North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 3: 50 Questions
Practice Test 3 has 50 multiple-choice questions on North Carolina driving rules, including octagon sign, yellow pennant sign, 9-and-3 steering wheel position and truck blind spots. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More North Carolina Practice Tests
What Practice Test 3 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Octagon Sign
- Yellow Pennant Sign
- 9-and-3 Steering Wheel Position
- Truck Blind Spots
- Solid-Next-to-Broken Yellow
- Overhead Red X
- Green Overhead Arrow
- Shoulder Recovery
- Flagger Compliance
- NC Under-21 BAC
- Looking 10-15 Seconds Ahead
- Check Mirrors More Often
- High Beam When Appropriate
- High Beam Dim Following
- Skid Response
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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What does a red octagon-shaped sign mean on North Carolina roads?
Show answer
A. You must come to a complete stop
The red octagon is the STOP sign, which always requires a full stop and yielding before proceeding.
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A yellow pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road usually indicates:
Show answer
B. The beginning of a no-passing zone
Yellow pennant signs mark the start of a no-passing zone on two-lane roads.
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On most vehicles with airbags, the safest hand position on the steering wheel is:
Show answer
B. Around the 9 and 3 o’clock positions
Keeping your hands at 9 and 3 gives good control and reduces the chance of injury if the airbag deploys.
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Where are the largest blind spots on a large truck or bus?
Show answer
A. Directly behind and along the sides near the cab
Trucks have large blind spots behind them and along each side close to the cab and trailer.
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A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means passing is permitted:
Show answer
C. Only on the side with the broken line
Vehicles on the side with the broken line may pass when safe; vehicles on the solid-line side may not.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 3, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. What does a red octagon-shaped sign mean on North Carolina roads?
Correct answer: You must come to a complete stop
Why: The red octagon is the STOP sign, which always requires a full stop and yielding before proceeding.
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Q2. A red and white triangular sign pointing downward means:
Correct answer: Yield to traffic and pedestrians
Why: The downward-pointing triangle is the YIELD sign, which means slow and let others go first when needed.
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Q3. A yellow pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road usually indicates:
Correct answer: The beginning of a no-passing zone
Why: Yellow pennant signs mark the start of a no-passing zone on two-lane roads.
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Q4. A solid white line along the right edge of the road is used to:
Correct answer: Mark the edge of the travel lane
Why: The solid white edge line helps you see where the travel lane ends, especially at night or in bad weather.
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Q5. Yellow center lines on a two-way road separate:
Correct answer: Traffic moving in opposite directions
Why: Yellow lines divide opposing flows of traffic, while white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction.
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Q6. White lane lines on a multi-lane road separate:
Correct answer: Traffic moving in the same direction
Why: White lines are used between lanes going the same way and can be solid or broken depending on whether lane changes are allowed.
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Q7. An overhead lane signal showing a red X over your lane means you should:
Correct answer: Not drive in that lane
Why: A red X means the lane is closed to traffic in your direction and you must not use it.
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Q8. An overhead lane signal showing a green arrow means:
Correct answer: You may drive in that lane
Why: A green arrow over a lane shows that the lane is open for travel in your direction.
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Q9. When you come to a STOP sign with no stop line or crosswalk, you must stop:
Correct answer: Before entering the intersection
Why: Stop where you can see conflicting traffic without blocking the intersection.
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Q10. At a four-way stop, when two vehicles arrive at the same time, the right-of-way belongs to:
Correct answer: The driver on the right
Why: If two vehicles stop at the same time, the one on the right goes first.
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Q11. At an intersection with no signs or signals, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down and be prepared to yield to other vehicles and pedestrians
Why: Uncontrolled intersections require extra caution and a willingness to yield to avoid crashes.
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Q12. When you are turning left at an intersection and oncoming traffic is approaching, you should:
Correct answer: Yield to oncoming vehicles until there is a safe gap
Why: Left-turning drivers usually must wait for oncoming traffic to pass or clear before turning.
