North Carolina Driving Exam Practice

Vocabulary and rules based on practice questions for the driving exam, covering traffic laws, safety procedures, and North Carolina specific regulations.

Tire Inflation

Keeping tires or llantas completely inflated is important because it increases safety and the useful life of the tire.

Missed Interstate Exit

If you miss an exit on the interstate highway, you must continue until the next exit.

DUI/DWI Conviction

If declared guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the license will be suspended for 12 months.

Suspension System Problems

A vehicle that sways from side to side under normal conditions or leans excessively to one side when turning likely has issues with its suspension.

Yellow Traffic Signal

When the traffic light changes to yellow as you approach an intersection, you should proceed with caution.

Hill Crest Safety

It is dangerous to drive very slowly specifically after passing the crest (cima) of a hill or slope.

Refusal of Chemical Test

If a driver refuses to take a legal chemical test, the DMV (División de Vehículos Motorizados) revokes their permit.

Accident Frequency

Accidents occur with the greatest frequency at intersections.

Blind Intersections

At an intersection without signals where trees or buildings block the view, you must stop at the intersection and advance slowly.

Roundabouts (Glorietas)

Drivers entering a roundabout must yield the right of way to the automobiles already inside the roundabout.

Farm Vehicles (Tractores)

When approaching these on the road, be patient and allow the operator time to exit the road before passing; they generally travel at $15$ to $20\,MPH$.

Lane Changes on Four-Lane Roads

You should activate your turn signal just as you are entering the other lane.

Backing Up (Reverse)

Ensure the area is clear of objects or children, use the left hand for steering while looking over the right shoulder through the rear window, and move no faster than $10\,MPH$.

Slippery Road Conditions

Roads are particularly slippery during the first 10 or 15 minutes after it starts to rain.

Fraudulent Identification Penalty

If a person is convicted of aiding or permitting a minor to use a fake ID to buy alcohol, the DMV will revoke their license for one year.

Work Zones

Maintain a constant speed consistent with the flow of traffic unless instructed otherwise.

Slow Drivers

Studies show that slow drivers represent a serious danger to traffic.

License Points System (7 points)

When a driver accumulates 7 points, they are given the opportunity to meet with a hearing official and may be assigned to a clinical driver improvement course.

Brake Failure

If brakes fail, shift to a lower gear (engranaje) and use the emergency brake.

Large Trailer Blind Spots

Due to their size, large trucks or trailers have significant blind spots at the sides and in the back.

Changing a Flat Tire

Before changing a tire, you must completely remove the vehicle from the roadway.

Green Traffic Arrow

Indicates that traffic in that specific lane may turn in the direction of the arrow.

Legal Intoxication Limit

For non-commercial vehicles, a person is considered intoxicated if their blood alcohol concentration is $0.08$.

Pedestrian Right of Way

At an intersection without traffic lights, the pedestrian crossing the street has the right of way.

Shoulder Check

To check blind spots, a driver must look over their shoulder in the direction they intend to move.

Off-Road Recovery

If a vehicle moves off the road onto the shoulder, the driver should gradually remove their foot from the accelerator.

Headlight Usage

Use low beams (luces bajas o cortas) when driving in fog, snow, or heavy rain.

Trip Safety

On long trips, drivers should stop every $100\,miles$ to stretch and walk around.

North Carolina Speed Limit

The speed limit outside the city is $55\,MPH$ unless otherwise indicated.

Littering Fine

Conviction for throwing trash results in a minimum fine of $\$250$ and a maximum of $\$1,000$.

Rear-End Collision Prevention

Check the interior rearview mirror and side mirrors frequently (every 10 seconds) to avoid being hit from behind.

License Restoration

To regain driving privileges after a suspension, one must pay restoration fees and/or service fees and apply for a new license.

Alcohol-Related Fatalities

Approximately $38\%$ of highway deaths are caused by drunk drivers.

School Bus Violations

Passing a stopped school bus adds 5 points to the driver's license points system.

Unmarked Intersection Priority

If three cars arrive at the same time at an unmarked intersection, the vehicle on the right has the preference.

Two-Second Rule

The rule used to maintain a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front.

Blind Pedestrians

A blind person has the right of way when they are using a white cane with a red tip or are accompanied by a guide dog.

Residential Zones

The areas where bicycle accidents occur most frequently.

Compact Snow Driving

Tire chains should be used when driving on hard or compact snow.

Common Interstate Accidents

Rear-end collisions (choques por detrás) are the most frequent accidents on interstate highways.