NC · DMV knowledge test

Free North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

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VariesQuestions on test
201Practice questions
80%Passing score
15 years oldMinimum age

Get ready to pass your North Carolina DMV written test on the first try. Our free North Carolina permit practice tests are based directly on the official North Carolina Driver's Handbook and contain the same types of questions you will see on test day. Each test covers traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, safe driving techniques, and North Carolina-specific regulations. You need 80% correct to pass, so preparation is essential. Start practicing today - unlimited attempts, instant feedback, detailed explanations.

Practice test 1

Take the North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test Now

25 questions drawn from the North Carolina driver handbook, 80% to pass, with an explanation after every answer. Free, no sign-up - press Start when you are ready. More North Carolina tests are listed below.

North Carolina DMV Practice Test 1

Questions are shuffled every time and drawn from the North Carolina driver handbook. Nothing starts - and no clock runs - until you press the button.

  • 25 questions
  • 80% to pass (20 correct)
  • About 15 minutes
  • Explanation after every answer
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Ways to practice

Learn with practice tests and flashcards, then take the mock test when you think you are ready.

LearnPractice testsAnswer a question, then see the right answer and why. Best while you are still learning the rules.Tests 1-4 · 25 questions eachOpen practice tests →StudyFlashcardsRead a question, think of the answer, then tap to reveal it. Save the ones you are still learning.Every question in the bank, by topicOpen flashcards →Check you are readyMock testAnswer the whole test first; nothing is marked until you submit. Then review every answer with its explanation.25 questionsOpen mock test →

Also try: the North Carolina cheat sheet of rules and numbers, the hardest questions people miss most, or make your own test on the topics you find hard.

North Carolina Permit Practice Tests

201 unique questions in the North Carolina bank (38 North Carolina-specific) - practice until you are confident

Test 1

Practice Test 1

25 questions · 80% to pass

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Test 2

Practice Test 2

25 questions · 80% to pass

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Test 3

Practice Test 3

25 questions · 80% to pass

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Test 4

Practice Test 4

25 questions · 80% to pass

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More North Carolina Practice Tests

DMV Test Simulator

25 questions · Mock test, answers at the end

Official North Carolina Driver's Handbook

The DMV writes every real exam question from this manual - read it alongside your practice tests.

Read the Handbook ↗

North Carolina Permit Practice Test PDF (2026)

Free printable version: 100+ North Carolina questions with an answer key and explanations, plus the DMV test facts on the cover. Or print a 25-question test. All state PDFs →

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Official facts

North Carolina Limited Learner Permit (Level 1) Test: Quick Facts

Verified against Division of Motor Vehicles publications - last reviewed September 2026.

Official permit nameLimited Learner Permit (Level 1)
Questions on the testNot published by the DMV
Test formatThere is a separate road sign test: you must correctly identify 9 of 12 road signs. The knowledge test requires 80% correct.
Passing score80% correct
Wrong answers allowedDepends on test length (not published)
Minimum age15 years old
Under-21 alcohol limitZero tolerance - any measurable amount
Permit / test fee$25.50
If you fail7 calendar days (NCDMV states this for the regular Class C knowledge/driving test)
Online testingNo - the knowledge test must be taken in person.
Driver's educationRequired for applicants under 18.
Supervised practice60 hours incl. 10 at night (G.S. 20-11 driving log, max 10 hrs/week) - see notes on 2025 HB 584
Permit holding period9 months (temporarily 6 months through Dec 31, 2025 under 2025 HB 584)
Testing agencyDivision of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Try a few

Sample North Carolina Permit Test Questions

Three of the North Carolina-specific questions from our bank, with the answer and the rule behind it. The North Carolina bank behind the tests above holds 201 unique questions.

  1. 1. In North Carolina, drivers under what age hold a 'provisional' license?

    • A. Under 18 (correct)
    • B. Under 16
    • C. Under 21
    • D. Under 25

    Why: In North Carolina, drivers under 18 are provisional licensees and are subject to graduated-license restrictions.

  2. 2. When not supervised, an NC Level Two (limited provisional) driver may generally carry how many passengers under 21 who are not members of the driver's household?

    • A. One (correct)
    • B. Two
    • C. Three
    • D. No limit

    Why: When driving unsupervised, a North Carolina limited provisional driver may carry only one passenger under 21 who is not a household member. A second non-household passenger under 21 is allowed only if that passenger is a student being driven directly to or from school. There is no under-21 limit if all passengers are household members.

  3. 3. In North Carolina, drivers under age 18 are:

    • A. Banned from using a cell phone while driving (correct)
    • B. Allowed hands-free calls only on highways
    • C. Allowed to text while stopped at a red light
    • D. Under the same phone rules as adults

    Why: North Carolina prohibits drivers under 18 from using a cell phone while driving.

North Carolina Permit Test Study Guide (2026)

A free North Carolina DMV written test study guide - updated for 2026, verified against the official Division of Motor Vehicles handbook.

Reviewed by Chad HenryAfter 25 years of teaching driver educationLast reviewed September 2026

The NC DMV written test checks road signs, safe-driving habits, and state rules like move-over and graduated licensing for teens - knowledge that matters as much on the Blue Ridge Parkway as on the highways around Charlotte and Raleigh. Our North Carolina practice permit test is built from the official NCDMV Driver's Handbook so you walk in prepared.

