph
Answer: 55 mph. Default limits apply only when no speed signs are posted. Always follow posted signs when they differ.
A child is under age 8 and weighs less than 80 pounds. What restraint is required?
- A. An adult seat belt is always enough
- B. A child passenger restraint/booster appropriate for the child
- C. No restraint is required in the back seat
- D. Only a shoulder belt is required
Answer: A child passenger restraint/booster appropriate for the child. Children who are young and lighter must be in an appropriate child restraint system. Use the correct seat/booster for the child’s size.
What additional penalty is added for speeding in a highway work zone (in addition to the fine and court costs)?
- A. $50
- B. $100
- C. $250
- D. $500
Answer: $250. Work zones carry extra penalties to protect workers and drivers. Slow down and watch for changing conditions.
With a Limited Provisional License, during the first 6 months, what is the maximum number of passengers under age 21 allowed (unless they are immediate family or a supervising adult is present)?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 3
Answer: 1. Passenger limits reduce distractions for new drivers. Exceptions typically apply for family members or when properly supervised.
What is the minimum age for a North Carolina Level One Limited Learner Permit?
- A. 14½
- B. 15
- C. 15½
- D. 16
Answer: 15. You must be at least 15 and under 18, and have completed an approved driver education course.
What driver education must a North Carolina applicant under 18 complete before the permit test?
- A. 20 hours classroom, 4 hours driving
- B. 30 hours classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel
- C. 24 hours classroom, 8 hours driving
- D. No course is required
Answer: 30 hours classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel. The approved course must include at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
During the first six months with a North Carolina Level One permit, when may you drive (with your supervising driver)?
- A. Any time
- B. Between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- C. Between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- D. Daylight hours only
Answer: Between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.. For the first six months you may drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. After six months you may drive any time with a supervising driver.
How long must you hold a North Carolina Level One permit before applying for a Limited Provisional License?
- A. 6 months
- B. 9 months
- C. 12 months
- D. 18 months
Answer: 9 months. The Level One permit must be held for nine months before you can apply for Level Two.
How many hours must be recorded in the North Carolina driving log before Level Two?
- A. 40 hours, 10 at night
- B. 50 hours, 10 at night
- C. 60 hours, 10 at night
- D. 72 hours, 12 at night
Answer: 60 hours, 10 at night. The driving log must show at least 60 hours of operation, with at least 10 hours at night, signed by the supervising driver.
Who may be a supervising driver for a North Carolina permit holder?
- A. Any licensed adult
- B. A parent, grandparent, guardian, or parent-approved responsible person licensed for at least 5 years
- C. Only a certified instructor
- D. Any licensed driver 18 or older
Answer: A parent, grandparent, guardian, or parent-approved responsible person licensed for at least 5 years. The supervisor must be a parent, grandparent, or guardian, or a responsible person approved by them, with a valid license held for at least five years.
Who may sit in the front seat while a North Carolina Level One permit holder is driving?
- A. Any passenger over 16
- B. Only the supervising driver
- C. Any family member
- D. No one
Answer: Only the supervising driver. No one except the driver and the supervising driver may be in the front seat.
When may a North Carolina Level Two (Limited Provisional) driver drive without supervision?
- A. Any time
- B. From 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and any time going directly to or from work or volunteer fire/rescue/EMS duty
- C. Only during daylight
- D. From 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Answer: From 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and any time going directly to or from work or volunteer fire/rescue/EMS duty. Level Two drivers may drive unsupervised from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and at any hour when going straight to or from work or volunteer fire, rescue, or EMS duty.
Can a North Carolina driver under 18 use a cell phone while driving?
- A. Yes, hands-free
- B. Yes, at red lights
- C. No, except to call about an emergency or to reach a parent, guardian, or spouse
- D. Only on highways
Answer: No, except to call about an emergency or to reach a parent, guardian, or spouse. Provisional drivers may not use a cell phone or associated technology while driving, except to call emergency services, police, fire, a parent, guardian, or spouse.
What following distance rule does the North Carolina handbook teach?
- A. One-second rule
- B. Two-second rule
- C. Four-second rule
- D. One car length per 20 mph
