Free North Carolina DMV Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 2 2026
This Practice Test 2 is modeled on the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) written knowledge exam, whose length the agency does not publish; 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. These 25 questions rotate through traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way - the core topics the DMV tests most heavily. Every question includes an explanation, so you learn the rule behind each answer - not just whether you got it right.
An angry driver is tailgating you, honking and making rude gestures. What is the best response?
What's on the North Carolina Practice Test 2
The DMV does not publish how many questions are on the real North Carolina knowledge test, and to pass you need 80% correct. Practice Test 2 is a 25-question set drawn from 47 questions, scored against a practice target of 80%.
Topics in this test's question pool
- Road signs 17
- Traffic laws 14
- Right of way 5
- Safe driving 4
- Parking 3
- Speed limits 1
- Alcohol & drugs 1
- Vehicle equipment 1
- Emergencies 1
47 questions in the pool, 10 of them written specifically for North Carolina. Each attempt shows 25 in a new order.
Sample questions from this test, with answers
Want to test yourself first? Take the test above before reading these. Every answer below is checked against the source shown.
1. In North Carolina, which drivers do NOT have to yield to an approaching emergency vehicle using lights and siren?
- A. Same direction on a two-lane country road
- B. Opposite direction on a two-lane city street
- C. Same direction on a four-lane divided freeway
- D. Opposite direction on a four-lane divided freeway (correct)
Why: All drivers must yield to an emergency vehicle, except those going the opposite way on a four-lane limited-access highway with a center median.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook, p.48 (PDF p.50), Emergency and Law Enforcement Vehicles
2. Passing on a curve or a hill is unsafe and usually illegal if you cannot see at least how far ahead?
- A. 200 feet
- B. 300 feet
- C. 1,000 feet
- D. 500 feet (correct)
Why: On a curve or hill you need a clear view of at least 500 feet before passing, so you can get back into your lane before meeting oncoming traffic.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook, p.55 (PDF p.57), Passing
3. What is the purpose of a broken white line between lanes?
- A. Lanes are one-way only
- B. Lane changes are permitted when safe (correct)
- C. You may not change lanes or pass here
- D. Traffic moves in opposite directions
Why: Broken (dashed) white lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. You may change lanes when it is safe to do so.
4. A sign reading 'YIELD' requires you to:
- A. Always come to a full stop first
- B. Slow down, give way, and stop if needed (correct)
- C. Go first - other drivers must yield to you
- D. Merge at the same speed as traffic
Why: A yield sign requires you to slow down and give the right of way to traffic and pedestrians. You must stop if necessary, but a full stop is not always required when the way is clear.
5. A sign reading 'SPEED LIMIT 55' is what type of sign?
- A. Warning
- B. Regulatory (correct)
- C. Guide
- D. Informational
Why: Speed limit signs are regulatory - they state the maximum legal speed under ideal conditions, which you are legally required to obey.
Source: Federal MUTCD 11th ed. (Dec 2023) 2B.21 Paragraph 13
6. What does this sign warn drivers about?
- A. The speed limit is 12 mph
- B. Lanes are 12 feet wide ahead
- C. Low clearance under a structure (correct)
- D. Trucks need 12 feet to stop
Why: The low clearance sign shows the height of a bridge or overpass ahead. Do not go on if your vehicle is taller than the height shown.
Source: p.63 (PDF p.66), Warning signs
More North Carolina facts, the full requirements table and the printable PDF are on the North Carolina permit practice test page.
North Carolina DMV Test Info
- Questions on real test
- Not published by the DMV
- Passing score
- 80%
- Correct needed
- 80% correct
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Testing agency
- Division of Motor Vehicles
More North Carolina Tests
Study Tip
Don't just aim to pass this North Carolina Practice Test 2 once - keep taking it until you score 80% or higher two or three times in a row. Read the explanation after every question, even the ones you get right, to lock in the rule before your DMV exam.