North Carolina DMV Permit Test: Safe Driving, Emergencies, and Sharing the Road Concepts
Importance ★★★★☆ · 15% (estimate)
Overview
This chapter covers how to stay safe when conditions are poor or something goes wrong. It includes headlights, rain, fog, snow, skids, breakdowns and other emergencies, what to do after a crash, seat belts and child seats, and how to share the road with trucks, bicycles, and motorcycles.
North Carolina requires headlights from sunset to sunrise, whenever you cannot see 400 feet ahead, and whenever you use your wipers because of bad weather. Wet roads can make stopping take from two to ten times as far, and roads are slickest in the first minutes of rain. If you hydroplane, ease off the gas, do not brake hard, and keep the wheel straight. In fog, use low beams. On snow and ice, bridges and overpasses freeze first.
If you go into a skid, ease off the gas and steer in the direction the back of the car is sliding. If your wheels drop off the pavement, ease off the gas, steer straight, and return to the road only after you slow down. After a crash, you must stop. Report it to law enforcement if anyone is hurt or killed or damage appears to be $1,000 or more.
Everyone in the car must wear a seat belt. A child under 8 who weighs less than 80 pounds must ride in a proper child restraint. Large trucks have big blind spots called No-Zones, so if you cannot see the driver in the truck's mirror, the driver cannot see you. Bicycles are vehicles, and a motorcycle is entitled to a full lane.
Key concepts
Headlight law
Use headlights from sunset to sunrise, whenever you cannot see 400 feet ahead, and whenever you use your windshield wipers because of rain, snow, or other bad weather.
Memory tipWipers on, lights on.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
Hydroplaning
A thin layer of water lifts your tires off the road, and it can start at speeds as low as 30 mph. Ease off the gas, do not brake hard, and keep the wheel straight until the tires grip again.
Memory tipLift off the gas, hold the wheel straight.
Skids
Ease your foot off the gas and turn the wheel in the direction the rear of the car is sliding. As the car straightens, turn back so you do not oversteer.
Memory tipSteer where the back end is going.
Brakes with ABS
With anti-lock brakes, press firmly and hold steady pressure. Do not pump them. Without ABS, pump the brakes gently on a slippery road.
Memory tipABS: press hard and hold.
Reportable crash
You must stop after any crash. Report it at once to law enforcement if anyone is killed or hurt, or if damage appears to be $1,000 or more.
Memory tipInjury or $1,000 damage: call the police.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
Child restraints
Every passenger under 16 must be in a child restraint or seat belt. A child under 8 and under 80 pounds must ride in a child restraint that fits the child's weight.
Memory tipUnder 8 and under 80 pounds: car seat or booster.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
Truck No-Zones
Large trucks have blind spots up to 20 feet in front, along both sides, and up to 200 feet behind. If you cannot see the driver in the truck's side mirror, the driver cannot see you.
Memory tipCan't see their mirror? They can't see you.
Often tested
- Headlights are required whenever you use wipers because of bad weather.
- If you hydroplane, ease off the gas and do not brake hard.
- In a skid, steer in the direction the rear of the car is sliding.
- Report a crash if anyone is hurt or damage appears to be $1,000 or more.
- Bridges and overpasses freeze first.
- Give a motorcycle a full lane; pass a moped at least 2 feet to the left.
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. When does North Carolina law require you to turn on your headlights?
- ① Only when it is snowing
- ② Only on interstates
- ③ From sunset to sunrise and whenever you cannot see 400 feet ahead
- ④ Only after midnight
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ From sunset to sunrise and whenever you cannot see 400 feet ahead
Key point: Headlights: sunset to sunrise, or view of 400 feet or less
The law requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is 400 feet or less. You must also use them whenever your wipers are on because of bad weather.
Wrong choices
- Only after midnight: Headlights are required from sunset, not only after midnight.
- Only on interstates: The law applies on all roads, not only interstates.
- Only when it is snowing: Snow is only one of the conditions that require headlights.
Question 2. You turn on your windshield wipers because it is raining. What else does North Carolina law require?
- ① Use cruise control
- ② Drive in the left lane
- ③ Turn on your hazard flashers
- ④ Turn on your headlights
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ Turn on your headlights
Key point: Wipers on for weather means headlights on
North Carolina drivers must use headlights whenever they use windshield wipers because of bad weather.
Wrong choices
- Turn on your hazard flashers: Hazard flashers are for a stopped or disabled vehicle, not for driving in rain.
- Use cruise control: Never use cruise control in rain; it can make a skid worse.
- Drive in the left lane: Rain does not change which lane you should use.
Question 3. Your car begins to hydroplane on a wet road. What should you do?
- ① Turn the wheel sharply toward the shoulder
- ② Ease your foot off the gas and keep the steering wheel straight
- ③ Brake hard right away
- ④ Speed up to get through the water
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ② Ease your foot off the gas and keep the steering wheel straight
Key point: Hydroplaning: ease off the gas, no hard braking, wheel straight
When a thin layer of water lifts your tires off the road, take your foot off the gas, resist braking, and keep the wheel straight until the tires grip the road again.
Wrong choices
- Brake hard right away: Hard braking can throw the car into a skid while hydroplaning.
- Turn the wheel sharply toward the shoulder: A sudden turn can send you into an uncontrollable skid.
- Speed up to get through the water: More speed makes hydroplaning worse.
AI-written · Verified · Written by AI. Only units that passed a separate AI check (re-reading facts and numbers) are published. Tell us if you find a mistake.