North Carolina Car / Permit practice
North Carolina Car / Permit: Traffic Laws practice test
Speed limits, turning and signaling rules, headlight and seat-belt requirements, and the everyday laws every driver must follow.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Traffic Laws questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. Passing is unsafe and usually illegal on a hill or curve when you cannot see clearly at least how far ahead?
Correct answer: 500 feet
You should not pass on any curve or hill where your view is less than 500 feet, because you cannot be sure the road is clear.
2. Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise and also whenever visibility drops to:
Correct answer: 400 feet or less
Besides the sunset-to-sunrise rule, you must use headlights any time you can see no farther than 400 feet.
3. Unless a different limit is posted, what is the speed limit within cities and towns?
Correct answer: 35 mph
The default limit inside cities and towns is 35 mph. Special limits may be posted for particular areas.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Maximum Speed Limits
4. What is the highest posted speed limit allowed on interstate highways in the state?
Correct answer: 70 mph
Interstates carry a maximum posted limit of 70 mph. Driving far below the flow of traffic there is also dangerous.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Maximum Speed Limits
5. When you pass another vehicle, how far to its left does the law require you to stay?
Correct answer: At least two feet
When you pass, keep a gap of two feet or more on the left side of the other vehicle.
6. Under North Carolina law, on which side of the roadway are you normally required to drive?
Correct answer: The right side
You must keep to the right. Driving on the left is legal only in limited situations, such as one-way streets or while lawfully passing.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Driving on Your Side of the Road
7. Where no special limit is posted, the maximum speed outside of cities and towns is:
Correct answer: 55 mph
Outside cities and towns the default maximum is 55 mph, unless a sign posts something different.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Maximum Speed Limits
8. For tinted vehicle windows, the least amount of light that must be able to pass through is:
Correct answer: 35%
Window tint must allow light transmittance of no less than 35 percent to be legal.
9. A school bus is limited to a top speed of:
Correct answer: 45 mph
A school bus may not exceed 45 mph, while activity buses used for school events may go up to 55 mph.
10. By law, what is the highest speed a moped is allowed to reach?
Correct answer: 30 mph
A moped's top speed may not exceed 30 mph. Models capable of going faster are illegal to operate in the state.
11. For a first littering offense from a vehicle, the minimum fine a convicted driver faces is:
Correct answer: $250
The driver is held responsible for litter thrown or blown from the vehicle, with a minimum fine of $250 on a first conviction.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Keeping the Road Litter-Free
12. When must you turn on your headlights in relation to your windshield wipers?
Correct answer: Whenever the wipers are on because of inclement weather
State law requires headlights any time you are running the wipers because of bad weather.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Windshield Wipers/Headlights
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Every North Carolina question is written from the official North Carolina driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free