North Carolina Permit Test Study Set

A complete question-and-answer review set for the North Carolina permit test covering state traffic laws, road safety, signals, and driving under the influence rules.

For which activities is a driver license required in North Carolina?

Sitting in the driver's seat of a car while the engine is running, and steering a car while it is being pushed or towed by another vehicle.

What action must the Division of Motor Vehicles take if a driver refuses a legal chemical test?

Revoke the driver's license for at least $12\,months$.

What may happen under the point system if a driver accumulates $12\,points$ within $3\,years$?

The driver may lose his/her license.

How can a driver deduct points after accumulating a total of $7\,points$?

The driver can have $3\,points$ deducted if he/she satisfactorily completes a Driver Improvement Clinic.

Conviction for which traffic violation carries the highest number of points?

Passing a stopped school bus unloading children.

A driver will lose his/her license if convicted of speeding at what threshold?

Speeding more than $75\,mph$ in a $55\,mph$ zone.

What two requirements must be met to get a revoked driver license restored?

Obtain permission from the Driver License Section in Raleigh to reapply, and go to a driver license office, pay a restoration fee, and reapply.

Roughly what percentage of highway traffic deaths are caused by drunken persons?

About $38\%$.

In cities, what proportion of people killed in motor vehicle accidents are pedestrians?

$2$ out of $5$ people.

When walking at night along a road without sidewalks, where should you walk?

Walk on the left, facing traffic.

What should a pedestrian wear or carry when walking along a road at night?

Wear or carry something white.

What is the speed limit outside a city in North Carolina unless otherwise posted?

$55\,mph$.

What is the speed limit inside a city in North Carolina unless otherwise posted?

$35\,mph$.

In which direction does a car tend to move when rounding a curve?

To the outside of the curve.

What gear should a driver use when driving downhill on a steep hill or curve?

Use a lower gear.

What signals should you give before passing a vehicle ahead on a two-lane road?

Sound your horn to signal your intention to the driver ahead, and give a left turn signal to let the driver behind you know your intention.

Under what road conditions is passing on the right legal?

On a $4\text{-lane}$ highway with $2\,lanes$ going in each direction, and on a one-way street.

What is the maximum speed recommended when backing your car?

No more than $10\,mph$.

At what location do traffic accidents occur most frequently?

At intersections.

What is the most frequent type of accident on interstate highways?

A rear-end collision.

What should you do if an interstate highway breakdown forces you to the shoulder?

Raise the hood and tie a white handkerchief to the left door handle.

In which driving situations should you use your low-beam headlights?

At night in the city and in foggy or misty weather.

When driving on a highway at night, when should you never use high-beam headlights?

When following another car.

When are roads likely to be especially slick during a rainstorm?

Just after it has begun to rain or drizzle.

What is the best way to get good traction on hard packed snow?

Put chains on your tires.

How can wet brakes be dried out while driving?

Slow down and then press the gas pedal while keeping a light pressure on the brake pedal.

What should a driver do if a tire blowout occurs at high speed?

Grip the steering wheel firmly to keep the car from swerving.

What two actions should you take when your vehicle begins to skid?

Turn the steering wheel in the direction in which the rear end of the car is skidding, and reduce pressure on the gas pedal.

What does a flashing yellow traffic signal at an intersection mean?

Slow down and proceed with caution.

What does a diamond-shaped traffic sign warn drivers to do?

Slow down and drive with care.

What is the main color used for traffic signs in highway work zones?

Orange.

Which vehicle lighting equipment is required on all cars in North Carolina?

License plate lights.

What is the function of the car's exhaust system?

It carries harmful fumes from the engine to the rear of the car and releases them.

A car that pitches and tosses in normal driving and leans heavily in turns likely has issues with which system?

The suspension system.

Which traffic lanes are required to stop when a school bus makes a passenger stop on a five-lane street?

Lanes going in the same direction as the school bus.

What is the maximum speed limit for a full-size public school bus in North Carolina?

$45\,mph$.

Can coffee or a cold shower neutralize the effects of alcohol in the body?

No, only the liver can eliminate alcohol.

What effect does alcohol consumption have on a driver's eye movement?

The eyes tend to stare at a point.

How much alcohol is contained in $12\text{ oz}$ of beer, $4\text{ oz}$ of wine, and $1.5\text{ oz}$ of spirits?

They all contain the same amount: $.6\text{ oz}$ ($18\,ml$) of alcohol.

What penalty is imposed on a $20\text{-year-old}$ driver convicted of driving after drinking alcohol?

A $1\text{-year}$ revocation.

What penalties occur if a driver is convicted of DWI while their license is already revoked for a prior DWI?

The car may be seized and sold, and the driver may be imprisoned.

What penalty applies to a driver convicted of DWI for the 4th time in $7\,years$?

Imprisonment from $1$ to $3\,years$.