20 questions from the North Carolina Driver's Handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When is passing on the right permitted according to the specific exceptions listed in the handbook?
Answer: When driving on a highway with at least two lanes traveling in each direction. The handbook lists specific scenarios where passing on the right is allowed, including highways with multiple lanes in each direction, while other general conditions are not cited as exceptions.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 57: “Exceptions where passing on the right is allowed: • On highways having at least two lanes traveling in each direction;”
2. When approaching an intersection with a stop sign, where must a driver stop if there is no marked stop line or crosswalk?
Answer: Before entering the intersection where they have a view of the intersecting street. The handbook specifies that in the absence of markings, the stop location is defined by having a clear view of the intersecting street before entering.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 85: “If there is no stop line or marked crosswalk, the driver must stop before entering the intersection where he/she has a view of the intersecting street.”
3. Why are secondary roads often safer to travel on at lower speeds compared to primary highways?
Answer: Secondary roads often have steeper hills, sharper curves, and shorter sight distances. The handbook notes that secondary roads have steeper hills, sharper curves, and shorter sight distances, necessitating slower speeds.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 65: “On these roads, hills are likely to be steeper and curves are likely to be sharper than on primary roads. Sight distances are often very short.”
4. What is the consequence of driving without proper corrective lenses if your license indicates a restriction to wear them?
Answer: The penalty is the same as driving without a license. The handbook directly compares the penalty for failing to wear required corrective lenses to the penalty for driving without a license.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 11: “The penalty for driving without the proper corrective lenses is the same as driving without a license.”
5. Which lane should a driver typically use when entering a roundabout if the intention is to exit to the right?
Answer: The right lane. The handbook advises choosing the right lane before entering if the goal is to take the right exit.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 61: “Typically you will be in the right lane to exit right out of the roundabout.”
6. When driving slower than the posted speed limit on a multi-lane highway, in which lane should you drive unless you are passing, turning left, or avoiding an obstruction?
Answer: The extreme right lane. The handbook specifies that slow-moving drivers on multi-lane highways must use the extreme right lane unless specific exceptions apply.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 54: “When you are moving slower than the posted speed limit on a multi-lane highway, drive in the extreme right lane unless you are passing, turning left or avoiding an obstruction.”
7. What is the minimum visibility distance required for taillights according to the vehicle equipment rules?
Answer: They must be visible for at least 500 feet. The handbook specifies that taillights must be visible for a minimum distance of 500 feet.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 67: “Taillights must be red in color and visible for at least 500 feet.”
8. What action must a driver take when encountering a circular sign with a black cross and 'RR' on a yellow background?
Answer: Slow down and stop if necessary to safely clear the crossing. The handbook instructs drivers to slow down and stop only if necessary to ensure they can safely clear the railroad crossing.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 86: “When you see this sign, slow down. Stop if necessary to be sure you can safely clear the crossing.”
9. How far from the curb line of an intersecting street must you park if there is a curb?
Answer: Within 25 feet. The handbook specifies that parking is prohibited within 25 feet of the curb line at an intersecting street when a curb is present.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 58: “Within 25 feet of the curb line of an intersecting street or within 15 feet of the intersecting right of way lines if there is no curb;”
10. Which color combination is reserved strictly to identify highway work zones?
Answer: Black letters on orange signs. The handbook specifies that orange signs with black letters are exclusively reserved for identifying work zones.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 72: “The orange signs with messages in black letters are reserved strictly to identify work zones.”
11. What action should you take when being passed by another vehicle if the passing driver blows their horn?
Answer: Move to the right edge of the road. The handbook instructs drivers to move to the right edge of the road when signaled by a horn from a passing vehicle to facilitate the pass.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 57: “If the driver of the passing vehicle blows the horn, move to the right edge of the road.”
12. Under what circumstance is a fourth DWI conviction considered a felony?
Answer: If the three prior DWI convictions occurred within the past seven years. The handbook defines the felony status of a fourth conviction based on the timing of the previous three convictions within a seven-year window.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 34: “The fourth conviction is considered a felony if the three prior DWI convictions occurred within the past seven years.”
13. When entering an interstate highway, what is the correct procedure for using the acceleration lane?
Answer: Use the acceleration lane until your vehicle’s speed matches that of the other traffic and then merge safely. The handbook states that drivers must match the speed of existing traffic in the acceleration lane before merging safely.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 66: “When entering the interstate, use the acceleration lane until your vehicle’s speed matches that of the other traffic and then merge safely;”
14. When a school bus stops to receive or discharge passengers, when is another driver allowed to pass the bus?
Answer: Once the mechanical stop signal is withdrawn, lights are off, and the bus starts moving. Drivers must wait until the stop signal is withdrawn, lights are off, and the bus begins moving before attempting to pass.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 49: “the driver of any other vehicle approaching the school bus must stop and not attempt to pass the school bus until the mechanical stop signal is withdrawn, the flashing red lights are turned off and the bus has started to move.”
15. How does alcohol affect a driver's ability to judge distance?
Answer: It reduces the ability to judge how fast you are moving or your distance from other cars. The handbook states that alcohol impairs judgment regarding speed and distance, making it harder to gauge proximity to other objects.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 44: “Reduces your ability to judge how fast you are moving or your distance from other cars, people or objects.”
16. How is the 'two-second rule' defined in the context of following distance?
Answer: Allow two seconds between the time the vehicle ahead passes a point and your vehicle reaches it. The rule is defined by measuring the time interval between when the leading vehicle passes a fixed point and when the following vehicle reaches that same point.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 56: “The “two-second rule” says that you should allow two seconds between the time the vehicle ahead of you passes a given point and the time your vehicle reaches the same point.”
17. When experiencing brake failure in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, what action should be taken?
Answer: Apply the emergency brake and move the gear control lever into the low-range position. The handbook instructs drivers with automatic transmissions to use the emergency brake and shift to low-range during brake failure.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 77: “If the vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission, apply the emergency brake and move the gear control lever into the low-range position.”
18. What is the legal speed requirement when driving through a highway work zone?
Answer: You must not drive greater than the speed limit that is set and posted. The handbook states that it is unlawful to exceed the posted speed limit while driving in a work zone.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 72: “It is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle greater than the speed limit that is set and posted while driving in a work zone.”
19. When backing your vehicle, what is the maximum speed recommended to maintain control?
Answer: Not more than 10 mph. The handbook states that vehicles should be backed very slowly, specifically not exceeding 10 mph, to ensure better control and stopping ability.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 58: “Back very slowly, not more than 10 mph — your vehicle is harder to control and to stop when it is backing.”
20. What is the required action for a passenger in the back seat during a traffic stop?
Answer: Place hands on the back of the front seat. The handbook specifies that back-seat passengers must place their hands on the back of the front seat to remain visible.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 52: “Passengers in the back seat should place their hands on the back of the front seat.”