North Carolina Driver License: Driver Safety, Seat Belts and Child Safety

28 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Driver Safety, Seat Belts and Child Safety. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver has a mild cold with a slight headache and a runny nose but feels well enough to run errands nearby. What effect does even this kind of minor illness have on driving?

It affects vision but not reaction time
It only affects driving ability at night
It makes the driver less alert and slower to respond
None, minor illness doesn't affect driving ability

Answer: C — It makes the driver less alert and slower to respond

Even short illnesses like a cold, headache or flu reduce alertness and slow reaction time.

2. Traveling at 55 mph, about how long does it take a vehicle to cover the length of a football field?

5.2 seconds
1.5 seconds
7 seconds
3.7 seconds

Answer: D — 3.7 seconds

At 55 mph a vehicle covers a football field's length in about 3.7 seconds, which shows how little time a drowsy driver has to react.

3. A driver on a long highway trip realizes they can't remember the last few miles and catches themselves drifting toward the rumble strip. What does this indicate?

Normal behavior on long trips that needs no response
A sign the tires need alignment
A sign of distracted driving rather than drowsiness
A warning sign of drowsy driving

Answer: D — A warning sign of drowsy driving

Not remembering recent miles and drifting toward a rumble strip are listed as warning signs of drowsy driving.

4. A driver starts to feel drowsy on a long trip and pulls over to rest before continuing. Which combination is recommended to help temporarily?

Driving through the night since traffic is lighter
Opening the window slightly for fresh air
A 15 to 45 minute nap along with caffeine
Turning up the radio volume

Answer: C — A 15 to 45 minute nap along with caffeine

Stopping for a 15 to 45 minute nap along with caffeine is named as a way to temporarily counter drowsiness.

5. A 17-year-old is driving down the road when their phone rings. Under North Carolina law, may they answer it?

Yes, but only for calls under one minute
No, drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone while the vehicle is moving, except to call 911 in an emergency
Yes, hands-free calls are always allowed
No, but texting is allowed once stopped at a red light

Answer: B — No, drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone while the vehicle is moving, except to call 911 in an emergency

Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or related technology at all while the vehicle is moving, with the sole exception of calling 911 in an emergency.

6. Which activity is illegal for every driver in North Carolina, regardless of age?

Eating a sandwich while driving
Adjusting the radio while driving
Texting or e-mailing while driving
Talking to a passenger while driving

Answer: C — Texting or e-mailing while driving

Texting or e-mailing while driving is illegal for everyone, while the other listed activities are risky distractions but not named as illegal for all drivers.

7. A school bus driver's phone rings while driving a route with children aboard. What does the law say about using it?

Not allowed to use a phone while driving
Allowed if done hands-free
Allowed only in emergencies
Allowed but the driver must pull over within two minutes

Answer: A — Not allowed to use a phone while driving

School bus drivers may not use a phone while driving, with no stated exception.

8. A driver's phone rings on the highway during a non-emergency. What is the recommended way to handle it?

Answer quickly and keep the call short
Prop the phone on the dashboard and talk hands-free while glancing at it
Text the caller back to say you are driving
Let it ring and call back once stopped

Answer: D — Let it ring and call back once stopped

Letting the phone ring and calling back after stopping is the recommended practice.

9. A driver has had a few drinks at a party, and a friend suggests a strong cup of coffee before driving home will sober them up. Is this correct?

Yes, if combined with a cold shower
No, only eating a full meal will sober a person up
No, only time sobers a person up
Yes, coffee metabolizes alcohol quickly

Answer: C — No, only time sobers a person up

Only time sobers a person up; coffee, a meal, or a cold shower will not.

10. In terms of its effect on the body, what category of drug is alcohol?

Hallucinogen
Depressant
Analgesic
Stimulant

Answer: B — Depressant

Alcohol is a depressant, slowing brain function and the ability to respond or decide quickly.

