North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   What do green signs like this one show?

   • ARules you must obey
   • BPlaces to get gas and food
   • CDirections and distances to places
   • DRoad work ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Directions and distances to places

   Green guide signs show routes, directions and distances in miles.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA YIELD sign is ahead; be ready to slow down or stop
   • BNo passing
   • CA railroad crossing is ahead
   • DMerge into the next lane now
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A YIELD sign is ahead; be ready to slow down or stop

   Slow down so you can yield to traffic at the YIELD sign ahead.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A driver holds the left arm out the window, bent downward. What does this hand signal mean?

   • ALeft turn
   • BRight turn
   • CSlowing down or stopping
   • DGo ahead and pass
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Slowing down or stopping

   The left arm bent downward means the driver is slowing down or stopping.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Your car starts to hydroplane. What should you do?

   • ATurn sharply toward the shoulder
   • BBrake hard right away
   • CSpeed up to get through the water
   • DEase off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard

   Slowly take your foot off the gas and hold the wheel steady until the tires grip again. Do not use the brakes hard.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Car A wants to turn left on a green light. Car B is coming from the other direction, going straight. Which car should go first?

   • ACar B
   • BCar A, if its turn signal is on
   • CCar A
   • DWhichever car is faster
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Car B

   When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a danger.

6. Question 6 of 25

   On a freeway with two or more lanes going your way, what is the left lane mainly for?

   • AStopping in an emergency
   • BPassing
   • CSlow vehicles
   • DTrucks only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Passing

   Keep right except to pass. If many vehicles pass you on the right, move right and let them go by on the left.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A driver is tailgating you. What is the safest thing to do?

   • ABrake suddenly to warn the driver
   • BStop on the shoulder right away
   • CKeep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass
   • DSpeed up to get away
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Keep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass

   Do not react with sudden braking. Keep extra space in front of you so you can stop gently, and let the tailgater pass when possible.

8. Question 8 of 25

   An emergency vehicle (1) is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. What should you do in Car 2?

   • AKeep your speed and lane
   • BStop behind the police car
   • CSpeed up to get past quickly
   • DMove over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Move over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down

   Move Over laws require you to change to a lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle when safe, or slow down if you cannot.

9. Question 9 of 25

   In most states, how far before a turn should you start signaling?

   • AAt least 10 feet
   • BOnly as you begin to turn
   • CAt least half a mile
   • DAt least 100 feet
   Show answer

   Answer: D. At least 100 feet

   Most state laws require you to signal at least 100 feet before you turn. Check your state handbook in case a longer distance applies.

10. Question 10 of 25

    You see this sign facing you on a ramp. What should you do?

    • AKeep driving in the left lane with your hazard lights on
    • BYou are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came
    • CSpeed up to get off the ramp quickly
    • DKeep going and take the next exit
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came

    WRONG WAY signs face drivers who are going against traffic. Stop safely, turn around and drive in the correct direction.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does keeping a space cushion around your car, as shown, give you?

    • AThe right-of-way over other drivers
    • BA shorter braking distance
    • CTime and room to react if something goes wrong
    • DBetter fuel economy
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Time and room to react if something goes wrong

    Space around your vehicle gives you time to see problems and room to steer or stop.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which drinks contain about the same amount of alcohol?

    • A1.5 ounces of liquor and 12 ounces of wine
    • B12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor
    • C5 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of liquor
    • D12 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of wine
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor

    A regular beer, a glass of wine and a shot of liquor each have about the same amount of alcohol. A drink is a drink.

13. Question 13 of 25

    The headlights of an oncoming car are blinding you. Where should you look?

    • AStraight into the headlights
    • BDown at your dashboard
    • CAt the center line
    • DToward the right edge of your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Toward the right edge of your lane

    Look toward the right edge of the road until the car passes. Do not stare into the lights.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AStop only if other vehicles are near
    • BCome to a full stop, then go when it is safe
    • CSlow down and go if no one is coming
    • DStop only when a police officer is present
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Come to a full stop, then go when it is safe

    A red octagon always means stop. Stop completely, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then go when it is safe.

15. Question 15 of 25

    In which direction does traffic travel in a US roundabout?

    • AToward the center island
    • BCounterclockwise
    • CClockwise
    • DEither direction
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Counterclockwise

    In the United States, traffic in a roundabout moves counterclockwise, to the right of the center island.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AYou must not drive into this road from where you are
    • BThe road is closed to trucks only
    • CStop, then enter when the way is clear
    • DOne-way street; turn here
    Show answer

    Answer: A. You must not drive into this road from where you are

    This sign is posted where you would be going the wrong way, such as a freeway exit ramp or the end of a one-way street. Do not enter.

17. Question 17 of 25

    A driver holds the left arm straight out the window. What does this hand signal mean?

    • ARight turn
    • BLeft turn
    • CSlowing down or stopping
    • DYou may pass me
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Left turn

    The left arm held straight out means a left turn.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • APass the car in front before you reach the crosswalk
    • BHonk to warn the children
    • CSlow down, watch for children, and stop for anyone in the crosswalk
    • DSpeed up to get past the crosswalk quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow down, watch for children, and stop for anyone in the crosswalk

    The arrow points to the school crosswalk. Stop for children in the crosswalk and follow any crossing guard. Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

19. Question 19 of 25

    At night you see red reflectors on the road facing you. What does this most likely mean?

    • AYou are entering a school zone
    • BYou are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp
    • CThe road ahead is wet
    • DYou are near a fire station
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp

    Red raised pavement markers face drivers who are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp. Turn around safely right away.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Which signs use this round shape?

    • AHospital signs
    • BRailroad crossing advance warning signs
    • CSpeed limit signs
    • DSchool zone signs
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Railroad crossing advance warning signs

    In the United States the circle shape is used for the railroad advance warning sign.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA four-way intersection
    • BA railroad crossing; yield to any train
    • CYou must always stop here, even when no train is near
    • DA hospital is nearby
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A railroad crossing; yield to any train

    Treat a crossbuck like a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen both ways, and stop if a train is coming. Trains always have the right-of-way.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Total stopping distance, as shown, is made up of which two parts?

    • AThe distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance
    • BThe braking distance, counted twice
    • CThe reaction distance plus the length of your car
    • DThe distance to the car ahead plus the braking distance
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance

    Part 1 is how far you travel while you see the danger and move your foot to the brake. Part 2 is how far you travel after braking until you stop.

23. Question 23 of 25

    How should you pass a bicyclist riding in the same direction?

    • AFollow closely until the rider moves aside
    • BHonk and pass close by
    • CPass on the right
    • DSlow down and pass on the left with plenty of space
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Slow down and pass on the left with plenty of space

    Pass a bicyclist on the left at a safe distance and reduce your speed as you pass.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What is the center lane shown here used for?

    • ADriving for long distances in heavy traffic
    • BLeft turns by drivers from both directions
    • CPassing slower vehicles
    • DParking and loading
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Left turns by drivers from both directions

    A two-way left-turn lane is shared by drivers from both directions to make left turns. It is not a travel lane or passing lane.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Besides police cars, which stopped vehicle with flashing lights should you also slow down and move over for?

    • AA tow truck helping a driver on the shoulder
    • BA car parked in a driveway
    • CA delivery van parked at the curb
    • DA bus at a bus stop with no lights flashing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A tow truck helping a driver on the shoulder

    In many states, Move Over rules also cover tow trucks and highway work vehicles with flashing lights. Giving them space protects the people working beside the road.

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