20 questions from the North Carolina Driver's Handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. By how many degrees can the temperature inside a parked vehicle rise above the outside temperature during spring and summer months?
Answer: Approximately 40-50 degrees. The handbook states that interior temperatures can rise approximately 40-50 degrees higher than the outside temperature.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 48: “The temperature inside a vehicle can rise approximately 40-50 degrees higher than the outside temperature.”
2. Which specific areas of the roadway are noted as being often the first to freeze as temperatures drop?
Answer: Shady spots, bridges and overpasses. The handbook identifies shady spots, bridges, and overpasses as locations that freeze first, requiring extra caution from drivers.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 75: “As you drive, watch for shady spots, bridges and overpasses since these places are often the first to freeze as the temperature drops.”
3. What is the maximum speed limit for school activity buses?
Answer: 55 mph. The handbook specifies that the speed limit for school activity buses is 55 mph.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 55: “For school activity buses 55”
4. What must a driver do when approaching a triangular yield sign?
Answer: Slow down and yield the right of way, stopping only if necessary to avoid interfering with traffic. The rule for yield signs is to slow down and yield, with stopping being conditional on traffic flow rather than mandatory in all cases.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 85: “When you approach the yield sign, you must slow down and yield the right of way. Your need to stop depends on the traffic on the intersecting street.”
5. What is the recommended method for applying brakes in a vehicle equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)?
Answer: Keep firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal. The handbook instructs drivers to maintain steady pressure rather than pumping the pedal to ensure the ABS functions effectively.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 68: “With ABS, it is important to brake hard and keep firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while stopping.”
6. When approaching an authorized emergency vehicle parked within 12 feet of the roadway on a highway with only one lane of traffic in your direction, what action is required?
Answer: Slow your speed and drive at a reduced, safe speed until completely past. The handbook dictates that on single-lane roads in your direction, drivers must reduce speed safely rather than changing lanes or stopping completely.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 51: “On a highway with only one lane of traffic in the same direction you are traveling, you must slow your speed and drive at a reduced, safe speed until completely past the emergency vehicle.”
7. Where is passing always considered unsafe and usually illegal according to the list of conditions?
Answer: At intersections in cities and towns. The handbook lists intersections in cities and towns as specific locations where passing is deemed unsafe and illegal.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 57: “Places where passing is always unsafe and usually illegal: • At intersections in cities and towns or at railroad crossings;”
8. What does a diamond-shaped sign with a black message on an orange background indicate?
Answer: It warns of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. The handbook specifies that orange diamond-shaped signs are used to warn drivers about construction or maintenance zones.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 86: “Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas.”
9. What is a key characteristic of a compliant motorcycle helmet liner as described in the law?
Answer: A firm inner liner of polystyrene foam that is about one inch thick. The handbook defines a compliant helmet by its thick, firm polystyrene foam liner of approximately one inch.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 47: “A thick inner liner which includes a firm inner liner of polystyrene foam that is about one inch thick.”
10. In a single-point interchange, where are the traffic signals located?
Answer: At the center or top of the interchange. The handbook specifies that signals in a single-point interchange are positioned at the center or top to facilitate quicker clearing of the intersection.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 59: “The traffic signals are located at the center or top of the interchange and allow vehicles to clear the intersection more quickly.”
11. How long must a driver hold a Level One Limited Learner Permit before applying for a Limited Provisional License?
Answer: Nine months. The handbook mandates a holding period of nine months for the Level One permit before the next licensing stage can be pursued.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 14: “You must hold this permit for nine months prior to applying for a Limited Provisional License.”
12. When parking on the shoulder of a highway, what is the minimum distance from which approaching drivers must be able to see your vehicle?
Answer: 200 feet. The handbook states that vehicles parked on the shoulder must be visible from at least 200 feet away in both directions.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 58: “parking on the shoulder is also against the law unless the parked vehicle can be seen by approaching drivers from both directions for a distance of at least 200 feet”
13. According to the handbook, how much fast-moving water is sufficient to sweep a car off the highway?
Answer: Six inches. The handbook states that six inches of fast-moving water can sweep a car off the highway, distinguishing this threshold from the twelve inches needed to float or overturn it.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 75: “There have been reports that six inches of fast moving water can sweep a car off the highway and 12 inches of fast moving water can float a car or cause it to turn over.”
14. Which of the following is a specific warning sign of drowsy driving listed in the handbook?
Answer: You cannot remember the last few miles driven. The handbook lists inability to remember recent miles driven as a key indicator that a driver is becoming too tired.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 42: “Some warning signs include: • You cannot remember the last few miles driven.”
15. When a blowout occurs, when should you apply the brakes?
Answer: Only after the engine has slowed the vehicle enough to allow you to maintain control. Drivers are instructed to wait until engine braking has sufficiently slowed the car to ensure stability before applying the brakes.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 78: “Do not apply the brakes until the engine has slowed the vehicle enough to allow you to maintain control of the vehicle;”
16. How do vehicles already inside a roundabout interact with approaching vehicles?
Answer: They do not yield to approaching vehicles. Traffic already circulating within the roundabout maintains the right of way and does not yield to incoming traffic.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 61: “Everyone using the roundabout moves in a counterclockwise direction, and those already in it do not yield to approaching vehicles.”
17. What is the general direction of travel for odd-numbered highways?
Answer: North and south. The guide signs section states that odd-numbered highways typically run in a north-south direction.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 87: “Odd-numbered highways generally run north and south.”
18. According to the handbook, what is the recommended procedure for drying wet brakes?
Answer: Drive a short distance while applying light pressure to the brake pedal. The handbook specifies that driving a short distance with light brake pressure generates heat to evaporate water from the linings.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 77: “Driving a short distance; and • Applying light pressure to the brake pedal. The heat generated by the friction of the brakes will evaporate the water from the brake linings.”
19. How long is a provisional licensee's license suspended upon conviction of a third moving violation within a 12-month period?
Answer: 90 days. The handbook specifies a 90-day suspension period specifically for the third moving violation within a one-year timeframe.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 41: “• 90 days, upon conviction of a third moving violation occurring within a 12-month period;”
20. Why are roads considered more dangerous during the first 10 to 15 minutes after rain begins?
Answer: Because rain combines with oil, dirt, dust, and rubber to create a slick surface. The handbook explains that the initial rain mixes with accumulated surface debris to create slippery conditions.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 74: “For the first 10 to 15 minutes, rain combines with oil from asphalt and vehicles, and with dirt, dust and rubber to create a slick surface.”