North Carolina DMV rules only, not general U.S. rules

North Carolina DMV test prep with signs like at the DMV 2026

Train on sign silhouettes without words, the way the DMV shows them, then practice with 400 multiple-choice questions built from the official North Carolina handbook, with an explanation for every answer.

from ^$9

30 to 90 days · all devices · refund if the conditions are met

Take the free 25-question test → Plans from $9

Signslike at the DMV

400questions with explanations

20 of 25to pass

Signs like at the DMVSign silhouettes without words, then the real sign revealed

400 practice questionsMultiple choice, with traffic situations and signs, and an explanation for every answer

Exam mode25 random questions like the real test, with weak-spot review

Pay by card or PayPalAccess right after payment, on any device

Free practice test: 25 questions from the bank of 400

The same format as the North Carolina DMV test: 25 questions, and you need 20 correct to pass. After each answer you get an explanation. No sign-up: in about 10 minutes you will know if you would pass today. The 400 questions with explanations open with full access.

Question 1/25

Cars A and B arrive at an all-way STOP at the same time; B is on A's right. Who goes first?

Car A

Car B

Answer: B. At an all-way stop, when vehicles arrive at the same time, you yield to the driver on your right. B is to the right of A, so A yields and B goes first.

Question 2/25

What is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers aged 21 and older in North Carolina?

0.04%

0.05%

0.08%

0.10%

In NC, the BAC limit for drivers 21+ is 0.08%. However, you can be charged with DWI at a lower BAC if your driving is noticeably impaired.

Question 3/25

You are crossing railroad tracks and the gates begin to lower. What should you do?

Keep moving and clear the crossing

Stop on the tracks and wait for the gate to go back up

Back up quickly to get behind the gate line

Stop, get out of the car and move away from the tracks

Per the NC handbook, if you are crossing the tracks and the warning lights begin flashing or the gates start to come down, do not stop and do not back up: KEEP MOVING. The gate is flexible and will not trap you. If you stop and try to back up, your vehicle may stall.

Question 4/25

Is a right turn on red allowed in North Carolina?

Yes, after a full stop, unless a sign prohibits it

No, only on a green arrow

Yes, without stopping if the crosswalk is empty

Only where a sign specifically allows the turn

In NC, right turn on red is allowed by default. But you must first come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and to all other traffic using the intersection, especially cars coming from your left. If there is a NO TURN ON RED sign, the turn is prohibited.

Question 5/25

You see this sign. How should you react?

Prepare to stop: rail crossing ahead

Slow down: a work zone is ahead

Yield: roundabout ahead

Caution: pedestrian crossing ahead

This round yellow sign with RR warns of a railroad crossing ahead. It is the only circular sign on US roads. Be prepared to stop.

Question 6/25

Within what distance of an emergency vehicle stopped to investigate a crash or render assistance is parking prohibited?

50 feet

100 feet

200 feet

500 feet

You may not park within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle that has stopped to investigate an accident or provide assistance.

Question 7/25

Two-lane road with no median: a school bus has stopped with red lights flashing and its STOP arm out. Who must stop?

Only A (behind the bus)

Only B (oncoming)

Both A and B

Neither

Answer: both. On a road without a median, when the bus has its red lights flashing, ALL directions must stop: both following and oncoming traffic.

Question 8/25

What following distance does the official NC Driver Handbook recommend?

1 second

2 seconds

4 seconds

5 seconds

The official NC handbook recommends a 2-second following distance. In real-world driving, safety organizations advise 3+ seconds, but for the test the correct answer is 2.

Question 9/25

Which sign warns that a STOP sign is ahead?

Yield sign ahead

Stop sign ahead

Traffic signal ahead

STOP: full stop

A yellow diamond with an octagon warns of a STOP ahead; the STOP sign itself means stop right there.

Question 10/25

What is the maximum speed limit on interstate highways in North Carolina?

55 mph

65 mph

70 mph

75 mph

The maximum speed on NC interstates is 70 mph. Some sections may have lower limits. Always follow posted signs.

Question 11/25

Car A exits a parking lot across a sidewalk onto a road where B travels. To whom must A yield?

Only car B, which is driving on the road

Only pedestrians walking on the sidewalk

Everyone: pedestrians and road traffic

No one, if it signals its turn early

Exiting a parking lot or driveway, the driver yields to everyone: first sidewalk pedestrians, then road traffic.

Question 12/25

What does a double solid yellow line on the road mean?

Passing is allowed in both directions

Passing is allowed only when no oncoming traffic

Parking is allowed on both sides

Passing is prohibited in both directions

A double solid yellow line means passing and crossing the line is prohibited in both directions. Exception: turning left into a driveway.

