Free North Carolina DMV Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 4 2026
This Practice Test 4 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.
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What's on the North Carolina Practice Test 4
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 4 is a 25-question set drawn from 49 questions, scored against a practice target of 80%.
Topics in this test's question pool
- Road signs 15
- Safe driving 14
- Traffic laws 8
- Right of way 4
- Parking 2
- Alcohol & drugs 2
- Vehicle equipment 2
- Emergencies 2
49 questions in the pool, 8 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. Behind a tractor-trailer, the truck driver's blind spot (No-Zone) can reach back as far as:
- A. 50 feet
- B. 200 feet (correct)
- C. 100 feet
- D. 500 feet
Why: Truck No-Zones reach up to 20 feet in front of the cab, along both sides and up to 200 feet behind. If you cannot see the driver in the side mirror, the driver cannot see you.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook, p.92 (PDF p.94), No-Zones
2. According to the North Carolina handbook, hydroplaning can begin at speeds as low as:
- A. 20 mph
- B. 45 mph
- C. 30 mph (correct)
- D. 55 mph
Why: Tires can start riding on a thin layer of water at about 30 mph, even in water just over 1/8 inch deep. The risk grows as speed rises.
Source: official North Carolina driver handbook, p.72 (PDF p.74), Hydroplaning
3. Your regular brakes have failed and pumping did not help. How should you use the parking (emergency) brake?
- A. Apply it slowly and gradually (correct)
- B. Pull it on as hard as you can
- C. Only after the car has stopped
- D. Apply it and release it rapidly
Why: Setting the parking brake too hard or too fast can lock the wheels and throw the car into a skid. Apply it slowly while you steer to a safe place.
4. A 'LANE ENDS' warning sign (showing one lane merging into another) means:
- A. Your lane ends - merge over (correct)
- B. A new lane opens on your right
- C. The highway ends ahead
- D. Two-way traffic ahead
Why: A lane-ends sign warns that the number of lanes is being reduced ahead. Merge safely into the continuing lane before your lane disappears.
5. If your vehicle's engine catches fire, you should:
- A. Open the hood to reach the fire quickly
- B. Stop, shut off the engine, and get everyone away (correct)
- C. Drive on to the nearest fire station
- D. Stay in the car with the windows up until help comes
Why: If your engine catches fire, pull off the road, shut off the engine, and get all occupants out and well away from the vehicle. Do NOT open the hood - adding oxygen can intensify the fire. Call 911.
6. When you reach an intersection with a flashing red light in your direction and a flashing yellow in the cross direction, you must:
- A. Slow down and go - the cross traffic has to stop
- B. Stop, then go when safe - cross traffic won't stop (correct)
- C. Stop and wait until your light turns solid green
- D. Stop, then go first - cross traffic must yield
Why: A flashing red light works like a stop sign: stop completely, then go when safe. The cross traffic with a flashing yellow only needs to slow and proceed with caution - they do not stop, so you must yield to them.
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 4 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.