North Carolina Permit Practice Test 8 (2026)

Question 1 of 20

You are on the tracks when the lights start flashing and gates begin to lower. What should you do?

1. Keep moving across
2. Stop and back up
3. Stop on the tracks

Question 2 of 20

What is the best way to take a curve?

1. Slow down before entering it so you do not need to brake in it
2. Brake hard in the middle of it
3. Speed up before it

Question 3 of 20

A train is approaching a crossing. Where must you stop?

1. Right on the tracks
2. 100 feet away
3. Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail

Question 4 of 20

Before going down a hill toward a curve, what should you do?

1. Shift to neutral
2. Shift to a lower gear
3. Turn off the engine

Question 5 of 20

How can you report a stalled car or broken gate at a railroad crossing?

1. Wait for the train to stop
2. Call the number on the blue Emergency Notification sign
3. Post it online

Question 6 of 20

Which parts of the road freeze first?

1. Sunny straight stretches
2. Toll plazas
3. Shady spots, bridges and overpasses

Question 7 of 20

An unmarked car signals you to stop and you doubt it is a real officer. What may you do?

1. Call 9-1-1 before pulling over to verify
2. Ignore it and keep driving
3. Speed away

Question 8 of 20

The fog is so thick you can barely see. What should you do?

1. Stop in your lane
2. Pull far off the road, turn on the flashers, exit on the passenger side and stay away
3. Follow the car ahead closely

Question 9 of 20

After a police stop, what should you do with your seat belt?

1. Take it off right away
2. Keep it on unless the officer asks you to remove it
3. Take it off and get out

Question 10 of 20

How much hotter than outside can a parked car get in the sun?

1. About 2 degrees
2. About 40-50 degrees hotter
3. It stays the same with a window open

Question 11 of 20

What lighting must a bicycle have at night in North Carolina?

1. No lights are required
2. A front light visible at 300 feet and a rear red light or reflector visible at 200 feet
3. Only a bell

Question 12 of 20

Police lights are behind you but there is no safe place to stop. What should you do?

1. Stop immediately in the lane
2. Speed up to find an exit
3. Turn on the flashers, slow about 10 mph and stop at the nearest safe place

Question 13 of 20

When should you not use cruise control?

1. On dry interstates
2. When it is raining or after rain
3. During the day

Question 14 of 20

Sun glare is blinding you. What should you do?

1. Use the visor and sunglasses, or stop until you can see
2. Close one eye
3. Speed up to get past it

Question 15 of 20

On a long interstate trip, how often does the handbook suggest stopping at rest areas?

1. Every 500 miles
2. At least once every 100 miles
3. Never; keep going

Question 16 of 20

Your car starts to hydroplane. What should you do?

1. Ease off the gas, do not brake and keep the wheel straight
2. Brake hard
3. Turn the wheel sharply

Question 17 of 20

Where is driving very slowly especially dangerous?

1. On a straight, empty road
2. In a parking lot
3. Just past the crest of a hill or a curve

Question 18 of 20

Which headlights should you use in fog?

1. Low beams
2. High beams
3. No lights

Question 19 of 20

You have a concealed weapon permit and a gun in the car during a traffic stop. What must you do?

1. Reach for it to hand it over
2. Say nothing
3. Tell the officer

Question 20 of 20

How much fast-moving water can float a car or turn it over?

1. About 3 feet
2. About 5 feet
3. About 12 inches