North Carolina Driver License: Sharing the Road and DMV Services

28 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Sharing the Road and DMV Services. Free, no account needed.

1. A cyclist who has had several drinks decides to ride a bicycle home instead of driving. Which of these applies to their ride?

DWI laws do not apply because a bicycle has no engine
DWI laws apply only to motor vehicles, so they cannot apply to a bicycle
DWI laws apply only if they are riding in a marked bike lane
DWI laws apply to them just as they would to a driver

Answer: D — DWI laws apply to them just as they would to a driver

Bicycles are treated as vehicles, so their riders must obey the same laws as drivers, including DWI laws.

2. A driver approaches a cyclist riding at the right edge of a two-lane road, and there is oncoming traffic in the other lane. What should the driver do?

Wait until there is abundant clearance and no oncoming traffic, then pass with a full lane change
Slow down and pass within the lane without changing lanes, since the cyclist is near the edge
Flash the headlights to signal the cyclist to move onto the shoulder before passing
Sound the horn and pass within the same lane, since the cyclist is keeping right

Answer: A — Wait until there is abundant clearance and no oncoming traffic, then pass with a full lane change

A cyclist may only be passed with abundant clearance and no oncoming traffic, using a full lane change as in a normal pass.

3. What is required for a bicycle to be legally visible at night?

A front light visible from 200 feet and a rear red light visible from 300 feet
A front light visible from 300 feet and a rear red light or reflector visible from 200 feet
A front light visible from 500 feet and a rear reflector visible from 100 feet
Reflectors on the wheels and pedals only, with no front or rear light required

Answer: B — A front light visible from 300 feet and a rear red light or reflector visible from 200 feet

A bicycle needs a front light visible 300 feet away and a rear red light or reflector visible 200 feet away.

4. A 14-year-old is about to ride a bicycle on a public street. What is required?

A helmet only if riding on a road with a posted speed limit above 35 mph
An approved helmet, worn while seated on a saddle
A helmet only if riding without an adult present
A helmet is recommended but not legally required until age 16

Answer: B — An approved helmet, worn while seated on a saddle

Riders under 16 must wear an approved helmet and ride seated on a saddle.

5. Walking along a rural road with no sidewalk, which side should a pedestrian use?

The left side, facing oncoming traffic
The side with the widest shoulder, regardless of traffic direction
Either side, as long as visible clothing is worn
The right side, walking with the flow of traffic

Answer: A — The left side, facing oncoming traffic

Pedestrians should walk on the left, facing oncoming traffic, so they can see approaching vehicles.

6. In cities, roughly what share of people killed in traffic crashes are pedestrians?

About one out of every two
About two out of every five
About one out of every twenty
About one out of every ten

Answer: B — About two out of every five

In cities, roughly two of every five traffic deaths are pedestrians.

7. Driving next to a large truck, you notice you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror. What does this mean?

The driver can still see you, since truckers sit twice as high as you do
You have already cleared the truck's blind spot
You are at a safe following distance from the truck
You are in the truck's No-Zone and the driver cannot see you

Answer: D — You are in the truck's No-Zone and the driver cannot see you

If a car's driver cannot see the trucker in the side mirror, the trucker cannot see the car either, meaning the car is in a No-Zone.

8. How much clear road should a driver allow before passing a vehicle that is towing a trailer?

A full mile
About 200 feet
About 20 feet
Up to half a mile

Answer: D — Up to half a mile

Passing a towed trailer safely requires up to half a mile of clear road.

9. Braking suddenly while towing a trailer can cause what hazard?

The trailer's tires lose air pressure
The trailer's brakes overheat and fail
The tow hitch disconnects
The trailer can jackknife

Answer: D — The trailer can jackknife

Sudden braking while towing a trailer can cause the trailer to jackknife.

10. A truck ahead signals a left turn. Why should a driver be cautious about passing it right then?

It may be setting up a wide swing before making the turn
Its rear wheels track wider than the front even on straight roads
It is about to brake suddenly for a stop sign
It is likely changing lanes to the right first

Answer: A — It may be setting up a wide swing before making the turn

A truck signaling a left turn may need to swing wide first, so a driver should check before passing.

11. How should a driver pass a motorcycle traveling in the same lane ahead?

Change lanes fully, as when passing a car, since the motorcycle is entitled to the full width of its lane
Straddle the lane line while passing to give partial clearance
Pass within the lane, staying close to the shoulder side
Pass only after the motorcycle moves to the edge of the lane

Answer: A — Change lanes fully, as when passing a car, since the motorcycle is entitled to the full width of its lane

A motorcycle is entitled to the full width of its lane, so it should be passed with a full lane change, as with a car.

12. A moped is riding on the right side of the lane ahead. How much clearance should a driver leave when passing it?

At least two feet to the left
At least one foot to the left
At least four feet to the left
No specific clearance, just avoid contact

Answer: A — At least two feet to the left

A moped should be passed with at least two feet of clearance to the left so the windstream does not upset the rider.

