Free North Carolina DMV permit practice test online
Free North Carolina permit practice for road signs, right-of-way, safe driving, and more—with explanations that point back to the official North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles handbook.
The North Carolina permit knowledge test has 25 questions; you need 20 correct (80%) to pass. That is below the median of 30 questions across the 51 states QuizLane tracks — a shorter test, but each wrong answer costs proportionally more.
Also preparing for a commercial license? North Carolina CDL practice · Study guides
Official North Carolina permit test
North Carolina DMV permit test facts
These figures reflect the standard North Carolina Class D permit knowledge test and can change. Always confirm current requirements with North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
What you will practice
Build coverage topic by topic.
Each question carries a topic, difficulty, explanation, and source section so your review has context.
Sample questions
5 North Carolina DMV permit practice questions
Try these North Carolina sample questions now — each shows the correct answer with a plain-language explanation and a source section. The full 172-question bank is in the practice run, including 11 items that test North Carolina law specifically.
1. Before applying for a Limited Provisional License, a North Carolina Level One permit holder must complete a driving log of at least:
- A50 hours, with 10 at night
- 60 hours, with at least 10 at night
- C30 hours, with 5 at night
- D40 hours, with 6 at night
Answer: 60 hours, with at least 10 at night. The North Carolina Driver Handbook requires a driving log detailing a minimum of 60 hours of operation, at least 10 of which must occur during nighttime hours.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Level One Limited Learner Permit
2. On a North Carolina divided highway of four or more lanes with a median, when a school bus stops for passengers:
- AAll traffic from both directions must stop
- Only traffic following the bus must stop
- CNo one must stop if the median is paved
- DOnly oncoming traffic must stop
Answer: Only traffic following the bus must stop. The North Carolina Driver Handbook states that on a divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — School Buses
3. A North Carolina Level One permit holder using a cell phone while driving is:
- AAllowed after 9 p.m.
- BAllowed for any call
- Not permitted except for listed emergency calls
- DAllowed only with a headset
Answer: Not permitted except for listed emergency calls. The North Carolina Driver Handbook prohibits Level One drivers from using a cell phone while operating on a public street, with exceptions only for emergency calls to listed responders or a parent, guardian, or spouse.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Level One Limited Learner Permit
4. On a North Carolina two-lane roadway when a school bus stops for passengers:
- AOncoming traffic may pass carefully
- BStopping is optional below 25 mph
- COnly traffic behind the bus must stop
- All traffic from both directions must stop
Answer: All traffic from both directions must stop. The North Carolina Driver Handbook requires all traffic from both directions to stop on a two-lane roadway when a school bus stops for passengers.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — School Buses
5. If a North Carolina driver under 21 is convicted of driving with any amount of alcohol or drugs in their body, their license will be:
- ASuspended for 30 days
- Revoked for one year
- CUnaffected if BAC is under 0.08
- DRestricted to daytime only
Answer: Revoked for one year. The official North Carolina Driver Handbook states that a driver under 21 convicted of driving with any amount of alcohol or drugs in their body will have their license revoked for one year.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Alcohol and the Young Driver
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