What to Expect on the North Carolina Permit Test

The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires every new driver to pass a written knowledge test before being issued a learner's permit. The DMV does not publish the number of questions; to pass you need 80% correct. There is a separate road sign test: you must correctly identify 9 of 12 road signs. The knowledge test requires 80% correct. You must be at least 15 years old to apply. Every question is drawn from the official North Carolina driver's handbook, so the topics on our practice tests match exactly what the DMV asks.

Topics Covered on the NC Written Test

  • Traffic Laws (Rules of the Road): State-specific rules of the road, including right-of-way, lane changing, and intersection rules
  • Road Signs: Recognition and meaning of all standard road signs - warning, regulatory, and informational
  • Speed Limits: Default speed limits, school zones, work zones, and highway speeds
  • Safe Driving: Following distance, blind spots, defensive driving, and weather conditions
  • Alcohol & Drugs: DUI laws, BAC limits, and consequences of impaired driving
  • Parking Rules: Legal and illegal parking situations, curb colors, and distances

How to Prepare for the North Carolina Permit Test

The strongest preparation pairs a read-through of the official North Carolina Driver's Handbook with repeated practice tests that surface your weak spots. The DMV writes its test from that handbook, so the rules you practise here are the rules you will be asked about. A sensible target: score at least 80% on several fresh practice tests in a row - and read the explanation on every miss - before you book your appointment.

Official North Carolina DMV Information

For official test requirements, locations, and fees, visit the Division of Motor Vehicles website. You can also read the official North Carolina driver's handbook free of charge - every question on our practice tests traces back to it.

North Carolina Permit Test - Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the North Carolina DMV written test?

The DMV does not publish how many questions are on the North Carolina knowledge test. To pass you need 80% correct. There is a separate road sign test: you must correctly identify 9 of 12 road signs. The knowledge test requires 80% correct.

What is the phone rule for new drivers in North Carolina?

North Carolina: drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone while driving. North Carolina prohibits drivers under 18 from using a cell phone while driving. (Ch. 4, Cell Phones (PDF p.41); Ch. 1, The Provisional Licensee (PDF p.16))

How many passengers can a new driver in North Carolina carry?

North Carolina Level 2 unsupervised: one non-household passenger under 21. When driving unsupervised, a North Carolina limited provisional driver may carry only one passenger under 21 who is not a household member. A second non-household passenger under 21 is allowed only if that passenger is a student being driven directly to or from school. There is no under-21 limit if all passengers are household members. (Ch. 1, Level Two Limited Provisional License, p.13 (PDF p.15))

What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21 in North Carolina?

North Carolina has a zero-tolerance rule: a driver under 21 may not drive with any measurable amount of alcohol. The general 0.08% limit applies only to adults 21 and over.

How many questions can you miss on the North Carolina permit test?

You need at least 80% correct. The DMV does not publish the number of questions on the test, so the number you can miss depends on the test you get - on our 25-question simulator that is 5. There is a separate road sign test: you must correctly identify 9 of 12 road signs. The knowledge test requires 80% correct.

What is the North Carolina learner's permit officially called?

North Carolina issues the Limited Learner Permit (Level 1). It is the first stage of the state's licensing process for new drivers.

How much does the North Carolina permit cost?

The published fee is $25.50. Fees change from time to time, so confirm the current amount on the Division of Motor Vehicles website before your visit.

What happens if I fail the North Carolina permit test?

If you fail, North Carolina lets you retake the knowledge test. 7 calendar days (NCDMV states this for the regular Class C knowledge/driving test). Use the practice tests above to find the topics you missed before you try again.

Can I take the North Carolina permit test online?

No - the knowledge test must be taken in person.

Is driver's education required for a North Carolina permit?

Required for applicants under 18.

How long do I have to hold my North Carolina permit?

Minimum holding period: 9 months (temporarily 6 months through Dec 31, 2025 under 2025 HB 584). Required supervised practice: 60 hours incl. 10 at night (G.S. 20-11 driving log, max 10 hrs/week) - see notes on 2025 HB 584.

Sources & Methodology

Every North Carolina question on this page is written from the official North Carolina driver handbook, and the facts in the table above are checked against Division of Motor Vehicles publications. Last reviewed: September 2026. Every question shows its own source under the explanation; all corrections are listed in our corrections log.

Chad Henry – Reviewer

After 25 years of teaching driver education

Chad Henry has taught driver education for 25 years and reviews every state's practice questions, quick facts and study guides against the official driver handbook and agency publications before they are published.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Study Guides to Help You Pass

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Traffic Laws

Hand signals for the permit test: left, right, stop, and when the law requires them

The three driver hand signals every permit test asks about, which arm to use, and when 14 state handbooks say you must or may use them.

Traffic Laws

10 Driving Rules That Change at the State Line (With the Handbook Page for Each)

Ten permit-test rules that differ by state - hydrant distance, school bus stops, Move Over speeds, headlights - with a handbook page for each.

Test Info

What's on the motorcycle permit test, and how it differs from the car test

What the motorcycle knowledge test covers, where its questions come from, the gear and SEE rules it asks about, and how states give or waive it.

Practice Permit Tests in Other States

Studying in more than one state, or planning a move from North Carolina? Jump straight to another state's free DMV-style practice tests below, or browse all 50 states.

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