North Carolina DMV Permit Test: Speed, Passing, and Parking Concepts
Importance ★★★★☆ · 20% (estimate)
Overview
This chapter covers how fast you may drive in North Carolina, how far to stay behind other vehicles, when and how to pass, how to back up, when to signal, and where you may not park. Many test questions here are about numbers.
Unless a sign says otherwise, the speed limit is 35 mph in cities and towns and 55 mph outside them, and the highest limit on interstates is 70 mph. Even below the limit, you must slow down when conditions call for it. Keep at least two seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. On a multi-lane highway, drive in the right lane when you are slower than the limit, unless you are passing or turning left.
Pass only when you can see far enough ahead to return to your lane safely, and pass at least 2 feet to the left of the other vehicle. Do not pass on a hill or curve where you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead, where a solid yellow line is on your side, or at railroad crossings and city intersections. When someone passes you, move right and do not speed up.
Back up slowly, no faster than 10 mph, while looking over your right shoulder. Signal at least 100 feet before you turn, or 200 feet when the speed limit is 45 mph or more. Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 25 feet of the curb line of an intersecting street, on a crosswalk, sidewalk, or bridge, or on the shoulder unless drivers can see you from 200 feet away in both directions.
Key concepts
Speed limits
Unless posted otherwise: 35 mph in cities and towns and 55 mph outside them. The highest limit on interstates is 70 mph. School buses may go no faster than 45 mph.
Memory tip35 in town, 55 out of town, 70 tops on interstates.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
Two-second rule
Leave at least two seconds between the time the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point and the time you reach it. Leave more in rain or at higher speed.
Memory tipCount two seconds from the car ahead.
Safe passing
Signal, then pass at least 2 feet to the left of the vehicle. Do not pass on a hill or curve where you cannot see 500 feet ahead, or where a solid yellow line is in your lane.
Memory tip2 feet to the side, 500 feet of clear view.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
Being passed
When another driver passes you, move toward the right edge and do not speed up. If you speed up and a crash results, you can be charged with a misdemeanor.
Memory tipBeing passed? Keep right and hold your speed.
Turn signals
Signal at least the last 100 feet before you turn or stop. On roads posted at 45 mph or higher, start signaling at least 200 feet before the turn.
Memory tip100 feet in town, 200 feet at 45 mph or more.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
No-parking distances
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or fire station entrance, or within 25 feet of the curb line of an intersecting street (15 feet from the right of way line if there is no curb).
Memory tipHydrant 15, intersection curb line 25.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
Parking on a shoulder
Do not park on the main traveled part of a highway. You may park on the shoulder only if drivers from both directions can see your vehicle from at least 200 feet away.
Memory tipShoulder parking needs 200 feet of view both ways.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 4 · as of 2026
Often tested
- Default limits: 35 mph in cities and towns, 55 mph outside them.
- Do not pass on a hill or curve unless you can see at least 500 feet ahead.
- Pass at least 2 feet to the left of the vehicle you pass.
- Back up no faster than 10 mph.
- Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Passing on the right is allowed only in special cases, such as two or more lanes each way.
Easy to confuse: Distances to remember
| Rule | Distance |
|---|---|
| Clear view needed to pass on a hill or curve | At least 500 feet |
| Space to the side when passing | At least 2 feet |
| No parking near a fire hydrant | 15 feet |
| No parking near the curb line of an intersecting street | 25 feet |
| Signal before turning where the limit is 45 mph or more | At least 200 feet |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. Unless a sign says otherwise, what is the speed limit in North Carolina cities and towns?
- ① 35 mph
- ② 25 mph
- ③ 45 mph
- ④ 55 mph
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Answer: ① 35 mph
Key point: Default city and town limit: 35 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in cities and towns is 35 mph. Outside cities and towns it is 55 mph.
Wrong choices
- 25 mph: 25 mph is not North Carolina's general limit in cities and towns.
- 45 mph: 45 mph is the maximum speed for a school bus, not the city limit.
- 55 mph: 55 mph is the general limit outside cities and towns.
Question 2. Unless a sign says otherwise, what is the speed limit outside cities and towns?
- ① 50 mph
- ② 55 mph
- ③ 45 mph
- ④ 65 mph
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Answer: ② 55 mph
Key point: Default limit outside cities and towns: 55 mph
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit outside cities and towns is 55 mph. The highest limit that may be posted on interstates is 70 mph.
Wrong choices
- 45 mph: 45 mph is the maximum for a school bus.
- 50 mph: 50 mph is not North Carolina's general rural limit.
- 65 mph: 65 mph is not the general limit; higher limits must be posted.
Question 3. What is the two-second rule?
- ① Stop for two seconds at a STOP sign
- ② Stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you
- ③ Wait two seconds after a light turns green before you go
- ④ Signal for two seconds before changing lanes
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Answer: ② Stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you
Key point: Two-second rule: following distance
Allow two seconds between the time the vehicle ahead passes a point and the time you reach that point. Leave more space in bad weather or at higher speeds.
Wrong choices
- Wait two seconds after a light turns green before you go: The rule is about following distance, not starting at a green light.
- Signal for two seconds before changing lanes: Turn signals must be given in advance, measured in feet, not seconds.
- Stop for two seconds at a STOP sign: A STOP sign requires a full stop until the way is clear, not a set time.
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