North Carolina DMV Test at a Glance
Test Breakdown
North Carolina-Specific Rules
Speed Limits
- Residential:25 mph
- School Zone:20 mph
- Highway:70 mph
Cell Phone Law
Handheld cell phone use while driving is prohibited
Seatbelt Law
primary enforcement - Officers can stop you solely for not wearing a seatbelt
Other North Carolina Rules
- Right on red allowed (after complete stop)
- Fire hydrant distance: 15 feet
- Move over law in effect
Key Rules to Remember
Following Distance
Maintain at least a 3-second following distance under ideal conditions. Increase to 4-6 seconds in bad weather or poor visibility.
Right of Way at 4-Way Stop
The vehicle that arrives first goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right.
School Zones
Reduce speed to 15-25 mph (varies by state) when children are present. Watch for crossing guards and flashing lights.
BAC Limits
Legal limit is 0.08% for drivers 21+. Under 21: zero tolerance (0.00-0.02% depending on state). Commercial drivers: 0.04%.
Headlight Usage
Use headlights 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, when visibility is less than 500-1000 feet, and when using windshield wipers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not stopping completely at stop signs
A rolling stop is still running a stop sign
Confusing warning vs regulatory signs
Yellow = warning, Red/White = regulatory
Wrong parking distance from fire hydrants
Usually 15 feet, but check your state
Forgetting to signal lane changes
Signal at least 100 feet before turning
Pro Tips for Test Day
- 1.Read each question carefully - look for words like "always," "never," and "except"
- 2.When in doubt, choose the safest option - the DMV prioritizes safety
- 3.Skip difficult questions and come back to them later
- 4.Take practice tests until you consistently score above 90%
- 5.Get a good night's sleep before test day - fatigue causes mistakes