North Carolina Driver Flashcards Set 1: Signs, Signals, Markings & Core Road Rules

Build your foundation with North Carolina traffic signs, signals, pavement markings, licensing rules, learner restrictions, emergency vehicles, school buses, railroad crossings, speed, following distance, parking, and other core road rules. Use these cards to learn and recall the rules before applying them in practice-test situations.

What must you do at a steady red circular signal?

Stop completely before entering the intersection.

What does the North Carolina written knowledge test cover?

Traffic laws and safe-driving practices.

What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign generally indicate?

A warning about a condition ahead.

What must you do at a flashing red signal?

Stop, yield as required, and proceed only when safe.

What does a yellow crossroad warning sign mean?

Another roadway crosses the road ahead.

What does a steady green circular signal allow?

Proceed with due care, subject to pedestrians and other traffic.

What does a steady yellow circular signal mean?

The green movement is ending and a red signal is about to follow.

What do regulatory signs generally tell drivers, and what do most look like?

They state traffic laws or regulations; most are white rectangles with black lettering or symbols.

When is horn use appropriate in North Carolina?

When it is reasonably needed as a safety warning.

What does a posted SPEED LIMIT sign show?

The maximum lawful speed under normal conditions unless another rule requires a lower speed.

What does a flashing yellow signal require?

Proceed cautiously and yield as required.

What does a solid yellow line beside a broken yellow line mean?

Passing is allowed only for traffic next to the broken line when it is otherwise safe and legal.

What does a DO NOT ENTER sign mean?

Do not enter the roadway or ramp from that direction.

When may you turn right at a steady red circular signal in North Carolina?

After a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits the turn, and after yielding as required.

How should poor weather, traffic, or road conditions affect your speed?

Drive at a lawful speed that is safe for the actual conditions, even when that is below the posted limit.

What does a pentagon-shaped sign identify?

A school area or school crossing.

How should you treat a dark traffic signal?

Treat the intersection as controlled by stop signs on all approaches unless an authorized person or another device directs traffic.

What does a flashing yellow arrow allow you to do?

Make the indicated turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

What does an orange diamond-shaped sign usually warn about?

A work zone, construction activity, or temporary road condition.

What does a green arrow allow?

You may move cautiously in the arrow's direction, subject to any required yielding.

What shape is a YIELD sign?

A downward-pointing triangle.

What does SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT mean?

Drivers moving slower than normal traffic should use the right lane when practicable.

What color are most warning signs?

Yellow with black symbols or lettering.

What should you do when an authorized emergency vehicle approaches with warning lights and an audible signal?

Move as near as practical to the right edge or curb, clear of the intersection, stop, and remain stopped until it passes unless directed otherwise.

Who must you yield to when entering a street from a driveway?

Pedestrians and bicyclists on the sidewalk or walkway and vehicles approaching on the street.

What does a solid red arrow mean?

Stop; the movement shown by the arrow is not permitted while the red arrow is displayed.

What does a NO U-TURNS sign mean?

U-turns are prohibited at that location.

What does a curve sign with an advisory-speed plaque mean?

A curve is ahead, and the lower number is the recommended safe speed for favorable conditions.

What does a circular yellow sign with a black X and RR mean?

A railroad crossing is ahead.

What do white lane lines separate?

Lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.

What should you do when approaching a stopped emergency or public-service vehicle displaying warning lights?

Move into a lane away from it when safe; if you cannot safely change lanes, slow to a safe reduced speed and be prepared to stop.

What should you do when green changes to yellow?

Prepare to stop and stop if you can do so safely; do not accelerate merely to enter before red.

What does a wheelchair symbol on a RESERVED PARKING sign identify?

A space reserved for vehicles displaying the required disability parking credential.

What does a side-road warning sign mean?

A road enters from the side ahead.

What shape is a STOP sign?

An octagon.

Where should you stop at a stop sign or red signal?

