20 questions from the North Carolina Driver's Handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to the handbook, when is the law required use of headlights?
Answer: From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is 400 feet or less. The handbook states the specific times and visibility conditions mandated for headlight usage.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 73: “The law requires use of headlights from sunset to sunrise and when visibility is 400 feet or less.”
2. What is the consequence for a provisional licensee who is convicted of driving after consuming any amount of alcohol or drugs?
Answer: The license is revoked for one year. The handbook states that a conviction for this violation results specifically in a one-year license revocation.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 16: “It is unlawful for a provisional licensee to drive a motor vehicle after or while consuming any amount of alcohol or drugs — a conviction of such a violation will result in a one-year license revocation.”
3. What is the consequence for a willful refusal to submit to a blood or breath alcohol test?
Answer: A 1-year suspension. The handbook specifies that a willful refusal to take a blood or breath alcohol test results in a one-year suspension.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 39: “Willful refusal to submit to a blood or breath alcohol test 1 year”
4. When a traffic officer is directing traffic, what should a driver obey?
Answer: The officer’s hand signals instead of the normal traffic signals or signs. The handbook specifies that when an officer is directing traffic, their hand signals take precedence over standard traffic signals and signs.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 90: “If so, obey the officer’s hand signals instead of the normal traffic signals or signs.”
5. What is the required behavior for bicyclists inside a multi-lane roundabout?
Answer: Stay in the middle of their chosen lane. Bicyclists are instructed to remain centered in their selected lane rather than using the shoulder or changing lanes.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 61: “Bicyclists should pick the appropriate lane before entering a multi-lane roundabout and stay in the middle of their chosen lane.”
6. What is the required restoration fee amount when a revocation results from a DWI conviction?
Answer: $167.25. The handbook distinguishes the DWI restoration fee ($167.25) from the standard restoration fee ($83.50) and the service fee ($50).
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 41: “A $167.25 restoration fee is required when the revocation results from a DWI conviction.”
7. What is the specific fine amount issued to violators of the law regarding transporting children in the back of a pick-up truck?
Answer: $25. The handbook specifies that the fine for violating this specific law is $25.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 48: “Violators are issued tickets and are subject to a fine of $25.”
8. According to the handbook, what is the recommended frequency for stopping at rest areas during a trip?
Answer: Every 100 miles. The handbook recommends stopping at rest areas at least once every 100 miles to maintain alertness.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 66: “Stop at indicated rest areas frequently, preferably at least once every 100 miles;”
9. What does a solid green arrow indicate regarding yielding?
Answer: Drivers should not need to yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A solid green arrow provides a protected movement where yielding to opposing traffic and pedestrians is generally not required.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 83: “Solid Green Arrow: Turns are allowed, and they should not need to yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Proceed with caution.”
10. Where should infants in rear-facing child safety seats be placed according to the handbook?
Answer: In the rear seat. The handbook states that infants in rear-facing seats should never ride in the front seat and that children under 12 should ride in the rear seat.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 47: “Children age 12 and under should ride buckled up in a rear seat; and • Infants in rear-facing child safety seats should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag.”
11. What should a driver do if they begin to hydroplane?
Answer: Take your foot off the gas pedal and keep the steering wheel straight. The instructions specify removing foot from the gas, avoiding brakes, and keeping the wheel straight to regain control.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 74: “If you do begin to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas pedal. Resist your instinct to use the brakes. Keep your steering wheel straight and let the car’s momentum decrease until the tires grip the road again and you regain control.”
12. What is the recommended action regarding your foot 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 instructs drivers to keep their foot off the brake and allow engine braking to slow the vehicle on icy surfaces.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 75: “(When you stop) keep your foot off the brake and let the engine slow the vehicle;”
13. When pulling out from a parallel parking space, what signal should you give before checking for traffic?
Answer: Left-turn signal. Drivers must use a left-turn signal when exiting a parallel parking spot to indicate they are merging into traffic.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 58: “Before pulling out from a parallel parking space, check for approaching traffic and give a left-turn signal, unless you are parked on the left side of a one-way street.”
14. According to the handbook, what is the recommended action regarding tire pressure to properly handle skids?
Answer: Set tire pressure on the high side of specifications. The handbook states that higher tire pressure is preferable for handling skids compared to lower pressure.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 74: “To properly handle skids, it is better to have tire pressure on the high side, rather than the low side, of the manufacturer’s specifications.”
15. In an intersection without traffic signs or signals, if two vehicles arrive at the same time, which vehicle has the right of way?
Answer: The vehicle to the right. According to the right-of-way rules for uncontrolled intersections, the driver on the right has priority when vehicles arrive simultaneously.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 59: “When two or more vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right of way;”
16. Why should a driver wait until the red lights have stopped flashing before moving ahead after a train passes?
Answer: Because there may be another train moving in the opposite direction. The handbook advises waiting for the lights to stop flashing because a second train could be approaching from the opposite direction or following the first one.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 63: “Do not proceed to move immediately after the train has passed — there may be another train moving in the opposite direction from or following the first train;”
17. What hazard might occur if a driver brakes suddenly while towing a trailer?
Answer: The trailer may jackknife. The handbook warns that sudden braking can cause the trailer to jackknife, requiring caution from the driver.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 94: “Be aware that sudden braking might cause the trailer to jackknife”
18. At what speed threshold does the handbook advise switching from rolling down windows to using the air conditioning for fuel efficiency?
Answer: More than 40 mph. The handbook specifies that drivers should use air conditioning when traveling at speeds greater than 40 mph to optimize fuel consumption.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 70: “At speeds less than 40 mph, roll down windows; more than 40 mph, use AC.”
19. What alcohol concentration restriction applies to a driver upon their second or subsequent license restoration following a DWI suspension?
Answer: 0.00. While the first restoration allows a limit of 0.04, the handbook mandates a strict 0.00 limit for any subsequent restorations.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 34: “On a second or subsequent restoration, the alcohol concentration restriction will be 0.00.”
20. What action is required when a flashing yellow arrow is displayed for a turn?
Answer: Make the turn but yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The flashing yellow arrow allows the turn but requires the driver to yield to other traffic and pedestrians first.
North Carolina Driver's Handbook, page 83: “When the flashing yellow arrow is shown, the indicated turn is permitted but drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.”