North Carolina doesn't publish its knowledge-test length and pass score on an official page we could confirm, so we don't state numbers here. The questions in this quiz are written in the style of North Carolina's knowledge test, and North Carolina's official driver handbook (linked below) is the source to study from.
Pick an answer on each question to see whether you got it right, with an explanation.
This is a short sample — DriveDrill has 200+ North Carolina questions
and full-length mock exams in the app.
Q1. In North Carolina, the maximum speed limit on rural interstate highways is:
A 65 mphB 70 mphC 60 mphD 75 mph
That is the highest limit the state allows on a rural interstate. The posted sign always governs, and a lower speed can still be required by conditions.
Q2. In North Carolina, a tractor-trailer's blind spot, or No-Zone, can extend behind the truck for up to:
A 500 feetB 200 feetC 50 feetD 20 feet
Truckers have serious blind spots, or No-Zones, that reach up to 200 feet behind a tractor-trailer, so lingering there makes you invisible to the driver.
Q3. A prescription medicine that makes you drowsy:
A Can make driving illegal and unsafe, just like alcoholB Is safe if you take less than prescribedC Is always safe because a doctor prescribed itD Only matters for commercial drivers
Impaired driving laws cover any drug, prescribed or not. Read the label and do not drive when it warns you about machinery.
Q4. Counting seconds after the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point is a way to:
A Time how long to signal before turningB Time how long to wait at a stop signC Judge when to switch on headlightsD Judge a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead
Pick a sign or pole; when the vehicle ahead passes it, start counting. If you reach it before your count is up, drop back. States set the minimum anywhere from two to four seconds in good conditions, and every state says to add time for rain, night and large vehicles.
Q5. In North Carolina, an applicant under 18 must log how much supervised driving before the road test?
A 20 hours, including 2 at nightB 30 hours, including 10 at nightC 60 hours, including 10 at nightD 40 hours, including 10 at night
A parent or guardian certifies the hours. Night driving is where new drivers crash most, which is why a share of the total has to be after dark.
Q6. You should dim your high beams when:
A Only in townB Only when meeting oncoming trafficC You are following another vehicle or meeting oncoming trafficD Only when it is raining
High beams reflect off mirrors and blind the driver ahead as well as the one coming toward you. Dim for both.
Q7. In North Carolina, the handbook's rule of thumb for following distance behind the vehicle ahead is called:
A the three-second ruleB the five-second ruleC the two-second ruleD the one-second rule
North Carolina's handbook teaches drivers to allow two seconds between the time the vehicle ahead passes a point and the time their own vehicle reaches that same point.
Q8. You must never pass another vehicle when:
A There is a broken yellow line on your sideB The vehicle ahead is under the speed limitC You are approaching a hill, curve or intersection where your view is blockedD You are on a four-lane road
You need to see far enough ahead to complete the pass and return safely. Hills, curves, intersections and railroad crossings take that view away.
Q9. You arrive at an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark because of a power failure. You should:
A Proceed as if you had a green lightB Treat it as a four-way stopC Wait until the signal works againD Treat it as a yield and keep moving
A dark signal is treated as an all-way stop. Stop, then take turns in the order vehicles arrived.
Q10. You are driving through a residential street where children are playing. You should:
A Drive in the center of the roadB Maintain the speed limitC Slow down and be ready for a child to run into the roadD Sound your horn continuously
Children act on impulse and are hidden by parked cars. Cover the brake and cut your speed well below the limit.
DriveDrill is an independent study app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or
connected to any state motor vehicle agency. These practice questions are written in
the style of North Carolina's knowledge test and are not official test questions.