At the marked stop line; if none, before the marked crosswalk; if neither exists, before entering the intersection where approaching traffic can be seen.

What does a yellow sign showing a traffic signal mean?

A traffic signal is ahead.

What does a WRONG WAY sign mean?

You are traveling or entering against the legal direction of traffic.

What does DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS require?

Do not stop any part of your vehicle on the railroad tracks.

What alcohol concentration is one basis for impaired driving for an ordinary adult driver in North Carolina?

An alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more at a relevant time after driving.

What should you do when the light is green but traffic blocks the intersection?

Wait before entering until there is enough space to clear the intersection.

What color are most guide signs for destinations and directions?

Green with white lettering.

What does a solid white line between lanes generally indicate?

Lane changes are discouraged and should be made only when necessary and safe, unless signs or markings prohibit crossing.

What shape marks a NO PASSING ZONE?

A pennant pointing to the right.

What mobile-phone activity is prohibited for a driver on a North Carolina public road or public vehicular area?

Manually entering a text message or reading an email or text message while operating the vehicle.

What does a DIVIDED HIGHWAY BEGINS sign warn about?

A median or divider will separate opposing traffic ahead.

Where does the NC Driver Handbook say passing is always unsafe and usually illegal?

At listed intersections and railroad crossings, on limited-visibility curves or hills, where solid-yellow restrictions apply, at certain stopped-vehicle crosswalk situations, and anywhere you cannot see far enough ahead to pass safely.

What does a DIVIDED HIGHWAY ENDS sign warn about?

The median or divider ends, and opposing traffic will no longer be physically separated.

What does a LANE ENDS sign warn about?

A traffic lane ends ahead and vehicles must merge.

What does a TWO-WAY TRAFFIC sign mean?

Traffic ahead moves in both directions.

What does a NARROW BRIDGE sign warn about?

A bridge ahead is narrower than the approaching roadway.

What is the Level 1 driving-time rule during the first six months?

The teen may drive from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. only while supervised.

Who may supervise a North Carolina Level 1 permit holder?

A parent or legal guardian, a grandparent, or an adult approved by a parent or legal guardian who meets the licensing requirements.

How long must the Level 1 supervising driver have been licensed?

At least five years.

May a Level 1 permit holder drive alone?

No. A qualified supervising driver must be seated beside the permit holder.

May a Level 1 permit holder use a mobile device while driving?

No. Mobile-device use is prohibited while operating the vehicle.

How long must a teen hold a Level 1 permit before applying for Level 2?

At least nine months.

How many logged driving hours are required before Level 2?

At least 60 hours.

How many nighttime hours must be included in the Level 2 driving log?

At least 10 hours.

What maximum speed limits does the NC Driver Handbook list when another speed is not posted?

35 mph in cities and towns, 55 mph outside cities and towns, and 70 mph on interstates; it also lists 45 mph for school buses and 55 mph for school activity buses.

What age is required for a Level 2 Limited Provisional License?

The applicant must be 16 or 17 years old.

What recent driving record is required before Level 2?

No moving violations or seat-belt or mobile-phone infractions during the preceding six months.

When may a Level 2 driver normally drive without supervision?

From 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and directly to or from work or qualifying volunteer emergency-service activities.

What passenger limit applies to a Level 2 driver when driving unsupervised?

Generally, only one passenger under 21 who is not a household member, subject to the current school-transport and household rules.

What are several important places where the NC Driver Handbook says you should not park?

At intersections or driveways; on crosswalks, sidewalks, or bridges; within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or fire-station entrance; beside another parked vehicle; and within interstate right-of-way except designated areas or emergencies.

What does a red circle with a diagonal slash mean?

The action or movement shown is prohibited.

What does a railroad crossbuck mark?

The location of a railroad crossing.

What does a pedestrian-crossing warning sign mean?

Pedestrians may be crossing ahead; slow down and be prepared to yield or stop.

What does a slow-moving-vehicle emblem look like?

A fluorescent orange triangle with a red reflective border.

