Free North Carolina DMV Practice Test 2026 (NC)

Question 1

What should you do if an oncoming driver doesn’t switch from high beams to low beams?
I. Focus on the road ahead and avoid looking at their headlights.
II. Flash your headlights once by briefly switching to high beams and back.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 2

While driving at night on the highway, you should never use high-beam headlights if you are:

Accepted Answer

Following another car.

Answer

Slowing down before a turn.

Answer

Driving on a road with no centerline.

Answer

Driving downhill.

Question 3

What should you do if it starts to drizzle while driving?
I. Reduce your speed because rain releases oil and gravel on the road.
II. At least double the normal following distance between vehicles.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 4

If you are driving in bad weather, what should you do?
I. Increase the distance between your car and the vehicle ahead.
II. Avoid using the right lane.

Accepted Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 5

Roads are especially slippery:

Accepted Answer

Right after it starts to rain or drizzle.

Answer

Immediately after new pavement is laid.

Answer

After it has rained for several hours.

Answer

During especially cold, dry weather.

Question 6

While driving in heavy fog, you should:

Accepted Answer

Reduce your speed.

Answer

Turn on your high-beam headlights.

Answer

Follow the car ahead closely.

Answer

Turn on your parking lights.

Question 7

During a heavy snowfall in the daytime, you should use:

Accepted Answer

Low-beam headlights.

Answer

Parking lights.

Answer

Four-way hazard lights.

Answer

High-beam headlights.

Question 8

What is the best way to achieve good traction on packed snow?

Accepted Answer

Install chains on your tires.

Answer

Use snow tires.

Answer

Lower the air pressure in your tires below the normal level.

Answer

Add extra weight to your trunk.

Question 9

What should you do when starting off in snow?
I. Turn the steering wheel slightly.
II. Increase your speed slowly.

Accepted Answer

Only II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 10

What should you do when starting off on a slippery surface with a manual transmission?
I. Use the lowest gear.
II. Engage the clutch suddenly.

Accepted Answer

Neither I nor II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Both I and II

Question 11

What should you do when starting on a slippery surface in a car with a manual transmission?
I. Start in second or a higher gear.
II. Accelerate suddenly.

Accepted Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 12

What should you do if your car gets stuck in the snow?
I. Place rags or sand under the rear or driving wheels.
II. Rock the car back and forth by shifting between forward and reverse gears.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 13

What should you do if your car gets stuck in the sand?
I. Get out and push the car.
II. Rock the car back and forth by shifting between forward and reverse gears.

Accepted Answer

Only II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 14

Which of the following statements about passenger vehicles is correct?
I. Too many passengers in the back seat can block the driver’s rearview vision.
II. As a general rule, four people is the maximum number who can sit in the front seat.

Accepted Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 15

What can overloading a car lead to?

I. A shorter braking distance.
II. Damage to the transmission and tires.

Accepted Answer

Only II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 16

What should you do when transporting a heavy load?

Accepted Answer

Allow more stopping distance.

Answer

Take sharper turns than usual.

Answer

Drive with your parking lights on.

Answer

Drive 15 mph below the speed limit.

Question 17

What should you do when towing a trailer down a long, steep hill?

I. Drive in a lower gear.
II. Drive in the right lane.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 18

If you flood the engine while trying to start the car, you should turn the ignition on and simultaneously:

Accepted Answer

Hold the gas pedal fully down.

Answer

Completely release the gas pedal.

Answer

Pump the gas pedal up and down.

Answer

Hold the gas pedal halfway down.

Question 19

What should you do if your brakes fail?
I. Shift to a lower gear.
II. Use the emergency brake.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 20

What can you do to dry wet brakes?
I. Turn on the heater.
II. Shift to a lower gear and apply light pressure to the brake pedal.

Accepted Answer

Only II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 21

What should you do if a tire blows out while driving at high speed?
I. Brake suddenly as soon as you notice the blowout.
II. Hold the steering wheel firmly to prevent swerving.

Accepted Answer

Only II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 22

What should you do when changing a flat tire?

Accepted Answer

Block the wheels.

Answer

Put the car in neutral.

Answer

Both of the above

Answer

Neither of the above

Question 23

What should you do if your car breaks down at night on the road?
I. Move the car completely off the road.
II. Turn on the high-beam headlights.

Accepted Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 24

What should you do if your car breaks down at night on the road?
I. Raise the hood and tie a white cloth to the left door handle.
II. Turn on the parking lights.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 25

What should you do if your car breaks down and you cannot move it off the road?
I. Stay inside the car.
II. Turn on the high-beam headlights.

Accepted Answer

Neither I nor II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Both I and II

North Carolina DMV Practice Test 2026 – Test #3

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