Answer: Two-second rule. Use the two-second rule, and allow at least twice the normal distance on wet pavement.
When must North Carolina drivers use headlights?
- A. Only when it is fully dark
- B. From sunset to sunrise, when visibility is 400 feet or less, and when using wipers due to weather
- C. Only in rain
- D. From one hour after sunset
Answer: From sunset to sunrise, when visibility is 400 feet or less, and when using wipers due to weather. Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise, when visibility is 400 feet or less, and whenever wipers are on because of bad weather.
On a North Carolina road of four or more lanes with a center turning lane, who must stop when a school bus stops for passengers?
- A. All traffic in both directions
- B. Only traffic following the bus
- C. No one
- D. Only traffic in the center lane
Answer: Only traffic following the bus. On a road of four or more lanes with a center turn lane, only traffic behind the bus must stop.
On a two-lane North Carolina road with a center turning lane, who must stop for a stopped school bus?
- A. Only traffic behind the bus
- B. All traffic in both directions
- C. Only traffic in the turn lane
- D. No one if there are no children
Answer: All traffic in both directions. With only two travel lanes plus a center turn lane, traffic in both directions must stop.
When a railroad signal warns of a train in North Carolina, where must you stop?
- A. Right at the tracks
- B. Within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet, from the nearest rail
- C. At least 100 feet away
- D. Only if you see the train
Answer: Within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet, from the nearest rail. Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail and don't proceed until it's safe.
In North Carolina, you may not park within how many feet of the curb line of an intersecting street?
- A. 15 feet
- B. 20 feet
- C. 25 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: 25 feet. Don't park within 25 feet of the curb line of an intersecting street, or within 15 feet of the intersecting right-of-way lines if there's no curb.
If a North Carolina driver accumulates seven points, what may happen?
- A. Automatic suspension
- B. Assignment to a driver improvement clinic, which removes 3 points on completion
- C. Nothing
- D. A $500 fine
Answer: Assignment to a driver improvement clinic, which removes 3 points on completion. At seven points you may be assigned to a driver improvement clinic. Completing it deducts three points.
How many points within three years can lead to a North Carolina license suspension?
- A. 8
- B. 10
- C. 12
- D. 15
Answer: 12. Accumulating 12 points within three years can result in suspension. After reinstatement, 8 points in three years can cause a second suspension.
How many points does running a stop sign add to a North Carolina driving record?
- A. 2
- B. 3
- C. 4
- D. 5
Answer: 3. Running through a stop sign is 3 points, the same as running a red light.
What are North Carolina's minimum liability insurance limits?
- A. $25,000 / $50,000 / $15,000
- B. $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000
- C. $50,000 / $100,000 / $25,000
- D. $20,000 / $40,000 / $10,000
Answer: $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000. North Carolina requires $30,000 for injury to one person, $60,000 for all injuries, and $25,000 for property damage in a crash.
How long is the revocation in North Carolina for willfully refusing a blood or breath alcohol test?
- A. 30 days
- B. 6 months
- C. 1 year
- D. 3 years
Answer: 1 year. Willful refusal to submit to a chemical test brings a one-year revocation.
If a North Carolina driver's chemical test shows a BAC of 0.08 or more, what happens immediately?
- A. A warning
- B. The license is revoked for at least 30 days
- C. A 1-year revocation
- D. Nothing until trial
Answer: The license is revoked for at least 30 days. A BAC of 0.08 or more (0.04 in a commercial vehicle) brings an immediate revocation of at least 30 days.

North Carolina Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the North Carolina permit test?

The North Carolina knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 20 correct answers (80%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in North Carolina?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in North Carolina is 15. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in North Carolina?

North Carolina calls impaired driving DWI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and zero tolerance (any detectable alcohol) for drivers under 21.

How does the North Carolina driver point system work?

Points range from 1 to 5. 12 points in 3 years results in license suspension.

What are the default speed limits in North Carolina?

Typical limits in North Carolina are up to 70 mph on highways, 35 mph in residential areas and 15 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official North Carolina government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the North Carolina Driver Handbook on September 24, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current North Carolina driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any North Carolina government agency.