North Carolina Driver’s License & Safety – Comprehensive Study Notes

Exhaust system
- Leaks must be repaired immediately because they may allow dangerous fumes (carbon-monoxide) to enter the passenger compartment.
- CO is found in $\text{engine exhaust gases}$ (not in upholstery, motor-oil, or raw gasoline).
Brakes
- Failure procedure: shift to a lower gear $\downarrow$ and use the emergency/parking brake with steady pressure.
- Wet brakes: dry by staying in a low gear and keeping light pressure on the pedal.
- Indicators that service brakes need attention include a squeaking noise on application; wind-sensitivity or gasoline smell are unrelated.
Tires & Traction
- Before a long trip check the spare’s air-pressure and inspect all tires for inflation, tread, and damage.
- Best traction on hard-packed snow ⇒ install tire chains.
- Hydroplaning is prevented primarily by reducing speed; lowering pressure or braking hard makes it worse.
Suspension
- Excessive pitching/leaning in normal driving suggests suspension-system trouble.
Alternator warning light staying on usually indicates a loose/broken fan belt rather than low oil or ignition faults.
Muffler requirement: every vehicle must carry a muffler to channel exhaust; seat covers, mudguards, shoulder harnesses are optional or dependent on model year.

Rain / Drizzle
- Roads are most slippery just after precipitation begins because water lifts embedded oil & dust.
- When drizzle starts: slow down and allow double normal following distance.
Snow & Ice
- Daytime heavy snow: use low-beam headlights for visibility.
- Leaving a slippery surface with manual transmission: start in $2^{\text{nd}}$ or higher gear and accelerate gently.
- If forced to stop on ice: pump brakes lightly instead of hard continuous pressure.
Fog
- Use low beams and reduce speed; never “follow the taillights” of the car ahead closely.
Skids
- Correcting: steer in the direction the rear wheels slide and gently lift off accelerator.
- Causes include packed snow, newly rained surfaces, or over-braking while turning.
Curves & Hills
- Enter sharp curves slowly, stay centered, brake before the sharpest point.
- Descend long hills in a lower gear; pumping brakes limits heat build-up.

Speed Limits (NC unless posted otherwise)
- Inside a city: $35\,\text{mph}$ .
- Outside a city: $55\,\text{mph}$ .
- School activity bus: $25\,\text{mph}$ ; full-size school bus: max $45\,\text{mph}$ .
- Open-road default for cars/pick-ups is NOT $65\,\text{mph}$ (trick statement on test).
Passing & Lane Use
- Legal to pass on the right on multi-lane highways or one-way streets.
- Illegal to pass on double-yellow center lines on two-lane, two-way roads.
- When overtaking on two-lane roads: sound horn + give left signal.
Following distance / Space cushion
- Maintain ample gap; especially watch for sudden stops in heavy traffic.
Headlight use
- Dim high beams when following another vehicle or within headlight range of on-coming cars.
- Low beams required in the city at night and in fog/mist.
- If an approaching driver fails to dim: keep eyes on right edge and momentarily “flick” your beams.
Work-zone signage color: orange.
Flashing Signals
- Flashing red = stop, then proceed when clear (treat as stop sign).
- Flashing yellow = slow down and proceed with caution.

Diamond-shaped: general warnings (e.g.
- Deer crossing, curve-ahead, road-narrows)
Orange background examples: Detour $1000\,\text{ft}$ , Road Construction Ahead, Road Closed $500\,\text{ft}$ .
Stop for school buses
- On five-lane roads with a two-way left-turn center lane, only traffic moving in the same direction must stop.
Work-zone speed awareness: most interstate crashes involve rear-end collisions; maintain extra following space.

Most important coverage: liability insurance (pays others for injuries/damage you cause).
Refusing a chemical-test ⇒ mandatory license revocation for at least $12\text{ months}$ .
Point System (NC)
- Warning letter at $4$ points within $3$ years.
- License suspension possible at $12$ points.
- Completion of Driver Improvement Clinic subtracts $3$ points (once).
Highest single violation points: passing a stopped school bus unloading children.

Alcohol facts
- Any amount reduces ability, often without awareness; no “immunity.”
- Roughly half of traffic fatalities involve alcohol; $\approx 50\%$ of highway deaths are alcohol-related.
Fatigue countermeasures on long trips
- Stop at least every $100\,\text{mi}$ .
- Avoid staring at one spot > few seconds; scan mirrors regularly.
- If sleepy: open windows for fresh air or take a break, do NOT speed up.
Young drivers’ major crash factor: lack of experience rather than reflex speed.

Breakdown at night: pull completely off roadway, raise hood, tie white handkerchief to left door handle, and turn on parking lights.
Blowout at high speed: grip steering wheel firmly, ease off accelerator; brake only after speed drops.
Skid recovery (see above) + hydroplaning avoidance (slow down).
Accidents
- Must immediately report to nearest law enforcement and notify insurance company.

Revoked license restoration: get DMV permission + pay fee + re-apply.
Driver’s license required
- Sitting behind wheel with engine running or steering while being towed both demand a valid license.

Blind pedestrians with white cane / guide dog have special right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections.
Bicycle riders travel with traffic (same direction); they face high injury risk in car collisions.
Nighttime walking on unlit roads: walk facing traffic while wearing/carrying something white.

RVs need more room to turn and may block more of adjacent lanes.
When towing a trailer downhill: stay in right lane and use a lower gear.

Use horns sparingly; primary safety tool is space cushion not noise.
Very slow driving is hazardous after hills & curves because faster traffic may not anticipate it.
Intersections are the most common accident site on highways.
If in wrong lane for a turn: continue to next intersection, never backup or cut across.
At unmarked, visually blocked intersections: stop, then inch forward slowly to see.
Police-officer signals override signs/signals; obey unless clearly in conflict and no emergency vehicle approaching.