North Carolina Permit Practice Test: Traffic Signals and Signs (2026)

Question 1 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

Question 2 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 3 of 20

Turning right on red, you fail to yield to a pedestrian starting to cross. What is the penalty?

1. Between $100 and $500
2. A warning only
3. $10

Question 4 of 20

What does a green arrow mean?

1. Yield to oncoming traffic first
2. A protected movement in the direction of the arrow
3. Stop, then go

Question 5 of 20

What does a steady yellow arrow mean?

1. Turns are protected
2. Speed up to finish the turn
3. The protected turn is ending

Question 6 of 20

The traffic light is dark because of a power outage. How do you proceed?

1. As if there were a stop sign on all approaches
2. As if the light were green
3. Honk and go through

Question 7 of 20

What must you do at a flashing red light?

1. Slow down without stopping
2. Stop, as at a stop sign, then go when safe
3. Speed up

Question 8 of 20

What does a flashing yellow light mean?

1. Stop completely
2. The light is broken; ignore it
3. Slow down and proceed with caution

Question 9 of 20

What does a flashing yellow arrow mean for a left turn?

1. The turn is permitted, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
2. The turn is protected
3. No turns allowed

Question 10 of 20

The ramp meter at a freeway entrance is dark. What do you do?

1. Stop and wait for green
2. Proceed without stopping and merge normally
3. Back up and use another ramp

Question 11 of 20

A pedestrian hybrid beacon is flashing red and the crosswalk is now clear. What may you do?

1. Wait until it goes dark
2. Drive through without stopping
3. Proceed after first coming to a complete stop

Question 12 of 20

What do yellow lines on the pavement separate?

1. Lanes moving in opposite directions
2. Lanes moving in the same direction
3. Parking spaces

Question 13 of 20

On a two-lane road, when may you pass?

1. When a solid yellow line is on your side
2. When the broken yellow line is on your side
3. Never

Question 14 of 20

On a divided highway you see a solid yellow line on your right and a white line on your left. What does it mean?

1. You are in a bus lane
2. Everything is normal
3. You are going the wrong way

Question 15 of 20

You see red reflective markers on the pavement ahead of you. What do they mean?

1. You are traveling the wrong way
2. A fire hydrant is nearby
3. A school zone

Question 16 of 20

What can blue reflective pavement markers indicate?

1. Bus stops
2. Nearby fire hydrants or water supplies
3. The center of a roundabout

Question 17 of 20

An officer is directing traffic at an intersection with a green light. Whom do you obey?

1. The traffic light
2. Whichever is faster
3. The officer

Question 18 of 20

At a stop sign with no stop line or crosswalk, where do you stop?

1. Before entering the intersection, where you can see the cross street
2. In the middle of the intersection
3. Wherever you like

Question 19 of 20

How are interstate highways marked?

1. With a green diamond
2. With a red, white and blue shield
3. With a yellow circle

Question 20 of 20

Which way do odd-numbered highways generally run?

1. East and west
2. In circles around cities
3. North and south