North Carolina DMV Practice Test
Practice North Carolina road signs, traffic laws and safe-driving rules with questions based on the official North Carolina Driver Handbook
Choose your test and click to begin:
Start with the free 10-question North Carolina practice test. Then move on to the full 25-question mock test when you’re ready.
Choose from a set of practice quizzes tailored to different topics, difficulty levels, and test formats. All tests are completely free and can be taken as many times as you need.
Quick Test
10 North Carolina knowledge-test practice questions for a quick review.
Full Mock Test
25-question North Carolina practice test. Aim for at least 20 correct to pass.
Study Mode
Work through North Carolina permit test questions with explanations as you go.
Road Signs Drill
Practice North Carolina road signs, signals, traffic controls, and pavement markings.
North Carolina permit test quick facts
Number of questions
25
Passing score:
20/25 (80%)
Time limit:
Not stated
Fees:
$25.50
Minimum age:
15
GDL minimum requirement:
Hold Level 1 permit for 9 months and complete at least 60 driving hours, including 10 at night
North Carolina Permit Test FAQs
How many questions are on the real North Carolina permit test?
The NCDMV permit test contains 25 questions plus a separate test on road signs.
What score do I need to pass?
You must answer at least 20 of the 25 questions correctly.
How much does the North Carolina knowledge test cost?
The North Carolina Level 1 Limited Learner Permit currently costs $25.50.
Can I take the North Carolina permit test online?
NCDMV does not currently list a general at-home option for completing the official written knowledge and traffic-sign tests. Applicants complete the required tests as part of the driver-license office process.
What should I bring to the North Carolina DMV office?
For the L1 permit, bring one document proving identity and date of birth, proof of your Social Security number, one document proving North Carolina residency, your Driving Eligibility Certificate and your Driver Education Certificate. A parent or guardian must normally be present for the tests.
What happens if I fail?
If you fail the North Carolina knowledge test or driving test for a regular Class C license, you may retake it after seven calendar days.
Are these practice tests based on the North Carolina State Driver Handbook?
Yes. These practice questions are designed to help you study topics covered by the official North Carolina Driver Handbook, including traffic laws, safe-driving practices, road signs and driver responsibilities.
What is in the practice permit test?
Our short tests consist of 10 questions and are perfect for quick refreshes when you only have a few minutes. Our full practice tests have 25 questions for which you'll need to correctly answer 20 to pass. All tests use the same question database, where the questions are selected at random from these categories:
- Occupant Protection
- Traffic Controls
- Laws and Rules of the Road
- Visual Search
- Lane Control
- Turns
- Parking
- Safe Driving Practices
- Vehicle Positioning
- Sharing the Road
- Special Driving Situations
- Handling Emergencies
- Driver Readiness
- Alcohol and Drugs
- Additional Driving Laws/Rules
How to best use these practice tests
Follow these steps for the most effective study experience:
Read the North Carolina Driver Handbook
This is the primary official study source for traffic laws, highway signs, vehicle handling and safe-driving information.
Begin with shorter quizzes
Start with road signs, lane rules, and right-of-way. These build strong foundational knowledge.
Move to full-length 25-question tests
These help you practice maintaining concentration throughout a full-length test.
After tests are scored, review the correct answers carefully
Understanding why an answer is correct improves retention.
Retake tests until you consistently score above the passing threshold
Retake the practice tests until you consistently score comfortably above the North Carolina 80% passing threshold.
Additional Recommended Resources
Use our links to review other resources that are available elsewhere.
Useful resources
Always refer to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles for the latest testing requirements, permit fees, required documents and Graduated Driver Licensing rules.
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