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Q13. When a pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, you must:
Correct answer: Yield and let the pedestrian finish crossing
Why: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, even if the crosswalk is not painted.
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Q14. When entering a road from a driveway or private road, you must:
Correct answer: Yield to vehicles and pedestrians already on the main road
Why: Vehicles entering from driveways must wait for all traffic and pedestrians on the main road.
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Q15. In North Carolina you should signal your intention to turn at least how far before the turn?
Correct answer: At least 100 feet
Why: Signaling at least 100 feet in advance gives other road users time to react.
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Q16. Before changing lanes on a multi-lane road, you should signal and:
Correct answer: Check mirrors and quickly look over your shoulder for blind spots
Why: A quick shoulder check helps you see vehicles that may be hidden in your blind spot.
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Q17. Looking 10 to 15 seconds ahead while driving means you are:
Correct answer: Scanning the road far enough ahead to see problems early
Why: Looking farther ahead helps you spot hazards in time to react smoothly.
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Q18. You should check your mirrors more often when:
Correct answer: Traffic is heavy or you are changing speed or lanes often
Why: Frequent mirror checks help you stay aware of vehicles around you in busy traffic.
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Q19. The two- or three-second rule is used for:
Correct answer: Maintaining a safe following distance
Why: Counting seconds between your vehicle and the one ahead helps you keep a safe space cushion.
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Q20. You should increase your following distance when you are:
Correct answer: Driving behind a large truck or in bad weather
Why: Extra space is needed when visibility or traction is poor or when following large vehicles.
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Q21. Where are the largest blind spots on a large truck or bus?
Correct answer: Directly behind and along the sides near the cab
Why: Trucks have large blind spots behind them and along each side close to the cab and trailer.
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Q22. To avoid a truck’s blind spots, you should:
Correct answer: Avoid driving alongside and move ahead or fall back where you can be seen
Why: If you cannot see the truck driver’s mirrors, the driver may not see you.
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Q23. On most vehicles with airbags, the safest hand position on the steering wheel is:
Correct answer: Around the 9 and 3 o’clock positions
Why: Keeping your hands at 9 and 3 gives good control and reduces the chance of injury if the airbag deploys.
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Q24. For sharp turns at low speeds, the recommended steering method is often:
Correct answer: Hand-over-hand steering
Why: Hand-over-hand steering helps you turn the wheel quickly while keeping control.
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Q25. If your right wheels accidentally run off the pavement onto the shoulder, you should:
Correct answer: Grip the wheel, ease off the gas, and gently steer back onto the pavement when safe
Why: A sudden jerk can cause a skid. Slow gradually and gently steer back onto the roadway.
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Q26. If your brakes fail while driving, you should first:
Correct answer: Pump the brake pedal and downshift to a lower gear
Why: Pumping may restore some braking force. Downshifting helps slow the vehicle without using the brakes.
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Q27. If your steering suddenly becomes difficult or you lose steering control, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the gas, turn on your hazard lights, and move carefully to the side of the road
Why: Slowly moving off the road and stopping reduces the chance of losing control.
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Q28. If your headlights suddenly fail at night, you should:
Correct answer: Turn on your emergency flashers and safely pull off the road
Why: Without headlights, other drivers may not see you and you cannot see the road well. Pull off as soon as it is safe.
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Q29. When is it best to use high-beam headlights?
Correct answer: On open rural roads at night when no other vehicles are nearby
Why: High beams help you see farther on dark, open roads, but should not be used around other traffic.
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Q30. You should dim your high beams when you are following another vehicle within about:
Correct answer: 200 feet
Why: Using high beams too close behind another vehicle can reflect in their mirrors and blind the driver.
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Q31. When a school bus on a two-lane road stops with red lights flashing and stop arm extended, you must:
Correct answer: Stop in both directions until the lights stop flashing
Why: On two-lane roads without a median, traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus with red lights flashing.
