All you need to know to pass a North Carolina Permit Test

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Driving is no doubt a big part of American culture. It’s hard to find a young person that isn’t excited to get on the road. This guide will help you prepare for your upcoming DMV driver’s permit test. We’re going to walk you through the necessary preparations and paperwork, and then you can take our online practice test. Unlike other tests, ours is completely free and sourced from previous North Carolina driver’s tests. To pass a test in North Carolina, you need to score at least 78% or more. North Carolina also created a useful handbook you can use to study NC traffic laws.

What documents are required for a DMV permit test in North Carolina

Before you’re allowed to take the test, you must submit a set of documents that satisfies the following criteria:

A document with your full name and date of birth
A document displaying your social security number
A document confirming your valid, physical address in North Carolina

If you’ve undergone a legal name change since the issuing of your birth certificate, you will have to present a document that states this (marriage certificate, for example).

Other than applying for learner’s permits, you must also provide one document proving liability insurance coverage, that has been issued a provider licensed to work in North Carolina.

Regular License vs REAL ID

We strongly recommend you apply for a REAL ID license. Although it won’t matter which one you use for driving, the latter will grant you some benefits the regular license can’t. To apply for a REAL ID, you will have to submit TWO documents verifying your physical address. Here’s an overview of the differences:

	Can be used for identification	Additional symbol	Entering federal buildings	Boarding planes inside the U.S.
Regular license	Yes	/	No	No (as of Oct. 2020)
North Carolina REAL ID	Yes	ID Star	Yes	Yes

What documents do non-citizens need to bring

Apart from the documents mentioned before, non-U.S. citizens will have to provide proof of legal presence. Some examples would be:

A valid foreign passport, with an unexpired U.S. visa
I-94 Arrival/Departure record
Valid permanent residency card (green card)
Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)

What documents do minors need to submit

The documents required to apply for minors are the same as adults, there’s no additional paperwork asking for consent from parents/guardians. In North Carolina, teens as early as 14 ½ may apply for a certified driver’s education course. Once completed, they will receive a Driving Eligibility Certificate, as long as they are:

Between 15 and 17 years old
Currently attending school
Actively working towards their diploma or GED

The Driving Eligibility Certificate can be used to apply for what’s known as a Graduated Licensing Program. Teen drivers without a provisional license may only operate the vehicle while actively supervised by:

A parent
A grandparent
A legal guardian
Any adult legally recognized by the parent and legal guardian

The person supervising the teen driver must:

Be a licensed driver
Have a license for at least five years
Be in the car while the minor is driving

There are 3 levels of licenses a teen can obtain:

Limited learner permit	Ages 15 to 17 Have a Driving Eligibility Certificate Can only drive between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. under legal supervision Can’t use mobile devices in any way while driving Can only operate a type C vehicle
Limited provisional license	Ages 16 to 17 years old Can drive unsupervised only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Must have a limited learner permit at least 12 months Has at least 60 hours of driving logged by the supervisor and approved by the DMV Had no moving violations in the last six months Pass an additional on-the-road driving test Can not drive more than one passenger under 21 when unsupervised, unless members of the same household Can’t use hands-free mobile devices when driving
Full provisional license	Ages 16 to 17 years old Can drive completely unsupervised Has a limited provisional license for at least six months Had no moving violations in the last 6 months Completed at least 12 hours of driving, 6 of which at night, logged by the supervisor and approved by the DMV Is not allowed to use hands-free mobile devices

If you want to practice, take our free, 50-question example test

A broken white line in the center of the roadway means: You are allowed to change lanes Do not pass over the line You should drive on top of the line

If an emergency vehicle sounding its siren is approaching, drivers must: Pull over to the left and make room Pull over to the right and make room Speed up to maintain distance

Always use your emergency lights when: You have to make an emergency stop on the roadway You are parked on the road due to low visibility If you are stopped by a traffic authority

What is the correct order of traffic lights from top to bottom Green, Yellow, Red Red, Yellow, Green Red, Green, Yellow

To make a turn from one two-way street into another two-way street, you must complete the turn in: The lane closest to the curb The lane farthest from the curb Whichever lane is available

If a truck is attempting to pass your vehicle, you should: Increase your speed Change lanes Maintain the same speed or slightly decrease

A general rule for safe driving is: Keep looking straight ahead, don’t get distracted Keep moving your eyes to scout your surroundings Assume the other drivers are following protocol

A blind spot is the area of the road you: Have to use your side mirror to see Have to use your rearview to see Don’t see without moving your head

You don’t have to wear a seatbelt when driving if: You’re not the one driving You’re driving on the freeway You must always wear a seatbelt

If you see a blind person with a cane or guide-dog crossing the street, you should always: Honk at them so they know you’re there Drive around them Slow down or stop completely

Hydroplaning (skidding) can happen even when driving as slow as: 30 mph 35 mph 40 mph

On multi-lane highways, before you change your lane you should: Use your car horn to warn others Use your mirrors and scout your blind spots Slow down

Every time your speed doubles, your necessary stopping distance will increase: Twice the length Thrice the length Four times the length

The hardest things to see when driving at night are: Pedestrians Road Signs Traffic Lights

