North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AOne sharp curve to the right is ahead
   • BA series of curves is ahead
   • CThe road is slippery ahead
   • DLanes shift ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A series of curves is ahead

   The road has three or more curves in a row. Slow down and stay in your lane.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does a steady yellow light mean?

   • ASpeed up to get through before it turns red
   • BThe light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely
   • COnly pedestrians may move now
   • DThe intersection is clear, so go
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely

   A steady yellow light warns that the green is ending and red is coming. Stop if you can do so safely.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Your car goes into deep water and starts to sink. What should you do?

   • AStay buckled and wait for help
   • BUnbuckle and escape through a window
   • COpen a door right away
   • DTurn the engine off and on again
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Unbuckle and escape through a window

   Get out through a window. Opening a door can let water rush in and roll the car over.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What is hydroplaning?

   • AWhen a tire slowly loses air
   • BWhen water gets into your engine
   • CWhen your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road
   • DWhen your brakes overheat on a long hill
   Show answer

   Answer: C. When your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road

   At higher speeds on wet roads, tires can ride up on water. You then lose steering and braking control.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You see this sign while driving in the rain. What should you do?

   • APump your brakes often to dry them
   • BDrive on the shoulder
   • CSpeed up to get past quickly
   • DSlow down and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Slow down and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns

   Wet roads can make your tires lose grip. Slow down, leave more space, and steer and brake gently.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA highway patrol station is ahead
   • BA helicopter landing pad is ahead
   • CA hospital is nearby
   • DA hotel is nearby
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A hospital is nearby

   Blue signs show services for drivers, such as hospitals, gas, food and lodging.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A car in the lane next to you has stopped at a crosswalk. What should you do?

   • AHonk and pass
   • BChange lanes and speed up
   • CStop as well, because a pedestrian may be crossing
   • DPass it carefully
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Stop as well, because a pedestrian may be crossing

   Never pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian you cannot see may be crossing in front of it.

8. Question 8 of 25

   How can you check that you are not following another vehicle too closely?

   • AWatch for the brake lights of the vehicle ahead
   • BLook at your speedometer
   • CCount how many car lengths you see
   • DWhen the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it
   Show answer

   Answer: D. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it

   Pick a fixed object such as a sign. Start counting when the car ahead passes it; if you reach it before you finish the count, you are too close.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AMany curves are ahead
   • BA sharp turn to the right is ahead
   • CTwo-way traffic is ahead
   • DThe road curves right, then left
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The road curves right, then left

   A reverse curve bends one way and then the other. Slow down before the first curve.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATrucks must use this route
    • BOne-way street to the right
    • CThe road ahead turns right
    • DFollow this route because the usual road is closed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Follow this route because the usual road is closed

    A detour takes you around a closed road. Follow the detour signs until you are back on your route.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does implied consent mean?

    • APolice may search your home at any time
    • BYou may refuse a chemical test with no penalty
    • CBy driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police
    • DYour passengers must also be tested
    Show answer

    Answer: C. By driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police

    Under implied consent laws, getting a license and driving means you agree to be tested when an officer lawfully asks.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Can cold or allergy medicine you buy without a prescription affect your driving?

    • ANo, only prescription drugs affect driving
    • BOnly if you take it with food
    • CNo, these medicines are always safe
    • DYes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Yes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label

    Many over-the-counter medicines cause drowsiness. Read the warning label and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You park on a hill where there is no curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

    • AStraight ahead
    • BToward the center of the road
    • CLeft if uphill, straight if downhill
    • DToward the side of the road (to the right)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Toward the side of the road (to the right)

    With no curb, uphill or downhill, turn your wheels to the right so the car will roll away from traffic if the brakes fail.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ARoad work is ahead; slow down and watch for workers and equipment
    • BWorkers have finished for the day
    • CTake the detour ahead
    • DThe road is closed ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Road work is ahead; slow down and watch for workers and equipment

    Slow down, stay alert, and follow work zone signs and flaggers.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Must you yield to a pedestrian crossing at an intersection that has no painted crosswalk lines?

    • AOnly if a crossing guard is there
    • BOnly in school zones
    • CYes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way
    • DNo, only painted crosswalks count
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Yes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way

    Pedestrians have the right-of-way in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Marking 4 is a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line. When may you pass?

    • AOnly when the broken line is on your side
    • BWhenever the road ahead looks clear
    • CNever, from either side
    • DOnly when the solid line is on your side
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only when the broken line is on your side

    With a solid and a broken line together, drivers on the broken-line side may pass when safe. Drivers on the solid side may not.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What is the only thing that lowers your blood alcohol concentration?

    • ATime
    • BExercise
    • CA cold shower
    • DBlack coffee
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Time

    Your body removes alcohol slowly. Coffee, exercise and cold showers do not lower your BAC.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS). How should you brake in an emergency?

    • APull the parking brake
    • BPress the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing
    • CTap the brake lightly
    • DPump the brake pedal quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Press the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing

    With ABS, press hard and hold steady pressure. The system pumps the brakes for you and lets you steer.

19. Question 19 of 25

    At a stop sign with a white stop line painted across your lane, where should you stop?

    • ABefore the stop line
    • BInside the crosswalk
    • CWith your front wheels past the line
    • DPast the line, at the edge of the cross street
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Before the stop line

    A stop line shows where you must stop. If there is no stop line, stop before the crosswalk.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATraffic joining from the side gets its own lane, so it does not need to merge
    • BTwo-way traffic ahead
    • CThe road narrows ahead
    • DYou must merge left now
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Traffic joining from the side gets its own lane, so it does not need to merge

    The entering traffic gets a new lane. Still watch for drivers who change lanes.

21. Question 21 of 25

    In almost every state, an adult driver age 21 or older is breaking the law if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is at or above what level?

    • A0.12%
    • B0.15%
    • C0.20%
    • D0.08%
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 0.08%

    It is illegal in every state except Utah to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Utah's limit is 0.05%, and stricter limits apply to younger and commercial drivers.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which of these makes your stopping distance longer?

    • AA wet or icy road
    • BDriving more slowly
    • CTires with deep tread
    • DPaying full attention
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A wet or icy road

    Wet, snowy and icy roads give your tires less grip, so it takes longer to stop. Slow down and leave more space.

23. Question 23 of 25

    When should you leave more than your normal following distance?

    • AOnly when the road is dry and clear
    • BIn bad weather or when following a large truck
    • COnly on city streets
    • DWhen you are in a hurry
    Show answer

    Answer: B. In bad weather or when following a large truck

    Add more space in rain, snow or fog, and behind large trucks that block your view.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASlow down before you reach the curve
    • BBrake hard in the middle of the curve
    • CMove to the left lane
    • DSpeed up to get through the curve
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down before you reach the curve

    Slow down before the curve, not in it. Braking hard in a curve can make you skid.

25. Question 25 of 25

    You reach this sign. You cannot see a train, but you hear a train horn. What should you do?

    • ADrive onto the tracks to get a better look
    • BStop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed
    • CHonk your horn and keep going
    • DCross quickly before the train arrives
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed

    Never try to beat a train. Trains cannot stop quickly. Stop before the tracks and cross only when you are sure it is safe.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.