Skip to content
PracticeTestHQ home
Find your state

North Carolina permit test: speed and following distance

Adjusting speed to conditions, maximum speed limits, curves and the two-second rule. 17 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

Study this topic as flashcards

Rules to remember10 key speed and following distance rulesShow the rules
  1. Every vehicle in a funeral procession must have its headlights on, and its hazard warning signals too if it has them. (p. 54, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
  2. Drivers going the same direction may not pass a funeral procession, except where the highway has two or more lanes moving in the procession's direction. (p. 54, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
  3. The faster you are moving, the farther ahead you must be able to see, so you have enough distance to stop. (p. 55, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
  4. The handbook's maximum speed limit table lists 70 mph for interstates. (p. 55, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
  5. School activity buses may go up to 55 mph, while regular school buses are limited to 45 mph. (p. 55, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
  6. If traffic is collecting behind you, pull over to the side of the road, stop and let the vehicles pass. (p. 55, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
  7. At 55 mph, a vehicle needs about 211 feet to stop, even in ideal conditions. (p. 55, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
  8. Very slow driving is especially dangerous just after a hill crest or curve, because faster vehicles may come upon you before they can slow down. (p. 55, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
  9. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in cities and towns is 35 mph. (p. 55, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
  10. You should allow two seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a point and you reaching it. (p. 56, 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.

Loading questions…

Sample speed and following distance questions

  1. 1.What is the best way to handle a curve?

    • ADrift to the center line for a better view
    • BSlow down before you enter the curve
    • CBrake hard in the middle of the curve
    • DSpeed up as you enter the curve
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Slow down before you enter the curve

    Slow down before you enter a curve so you won't need to brake in it, then gradually increase speed to keep traction as you go around.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 55

  2. 2.How much space should you leave behind the vehicle ahead under the handbook's following rule?

    • AFour seconds
    • BOne car length per 20 mph
    • CTwo seconds
    • DOne second
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. Two seconds

    North Carolina's handbook uses the two-second rule: leave two seconds between when the vehicle ahead passes a point and when you reach it.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 56

  3. 3.You are in a funeral procession. What lights must your vehicle have on?

    • AYour high beams for the whole trip
    • BNo lights at all if it is daytime
    • COnly your parking lights, front and back
    • DHeadlights, plus flashers if you have them
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Headlights, plus flashers if you have them

    Every vehicle in a funeral procession must have its headlights on, and its hazard warning signals too if it has them.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 54

  4. 4.Why is driving far below the speed limit especially risky just past the top of a hill?

    • AFaster cars coming over the hill may hit you
    • BSlow driving uses more fuel on hills
    • CThe speed limit is higher past a hill
    • DYour engine works too hard going slowly
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Faster cars coming over the hill may hit you

    Very slow driving is especially dangerous just after a hill crest or curve, because faster vehicles may come upon you before they can slow down.

    Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 55