11. A driver who has been drinking believes they can handle the road better than they actually can. What effect of alcohol does this describe?

Better night vision
Increased alertness
Improved reaction time
False confidence

Answer: D — False confidence

Alcohol gives false confidence, making a drinking driver overestimate their own ability.

12. Over a lifetime of driving, about what is the chance of being seriously injured or killed in a crash?

One in ten
One in twenty
One in two
One in three

Answer: D — One in three

Over a driving lifetime, the chance of serious injury or death in a crash is about one in three.

13. A car's front seats have automatic shoulder harnesses built in. Does the driver still need to buckle the separate lap belt?

Yes, the lap belt must be worn too
No, the shoulder harness alone is sufficient
Only when driving on highways
Only if a passenger is present

Answer: A — Yes, the lap belt must be worn too

Even with automatic shoulder harnesses, the lap belt must still be worn.

14. A newspaper carrier delivers papers along a route, making frequent stops and never driving faster than 20 mph between them. Is this carrier required to wear a seat belt during that activity?

Only the passenger, not the driver, is exempt
Yes, the seat belt law has no exceptions
No, this qualifies for an exemption from the seat belt law
Only if delivering more than 50 papers

Answer: C — No, this qualifies for an exemption from the seat belt law

Drivers or passengers making frequent stops or deliveries at no more than 20 mph between stops are exempt from the seat belt law.

15. A family is riding in a motor home equipped with cooking facilities, refrigeration, a toilet, and heating. A passenger is relaxing in the rear living area, not in the driver or front passenger seat. Does the seat belt law require that passenger to buckle up?

No, motor-home occupants other than the driver and front passengers are exempt when the motor home has enough qualifying features
No, motor homes are never covered by the seat belt law at all
Yes, everyone in the vehicle must wear a belt
Yes, unless the motor home is parked

Answer: A — No, motor-home occupants other than the driver and front passengers are exempt when the motor home has enough qualifying features

Motor-home occupants other than the driver and front passengers are exempt when the motor home has at least four of the listed features, such as cooking, refrigeration, a toilet, and heating.

16. A vehicle occupant has a documented medical condition that prevents them from being restrained by a seat belt. What does this mean for their obligation under the seat belt law?

They must ride in the back seat instead
They are not allowed to ride as a passenger
They must still wear the belt but may loosen it
They are exempt from the seat belt requirement

Answer: D — They are exempt from the seat belt requirement

A driver or occupant with a medical condition or certified phobia that prevents restraint is exempt from the seat belt law.

17. A car has an active passenger-side front air bag and a usable rear seat. Where should a 3-year-old weighing 30 pounds ride, using a standard restraint not designed for a front air bag?

In the front seat, rear-facing
In the front seat, facing forward
In the rear seat
Either seat is fine as long as buckled

Answer: C — In the rear seat

With an active passenger-side front air bag and a rear seat available, a child under 5 and under 40 pounds must ride in the rear seat unless the restraint is designed for a front air bag.

18. A 6-year-old child weighs 75 pounds. What does the law require for securing this child while riding?

No restraint is required once a child turns 5
A regular seat belt alone is sufficient regardless of a child restraint
A booster seat is prohibited at this weight
A weight-appropriate child restraint, since the child is under 8 and under 80 pounds

Answer: D — A weight-appropriate child restraint, since the child is under 8 and under 80 pounds

A child under 8 and under 80 pounds must ride in a weight-appropriate child restraint.

19. Every seating position with a lap-and-shoulder belt is already occupied, and a 7-year-old weighing 60 pounds still needs a seat. What is permitted here?

The child may ride unrestrained since no other seat is available
The child must sit on an adult's lap instead
The child may use a properly fitted lap belt alone
The trip cannot legally continue

Answer: C — The child may use a properly fitted lap belt alone

If no seating position with a lap-and-shoulder belt is free, a child under 8 weighing 40 to 80 pounds may use a properly fitted lap belt alone.

