North Carolina Permit Practice Test 11 (2026)

Question 1 of 20

How far ahead should you look while driving?

1. Only at the car in front
2. 10 to 15 seconds ahead (about one city block)
3. One second ahead

Question 2 of 20

When do you NOT have to pull over for an emergency vehicle with lights and siren?

1. When you are in a hurry
2. Never, in any case
3. When it is on the other side of a four-lane limited-access highway with a median

Question 3 of 20

What does an orange diamond sign like this mean?

1. A construction or maintenance area ahead
2. A scenic route
3. A detour for trucks only

Question 4 of 20

This sign is at a crossing with no lights or gates. What must you do?

1. Cross; trains must stop for you
2. Yield to any train
3. Stop only at night

Question 5 of 20

In North Carolina, what does tapping the horn before passing do?

1. Legally obliges the driver ahead to help you pass
2. It is illegal
3. Means you want them to speed up

Question 6 of 20

A pedestrian steps into the street where they do not have the right of way. What should you do?

1. Yield anyway
2. Keep going; it is their fault
3. Speed up to pass first

Question 7 of 20

What following distance does the two-second rule call for?

1. Two seconds behind the vehicle ahead
2. Two car lengths at any speed
3. Two feet per mph

Question 8 of 20

On a highway with two lanes in your direction, you see a police car stopped on the shoulder with lights flashing. What must you do?

1. Move into the lane not nearest the police car
2. Stay in your lane at the same speed
3. Stop behind it

Question 9 of 20

What does this five-sided sign warn of?

1. A hospital
2. A playground for adults
3. A school zone or school crossing

Question 10 of 20

What does this pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road mark?

1. A bike route
2. The beginning of a no-passing zone
3. The end of a school zone

Question 11 of 20

The speed limit is 45 mph. How far before turning must you signal?

1. At least 50 feet
2. 100 feet is enough
3. At least the last 200 feet

Question 12 of 20

Who has the right of way at a railroad crossing?

1. Police and ambulances
2. Whoever arrives first
3. The train, even over emergency vehicles

Question 13 of 20

Can you turn right on a steady red light in North Carolina?

1. Never
2. Yes, without stopping
3. Yes, after a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it

Question 14 of 20

Where are a car's blind spots?

1. Near the left and right rear corners
2. Directly in front of the hood
3. Inside the car

Question 15 of 20

A tow truck with flashing lights is stopped by the road and you have only one lane. What do you do?

1. Speed up to pass quickly
2. Slow down to a safe speed until you are past it
3. Honk and continue

Question 16 of 20

At an uncontrolled intersection, who goes first?

1. The vehicle already in the intersection
2. The faster vehicle
3. The larger vehicle

Question 17 of 20

What does this sign warn you about?

1. A stop sign that has been removed
2. A police checkpoint
3. A stop sign ahead that you cannot see yet

Question 18 of 20

Which hand signal means a right turn?

1. Left arm out, forearm and hand straight up
2. Left arm straight out, pointing
3. Left arm down, palm back

Question 19 of 20

Before changing lanes, after checking your mirrors, what else must you do?

1. Nothing; mirrors show everything
2. Honk twice
3. Look over your shoulder to check the blind spot

Question 20 of 20

The light turns yellow as you approach. What should you do?

1. Speed up to beat the red
2. Stop, unless you are too close to stop safely
3. Stop suddenly even in the intersection