North Carolina DMV Permit Test Alcohol, DWI, and the Point System Summary

A driver 21 or older can be convicted of Driving While Impaired with a BAC of 0.08 or more. A driver can also be convicted at a lower level if alcohol or drugs clearly impair driving.

Wrong choices

• 0.02: 0.02 is lower than the adult limit; drivers under 21 may not have any alcohol at all.
• 0.05: Crash risk rises at 0.05, but the legal limit is 0.08.
• 0.10: The limit is 0.08, not 0.10.

A driver under 21 may not drive with any amount of alcohol or drugs in the body. A conviction brings a one-year license revocation.

Wrong choices

• Up to 0.08: 0.08 is the limit for drivers 21 and older.
• Up to 0.04: 0.04 is the limit for commercial drivers.
• Up to 0.02: North Carolina sets no such allowance for drivers under 21; any amount is illegal.

Refusing a required test brings an immediate revocation for at least 30 days and an additional revocation of at least 12 months by the DMV. The refusal can also be used as evidence in court.

Wrong choices

• Nothing, because the test is voluntary: By driving in North Carolina you have agreed to testing; refusal has penalties.
• A warning letter: Refusal brings a revocation, not just a warning.
• A 2-point penalty: The penalty is a revocation, not points.

A first DWI conviction brings a mandatory one-year revocation. Penalties grow with each later conviction.

Wrong choices

• 30-day revocation: 30 days is the immediate revocation after a test result of 0.08 or a refusal, before any conviction.
• Four-year revocation: Four years is for a second conviction within three years of a prior offense.
• Permanent revocation: Permanent revocation is for a third conviction with a prior one in the last five years, or a fourth.

Only time removes alcohol from the body. Coffee, a big meal, or a cold shower will not work. Plan a sober ride before you drink.

Wrong choices

• Black coffee: Coffee may make you feel more awake, but you are still impaired.
• A cold shower: A cold shower does not lower your BAC.
• A big meal: Food does not remove alcohol already in your blood.

North Carolina's DWI laws forbid drinking any alcohol, including beer, while driving, and forbid carrying an open container of alcohol in the passenger area.

Wrong choices

• Drinking water: Drinking water is not against the law.
• Listening to the radio: Listening to the radio is legal, though it can distract you.
• Carrying sealed groceries: Sealed groceries are not alcohol in an open container.

Passing a stopped school bus adds 5 points, among the highest for a regular driver, along with aggressive driving.

Wrong choices

• 2: 2 points is for most other moving violations.
• 3: 3 points is for offenses such as running a red light or a stop sign.
• 4: 4 points is for offenses such as reckless driving or illegal passing.

If you collect 12 points within three years, your license may be suspended. At 7 points you may be sent to a driver improvement clinic.

Wrong choices

• 7: 7 points can lead to a driver improvement clinic, not a suspension.
• 8: 8 points within three years after reinstatement can lead to a second suspension.
• 15: The limit is 12 points, not 15.

When you reach 7 points, you may be assigned to a driver improvement clinic. When you complete it, three points are removed from your record.

Wrong choices

• All points are removed: The clinic removes three points, not all of them.
• Points are doubled: Finishing the clinic lowers your points; it does not raise them.
• Nothing changes: Finishing the clinic does change your record: three points come off.

Some offenses carry no driver license points, including illegal parking, improper plates or registration, and failure to show a current inspection certificate. Running a red light and failure to yield are 3 points, and following too closely is 4 points.

Wrong choices

• Running a red light: Running a red light adds 3 points.
• Following too closely: Following too closely adds 4 points.
• Failure to yield right of way: Failure to yield right of way adds 3 points.