North Carolina permit test: conditions, emergencies and crashes
Scanning, communicating and hand signals, margins of safety, night driving, glare, rain, floods, fog, snow and ice, wildlife, vehicle emergencies, skids and what to do after a crash. 32 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key conditions, emergencies and crashes rulesShow the rules
- About every 10 seconds, check your mirrors to see if any vehicle is following too closely. (p. 70, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Good drivers try to see 10 to 15 seconds ahead, about one city block, so they can avoid sudden stops or quick lane changes. (p. 70, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Signal at least the last 100 feet before turning or stopping. (p. 71, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is 400 feet or less. (p. 73, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Hydroplaning can start at speeds as low as 30 mph, in water little more than 1/8 inch deep. (p. 74, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- On a wet road, take at least 5 to 10 mph off the speed you would use on the same road when dry. (p. 74, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Never use cruise control when it is raining or after rain. (p. 74, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- On snowy or icy roads, allow at least three times the normal stopping distance to slow down. (p. 75, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Never drive through standing water on a road. (p. 75, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- All North Carolina drivers must use headlights whenever they are using windshield wipers because of bad weather. (p. 75, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample conditions, emergencies and crashes questions
1.How much longer can stopping distances be on slippery pavement than on dry pavement?
- AHalf as long
- BAbout the same
- CUp to 20 times longer
- D2 to 10 times longer
Show the answer
✓ D. 2 to 10 times longer
On slippery pavement, stopping distances can be two to 10 times longer than on dry pavement, so slow down and allow at least twice your normal following distance.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 74
2.After heavy rain, standing water covers a low spot on your road. It looks shallow. What does the handbook say to do?
- ASpeed through so you don't stall
- BFollow a bigger vehicle through it
- CDrive through it slowly
- DDo not drive through it
Show the answer
✓ D. Do not drive through it
Never drive through standing water on a road. It may be deeper than it looks, and part of the road may be washed away.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 75
3.How much slower should you drive on wet pavement than on dry?
- AExactly half your normal speed
- BNo slower
- CAt least 25 mph slower
- DAt least 5 to 10 mph slower
Show the answer
✓ D. At least 5 to 10 mph slower
On a wet road, take at least 5 to 10 mph off the speed you would use on the same road when dry.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 74
4.Before you change lanes, why must you turn your head and look over your shoulder?
- ATo read the speedometer on the dashboard
- BTo check your blind spot, which mirrors don't show
- CTo give a signal to the other drivers nearby
- DNone; mirrors show everything, so it isn't needed
Show the answer
✓ B. To check your blind spot, which mirrors don't show
Mirrors leave blind spots near the left and right rear corners. Turn your head and look over your shoulder before any lane change or turn.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 70