North Carolina sharing the road practice questions
2 questions below test North Carolina’s own sharing the road law, each with the statute or North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on sharing the road rules that apply in every state.
The North Carolina permit knowledge test has 25 questions in total and needs 20 correct (80%) to pass.
North Carolina law
2 questions on North Carolina’s own sharing the road rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. 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
2. 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
Sources for the North Carolina items above
Applies everywhere
Sharing the road rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national sharing the road bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the North Carolina items above for 12 questions in total.
1. On a two-lane road without a median, a school bus stops with flashing red lights. You must:
- Stop in both directions until the lights stop flashing
- BSlow down to 15 mph and pass carefully
- CStop only if traveling behind the bus
- DHonk your horn and proceed
Answer: Stop in both directions until the lights stop flashing. When a school bus stops with red lights flashing on an undivided road, drivers in both directions must stop until children are clear and lights stop.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Special rules — school buses
2. Before opening a vehicle door into traffic, you should:
- ATurn on high beams
- BOpen it quickly
- Check mirrors and the blind area for cyclists and traffic
- DSound the horn
Answer: Check mirrors and the blind area for cyclists and traffic. Check behind you before opening. Using the far hand can encourage a shoulder turn that makes approaching cyclists easier to see.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Sharing the road — bicycles
3. Why should you avoid lingering beside a large truck?
- ATrucks are not allowed to change lanes
- The area may be a large blind spot
- CTruck drivers always drive below the limit
- DYour headlights may stop working
Answer: The area may be a large blind spot. Large vehicles have substantial blind areas along both sides and behind. Pass efficiently and do not cut closely in front.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Sharing the road — large vehicles
More North Carolina topics
Other North Carolina rules with their own questions
Sharing the road elsewhere
Sharing the road rules in other states
Sharing the road law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current North Carolina rules
Statutes and handbooks change. North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for North Carolina sharing the road rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit North Carolina Division of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About North Carolina sharing the road rules and this practice set.