You’re allowed to use a carpool lane if you: Carry the minimum number of passengers stated on the sign You are driving a vehicle with the number of passenger seats stated on the sign You’re attempting to avoid traffic

On a two-way highway, the left lane is used for: Safely passing vehicles if it’s allowed Stopping your vehicle It’s only used by emergency vehicles

If a traffic light is not working, you should: Always stop and make sure it’s safe to pass Slow down and maneuver other vehicles Stop only if other vehicles are approaching as well

If a road sign has a speed indicated beneath it, the number on it will state: Nothing, it’s a separate sign The lowest safe speed The highest safe speed

You can ignore a STOP sign when: There’s no traffic behind you You can never ignore them There are no pedestrians

Should you drive noticeably slower than the maximum speed limit? Yes, it’s a good safety measure Doesn’t matter, everyone can drive how they want No, you could cause a traffic jam or accident

When driving in fog, which lights must you turn on? Fog lights and low-beams Fog lights Fog lights and high-beams

In North Carolina, seatbelts are mandatory for: Just the driver The driver and the front-seat passenger Every occupied seat

On traffic lights, a green arrow pointing in one direction glowing while the main light is red means: Those in the correct lane can make a turn following the arrow Look to the direction of the arrow before you go Everyone must follow the arrow

You may drive off-road to pass other vehicles if: The vehicle in front of you has stopped for unknown reasons There’s enough space to cover the distance Never

The usual speed limit, unless otherwise specified, in North Carolina is: 35 mph 45 mph 55 mph

Drivers under the age of 18 can use cellphones when: They have a hands-free device Drivers under 18 can not use cellphones on the road They’re talking, and not texting

You’re in the driver's seat and you attempt to exit your car, you should first: Check for traffic approaching from behind Turn on your left turn signal Extend your arm through the window to hand signal your exit

The road sign says to stop, but a police officer is instructing you otherwise, you should: Follow the sign and stop Follow the officer’s instructions Change lanes

A yellow sign with black letters or symbols is a: Warning sign Information sign Parking sign

If you’re attempting to pass in the oncoming traffic lane, you should make sure: To use a turn signal when reconnecting To honk to signal the driver to let you pass That there’s enough space to return safely after you pass

The road is most slippery when: The rain is just starting The rain has been pouring for hours After the rain

Turn your wheels to the right when parked: Uphill Downhill On a curve

A red and white triangle sign instructs to: Slow down and stop if necessary Always stop Pay attention to the road

You’re waiting for the green light to turn at an intersection. At the same time, a pedestrian has a green light to cross the street you aim to enter. Who has the right-of-way: The pedestrian You Whoever goes first

Orange road signs typically signal: The road is blocked by construction or machinery Pedestrian-only zones No-parking zones

If your turn signal suddenly fails, you should indicate your turn with: Your headlights Your car horn Hand signals

Alcohol has the biggest impact on your: Vision Hearing Judgment

If there is a solid and a broken yellow line on the road, vehicles on which side may pass? Neither side Those on the side of the broken line Those on the side of the solid line

When approaching a curve, you should always: Speed up before entering the curve Drive closest to curve, following its direction Slow down before entering the curve

A diamond-shaped sign with two black arrows pointing up and down signals: You can drive in either direction of this road You’re approaching two-way traffic Turn around

Driving through a red light in NC adds how many points to your license: 1 point 3 points 2 points

If you’re approaching someone who is crossing the road without a crosswalk, you should always: Stop and let them pass Speed up and honk for them to signal you’re approaching Go around them

If you’re passing another vehicle, it’s safe to return to your lane when: You’ve used your right turn signal 3 or more seconds You see the other vehicles headlights in your side view mirror You see the other vehicles headlights in your rearview mirror

If your tire deflates, it’s best to stop and asses the situation: Off the road If your vehicle can be seen at least 300 feet from behind If you don’t see anyone approaching from behind

Two rows of double-yellow lines, two or more feet apart represent: A parking space on the road An additional, helping lane A barrier that must not be crossed

If a blue P sign represents a parking area, a blue sign with a white H represents: A hospital A highway Handicap parking spaces

If a school bus has stopped and is flashing red lights, drivers approaching it from either side: Must call road assistance Must stop Can slow down and go around it

When attempting to cross railroad tracks, you should always: Delay until your entire vehicle can fit on the other side Hurry up if the gates are closing Stop first, regardless if the gates are closed

If you’re exiting a parallel parking space on the right side of the road, you should signal with: Brake lights Your left turn signal You don’t have to signal

If the speed limit is 35 mph and you want to make a turn, you have to signal at least 100 feet in advance 200 feet in advance 50 feet in advance

Under normal driving conditions, you should keep a distance between you and the car in front of at least: 2 seconds 3 seconds 4 seconds

DoNotPay also helps you ACE your written exam

DoNotPay can also help you study for your written exam with a free practice test. Drivers that do well on our practice tests are guaranteed to do well on the written exam. If you have an upcoming practice test, make sure you pass by using our free DMV practice test.

What else can DoNotPay do for you?

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Contest traffic infractions
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