20 questions from the North Carolina Driver's Handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. How should a driver handle a disagreement with a traffic ticket issued by the officer?
Answer: Explain their point of view in court. The handbook advises against arguing during the stop and directs drivers to present their case in court if they wish to contest the ticket.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 52: “If you disagree with the officer’s decision to issue a traffic ticket, do not prolong the contact by arguing with the officer. If you wish to contest the ticket, you will have the opportunity to explain your point of view of what happened in court.”
2. 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;”
3. What action is prohibited while moving straight ahead through an intersection?
Answer: Changing lanes. The handbook instructs drivers to never change lanes while proceeding straight through an intersection.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 59: “Never change lanes while you are moving straight ahead through an intersection.”
4. What is the suspension period for a conviction of prearranged racing with another motor vehicle on the highway?
Answer: 3 years. The table in the handbook assigns a 3-year suspension period specifically for prearranged racing on the highway.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 39: “Prearranged racing with another motor vehicle on the highway *3 years”
5. What is the required lighting condition for North Carolina motorists when using windshield wipers due to inclement weather?
Answer: Use headlights whenever using windshield wipers. The handbook mandates the simultaneous use of headlights and windshield wipers during inclement weather.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 75: “All North Carolina motorists are required to use headlights whenever they are using windshield wipers due to inclement weather.”
6. 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.”
7. 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.”
8. What is a recommended practice for parking on or along a highway at night?
Answer: Turn on your emergency flashers. The handbook specifically instructs drivers to use emergency flashers when parked on or along a highway.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 73: “When parking on or along a highway, turn on your emergency flashers;”
9. 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.”
10. 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.”
11. 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.”
12. What is the correct procedure for controlling speed when driving down a long hill or steep grade?
Answer: Use a lower gear instead of the brake pedal to control speed. The handbook specifies using a lower gear to manage speed on grades to prevent excessive brake wear, rather than relying solely on the brake pedal.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 77: “To prevent excessive wear on brakes when moving down a long hill or steep grade, use a lower gear instead of the brake pedal to control speed.”
13. Under what conditions is a vehicle exempt from the emissions portion of the inspection?
Answer: If it is within the three most recent model years and has less than 70,000 miles. Vehicles meeting both the age and mileage criteria are exempt from emissions testing according to the handbook.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 104: “The law exempts emission testing for vehicles that are registered in or sold in North Carolina if they are within the three most recent model years and have less than 70,000 miles on the odometer.”
14. What color scheme is used for signs indicating a nearby hospital, Highway Patrol station, or telephone?
Answer: Blue and white. The handbook assigns the blue and white color scheme to signs indicating these specific services.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 87: “Signs indicating a nearby hospital, Highway Patrol station or telephone are blue and white.”
15. At an intersection without traffic signals, what specific action by a blind pedestrian grants them special consideration under the law?
Answer: Extending a white cane, a white cane with a red tip, or having a guide dog. The handbook lists extending a white cane (with or without a red tip) or having a guide dog as the conditions for special consideration at unsignalized intersections.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 48: “The law gives a blind pedestrian special consideration at an intersection where there are no traffic signals when the pedestrian extends a white cane, or a white cane with a red tip or has a guide dog.”
16. Which of the following is true regarding bicycle riders under age 16?
Answer: They must wear an approved protective bicycle helmet and be seated on a saddle seat. The handbook mandates that riders and passengers under age 16 wear approved helmets and use saddle seats.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 92: “All bicycle riders and passengers under age 16 must wear an approved protective bicycle helmet and must be seated on a saddle seat.”
17. If the warning lights begin flashing or gates start to come down while your vehicle is already crossing the railroad tracks, what is the required action?
Answer: Keep moving through the crossing without stopping. The handbook instructs drivers to continue moving through the crossing if the signal activates while they are already on the tracks.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 63: “If you happen to be crossing the tracks and the warning lights begin flashing or gates start to come down, do not stop, do not backup, KEEP MOVING.”
18. How should the lap portion of a seat belt fit a child who has outgrown a booster seat?
Answer: Snugly across the hips. The handbook states that the lap belt must fit snugly across the hips and not across the stomach.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 46: “The lap seat belt must fit snugly across the child’s hips, not across the stomach.”
19. How should the lap belt be positioned on an adult occupant according to the safety guidelines?
Answer: Under the abdomen and low across the hips. The handbook instructs that the lap belt must be placed under the abdomen and low across the hips.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 47: “The lap belt should be worn under the abdomen and low across the hips.”
20. How long does a vehicle have to be re-inspected at the same station after failing the initial inspection without paying another fee?
Answer: Within 60 days. The rule allows a free re-inspection at the same location if done within 60 days of the failure.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 103: “A vehicle that fails inspection is entitled to be re-inspected at the same station within 60 days without paying another inspection fee.”