The North Carolina permit test, explained

The short answer

For a Level 1 limited learner permit you pass three tests at the DMV, written, traffic signs and vision, with a parent or guardian present (or another adult with their written consent). You can apply from 15 to 17 with a driver education certificate, and the permit costs $25.50. The DMV does not publish the number of questions.

Source: Get a Level 1 limited learner permit, North Carolina DMV

North Carolina tests road signs on their own. On the signs test you identify each sign by its color and shape and say what it means.

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This text was written with AI help, checked against the North Carolina DMV’s pages and driver handbook and approved by Fri Vei AS. Last updated .

Checked against the North Carolina DMV · Report a mistake

Drivoku is not connected to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). Every fact below links to the NCDMV page or the North Carolina Driver Handbook (revised May 2025) it comes from, checked on November 3, 2026.

The North Carolina learner permit at a glance

North Carolina Level 1 limited learner permit
Age15 to 17 (NCDMV)
Before you applyA driver education certificate: at least 30 hours in the classroom and 6 behind the wheel (Handbook)
TestsWritten (traffic laws and safe driving), traffic signs and vision; each one passed separately (Handbook)
Number of questions and pass markNot published on the NCDMV pages or in the handbook we read
WhereA driver license office, with a parent or guardian, or another adult with their written consent (NCDMV)
Fee$25.50 (NCDMV)

How many questions are on the North Carolina permit test?

We could not find the number. The NCDMV’s permit page and the North Carolina Driver Handbook say you must pass a written test, a traffic signs test and a vision test, but not how many questions they have or the score you need. Many websites quote a number; we do not, because we could not find one in the DMV’s own pages.

What the handbook does say: the written test is about traffic laws and safe driving, and an audio version is available if reading is hard for you. On the signs test you identify signs by color and shape and explain what each one means. Everything on the signs test is in the handbook.

What to bring

From the NCDMV Level 1 page:

  • One document proving your identity and date of birth (accepted documents).
  • Your Social Security card or other proof of your number (accepted documents).
  • One document proving North Carolina residency (accepted documents).
  • Your driver education certificate, and a parent or guardian with you for the tests (or their written consent for the adult who comes instead).

The DMV says North Carolina eliminated the Driving Eligibility Certificate for teen drivers from October 1, 2026, so you no longer need it for the permit.

Rules for teen drivers in North Carolina

North Carolina, like every state, uses graduated driver licensing. From the handbook and the Level 1 page:

  • Level 1 permit: for the first six months, drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., always with your supervising driver: a parent, grandparent, guardian or adult the parent approves, licensed for at least five years and seated beside you. After six months, any time with that driver. No phone use while driving, except to call for help in an emergency.
  • To move up: hold the permit for nine months and log at least 60 hours of driving, 10 of them at night, with no moving violation, seat belt or phone offense in the last six months.
  • Level 2 limited provisional license (16 and 17): drive alone between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., and at any time straight to or from work or volunteer fire, rescue or emergency medical service. Without a supervisor, at most one passenger under 21 from outside your household, with an exception for one more student on the way to or from school.

What Drivoku covers for North Carolina

Our free permit practice test, the road signs quiz and the questions below cover road rules and signs that apply in every state, with signs from the national sign manual. They do not cover North Carolina’s own laws. Read the driver handbook; the written and signs tests come from it.

Practice five questions every state shares

Five shared road rules

Answer one question at a time. You see the answer and the reason after each one. Nothing you pick is saved or sent anywhere.

Question 1 of 5

  1. Highways

    You are on a divided highway with a grassy median between the two roadways, and you miss your turn. What may you do?

    • Cross the median where the grass is low
    • Drive the wrong way briefly to an opening
    • Use the next crossover marked for emergency vehicles only
    • Continue to an opening or intersection where crossing is permitted, and turn only when safe Right

    The right answer is D: Continue to an opening or intersection where crossing is permitted, and turn only when safe

    WhyStay on your roadway until you reach a permitted crossing, and turn only when safe.

    Source: UVC § 11-311 Driving on divided highways (model law)

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  2. Lanes

    You are on a road with four lanes and two-way traffic, with a center line between the directions. When may you cross that center line?

    • To pass a slower car ahead of you
    • Whenever your side of the road is busy
    • To make a safe, permitted left turn into a driveway, alley, or private road Right
    • To use the oncoming lanes as a shortcut past traffic

    The right answer is C: To make a safe, permitted left turn into a driveway, alley, or private road

    WhyOn a four-lane two-way road, never drive left of center to pass; turning left into a driveway is allowed.

    Source: UVC § 11-301(c) Drive on right side of roadway - exceptions (model law)

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  3. Distraction

    You drop something on the floor while driving. What should you do?

    • Wait to pick it up until you stop safely Right
    • Reach down quickly while watching the road
    • Look down and grab it in one quick move
    • Stop in the middle of the lane to get it

    The right answer is A: Wait to pick it up until you stop safely

    WhyWait to retrieve a dropped object until you can pull over and stop safely; reaching distracts you.

    Source: NHTSA: Distracted Driving, What Is Distracted Driving?

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  4. Night and bad weather

    You are using high beams on a dark two-way road. An oncoming vehicle is getting close enough that your high beams could dazzle its driver. What should you do?

    • Keep high beams on until the other driver flashes theirs
    • Switch to parking lights until the other vehicle passes
    • Keep high beams on and aim your car toward the shoulder
    • Switch to low beams Right

    The right answer is D: Switch to low beams

    WhyDim high beams to low beams to avoid blinding an oncoming driver.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (California DMV): Signals, Horns, and Headlights: Using Your Headlights, Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations, Headlights, Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV): Low Visibility; Night Driving

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  5. Speed and space

    On a clear, dry highway you drive so slowly that a long line of cars builds up behind you, though no hazard or law requires it. What does the law say?

    • You may drive any slow speed you choose
    • You must match the fastest car's speed
    • Do not block the normal flow of traffic Right
    • You must pull over and stop completely

    The right answer is C: Do not block the normal flow of traffic

    WhyDo not drive so slowly that you impede normal traffic, unless the slow speed is needed for safety or to obey the law.

    Source: UVC § 11-805 Minimum speed regulation (model law)

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45 free questions on this website and 379 in the app, checked against the MUTCD, the Uniform Vehicle Code and Texas law, with the reason for every answer. About the app

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Practice the sign shapes and colors with the road signs library and our guide to sign shapes and colors. Other states: permit test by state.

Common questions

How many questions are on the North Carolina permit test?

NCDMV does not publish the number on its permit page or in the driver handbook. You pass a written test, a traffic signs test and a vision test.

How much is a learner permit in North Carolina?

NCDMV lists $25.50 for the Level 1 limited learner permit.

Does a parent have to come to the permit test in North Carolina?

A parent or guardian must be present for the tests, or another adult who brings their written consent.

Do I still need a Driving Eligibility Certificate?

No. NCDMV says the requirement was eliminated for teen drivers from October 1, 2026.

Sources

(2)
  1. Get a Level 1 limited learner permit, North Carolina DMV
  2. North Carolina Driver Handbook (revised May 2025), North Carolina DMV