Question 13/25

This sign marks a zone on a two-lane road. Which pavement marking goes with that zone?

A broken yellow line on your side of the center

A solid white line between you and oncoming cars

A broken white line down the middle of the road

A solid yellow line on your side of the center

DO NOT PASS marks a no-passing zone, which the NC handbook describes as a solid yellow line in your lane. The yellow pennant on the left side of the road emphasizes this sign and points to where the zone begins.

Question 14/25

What is the BAC limit for drivers under 21 in NC?

0.00%

0.02%

0.04%

0.08%

For drivers under 21, NC has a zero tolerance policy: 0.00%. Any detectable amount of alcohol is a violation.

Question 15/25

Car A turns right; a pedestrian is in the crosswalk A turns into. What must A do?

Stop and let the pedestrian cross

Finish the turn before the pedestrian gets close

Honk at the pedestrian and keep turning

Go on: the pedestrian must yield to a turning car

A pedestrian in the crosswalk has the right of way. The turning driver must stop, let them cross, then complete the turn.

Question 16/25

At an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), two cars arrive at the same time from different directions. Who has the right of way?

The driver on the left

The faster driver

The driver who signals first

The driver on the right

At an uncontrolled intersection, the driver on the right has the right of way. Yield to traffic approaching from your right.

Question 17/25

You see this sign, and the road ahead still looks open. What does the NC handbook tell you to do?

Keep going until you reach the barricade, then decide

Act on it now instead of waiting until the last minute

Follow the car ahead: it may know a way through

Ignore it unless workers are present on the road

ROAD CLOSED 1500 FT: the road is closed 1500 feet ahead. The NC handbook says black-on-orange signs give their message far in advance so that you have enough time: do not wait until the last minute to take the action they call for.

Question 18/25

When may you proceed after stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights?

Right after a full stop, if no children are around

When the lights are off, the stop arm is in, and the bus moves

When all the children are on board and the door is closed

When the lights go off, even if the stop arm is still out

You may proceed only when the red lights turn off, the stop arm retracts, and the bus begins moving. Until then, stay stopped.

Question 19/25

You see this sign. What should you do?

Slow down and keep going along the right edge

Keep going: this sign is meant for oncoming traffic

Stop right in your lane and turn on your hazards

Pull onto the right shoulder, then turn around when safe

WRONG WAY means you are driving against traffic. The NC handbook says to pull over to the right shoulder and stop, then turn around and head in the proper direction when the way is clear. This sign is often placed after DO NOT ENTER.

Question 20/25

When are headlights required in North Carolina?

Sunset to sunrise and when visibility is 400 ft or less

From 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise

Only at night, and only on roads without street lights

Sunset to sunrise, but only outside city limits

In NC, headlights are required from sunset to sunrise and whenever there is not enough light to see a person on the road 400 feet ahead (G.S. 20-129). They are also required whenever your wipers are on because of rain, snow or fog (except intermittent use in a light mist). The '30 minutes before sunset' rule is from other states, not NC.

Question 21/25

An emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches car A from behind. What must A do?

Speed up to stay out of its way

Stop at once right in the travel lane

Move left to leave the right edge clear

Pull to the right edge of the road and stop

When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the right edge of the road and stop (not in an intersection) to let it pass.

Question 22/25

You are driving on a paved residential street inside a town. The street has a painted center line, and no speed limit sign is posted. What is the speed limit?

25 mph

35 mph

45 mph

55 mph

The handbook: unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 35 mph in cities and towns (G.S. 20-141(b)(1)). From December 1, 2026, a new law (S.L. 2026-46, §17) sets a 25 mph default on any road that is unpaved or not marked with a center line. This street is paved and has a center line, so the limit is 35 mph both before and after that date.

Question 23/25

Which sign prohibits a left turn?

No U-turn

One way, to the left

No left turn

No right turn

A red circle and slash over a left arrow means no left turn.

Question 24/25

An oncoming car crosses the center line into your lane. What should you do?

Swerve left into the lane the other car left

Stop where you are without leaving your lane

Slow down, honk and move right

Flash your lights and keep going

Per the NC handbook, if an oncoming vehicle crosses into your path, reduce speed immediately, sound your horn and keep to the right, even if it means running off the road. Swerving left is dangerous because the other driver may return to their own lane.

Question 25/25

Car A enters the freeway via the ramp; B travels on the freeway. What must A do?

Stop at the end of the ramp and wait

Enter slowly; others must let it in

Honk so that B moves out of the right lane

Speed up and merge, yielding to freeway traffic

The entering driver accelerates to traffic speed on the ramp and merges, yielding to vehicles already on the freeway. Stopping on the ramp is dangerous.

