North Carolina permit test: backing and parking
Backing safely, parking rules and where parking is not allowed. 9 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember9 key backing and parking rulesShow the rules
- Parking on the shoulder is illegal unless approaching drivers from both directions can see the vehicle for at least 200 feet. (p. 58, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- You may not park on a crosswalk, sidewalk or bridge, at an intersection, in front of a driveway, or by double parking. (p. 58, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or the entrance to a fire station. (p. 58, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Disabled parking spaces are only for vehicles displaying a handicap license plate or a disability parking placard. (p. 58, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Keep 25 feet between your car and the curb line of a cross street. (p. 58, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Don't park within one block of a fire or fire truck inside city limits, or within 400 feet of one outside the city. (p. 58, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Always park on the right side of the road, except on one-way streets. (p. 58, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- If a vehicle ahead is pulling out of a parallel parking space, slow down and be ready to stop. (p. 58, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- You are moving left into traffic, so look for oncoming cars first and use your left signal. (p. 58, 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 backing and parking questions
1.How close to a fire hydrant may you park?
- ANo closer than 5 feet
- BNo closer than 10 feet
- CNo closer than 25 feet
- DNo closer than 15 feet
Show the answer
✓ D. No closer than 15 feet
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or the entrance to a fire station.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 58
2.You see a car ahead starting to pull out of a parallel parking space. What should you do?
- ASpeed up to pass it
- BSlow down and be prepared to stop
- CHonk and keep your speed
- DMove into the oncoming lane
Show the answer
✓ B. Slow down and be prepared to stop
If a vehicle ahead is pulling out of a parallel parking space, slow down and be ready to stop.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 58
3.How far from the curb line of an intersecting street must you park?
- AAt least 10 feet
- BAt least 15 feet
- CAt least 25 feet
- DAt least 50 feet
Show the answer
✓ C. At least 25 feet
Keep 25 feet between your car and the curb line of a cross street. Where there is no curb, the distance is 15 feet from the right-of-way line.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 58
4.You are about to pull out of a parallel parking space on the right side of the street. What should you do?
- AHonk your horn and then pull out
- BGive a right-turn signal and pull out
- CCheck for traffic and signal a left turn
- DPull out quickly before traffic arrives
Show the answer
✓ C. Check for traffic and signal a left turn
You are moving left into traffic, so look for oncoming cars first and use your left signal. The exception is when parked on the left side of a one-way street.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 58