20 questions from the North Carolina Driver's Handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. 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.”
2. When dealing with two unavoidable dangers at the same time, how should a driver adjust their position?
Answer: Give the most room to the greatest or most likely danger. The handbook instructs drivers to prioritize space for the hazard that is most likely to cause an issue, such as a child on a bicycle, over other hazards.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 71: “In situations when you have to deal with two or more unavoidable dangers at the same time, adjust by giving the most room to the greatest or most likely danger.”
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. Why does the handbook advise expecting more than one animal when you see wildlife near the road?
Answer: Because animals often travel in groups or family units. The handbook explains that many species travel in groups, so if one animal is visible, others are likely close behind.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 76: “Many species (e.g., deer, elk, wild boars) travel in groups or family units, and the animals often move one right behind the other.”
5. 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.”
6. How should a driver adjust their speed when driving on wet pavement compared to dry pavement?
Answer: Drive at least five to 10 miles per hour slower. The handbook provides a specific speed reduction range of five to 10 mph for wet conditions to ensure safety.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 74: “Drive at least five to 10 miles per hour slower on wet pavement than you would on dry pavement.”
7. What is the maximum speed at which an air bag deploys from the dashboard?
Answer: Up to 200 miles per hour. The handbook states that air bags deploy at speeds up to 200 miles per hour.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 46: “To do its important job, an air bag comes out of the dashboard at up to 200 miles per hour — faster than the blink of an eye.”
8. What is the stated consequence of having clogged air filters on vehicle mileage?
Answer: It can cut mileage by 10%. The handbook directly states that clogged air filters result in a 10% reduction in mileage.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 70: “Clogged air filters can cut mileage by 10%.”
9. 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.”
10. 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.”
11. What is the recommended action for a driver when following a tractor-trailer that appears to be starting a left turn?
Answer: Check to see which way the driver is signaling before attempting to pass. Drivers are advised to verify the truck driver's signal direction before trying to pass a turning tractor-trailer.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 93: “If it appears to be starting a left turn, check to see which way the driver is signaling before you attempt to pass;”
12. According to the handbook, what is the maximum distance a car can disappear from view in the blind spot directly behind a tractor-trailer?
Answer: 200 feet. The handbook states that the rear blind spot extends up to 200 feet behind the tractor-trailer.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 94: “up to 200 feet in the rear”
13. 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.”
14. 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.”
15. Who has the right-of-way over all highway traffic, including emergency vehicles, at a railroad crossing?
Answer: Trains. The handbook states that trains possess priority over all other vehicles, specifically listing emergency vehicles as having lower priority.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 62: “Trains have the right-of-way over all highway traffic including police, fire and ambulance emergency vehicles.”
16. What is the minimum property damage threshold that requires a driver to make an immediate report to law enforcement after a crash?
Answer: $1,000 or more. The handbook specifies that a report is legally required if the total damage to vehicles and other property appears to amount to $1,000 or more.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 80: “You are required by law to make an immediate report to the nearest law enforcement officer or agency of any crash when any person is killed or injured or the total damage to vehicles and other property appears to amount to $1,000 or more.”
17. Under the seat belt law exemptions, what is the maximum speed limit for a vehicle frequently stopping and leaving the vehicle to be exempt?
Answer: 20 miles per hour. The handbook specifies that the exemption for frequent stops applies only if the vehicle's speed between stops does not exceed 20 miles per hour.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 45: “A driver or passenger frequently stopping and leaving the vehicle or delivering property from the vehicle if the speed of the vehicle between stops does not exceed 20 miles per hour;”
18. How should bicyclists position themselves relative to the flow of traffic?
Answer: With the flow of traffic. The handbook mandates that bicyclists ride with the traffic flow, not against it, to ensure visibility and safety.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 92: “It is especially important for bicyclists to go with the flow of traffic, NOT against the flow.”
19. 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;”
20. If a vehicle breakdown forces you to stop on the road, what action does the handbook recommend regarding your position?
Answer: Move far off the road. The instructions specify moving far off the road rather than stopping in the travel lane when a breakdown occurs.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 66: “Never stop in the travel lane; • If a vehicle breakdown forces you to stop, move far off the road.”