North Carolina permit test: road signs
Sign shapes and colors, regulatory, warning, guide and railroad signs, as on the separate signs test. 34 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key road signs rulesShow the rules
- A stop sign is usually posted six to 50 feet from the intersection. (p. 85, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- A downward-pointing red and white triangle is a yield sign. (p. 85, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- An eight-sided red sign with white letters is a stop sign. (p. 85, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Diamond-shaped signs are caution or warning signs. (p. 86, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Diamond signs that are orange with black messages warn of construction or maintenance areas. (p. 86, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Interstate highways are marked by a red, white and blue shield. (p. 87, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Guide signs are rectangular and may be green, brown or blue. (p. 87, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- The five-sided sign warns of a school zone or school crossing. (p. 87, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Signs for nearby hospitals, Highway Patrol stations and telephones are blue and white. (p. 87, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- The DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS sign reminds drivers never to stop on railroad tracks for any reason. (p. 88, 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 road signs questions
1.What does a DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS sign remind you?
- ATo honk before crossing
- BTo stop before every set of tracks
- CThat trains have the right-of-way only at night
- DNot to stop on a railroad track for any reason
Show the answer
✓ D. Not to stop on a railroad track for any reason
The DO NOT STOP ON TRACKS sign reminds drivers never to stop on railroad tracks for any reason.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 88
2.What does this warning sign mean?
- AStop right now
- BA stop sign is ahead
- CThe road comes to an end
- DA yield sign is ahead
Show the answer
✓ B. A stop sign is ahead
This is the symbol form of the STOP AHEAD sign. It is placed well before a stop sign when a curve or other objects block your view of it.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 86
3.You are on Interstate 40. In which direction does it generally run?
- ANortheast only
- BNorth and south
- CIt depends on the county
- DEast and west
Show the answer
✓ D. East and west
Even-numbered highways, like I-40, generally run east and west.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 87
4.What does this sign mean?
- AA loading zone for delivery trucks
- BA rest area for highway drivers
- CParking for a handicap plate or placard
- DA hospital entrance ahead
Show the answer
✓ C. Parking for a handicap plate or placard
The handicap parking sign reserves the space for persons who qualify and are displaying a handicap license plate or dashboard placard.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 85