20 questions from the North Carolina Driver's Handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the minimum amount of behind-the-wheel instruction required in an approved driver education course before applying for a Level One Limited Learner Permit?
Answer: Six hours. The handbook specifies that the driver education course must include at least six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 14: “You must present a certificate showing you have passed an approved driver education course consisting of at least 30 hours classroom instruction and six hours behind-the wheel instruction that meets North Carolina requirements before you can take the test for a learner permit.”
2. What is the correct procedure if your vehicle stalls on or near railroad tracks?
Answer: Get out immediately and move away from the tracks. The handbook states that because trains take a long distance to stop, drivers must exit the vehicle immediately and move to a safe location away from the tracks.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 64: “If your vehicle stalls on or near the tracks GET OUT IMMEDIATELY.”
3. Under what condition may a driver or passenger with a concealed weapon permit inform the officer about the weapon?
Answer: If they have a concealed weapon permit and a weapon is in the vehicle. The rule states that individuals with a concealed weapon permit must inform the officer if a weapon is present in the vehicle.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 52: “If you or your passenger(s) have a concealed weapon permit and a weapon is in the vehicle, you or your passenger(s) must inform the officer of that fact.”
4. When approaching a four-lane roadway without a median separation and a school bus stops for passengers, what must drivers in both directions do?
Answer: All traffic from both directions must stop. The handbook states that on a roadway without a median, all traffic from both directions is required to stop when a school bus stops.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 50: “Four-lane roadway without a median separation: When school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.”
5. How does the handbook advise drivers to adjust their visual scanning as their speed increases?
Answer: Look farther ahead. The handbook provides a direct tip that drivers should increase their forward viewing distance as their speed goes up.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 66: “As your speed increases, look farther ahead.”
6. When two facing vehicles approach an intersection at the same time and one intends to turn left while the other goes straight, who has the right of way?
Answer: The driver traveling straight ahead. The handbook states that the driver proceeding straight has priority over the driver making a left turn.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 59: “Therefore, in this case, the driver who is traveling straight ahead has the right of way.”
7. How should a driver position their arm and hand to signal a right turn using hand signals?
Answer: Hold the arm straight out and the forearm and hand straight up, palm facing forward. The handbook specifies that a right turn is signaled by extending the arm straight out and raising the forearm and hand vertically with the palm facing forward.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 71: “To signal a right turn, hold the arm straight out and the forearm and hand straight up, palm facing forward.”
8. What is the minimum duration a driver must hold a Level Two Limited Provisional License before applying for a Full Provisional License?
Answer: Six months. The handbook clearly specifies a mandatory holding period of at least six months for the Level Two license before upgrading.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 15: “You must hold this license at least six months prior to applying for a Full Provisional License.”
9. What action is required when a ramp meter signal is displaying a circular red light?
Answer: Stop and wait for the green light. The handbook states that a circular red display requires vehicles to stop, distinguishing it from the green or dark states.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 84: “When a ramp meter is displaying a circular red display, vehicles facing the red light must stop.”
10. Who is eligible to serve as a supervising driver for a Level Two Limited Provisional License holder?
Answer: A parent, grandparent, guardian, or a responsible person approved by the parent or guardian. The handbook defines eligible supervising drivers as parents, grandparents, guardians, or approved responsible persons, distinguishing them from general passengers or friends.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 15: “A supervising driver must be a parent, grandparent or guardian of the permit/license holder, or a responsible person approved by the parent or guardian.”
11. Which of the following offenses is listed as receiving no points when convicted?
Answer: Illegal parking. The section on offenses with no points includes illegal parking, whereas the other options are listed with specific point values.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 38: “No points shall be assessed for convictions of the following offenses: • Overload; • Overlength; • Overwidth; • Overheight; • Illegal parking;”
12. Under what condition is a driver permitted to make a right turn on a steady red circular signal?
Answer: After coming to a complete stop, unless a 'NO TURN ON RED' sign is present. Drivers must come to a complete stop before turning right on red, provided there is no sign prohibiting the turn.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 82: “Unless there is a sign indicating “NO TURN ON RED,” a right turn can be made after coming to a complete stop.”
13. What is the duration of the license suspension for a third suspension resulting from the point system?
Answer: 12 months. The handbook lists specific suspension durations, specifying that the third suspension lasts for 12 months.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 36: “• 12 months for the third.”
14. What should a driver do if their license or registration is not readily accessible during a stop?
Answer: Remain calm and refrain from sudden movements until asked to search. The handbook advises remaining calm and waiting for the officer's instruction before searching for documents in compartments.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 52: “If your driver license and/or vehicle registration is not readily accessible, do not reach under the seats and do not open the glove box or other compartments and begin searching for your license or registration unless you are asked to do so by the officer.”
15. According to the handbook, how far in advance must you signal before turning if the speed limit is 45 mph or more?
Answer: At least the last 200 feet. The handbook states that for speed limits of 45 mph or higher, the required signaling distance is at least 200 feet.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 71: “If the speed limit is 45 mph or more, signal at least the last 200 feet before turning.”
16. Which of the following is a valid exception allowing a driver under age 18 to use a cell phone while operating a vehicle?
Answer: Calling a hospital, physician’s office, or health clinic regarding an emergency situation. The handbook lists specific entities, including hospitals and clinics, that can be called during an emergency, whereas general calls or texting are prohibited.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 15: “Exception: You can use it to call the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician’s office, or a health clinic; a public or privately owned ambulance company or service; a fire department; a law enforcement agency; your parent, legal guardian or spouse.”
17. What action must a driver take when exiting a private driveway?
Answer: Stop and yield to all other vehicles and pedestrians. The rule requires a complete stop and yielding to both vehicles and pedestrians when leaving a private driveway.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 59: “When exiting a private driveway, stop and yield to all other vehicles and pedestrians.”
18. According to the North Carolina Driver Handbook, how many driver license points must a driver accumulate to potentially be assigned to a driver improvement clinic?
Answer: Seven points. The handbook states that accumulating seven points triggers the potential assignment to a driver improvement clinic.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 36: “If you accumulate seven points, you may be assigned to a driver improvement clinic.”
19. What does a flashing yellow signal indicate to a driver?
Answer: Slow down and proceed with caution. A flashing yellow signal functions like a warning sign, requiring the driver to slow down and proceed cautiously.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 83: “The flashing yellow signal has the same meaning as a warning sign. Slow down and proceed with caution.”
20. When approaching an intersection where the traffic light has malfunctioned due to a power outage, how should a driver proceed?
Answer: Approach and proceed as though the intersection is controlled by a stop sign on all approaches. The handbook states that drivers must treat a malfunctioning traffic signal like a stop sign on all approaches.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 83: “When approaching an intersection with a traffic light that has malfunctioned due to a power outage or some other problem, you should approach the intersection and proceed as though the intersection is controlled by a stop sign on all approaches to the intersection.”