North Carolina · Sample Test

North Carolina DMV Sample Test

By DMV Master Editorial Team Updated

Try 10 real North Carolina DMV questions below — handpicked from our 278-question North Carolina bank. Each with the correct answer and full explanation. Tap to reveal the answer. For the complete practice experience with hundreds of questions, progress tracking, and timed mock exams, download our app.

1
Phones & Distracted Driving

Can a North Carolina officer stop a driver solely for texting while driving, without another violation?

Tap to reveal answer

A No — texting is only a secondary offense.
B Yes — texting is a primary offense in North Carolina.
C Only if the driver is under 18.
D Only in school zones.
Why this answer

North Carolina (like most US states) treats texting while driving as a primary offense — officers can stop drivers for texting alone, with no other violation required. The fine is $100 plus court costs for a first offense. Reading, typing, or sending texts are all covered; GPS and music controls are generally exempt.

Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. §20-137.4A
Read full explanation
2
Emergency & Utility Vehicles

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

Tap to reveal answer

A Speed up to stay out of its way.
B Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle passes.
C Continue at the same speed.
D Pull to the left side of the road.
Why this answer

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
Read full explanation
3
Signs & Signals

What does a lane-use control sign indicate?

Tap to reveal answer

A They mean all lanes go straight only
B They show the speed limit for each lane
C They show allowed movements from the lane
Why this answer

Lane-use control signs show which movements are allowed from a particular lane.

Source: Alabama Driver Manual
Read full explanation
4
Signs & Signals

What does a DIVIDED HIGHWAY ENDS sign indicate?

Tap to reveal answer

A Only trucks may use the highway
B A median begins ahead
C The divided highway is ending
Why this answer

A Divided Highway Ends sign warns that opposing traffic will no longer be separated by a median.

Source: Alabama Driver Manual
Read full explanation
5
Signs & Signals

What does a ROAD WORK / construction sign indicate?

Tap to reveal answer

A A hospital zone begins
B A recreational area is ahead
C A work zone or temporary traffic condition is ahead
Why this answer

Orange construction signs warn of work zones and temporary traffic conditions.

Source: Alabama Driver Manual
Read full explanation
6
Signs & Signals

What does a DETOUR sign indicate?

Tap to reveal answer

A A scenic route is nearby
B Follow an alternate route
C The road narrows
Why this answer

A detour sign directs traffic to an alternate route around a closure or work area.

Source: Alabama Driver Manual
Read full explanation
7
Signs & Signals

What does a steady red traffic light mean?

Tap to reveal answer

A Proceed if the intersection looks clear
B Slow down and continue with caution
C Stop and remain stopped until you may lawfully go
Why this answer

A steady red light requires a complete stop until the signal changes or a permitted turn can be made lawfully.

Source: Alabama Driver Manual
Read full explanation
8
Signs & Signals

What does a green arrow mean?

Tap to reveal answer

A You may go any direction
B You may move in the direction of the arrow after yielding to any traffic already in the intersection and pedestrians
C You must stop first
Why this answer

A green arrow permits movement in the arrow\'s direction after yielding when required.

Source: Alabama Driver Manual
Read full explanation
9
Signs & Signals

What does this sign indicate?

What does this sign indicate?

Tap to reveal answer

A Slow down if traffic is present
B Keep moving if no cars are coming
C Come to a complete stop
Why this answer

A stop sign means you must come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe.

Source: US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Read full explanation
10
Signs & Signals

What does this sign indicate?

What does this sign indicate?

Tap to reveal answer

A You must always come to a full stop
B Slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic
C Speed up to merge with traffic
Why this answer

A yield sign means slow down, give the right-of-way when required, and stop if necessary.

Source: US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Read full explanation
Full Practice Experience

Get the full North Carolina practice in our app

Hundreds of North Carolina questions, timed mock exams matching the real DMV test, progress tracking, and offline mode — all free.

Download on the App Store
Coming soon to Google Play
Soon
North Carolina

Back to North Carolina overview

Test facts, passing score, specialty laws

Deep Dive

Browse all North Carolina questions

10 indexed question pages with explanations