Your result

0/25

That was a free sample of 25 questions. Full access has everything you need to arrive prepared:

The sign trainer "Signs like at the DMV": signs without words, only shape and color, like on the DMV sign test
4 modes: signs like at the DMV, exam, signs and weak spots
All 400 questions with an explanation for every answer
30 to 90 days on any device, with access right after payment

Full access from $9 →

Money-back guarantee: if you studied with the materials, took the DMV knowledge test within 30 days of your payment and did not pass on your first try, we refund your payment. Terms

Basic

30 days, one-time payment

400 practice questions with explanations
4 study modes: sign trainer, exam, signs and weak spots
1 account

Buy for $9Card, Apple Pay, Google PayPay with PayPal

Until the test

$19

90 days, one-time payment

Everything in Basic
1 account
Printable quick guide for test day
DMV document checklist

Buy for $19Card, Apple Pay, Google PayPay with PayPal

Family

$29

2 × 90 days, one-time payment

Everything in Until the test
2 accounts, 90 days each: one seat is for a family member
Quick guide and DMV checklist for both

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Before you pay: to get a license in North Carolina, the DMV asks for a Social Security number or documents that prove your lawful presence in the U.S. An ITIN is not accepted. If you cannot take the test, this material will not help you get a license.

Money-back guarantee: if you studied with the materials, took the DMV knowledge test within 30 days of your payment and did not pass on your first try, we refund your payment. Terms

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What access includes

Signs like at the DMV The sign trainer: silhouettes without words, then the real sign revealed. Plus exam, signs and weak-spot modes.

An explanation for every answer See right away why the answer is correct, in plain words.

400 questions Multiple choice, with traffic situations in pictures and road signs.

Pictures and situations Right-of-way scenes and sign pictures, the way the test asks about them.

Not sure? Try 25 questions free first

Choose a plan

One payment, no subscription. Access opens right after payment.

Basic

30 days, one-time payment

400 practice questions with explanations
4 study modes: sign trainer, exam, signs and weak spots
1 account

Buy for $9Card, Apple Pay, Google PayPay with PayPal

Until the test

$19

90 days, one-time payment

Everything in Basic
1 account
Printable quick guide for test day
DMV document checklist

Buy for $19Card, Apple Pay, Google PayPay with PayPal

Family

$29

2 × 90 days, one-time payment

Everything in Until the test
2 accounts, 90 days each: one seat is for a family member
Quick guide and DMV checklist for both

Buy for $29Card, Apple Pay, Google PayPay with PayPal

💳 Card payments are processed by Stripe. Sales tax, if your state charges it, is added on the payment page.

Money-back guarantee: if you studied with the materials, took the DMV knowledge test within 30 days of your payment and did not pass on your first try, we refund your payment. Terms

Why we made this

This project was started by a family in North Carolina who needed clear DMV test practice and could not find it. We built the 400-question bank from the official North Carolina Driver Handbook and added a sign trainer that works like the sign test.

Read the full story

The wife of one of us needed a North Carolina license. We put together the study material we wanted for the DMV test, and then put it online.

The result is 400 practice questions checked against the official North Carolina Driver Handbook, which NCDOT publishes for free, plus a sign trainer and an exam mode. It is independent practice material: we are not affiliated with the NCDMV or the NCDOT.

The Driver-Prep team

In 2026 a member of the family took the knowledge test at a DMV office in Charlotte. It was on a computer, and on the sign test the signs were shown without words. On the sign test the DMV shows 12 signs without words: only the shape and the color. You must identify 9. Our trainer shows signs the same way, without words.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the North Carolina DMV knowledge test?

The knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions and you pass with 20 correct answers (80%), which means you can miss up to 5. The road sign test is separate: for a Class C license you must identify 9 of 12 signs, so 3 mistakes are allowed.

How does the road sign test work, and how do I practice it?

On the sign test the DMV shows 12 signs without words: only the shape and the color. You must identify 9. Our "Signs like at the DMV" trainer shows signs the same way, without words, then reveals the real sign after each answer. The official North Carolina Driver Handbook is free on ncdot.gov.

See the handbook page

Are these the same questions I will see at the DMV?

No. No DMV publishes the questions of its test. Our 400 questions are practice questions written from the official North Carolina handbook. If someone sells you "the exact test answers," that is a scam.

What happens if I do not pass the test?

You can retake it after 7 calendar days. Offices commonly allow up to 3 attempts within 90 days of your application. Confirm the details at your office, because practice can vary. Review the topics where you miss the most (usually signs and right of way). Money-back guarantee: if you studied with the materials, took the DMV knowledge test within 30 days of your payment and did not pass on your first try, we refund your payment.

Terms

What should I bring to the DMV on test day?

