Free North Carolina DMV Practice Test 2026 (NC)

Question 1

If your car runs off the road onto the shoulder, you should:

Accepted Answer

Gradually take your foot off the gas pedal.

Answer

Quickly shift to a lower gear.

Answer

Brake firmly and evenly.

Answer

Apply the emergency brake.

Question 2

If your car runs off the pavement at 40 mph, you should:

Accepted Answer

Gradually take your foot off the gas pedal.

Answer

Steer sharply to the left.

Answer

Quickly shift to a lower gear.

Answer

Brake hard and drive straight ahead.

Question 3

On which of the following roads is a car most likely to skid?
I. One covered with packed snow.
II. One with freshly laid pavement.

Accepted Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 4

When you need to stop on an icy road, you should:

Accepted Answer

Lightly pump the brake pedal.

Answer

Apply the handbrake.

Answer

Brake firmly.

Answer

Brake in short, strong bursts.

Question 5

What should you do if your car begins to skid?
I. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid.
II. Ease off the gas pedal.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Only II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 6

What should you do to recover from a skid?

Accepted Answer

Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the rear-end skid.

Answer

Turn the steering wheel to the right.

Answer

Hold the steering wheel firmly in one direction.

Answer

Turn the steering wheel in the direction opposite to the skid.

Question 7

What should you do to recover from a skid?

I. Brake gently and keep holding the brake pedal.
II. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the rear-end skid.

Accepted Answer

Only II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 8

What should you do at the start of a skid?
I. Apply the brakes.
II. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the rear-end skid.

Accepted Answer

Only II

Answer

Only I

Answer

Both I and II

Answer

Neither I nor II

Question 9

In which of the situations shown in the diagram are traffic accidents most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

D

Answer

A

Answer

B

Answer

C

Question 10

Which car in the diagram must yield the right of way?

Accepted Answer

D

Answer

A

Answer

B

Answer

C

Question 11

Traffic accidents most frequently occur:

Accepted Answer

At intersections.

Answer

On hills.

Answer

On curves.

Answer

On bridges.

Question 12

The intersection in the diagram has no traffic lights or signs. In what order should the cars cross the intersection?

Accepted Answer

Car A, Car B, Car C.

Answer

Car B, Car C, Car A.

Answer

Car C, Car A, Car B.

Answer

Car C, Car B, Car A.

Question 13

If the cars in the diagram approach the intersection at the same time, which car has the right of way?

Accepted Answer

Car 2.

Answer

Car 1.

Answer

Car 3.

Answer

None of the cars clearly has the right of way.

Question 14

Which black arrow in the diagram shows the safest path for crossing the intersection?

Accepted Answer

D

Answer

A

Answer

B

Answer

C

Question 15

In the situation shown, who has the right of way?

Accepted Answer

Both the driver of Car 1 and the pedestrians.

Answer

Only the driver of Car 1.

Answer

Only the driver of Car 2.

Answer

Only the pedestrians.

Question 16

The intersection shown in the diagram has no traffic lights or signs. By law, who has the right of way?

Accepted Answer

Car B.

Answer

Only Car A.

Answer

Car A, followed by Car B.

Answer

Car B, followed by Car A.

Question 17

If the cars in the diagram approach the intersection at the same time, which car has the right of way?

Accepted Answer

Car 2.

Answer

Car 1.

Answer

Car 3.

Answer

None of the cars has a clear right of way.

Question 18

When approaching an unmarked intersection with limited visibility due to trees or buildings, you should:

Accepted Answer

Stop before the intersection and move forward slowly.

Answer

Drive at the posted speed limit.

Answer

Stop in the middle of the intersection and proceed if safe.

Answer

Slow down and honk to warn drivers who may not see you.

Question 19

What should you pay attention to when driving on a city street?
I. Cars emerging from side streets.
II. Animals or small children who may run out from behind parked cars.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II.

Answer

Only I.

Answer

Only II.

Answer

Neither I nor II.

Question 20

When driving in heavy traffic, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

Watch for drivers who brake suddenly.

Answer

Yield to pedestrians only at marked crosswalks.

Question 21

If you are in the wrong lane to make a left turn at an intersection, you should:

Accepted Answer

Go to the next intersection and make the turn there.

Answer

Reverse and move into the correct lane for the turn.

Answer

Wait until all cars leave the intersection and then make the turn.

Answer

Signal to the driver in the adjacent lane to let you turn in front of them.

Question 22

Which of the following statements about secondary roads is correct?

I. Sight distances are often very short.
II. Grades and curves are often steeper than on primary roads.

Accepted Answer

Both I and II.

Answer

Only I.

Answer

Only II.

Answer

Neither I nor II.

Question 23

What is the most common type of traffic accident on interstates?

Accepted Answer

Rear-end collision.

Answer

Side collision.

Answer

Running off the road.

Answer

Head-on collision.

Question 24

When planning a long trip on the interstate, you should:

Accepted Answer

Plan to stop at a rest area every 100 miles.

Answer

Allow for several hours of night driving to avoid heavy traffic.

Answer

Both A and B.

Answer

Neither A nor B.

Question 25

While driving on the interstate, a breakdown forces you onto the shoulder. You should:

Accepted Answer

Raise the hood and tie a white cloth to the left door handle.

Answer

Stay in the car until help arrives.

Answer

Tie a cloth to the left door handle and stand by the left front fender.

Answer

Raise the hood and stand behind the car to make yourself visible to oncoming drivers.

North Carolina DMV Practice Test 2026 – Test #4

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