20 questions from the North Carolina Driver's Handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. 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.”
2. When driving on snowy or icy roads, what is the minimum recommended stopping distance relative to normal conditions?
Answer: At least three times the normal stopping distance. The handbook states that drivers should allow at least three times the normal stopping distance when driving on snowy or icy roads.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 75: “Allow at least three times the normal stopping distance to slow down;”
3. 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.”
4. How far from a fire hydrant are you required to stop when parking?
Answer: 15 feet. The handbook specifies a minimum distance of 15 feet from a fire hydrant for parking restrictions.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 58: “Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or entrance to a fire station”
5. What specific information must a driver provide to others involved in a crash according to the handbook?
Answer: Name, address, driver license number, vehicle registration number, and insurance company name. The handbook lists these five specific pieces of information as required to be provided after a crash.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 80: “Provide your name, address, driver license number, vehicle registration number and the name of your vehicle insurance company;”
6. 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.”
7. How many days prior to the vehicle’s registration expiration date can an inspection be performed?
Answer: Up to 90 days. The handbook states that inspections are allowed up to 90 days before the registration expires.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 103: “Inspections may be performed up to 90 days prior to the vehicle’s registration (license tag) expiration date.”
8. 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.”
9. Which specific group of motor vehicle operators is exempt from the seat belt law while performing their duties?
Answer: Rural letter carriers. The handbook lists rural letter carriers and newspaper delivery persons as specific exemptions, while other options are not mentioned in this context.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 45: “A motor vehicle operated by a rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service while performing duties as a rural letter carrier, and a motor vehicle operated by a newspaper delivery person while actually engaged in delivery of newspapers along the person's specified route;”
10. What specific visual cue should a driver look for to determine if a tractor-trailer driver can see them?
Answer: The truck driver's face in their side-view mirror. The handbook advises checking the side-view mirror to ensure the driver is visible, which confirms the motorist is also visible to the trucker.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 94: “if you can’t see the truck driver in their side-view mirror, they can’t see you.”
11. 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;”
12. What is the maximum distance from a fire truck you must stay when parking outside of city limits?
Answer: 400 feet. The rules require maintaining a distance of at least 400 feet from a fire truck when outside city limits.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 58: “within 400 feet of a fire or fire truck outside the city”
13. Under what condition is the $83.50 restoration fee NOT required to clear a suspension or revocation?
Answer: When the license was taken for medical or health reasons following a medical evaluation. The handbook states that the standard restoration fee is waived only when the license suspension results from a medical evaluation.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 41: “This fee is not required if the license was taken for medical or health reasons following a medical evaluation.”
14. During which times are wildlife most active according to the handbook?
Answer: At dawn, dusk, and in the first few hours after dark. The handbook identifies dawn, dusk, and early night hours as the periods when wildlife activity is highest.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 76: “they are most active at dawn, dusk, and in the first few hours after dark.”
15. What is the suspension period for a conviction of manslaughter while under the influence of an impairing substance?
Answer: Permanent. The table in the handbook lists the suspension time for manslaughter while under the influence as Permanent.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 39: “Manslaughter while under the influence of an impairing substance Permanent”
16. When should a driver check their tire air pressure for the most accurate reading?
Answer: When the tires are cool. The handbook specifies that checking pressure when tires are cool provides the best reading, as opposed to when they are hot from driving.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 69: “The best time to check air pressure is when the tires are cool.”
17. According to the handbook, what is the recommended action when stopping a vehicle on snowy or icy roads?
Answer: Keep your foot off the brake and let the engine slow the vehicle. The handbook advises releasing the brake pedal to allow engine braking to slow the vehicle down on slippery surfaces.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 75: “keep your foot off the brake and let the engine slow the vehicle”
18. When approaching a curve while traveling downhill, how should you adjust your braking?
Answer: Begin to brake earlier and approach the curve more slowly than you would on a level roadway. The handbook instructs drivers to brake earlier and slower when handling curves on downhill slopes.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 56: “Begin to brake earlier and approach the curve more slowly than you would on a level roadway.”
19. Under what specific conditions must a child under age 5 and weighing less than 40 pounds be secured in the rear seat rather than the front?
Answer: When the vehicle is equipped with an active passenger-side front air bag and has a rear seat. The handbook specifies that if the vehicle has an active front passenger air bag and a rear seat, children under 5 and under 40 pounds must ride in the back.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 46: “If the vehicle is equipped with an active passenger-side front air bag and the vehicle has a rear seat, then a child under age 5 and weighing less than 40 pounds must be properly secured in the rear seat unless the child restraint system is designed for use with a front air bag system.”
20. How often should a driver stop to stretch and walk briskly when traveling long distances?
Answer: At least every 2 hours. The guidelines recommend stopping at least every two hours during long drives to maintain alertness.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 42: “Stop regularly when driving long distances. Get out of the car at least every 2 hours to stretch and walk briskly.”