The North Carolina knowledge test
Part 1: Road Signs 9 of 12 (75%)
Part 2: Knowledge 20 of 25 (80%)
Practice test 37 questions in 2 parts The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles sets the passing score at 80% . The 80% is for the knowledge test, and the road sign test has its own mark of 9 of 12. North Carolina's published sources don't state how many knowledge questions there are, so 25 is our practice length.
Practice by topic
Road Signs What signs mean and what to do when you see them Right-of-Way Who goes first at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts Traffic Signals Lights, arrows and pedestrian signals Lanes & Turns Lane markings, turns, passing and merging Speed Limits Limits and how to adjust your speed Parking Curb colors, hills and where you can't park Safe Driving Following distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road Alcohol & Drugs Blood alcohol limits, DUI rules and medication Emergencies Breakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings License Rules Permits, restrictions for new drivers and points Insurance & Collisions Required coverage and what to do after a crash Phones & Distraction Phone rules and other distractions Sample North Carolina practice questions
How many hours must a North Carolina Level One driving log show at minimum?
60 hours 30 hours 100 hours Show the answer
60 hours
The log must detail at least 60 hours of driving, and your supervising driver signs it.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 1, Your License: Graduated Licensing (pp. 12-13)
You damage a parked, unattended car in North Carolina and can't find the owner. Besides telling an officer, how may you comply?
Leave the scene and wait for a phone call Leave a written note with your details on the car Write down the plate and keep it in your car Show the answer
Leave a written note with your details on the car
The note must be left in a conspicuous place, and you must then fully comply with the reporting rule within 48 hours.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-166(c1)
How long must a North Carolina supervising driver have been licensed?
At least five years At least 21 years At least six months Show the answer
At least five years
The supervising driver needs a valid license and at least five years of licensed driving.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 1, Your License: Graduated Licensing (pp. 12-13)
Your insurer gives you a grace period on your premium. Does North Carolina honor it?
Yes, for 30 days No, it does not Yes, for 90 days Show the answer
No, it does not
A grace period is only between you and your insurer, and the state requires continuous coverage.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 7, How DMV Serves You: Insurance and Financial Responsibility (p. 99)
How long must you hold a North Carolina Level One permit before applying for a Limited Provisional License?
Nine months Six months Twelve months Show the answer
Nine months
North Carolina requires nine months with the permit before you can apply for Level Two.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 1, Your License: Graduated Licensing (pp. 12-13)
How long is a North Carolina license valid if issued when you are 40?
Show the answer
8 years
Licenses issued between ages 18 and 65 last 8 years and expire on your birthday.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 1, Your License: Duration and Renewal of License (p. 28)
How much slower does the North Carolina handbook say to drive on wet pavement than on dry?
At least 40 to 50 mph Only 1 to 2 mph At least 5 to 10 mph Show the answer
At least 5 to 10 mph
Slow by at least 5 to 10 mph, and leave at least twice the normal following distance.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 4, Your Driving: Rain (p. 72)
What is the penalty for driving without your required corrective lenses in North Carolina?
A written warning from the officer The same as driving without a license A small equipment repair order Show the answer
The same as driving without a license
If your license requires lenses, you must wear them at all times. Driving without them is treated like having no license.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 1, Your License: Test Requirements for an Original Driver License (p. 9)
What does a black-on-orange diamond sign tell you on a North Carolina road?
A construction or maintenance area is ahead A tourist attraction is ahead A hospital is nearby Show the answer
A construction or maintenance area is ahead
Orange with black messages is reserved for work areas, so drive with extra care.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 5, Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings: Traffic Signs (pp. 83-85)
A ramp meter on a North Carolina freeway entrance shows red. What must you do?
Stop and wait for green Merge if the freeway looks clear Slow down and use the shoulder Show the answer
Stop and wait for green
Vehicles facing a red ramp meter must stop. Green lets you continue and merge.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 5, Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings: Traffic Signals (pp. 80-82)
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025 (printed 09/25; PDF file updated September 2026) edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