13. In a crash between a car and a motorcycle in North Carolina, who is usually found at fault?

The motorcycle rider, for exceeding the speed limit
The car driver, who usually says they did not see the rider
The motorcycle rider, for lane-splitting
Fault is split evenly between both parties

Answer: B — The car driver, who usually says they did not see the rider

About two-thirds of North Carolina motorcycle crashes involve a car, and the car driver is usually at fault, usually claiming not to have seen the rider.

14. What helmet standard must a moped rider's helmet meet?

DOT 4, with a full face shield
Snell M2020 certification only
Any bicycle helmet meeting ANSI standards
FMVSS 218, with the strap secured

Answer: D — FMVSS 218, with the strap secured

Moped riders and passengers must wear a helmet meeting the FMVSS 218 standard with the strap secured.

15. A two- or three-wheeled vehicle has a 50 cc engine with no external shifting and tops out at 30 mph. How is it classified?

A low-speed vehicle exempt from registration
A moped
A motorcycle
A motor-driven cycle requiring a motorcycle endorsement

Answer: B — A moped

A vehicle with two or three wheels, a motor no larger than 50 cc with no external shifting, and a 30 mph top speed is defined as a moped.

16. What is the minimum age to ride a moped on North Carolina roads?

14, with a learner's permit
15, with a moped-specific permit
16, with a valid North Carolina license or ID card
18, with no license required

Answer: C — 16, with a valid North Carolina license or ID card

Moped riders must be at least 16 and hold a valid North Carolina license or ID card.

17. Trash blows out of the open bed of a moving pickup truck onto the roadway. Who is legally responsible?

The driver
No one, since it was accidental
The registered owner, if different from the driver
The passenger who loaded the truck bed

Answer: A — The driver

When litter is thrown or blown from a vehicle, the driver is held responsible.

18. A driver is caught littering for a second time within three years. What fine range applies?

$100 to $500
$500 to $2,000
$1,000 to $5,000
$250 to $1,000

Answer: B — $500 to $2,000

A second littering offense within three years carries a fine of $500 to $2,000.

19. What does a certified copy of a driving record cost?

$16.75
$18
$12.75
$29.50

Answer: B — $18

A certified copy of a driving record costs $18.

20. A court requires a driving record as part of a case. Which type of record do courts usually want?

The seven-year history only
The certified record
The non-certified full history
The address history

Answer: B — The certified record

Courts usually want the certified driving record.

21. Where must a vehicle's registration card be kept?

It is optional once the plate is displayed
With the vehicle's insurance company
In the vehicle at all times
At the owner's home address on file

Answer: C — In the vehicle at all times

The registration card must be kept in the vehicle at all times.

22. A crash causes injury to only one person. What is the minimum liability coverage required for that injury?

$750,000
$25,000
$60,000
$30,000

Answer: D — $30,000

The minimum required liability coverage for injury to one person is $30,000; the other figures cover all injuries in a crash, property damage, and commercial vehicles respectively.

23. A vehicle owner moves to a new address. Within how many days must they report the change and get duplicate cards?

15 days
90 days
60 days
30 days

Answer: C — 60 days

A name change or move must be reported within 60 days, with duplicate cards issued.

24. An owner's liability insurance lapses while their plate is still valid, and the lapse is reported. What can happen to the plate?

It can be revoked for 30 days plus fines
It is permanently revoked with no reinstatement
Nothing, as long as insurance is restored within a week
It is suspended for 90 days with no fines

Answer: A — It can be revoked for 30 days plus fines

A reported insurance lapse can lead to a 30-day plate revocation plus fines.

25. How far before a vehicle's registration expires can the required safety or safety-and-emissions inspection be done?

Within 30 days before expiration
Anytime during the registration year
Within 90 days before expiration
Within 12 months before expiration

Answer: C — Within 90 days before expiration

The inspection must be done within 90 days before the registration expires.

26. An owner is transferring a vehicle to a new buyer. Where must the title be signed?

On a separate bill of sale, notarization optional
At the DMV office only, before a clerk
On the back of the title, before a notary
On the front of the title, no witness required

Answer: C — On the back of the title, before a notary

The owner must sign section A on the back of the title before a notary to transfer a vehicle.

27. A vehicle fails its annual inspection. Within how many days can it be re-inspected at the same station without paying a new fee?

90 days
30 days
15 days
60 days

Answer: D — 60 days

A failed vehicle may be re-inspected at the same station within 60 days without a new fee.

28. A vehicle has aftermarket window tint installed before its inspection. What must the tint allow through, and what does it add to the inspection fee?

At least 50 percent of light, plus a $25 fee
At least 20 percent of light, plus a $10 fee
At least 35 percent of light, plus a $10 fee
At least 35 percent of light, with no extra fee

Answer: C — At least 35 percent of light, plus a $10 fee

After-factory window tint must let through at least 35 percent of light and adds a $10 inspection fee.