How do prescription and over-the-counter medications affect driving?

Many cause drowsiness - check the label first

Only if you take more than the dose listed

Legal medicines are always safe to drive on

Only prescription drugs can impair driving

A driver behind you sounds the horn to pass you. What does North Carolina law expect you to do?

Move to the right and do not speed up

Speed up so they do not need to pass

Move left to block an unsafe pass

Brake hard so they can pass quickly

On an undivided two-lane road, a school bus stops with its red lights flashing and stop arm out. What must drivers do?

Stop in both directions until the lights stop

Stop, then pass slowly if no children are seen

Wait until children reach the curb, then pass

Slow down and pass on the left with caution

Free North Carolina DMV Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 3 2026

25 questions80% to passExplanations includedFree

—Real test questions

80%Pass score

This Practice Test 3 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.

Question 1 of 25

What does this orange sign indicate?

Tip: Press 1-4 to select, Enter to submit, F to flag

Inside this test

What's on the North Carolina Practice Test 3

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 3 is a 25-question set drawn from 52 questions, scored against a practice target of 80%.

Topics in this test's question pool

Road signs 16
Traffic laws 13
Safe driving 9
Alcohol & drugs 4
Right of way 3
Emergencies 3
Parking 2
Vehicle equipment 2

52 questions in the pool, 9 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, if you are using your windshield wipers because of bad weather, you must also:
- A. Turn on your headlights (correct)
- B. Turn on your hazard flashers
- C. Turn on your high beams
- D. Stay in the right lane
Why: North Carolina law links wipers and headlights: whenever wipers are on because of rain, snow or other bad weather, headlights must be on too.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook, p.73 (PDF p.75), Windshield Wipers/Headlights
2. A driver behind you sounds the horn to pass you. What does North Carolina law expect you to do?
- A. Move to the right and do not speed up (correct)
- B. Speed up so they do not need to pass
- C. Move left to block an unsafe pass
- D. Brake hard so they can pass quickly
Why: You must help the passing driver by moving to the right edge of the road. Speeding up and failing to give way can lead to a misdemeanor charge if a crash follows.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook, p.55 (PDF p.57), When your vehicle is being passed
3. A vehicle entering a roundabout (traffic circle) must:
- A. Proceed immediately since they have right of way
- B. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout (correct)
- C. Stop completely before entering, even if clear
- D. Yield only to traffic coming from the right
Why: When entering a roundabout, yield to all vehicles already circulating inside. Enter only when there is a safe gap in traffic. Drive counterclockwise around the circle.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook
4. Which of the following is NOT a legal reason to use your horn?
- A. To warn a driver drifting into your lane
- B. To express frustration at another driver (correct)
- C. To alert a child about to run into the road
- D. To warn others on a blind mountain curve
Why: Horns are safety devices used to warn others of danger. Using your horn out of frustration or anger is not a legal use and can be considered aggressive driving in many states.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook
5. When should you use your high-beam headlights?
- A. In fog for maximum light
- B. On open roads with no vehicles close by (correct)
- C. Whenever it is dark, regardless of other traffic
- D. When following another car at night
Why: Use high beams on open roads when there is no oncoming traffic and no vehicle close ahead. Dim them within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and 200-300 feet when following. High beams reflect off fog, rain, and snow, reducing visibility.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook
6. A deer runs across the road ahead of you and disappears into the trees. What should you expect next?
- A. The road is now clear of animals
- B. The deer will turn back toward you
- C. Deer never cross the same road twice
- D. More deer may follow close behind (correct)
Why: Deer usually travel in groups, so one deer crossing often means others are close behind. Slow down and be ready to stop.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook

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

Official NC DMV Website ↗

More North Carolina Tests

Study Tip

Don't just aim to pass this North Carolina Practice Test 3 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.