North Carolina Emergency & Utility Vehicles

In North Carolina, when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and siren approaches from behind, you must:

By DMV Master Editorial Team Updated Verified against N.C. Gen. Stat. §20-157
A

Speed up to stay out of its way.

Speeding up is prohibited; pulling over is required.

B

Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle passes.

Correct answer

C

Continue at the same speed.

You must actively yield, not continue.

D

Pull to the left side of the road.

Standard practice is to pull right, not left.

Detailed Explanation

North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. §20-157) requires drivers to immediately move to the right edge of the roadway, clear of any intersection, and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. On one-way streets, pulling to either curb is acceptable if it creates a clear lane.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. §20-157

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