North Carolina DMV Permit Test Speed, Passing, and Parking Summary

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.

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.

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.

Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or the entrance to a fire station.

Wrong choices

• No closer than 5 feet: 5 feet is too close; the limit is 15 feet.
• No closer than 10 feet: 10 feet is too close; the limit is 15 feet.
• No closer than 30 feet: The North Carolina limit is 15 feet, not 30 feet.

When you are being passed, you must help the other driver pass. Move to the right side of your lane and never increase your speed.

Wrong choices

• Speed up so the other driver cannot cut in: Speeding up while being passed is illegal and can cause a crash.
• Move to the left to block the pass: Blocking a passing driver is dangerous.
• Brake hard to let the driver pass: Braking hard can cause a rear-end crash; just hold your speed.

Passing is unsafe and usually illegal on any curve or hill where you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead.

Wrong choices

• At least 200 feet: 200 feet is far too short to pass safely.
• At least 300 feet: 300 feet is not the handbook's figure; it is 500 feet.
• At least 1,000 feet: The handbook sets 500 feet, not 1,000 feet.

The law requires the passing driver to pass at least two feet to the left of the vehicle being passed. You have not passed safely if that vehicle must slow down to let you back in.

Wrong choices

• At least 1 foot: 1 foot is less than the law requires.
• At least 5 feet: The handbook's figure is 2 feet, not 5 feet.
• At least one car length: The rule is measured in feet to the side, not car lengths.

Do not park within 25 feet of the curb line of an intersecting street. If there is no curb, stay 15 feet from the intersecting right of way lines.

Wrong choices

• No closer than 10 feet: 10 feet is too close; the limit is 25 feet.
• No closer than 15 feet: 15 feet applies only where there is no curb.
• No closer than 50 feet: The handbook sets 25 feet, not 50 feet.

Signal at least the last 100 feet before turning or stopping. Where the speed limit is 45 mph or more, signal at least the last 200 feet before turning.

Wrong choices

• At least 50 feet: 50 feet is not enough warning at any speed.
• At least 100 feet: 100 feet is the minimum where the limit is under 45 mph.
• At least 500 feet: The handbook sets at least 200 feet at 45 mph or more.

Passing is unsafe and usually illegal at railroad crossings, at intersections in cities and towns, at marked rural intersections, on hills or curves without 500 feet of view, and where there is a solid yellow line in your lane.

Wrong choices

• On a straight road with a broken yellow line on your side and clear view: This is a place where passing is allowed when safe.
• On a multi-lane highway with two lanes going your way: Passing is allowed here when safe.
• On a one-way street with several lanes when it is safe: Passing is allowed here when safe.