20. A booster seat is being used to help an adult seat belt fit a child correctly. Where should the lap portion of the belt sit?

Snugly across the hips
It doesn't matter as long as the shoulder belt is correct
Across the stomach
Across the upper thighs only, not engaging the lap belt

Answer: A — Snugly across the hips

An adult belt fits properly with a booster only when the lap portion sits snugly across the hips, not the stomach.

21. Roughly how many out of ten children killed while unrestrained could have been saved by a properly used, crash-tested car seat?

Nine
Three
Seven
Five

Answer: C — Seven

Properly used, crash-tested seats could save seven of ten children killed while unrestrained.

22. A parent is installing a rear-facing infant car seat and is deciding between the back seat and the front passenger seat, which has an active air bag. Where should the infant seat go?

The front passenger seat, since it's more convenient
The rear seat; a rear-facing seat must never go in front of an active passenger air bag
The front seat, but only if pushed back as far as possible
Either seat, as long as the air bag is manually disabled

Answer: B — The rear seat; a rear-facing seat must never go in front of an active passenger air bag

A rear-facing infant seat must never be placed in front of a passenger air bag.

23. A 10-year-old child is riding in a car equipped with air bags. Where should this child sit?

Buckled in the rear seat
In the rear seat, unbuckled, since air bags aren't in the back
In the front seat, buckled, with the seat moved forward
In the front seat, unbuckled, since air bags provide protection

Answer: A — Buckled in the rear seat

Children 12 and under ride buckled in a rear seat.

24. A motorcyclist buys a helmet with a stick-on DOT sticker attached, but no permanent manufacturer's label inside and no evidence of a firm inner liner. Does this helmet meet legal requirements?

Yes, as long as it covers the whole head
No, a novelty helmet with a stick-on DOT sticker does not comply
No, only full-face helmets are legal
Yes, any helmet with a DOT sticker is compliant

Answer: B — No, a novelty helmet with a stick-on DOT sticker does not comply

A novelty helmet with a stick-on DOT sticker does not comply with the required FMVSS 218 standard, which needs a firm inner liner, a manufacturer-applied DOT symbol, and a permanent manufacturer's label.

25. A 10-year-old rides in the open bed of a pickup truck during a parade, with no adult present in the bed. Is this permitted?

No, exceptions never apply during parades
Yes, but only for children over 12
Yes, riding in the bed during a parade is one of the recognized exceptions
No, only agricultural use is exempt from the rule

Answer: C — Yes, riding in the bed during a parade is one of the recognized exceptions

Children under 16 may ride in an open pickup bed when the truck is in a parade, among the other listed exceptions.

26. A driver is cited for allowing a 14-year-old to ride in an open pickup bed without meeting any of the legal exceptions. What is the consequence of this ticket?

Automatic suspension of the driver's license
A misdemeanor with points added to the license
A $25 infraction with no court costs, points or insurance surcharge
A $200 fine plus court costs

Answer: C — A $25 infraction with no court costs, points or insurance surcharge

The ticket for this violation is a $25 infraction with no court costs, points, or insurance surcharge.

27. A driver leaves a toddler in a parked car on a sunny day with a window cracked open while running into a store briefly. About how much hotter can the inside of the vehicle get compared to outside?

70 to 80 degrees
40 to 50 degrees
5 to 10 degrees
15 to 20 degrees

Answer: B — 40 to 50 degrees

In sun, a parked vehicle's inside can run 40 to 50 degrees hotter than outside, even with a window cracked.

28. A car is left running in a driveway during a snowstorm with snow piled up around the tailpipe. What danger does this create for the occupants inside?

The doors may freeze shut
Carbon monoxide can be pushed into the car
The battery drains faster
The engine overheats immediately

Answer: B — Carbon monoxide can be pushed into the car

Snow blocking the exhaust can push odorless, deadly carbon monoxide into the car while it warms up.