The originals of four categories of documents: proof of identity and date of birth, proof of legal presence in the U.S., proof of Social Security number (if you are not eligible for an SSN, your legal presence documents replace it), and two proofs of North Carolina residency. Copies are not accepted. The details of each category are in the "Documents the North Carolina DMV asks for" section of this page.

See requirements and documents

Can I get a license without a Social Security number (SSN)?

The North Carolina DMV requires a valid Social Security number. If you are not eligible for an SSN, you can present U.S. government documents that prove your legal presence, and the license is issued for a period limited to your authorized stay. An ITIN is not accepted in place of an SSN, and without legal presence you cannot get a license.

See the document requirements

How long is a North Carolina license valid?

A regular Class C license is valid for 8 years for adults ages 18 to 65 and for 5 years for those 66 and older. If you are not a U.S. citizen, the license is valid only while your legal status in the U.S. lasts (for example, until your visa or EAD expires).

What is the difference between the knowledge test and the road test?

The knowledge test is 25 questions answered at the DMV office. The road (practical) test is taken in a vehicle with an examiner. The NCDMV says only the examiner rides with you. This material prepares you for the knowledge test and the sign test; it does not replace practice behind the wheel.

How much does a North Carolina license cost?

There is no separate fee for the tests. The learner permit costs $25.50 and is paid after you pass the tests; a Class C license costs $6.50 for each year of validity. Amounts can change: confirm the current fee on ncdot.gov.

See requirements and costs

Can I exchange my out-of-state or foreign license for a North Carolina one?

We cannot confirm an exchange: the rules for licenses from other states and countries are set by the NCDMV and depend on each case, so ask at your office which tests you will be asked to take. What we do know is that anyone who settles in North Carolina must get an NC license within 60 days of becoming a resident.

About the DMV test in North Carolina

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) requires every new driver to pass a knowledge test (the written test, or permit test) before the road test. The test checks that you know the traffic laws, the road signs and the safe driving practices used in North Carolina.

Questions on the knowledge test

Correct answers to pass (80%)

Calendar days before a retake

Sign test, retakes and what to expect

Besides the 25-question knowledge test, there is a separate road sign test: you must identify signs by their color and shape. For a Class C license you must identify 9 of 12 signs, so 3 mistakes are allowed. There is no separate fee for the tests: the permit ($25.50) is paid after you pass them.

If you do not pass, you must wait 7 calendar days to retake it. Offices commonly allow up to 3 attempts within 90 days of your application. Confirm the details at your office, because practice can vary.

Languages at the DMV

The NCDOT offers the knowledge test in several languages and also gives oral tests on request. Availability can vary by office, so confirm with your DMV office before you go. On the road test, the NCDMV says only the examiner rides with you in the vehicle.

Documents the North Carolina DMV asks for

The DMV asks for documents in four categories from anyone applying for a first license. Bring the originals: copies are not accepted.

Proof of identity and date of birth: a valid foreign passport, a U.S. passport, a permanent resident card (Green Card, Form I-551) or a work permit (EAD).
Proof of legal presence in the U.S.: a stamped visa, I-94, EAD or Green Card. Tourists on a visitor visa cannot get a North Carolina license, only residents can.
Proof of Social Security number: the original SSN card (not laminated), a W-2 or 1099 form showing the full SSN, or a pay stub showing the full SSN. If you are not eligible for an SSN, bring U.S. government documents that prove your legal presence instead (for example, an I-94 with your passport, an EAD, or an I-20/DS-2019); the license is issued for a period limited to your authorized stay. North Carolina does not accept an ITIN in place of an SSN.
Two proofs of North Carolina residency: a utility bill, a lease, a bank statement, a mortgage statement, a letter from your school or a letter from your employer. Any two different official documents with your name and your NC address; recent ones are better (from the last 60 to 90 days).

Tip: the DMV updates its requirements from time to time. Before you go, check the official NCDMV website to confirm nothing has changed. More details on the requirements page and in the guide to the NC learner's permit.

How to practice with this material

This material is question practice: it does not replace the handbook. The official North Carolina Driver Handbook is free (official PDF on ncdot.gov). The most useful approach is to alternate reading with practice.

Suggested study plan (2 weeks)

Days 1 to 3: read the handbook sections on the license and documents, alcohol and the law, and points. Note the terms you do not know.
Days 4 to 7: study the road signs and use the "Signs like at the DMV" trainer: visual memory helps on the test.
Days 8 to 10: safe driving, turn signals, speed, parking, and sharing the road with bicycles, trucks and pedestrians. Review whatever was not clear.
Days 11 to 13: practice with the 400 questions in exam mode; "Weak spots" mode shows you what to review.
Day 14: a light review of the signs and the hard topics. Sleep well, bring your documents and take the test.