What does a MERGE sign warn about?

Traffic streams will join ahead.

What does a SLIPPERY WHEN WET sign warn about?

The roadway may become slippery when wet.

What does a winding-road sign warn about?

A series of curves is ahead.

What does a deer-crossing sign warn about?

Deer may enter or cross the roadway ahead.

What does a truck-crossing sign warn about?

Trucks may enter or cross the roadway ahead.

How should you respond as a hybrid beacon changes from yellow to red?

Prepare to stop on yellow; stop on steady red; on alternating flashing red, stop first and proceed only after pedestrians or emergency vehicles have cleared.

What should you do when a flagger directs traffic?

Follow the flagger's directions.

What do broken white lane lines mean?

Lane changes are permitted when they are safe and not otherwise prohibited.

What does a double solid white line mean?

Do not cross the double solid white line.

What are the driver's three basic left-arm hand signals?

Left turn: arm straight out. Right turn: forearm and hand up. Stop or slow: arm and hand down.

What does a broken yellow center line on your side mean?

You may pass when it is otherwise safe and legal.

What does a solid yellow center line on your side mean?

Do not pass across that line.

What does a red-and-white YIELD sign require?

Slow down, give the right-of-way, and stop if necessary.

What does a red octagonal STOP sign require?

Come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe and lawful.

What does a solid yellow arrow mean?

The protected turn movement is ending; prepare to stop.

What should you do when another vehicle is passing you?

Help the other driver pass safely, move right when appropriate, and never increase your speed.

What special consideration does the handbook give a blind pedestrian at an uncontrolled intersection?

Give special consideration when the pedestrian extends a white cane, a white cane with a red tip, or is accompanied by a guide dog.

What should you do before entering an intersection on green?

Check that the intersection and your path are clear, then proceed with due care.

Who must stop for a stopped school bus on different North Carolina roadway types?

Both directions stop on a two-lane road, a two-lane road with a center turn lane, and a four-lane road without a median. Only traffic following the bus stops on four-or-more-lane roads with a center turn lane and on divided highways of four or more lanes with a median.

When must vehicle headlights be on in North Carolina?

From sunset to sunrise, when visibility is insufficient, and when windshield wipers are continuously used because of smoke, fog, rain, sleet, or snow.

When a railroad-crossing condition requires you to stop, how far from the nearest rail should you stop?

Within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet, from the nearest rail.

How do ramp-meter traffic signals control entry to a freeway?

Red means stop and wait for green; green means proceed down the ramp and merge; if the meter is dark, merge or yield as normal conditions allow.

How should you respond if your vehicle begins to skid, and how does braking differ with ABS?

Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction the rear is skidding. With ABS, use firm steady brake pressure; without ABS, the handbook advises gently pumping the brakes.

Whose directions control when a traffic officer is directing traffic?

Obey the traffic officer's directions instead of the normal traffic signals or signs.

What should you do if the accelerator pedal sticks?

Try to free the pedal, shift to neutral, apply firm controlled braking without locking the wheels, and move completely off the road at a safe place.

How does the NC Driver Handbook's two-second following rule work?

Allow at least two seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a fixed point and your vehicle reaching that same point under normal conditions.

What does the NC Driver Handbook advise if your service brakes fail?

Shift to a lower gear and use the emergency/parking brake; with an automatic transmission, move the selector to a low-range position while applying the emergency brake.

What should you do if you are involved in a crash with possible injuries?

Stop, check for injuries, call emergency services, and provide reasonable assistance without creating another hazard.

What information should drivers exchange after a reportable crash?

Names, addresses, driver-license information, vehicle-registration information, and insurance information as required by law.

When does the NC Driver Handbook allow passing on the right?

Where specifically permitted, including multilane highways with at least two lanes each direction, one-way streets, when passing a vehicle in a left-turn lane, or in a lane set aside for right turns.

What does a HILL warning sign mean?

A steep downgrade or hill is ahead.