North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 7

1. Question 1 of 25

   Your car breaks down on a highway. What should you do first?

   • ATurn on your hazard lights and pull as far off the road as you can
   • BKeep the lights off to save the battery
   • CWalk along the highway for help
   • DStop in your lane and get out
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Turn on your hazard lights and pull as far off the road as you can

   Use your hazard flashers and get your car off the road if possible. Avoid stopping just over a hill or around a curve.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?

   • ASpeed up before the light turns red
   • BSlow down and go through with caution
   • CStop and wait for a green light
   • DThe signal is broken, so treat it as an all-way stop
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Slow down and go through with caution

   A flashing yellow light is a warning. You may go, but slow down and watch for traffic and pedestrians.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right
   • BThe divided highway ends
   • CA narrow bridge is ahead
   • DA crossroad is ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right

   A median or barrier will separate the two directions of traffic. Keep to the right of it.

4. Question 4 of 25

   A school bus has stopped on this two-lane road with its red lights flashing and its stop arm out. Which cars must stop?

   • ABoth Car 1 and Car 2
   • BOnly Car 2, facing the bus
   • CNeither car, if no child is in the road
   • DOnly Car 1, behind the bus
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Both Car 1 and Car 2

   On a two-lane road, traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe road is closed ahead
   • BA railroad crossing is ahead
   • CA radar speed check is ahead
   • DA rest area is ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A railroad crossing is ahead

   This round yellow sign is placed before a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop.

6. Question 6 of 25

   If you double your speed, about how much longer does it take to stop once you brake?

   • AAbout the same distance
   • BAbout half as far
   • CAbout four times as far
   • DAbout twice as far
   Show answer

   Answer: C. About four times as far

   Braking distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling your speed makes it about four times longer.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What should you do when you see this sign?

   • ATurn right only on a green light
   • BDo not turn right; go straight or turn left if allowed
   • CYield to vehicles turning right
   • DTurn right after a full stop
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Do not turn right; go straight or turn left if allowed

   The black arrow shows the move and the red circle and slash forbid it. You may not turn right at this intersection.

8. Question 8 of 25

   When is it right to use your high-beam headlights?

   • AOn dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you
   • BIn fog
   • CIn busy city traffic
   • DWhen following another car closely
   Show answer

   Answer: A. On dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you

   High beams help you see farther on dark roads, but dim them for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle.

9. Question 9 of 25

   An angry driver makes rude gestures and shouts at you. What should you do?

   • AStay calm, avoid eye contact, and do not respond
   • BSpeed up to get in front of the driver
   • CBrake suddenly to teach the driver a lesson
   • DGesture back
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stay calm, avoid eye contact, and do not respond

   Do not challenge an aggressive driver. Stay calm, ignore the gestures, and give the driver space.

10. Question 10 of 25

    You see this orange and red triangle on the back of a farm tractor. What does it mean?

    • AThe vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, so slow down early
    • BThe vehicle is about to turn
    • CThe vehicle is an emergency vehicle
    • DThe vehicle is carrying hazardous materials
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, so slow down early

    The slow-moving vehicle emblem is used on farm equipment, construction equipment and animal-drawn vehicles.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATrucks cross the road ahead
    • BAn uphill passing lane is ahead
    • CA steep downhill grade is ahead; slow down and use a lower gear
    • DA truck stop is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A steep downhill grade is ahead; slow down and use a lower gear

    On a steep downgrade, slow down before the hill and shift to a lower gear so your brakes do not overheat.

12. Question 12 of 25

    You cannot see the truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror. What does that mean?

    • AYou are a safe distance away
    • BThe truck is about to stop
    • CThe truck driver probably cannot see you
    • DThe truck driver can see you clearly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The truck driver probably cannot see you

    If you can't see the driver in the truck's side mirror, assume the driver can't see you.

13. Question 13 of 25

    The speed limit is 55 mph, but there is thick fog and the road is slippery. How fast should you drive?

    • AExactly 10 mph under the limit
    • BAs fast as the cars around you
    • CSlower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions
    • D55 mph, because that is the limit
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions

    The posted limit is the top speed for good conditions. You can be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions even below the limit.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A front tire blows out while you are driving on the highway. What should you do?

    • AHold the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas
    • BBrake hard right away
    • CSpeed up to keep control
    • DSteer sharply onto the shoulder
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hold the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas

    Grip the wheel firmly, keep the car straight, and let it slow down before you brake gently and pull off.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Why should you avoid making a U-turn near the top of a hill or on a curve?

    • AIt wears out your tires
    • BYour turn signal will not work
    • CIt uses too much fuel
    • DOther drivers may not see you in time to stop
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Other drivers may not see you in time to stop

    U-turns are unsafe where other drivers cannot see your vehicle from far away, such as near hilltops and curves.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How far should you sit from the air bag in the steering wheel?

    • AAt least 3 feet
    • BAs close as you can
    • CAt least 10 inches
    • DAt least 2 inches
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 10 inches

    Sit at least 10 inches from the air bag cover, as long as you can still control the vehicle safely.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Your car stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?

    • ATry to push the car off the tracks
    • BRun along the tracks away from the train
    • CStay in the car and keep trying to start it
    • DGet everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Get everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train

    Get out right away. Moving toward the train at an angle keeps you away from flying debris, which spreads in the direction the train is going.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATurn around here
    • BLeft turns are not allowed here
    • CU-turns are not allowed here
    • DSharp curve ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. U-turns are not allowed here

    A red circle with a slash means the action shown is not allowed. Here you may not make a U-turn.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Your car starts to skid on a slippery road. What should you do?

    • ASteer hard the opposite way
    • BSpeed up
    • CSlam on the brakes
    • DEase off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go

    Take your foot off the gas, do not brake hard, and steer smoothly where you want to go.

20. Question 20 of 25

    When is the road often most slippery in the rain?

    • AIn the first minutes after rain starts
    • BJust after the rain stops and the sun comes out
    • CAfter it has rained for many hours
    • DOnly at night
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In the first minutes after rain starts

    When rain begins, it mixes with oil and dirt on the road and makes a slick film. Slow down right away.

21. Question 21 of 25

    You park facing downhill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

    • AToward the curb
    • BAway from the curb
    • CIt does not matter if the parking brake is set
    • DStraight ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Toward the curb

    When parking downhill, turn your wheels into the curb so the car rolls into it, not into the street.

22. Question 22 of 25

    You see this emblem on the back of a vehicle. What does it mean?

    • AThe vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, like farm equipment
    • BThe vehicle carries hazardous materials
    • CIt is carrying a wide load
    • DIt is an emergency vehicle
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, like farm equipment

    You can come up on these vehicles very quickly. Slow down early and pass only when it is safe and legal.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Car A is waiting to enter this roundabout. Car B is already in the roundabout. Which car has the right-of-way?

    • AWhichever car is larger
    • BWhichever car honks first
    • CCar B
    • DCar A
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Car B

    Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout, then enter when there is a safe gap.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What usually happens if you refuse a chemical test after an arrest for impaired driving?

    • AYou get a written warning
    • BNothing happens
    • CYour driver license is suspended or revoked
    • DYou must retake the written test only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Your driver license is suspended or revoked

    Refusing a test brings its own penalties, including losing your license, even if you are not convicted of impaired driving.

25. Question 25 of 25

    The lights are flashing at a railroad crossing. Where should you stop?

    • ARight next to the rail
    • BAt least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail
    • CAt least 200 feet before the tracks
    • DOn the tracks, so you can see better
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail

    Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail, and wait until the train has passed and it is safe.

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