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Q32. On a divided highway with a median between directions, a school bus on the opposite side has red lights flashing. In most cases you:
Correct answer: Do not need to stop, but should slow and use extra caution
Why: A physical median usually means only traffic behind the bus must stop, but you should still be alert for children.
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Q33. When you see flashing yellow lights in a school zone and children are present, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down to the posted school zone speed limit
Why: School zone signs and flashing lights mean you must drive at the lower posted speed when children are present.
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Q34. When parking on a hill without a curb, you should turn your front wheels:
Correct answer: Toward the edge of the road
Why: Turning the wheels toward the edge helps prevent your vehicle from rolling into traffic if it moves.
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Q35. Proper use of seat belts in North Carolina:
Correct answer: Reduces the risk of serious injury or death in a crash
Why: Seat belts are one of the simplest and most effective safety devices in any crash.
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Q36. Young children should ride:
Correct answer: In an appropriate child safety seat or booster in the rear seat when possible
Why: Child seats and boosters are designed to protect children who are too small for adult seat belts alone.
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Q37. Texting while driving in North Carolina is:
Correct answer: Illegal and highly dangerous
Why: Texting takes your eyes and attention off the road, making crashes much more likely.
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Q38. Driving with an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle in North Carolina is:
Correct answer: Illegal and can lead to fines and other penalties
Why: Open container laws are meant to discourage drinking while driving and keep roads safer.
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Q39. For most adult drivers, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is:
Correct answer: Considered legally impaired
Why: A BAC of 0.08% or more can result in arrest, fines, and license suspension.
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Q40. For drivers under age 21 in North Carolina, driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in the system is:
Correct answer: Illegal under zero-tolerance laws
Why: Underage drivers are not allowed to have any measurable alcohol in their system while driving.
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Q41. If another driver shows signs of road rage toward you, you should:
Correct answer: Avoid eye contact, do not respond, and create space between your vehicles
Why: Staying calm and not engaging helps prevent the situation from becoming more dangerous.
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Q42. When approaching a railroad crossing, you should:
Correct answer: Make sure there is enough space on the far side to fully clear the tracks before you start across
Why: Never enter a crossing unless you can drive all the way through without stopping on the tracks.
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Q43. You may drive on the left side of the road to pass another vehicle only when:
Correct answer: The center line is broken on your side and the way is clear
Why: Passing on the left is only allowed when markings and sight distance show it is safe and legal.
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Q44. A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means passing is permitted:
Correct answer: Only on the side with the broken line
Why: Vehicles on the side with the broken line may pass when safe; vehicles on the solid-line side may not.
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Q45. A flashing red light at a railroad crossing means you must:
Correct answer: Stop and proceed only when it is safe and the train has passed
Why: Flashing red lights at crossings warn that a train is near and you must stop until it is safe to go.
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Q46. Before backing your vehicle out of a parking space, you should:
Correct answer: Check behind your vehicle and look over your shoulder while backing slowly
Why: Turning and looking through the rear window gives you the best view of what is behind you.
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Q47. If you are temporarily blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle at night, you should:
Correct answer: Look toward the right edge of your lane and drive carefully
Why: Using the right edge of the road as a guide reduces glare and helps you stay in your lane.
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Q48. When you see orange signs, cones, and workers on or near the roadway, you are approaching:
Correct answer: A highway work zone where you should slow down and be prepared to stop
Why: Work zones require you to reduce speed and watch carefully for workers and equipment.
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Q49. When a flagger is directing traffic in a work zone, you must:
Correct answer: Follow the flagger’s signals, even if they differ from other signs or signals
Why: Flaggers have the same authority as signs and signals in work zones. Always obey their instructions.
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Q50. If your vehicle begins to skid because of wet or slippery pavement, the first thing you should do is:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to go
Why: Gently easing off the gas and steering toward your intended path helps you regain control safely.