North Carolina Permit Practice Test 1
26 questions written from the North Carolina Driver Handbook, with an explanation and page citation for every answer.
What is the youngest age at which a North Carolina teen can get a Level 1 limited learner permit?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
About this test
These questions were written from the North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025). 17 of the 21 North Carolina questions in this test cover rules that are specific to North Carolina or differ between states. Every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the exact page it comes from, so you can check it yourself.
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Sample questions from this test
What is the youngest age at which a North Carolina teen can get a Level 1 limited learner permit?
- A 16
- B 15 1/2
- C 15
- D 14 1/2
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C. 15
A Level 1 limited learner permit is for teens who are at least 15 and under 18 and live in North Carolina. They must also have finished an approved driver education course before testing.
When you pass another vehicle in North Carolina, how far to its left does the law require you to stay?
- A At least 3 feet
- B At least 2 feet
- C At least 6 feet
- D At least 1 foot
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B. At least 2 feet
The law requires the passing driver to pass at least two feet to the left of the vehicle being passed. You also have not passed safely if the other driver has to slow down to let you back in.
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You are stopped at a steady red light and there is no NO TURN ON RED sign. What may you do?
- A Turn right after a complete stop, yielding to others
- B Turn either left or right after coming to a complete stop
- C Nothing; you must wait for the green light
- D Turn right without stopping if the way is clear
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A. Turn right after a complete stop, yielding to others
Unless a sign says NO TURN ON RED, you may turn right on a steady red after coming to a complete stop. You must yield to other traffic and to pedestrians using or starting to cross the intersection.
A 17-year-old with a full provisional license wants to make a hands-free call to a friend while driving. Is this allowed in North Carolina?
- A Yes, as long as the call uses a hands-free device
- B Yes, once they have a full provisional license
- C Yes, if the vehicle is going under 25 mph
- D No; drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or related technology
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D. No; drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or related technology
Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or any added technology tied to a cell phone while driving on a public road or vehicle area, even hands-free. The only exceptions are emergency calls (for example to 911, a hospital or the police) and calls with a parent, legal guardian or spouse.
View diagram
You are on a four-lane road with no median. A school bus in the opposite lanes stops to pick up children. What must you do?
- A Stop, because traffic in both directions must stop
- B Stop only if the bus is in the lane next to yours
- C Slow to 15 mph and pass the stopped bus with care
- D Keep going, because the bus is across two lanes
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A. Stop, because traffic in both directions must stop
On a four-lane road without a median separation, all traffic from both directions must stop for a stopped school bus. Only a median, or a roadway of four or more lanes with a center turn lane, lets oncoming traffic continue.