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North Carolina · DMV study resources

North Carolina permit test prep.

Build your knowledge of North Carolina driving rules with 52 short lessons, 62 road-sign illustrations, and 616 study questions based on the course’s driver handbook edition.

Start learning See the practice test
A winding country road with a red car and road signs
Study questions
616
Driving lessons
52
Signs & illustrations
62
Course units
10

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Practice

North Carolina practice test

See the 37-question simulation, the 29-correct passing threshold, sample questions, and source notes.

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Recognition

North Carolina road signs

Browse 62 signs and illustrations, with their meanings and the action to take.

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Reference

North Carolina driver handbook

Find the chapter list, source PDF, and companion lessons for the handbook in this course.

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A clear route through the handbook

The 52 lessons below follow 10 course units. Open a lesson to read its rules, examples, and source page references, or use the study app for its checkpoint quiz.

Unit 1 · 8 lessons

Your License

Permits, GDL levels, classes, documents and renewal

  1. Learner permits & the license tests
  2. Motorcycle learner permit & endorsement
  3. GDL Level One: Limited Learner Permit
  4. GDL Levels Two & Three
  5. License classes, CDL & school bus drivers
  6. Provisional licensees, school eligibility & restrictions
  7. Documents, proof of insurance & REAL ID
  8. New residents, renewal, duplicates & ID cards

Unit 2 · 3 lessons

Alcohol and the Law

BAC limits, DWI penalties, underage drinking and impairment

  1. DWI laws, BAC limits & chemical tests
  2. DWI penalties & underage drinking
  3. How alcohol and medication affect your driving

Unit 3 · 5 lessons

Your Driving Privilege

Points, suspensions, hearings and restoring your license

  1. The driver license point system
  2. Commercial vehicle points, no-point offenses & insurance points
  3. Suspensions & revocations
  4. Hearings, out-of-state tickets & unpaid fines
  5. Provisional licensee suspensions & license restoration

Unit 4 · 4 lessons

Driver Safety & Protecting Passengers

Fatigue, distraction, seat belts, child seats and helmets

  1. Drowsy & distracted driving
  2. Seat belts & child restraint laws
  3. Booster seats, air bags & belt fit
  4. Helmets, pickup beds & heat or cold risks

Unit 5 · 5 lessons

General Driving Rules

Pedestrians, school buses, emergency vehicles, traffic stops and farm equipment

  1. Pedestrians & right of way
  2. School buses
  3. Emergency vehicles & the Move Over law
  4. When you're stopped by law enforcement
  5. Farm equipment & funeral processions

Unit 6 · 8 lessons

Basic Driving Skills & Rules

Speed, passing, parking, intersections, roundabouts and railroad crossings

  1. Speed limits & stopping distance
  2. Curves, turns, following distance & lane changes
  3. Passing & being passed
  4. Backing & parking
  5. Intersections & right of way
  6. Roundabouts & single-point interchanges
  7. Railroad crossings
  8. City, rural & interstate driving

Unit 7 · 7 lessons

Defensive Driving & Hazards

Scanning, equipment, weather, wildlife, emergencies and crashes

  1. Scanning, signaling & keeping a margin of safety
  2. Vehicle equipment: lights, brakes, tires & more
  3. Work zones, night driving & sun glare
  4. Rain, hydroplaning, flooding, fog, snow & ice
  5. Wildlife on the road
  6. Vehicle emergencies: brakes, pedal, tires & skids
  7. Breakdowns, crashes & your duties afterward

Unit 8 · 5 lessons

Signals, Signs & Pavement Markings

Traffic lights, sign shapes, warning and guide signs, and road markings

  1. Traffic signals
  2. Turn arrows, ramp meters & hybrid beacons
  3. Sign shapes & regulatory signs
  4. Warning signs
  5. Guide signs, pavement markings & traffic officers

Unit 9 · 4 lessons

Sharing the Road

Bicycles, pedestrians, trucks, motorcycles and mopeds

  1. Bicycles
  2. Pedestrians, trucks, RVs & trailers
  3. Motorcycles & mopeds
  4. Moped riding, registration & litter laws

Unit 10 · 3 lessons

Registration & DMV Services

Insurance minimums, Tag & Tax Together, titles and inspections

  1. Vehicle registration, insurance & driving records
  2. Renewal, Tag & Tax, transfers & titles
  3. Safety & emissions inspections

Know which test you are studying for

North Carolina DMV Knowledge (Written) Test

This Roadwise course uses a 37-question practice test with 29 correct answers needed to pass. Separately scored parts also have their own passing thresholds. The format can depend on your age, license class, or application type.

This practice format includes two separately scored parts: a 12-sign test (9 correct, per state rule) and the knowledge test (25 questions, 20 correct; the count is third-party, the 80% mark is in the rule). Verified 2026-10-25.

See format details and sample questions