North Carolina driver testing
North Carolina DMV practice tests
Free practice written from the official North Carolina handbook, the real test format and pass mark, and every official North Carolina manual in one place.
- From official state handbooks
- Every answer cites its page
- Free, no sign-up
Practice tests
Tests we cover in North Carolina
- North Carolina Permit Practice Test
Knowledge test and traffic signs test
- Real test
- Not published
- To pass
- Not published
- Practice bank
- 264 questions
- Practice exams
- Coming soon
North Carolina road signs practice: 18 sign questions from your handbook, 10 at a time.
At a glance
North Carolina permit test facts
- To pass
- 80% source
- Road signs
- yes - separate road signs test; Class C applicants must identify 9 of 12 signs source
- Languages
- multiple languages (not listed on page); oral tests available on request source
- Where you take it
- in office (automated computer test at driver license office); no online/at-home option found source
Checked November 4, 2026. Confirm with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) before your test.
Test day
North Carolina permit test checklist
Only what the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) publishes, each with its source. Anything the state doesn't say clearly is left out.
Before you go
Documents to bring
Proof of your full name and date of birth, your NC residence address and your Social Security number (or legal-presence documents if not eligible); under 18: proof you completed a driver education course
Source for documents to bring (official site), checked November 5, 2026 · https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Documents/nc-driver-handbook.pdf
Permit fee
$25.50 (learner permit (18+) and Level 1 limited learner permit)
Source for permit fee (official site), checked November 2, 2026 · https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Documents/nc-driver-handbook.pdf
At the test
Where you take it
in office (automated computer test at driver license office); no online/at-home option found
Source for where you take it (official site), checked November 4, 2026 · https://www.ncdot.gov/about-us/how-we-operate/policy-process/rules/Documents/19a-ncac-03b-0201-emergency-rule.pdf
Languages
multiple languages (not listed on page); oral tests available on request
Source for languages (official site), checked November 4, 2026 · https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/driver-license-tests.aspx
To pass
80%
Source for to pass (official site), checked November 4, 2026 · https://www.ncdot.gov/about-us/how-we-operate/policy-process/rules/Documents/19a-ncac-03b-0201-emergency-rule.pdf
Road signs
yes - separate road signs test; Class C applicants must identify 9 of 12 signs
Source for road signs (official site), checked November 4, 2026 · https://www.ncdot.gov/about-us/how-we-operate/policy-process/rules/Documents/19a-ncac-03b-0201-emergency-rule.pdf
Attempts
may retake a failed Class C knowledge or driving test after 7 calendar days
Source for attempts (official site), checked November 4, 2026 · https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/driver-license-tests.aspx
Last checked November 5, 2026. Rules and fees change: confirm with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) before your test.
Official documents
Official North Carolina manuals
- Driver handbookNorth Carolina Driver HandbookOpen PDFDetails
- Driver handbook (Spanish)Manual de Manejo de Carolina del Norte (Manual del Conductor)Open PDFDetails
- Motorcycle manualMotorcyclists' Handbook (NCDOT DMV)Open PDFDetails
- CDL manualCommercial Driver License Manual - 2005 CDL Testing SystemOpen PDFDetails