On an ordinary North Carolina street inside municipal limits, no different speed limit has been set or posted. What is the default maximum?
Correct answer: 35 mph.
The statutory default inside municipal limits is 35 mph unless another lawful limit applies. Conditions can require a lower safe speed; the default is not permission to ignore hazards.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-141(a), (b)(1), (d)-(f): Speed restrictions; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
You are driving a passenger car outside North Carolina municipal limits where no different speed limit has been established. What is the default maximum?
Correct answer: 55 mph.
The default outside municipal limits is 55 mph for an ordinary passenger car. Different posted limits and conditions still govern; special school-bus limits are outside this scenario.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-141(a), (b)(2), (d)-(f): Speed restrictions; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A same-direction bicyclist is neither turning nor signaling left, and all other passing requirements are satisfied. Under North Carolina's exception to a marked no-passing restriction, what minimum gap is required if your car does not completely enter the left lane?
Correct answer: At least 4 feet between the vehicles.
This limited exception requires at least four feet of separation OR complete entry into the left lane, together with every other condition in G.S. 20-150(e). It is not permission to pass with obstructed sight distance, an oncoming conflict or another applicable prohibition.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-150(a)-(f), especially (e)(1)-(5): Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
No signs or markings prescribe a different turn path. Under North Carolina's general rule, how should you approach and make an ordinary right turn?
Correct answer: As close as practicable to the right curb or roadway edge.
The general rule places the right-turn approach and turn as close as practicable to the right curb or edge. Follow any official directions that modify the path, and check that the turn is safe.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-153(a), (c): Turning at intersections; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
For a left turn at an intersection with no special directions modifying the turn, which approach lane does North Carolina's general rule require?
Correct answer: The leftmost lane lawfully available to traffic moving in your direction.
Approach in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available for your direction. This does not mean entering an oncoming lane, and official turn-path directions can modify the general method.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-153(b), (c): Turning at intersections; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A hazard makes driving below a posted minimum speed necessary for safe operation. Does North Carolina's minimum-speed rule require you to maintain that minimum anyway?
Correct answer: No; necessary slowing for safe operation or compliance with law is excepted.
The statute preserves an exception when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or compliance with law. Do not keep an unsafe speed merely to match a posted minimum.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-141(g), (h): Speed restrictions; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
On a street with a 35 mph speed limit, your planned turn may affect another vehicle. For at least how much of the approach must you signal continuously?
Correct answer: The last 100 feet before the turn.
For this situation, maintain the signal continuously for the last 100 feet before turning. You must also make sure the movement can be completed safely; signaling does not give priority.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-154(a), (b): Signals on starting, stopping or turning; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
You are traveling at 30 mph on a road whose speed limit is 45 mph. Another vehicle may be affected by your turn. How far before turning must your continuous turn signal begin?
Correct answer: At least 200 feet before the turn.
The 200-foot rule depends on the area's speed limit being 45 mph or higher, not on your current speed. Continue to check that the turn itself is safe.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-154(a), (b): Signals on starting, stopping or turning; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
Two cars going straight reach an uncontrolled intersection from different roads at about the same time. You are the driver on the left. What must you do?
Correct answer: Yield to the car on your right.
When vehicles approach or enter from different roads at approximately the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. This scenario has no officer or traffic control establishing a different priority.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-155(a): Right-of-way; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
You plan to turn left into a driveway. An oncoming car is close enough to be an immediate hazard, and no traffic control gives you priority. What is required?
Correct answer: Yield to the oncoming car before turning across its path.
A left-turning driver must yield to an opposing vehicle that is within the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. The rule also applies to left turns into driveways, private roads and alleys.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-155(b): Right-of-way; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
You are about to enter a highway from a private driveway. Who has the right-of-way under North Carolina's entry rule?
Correct answer: Vehicles approaching on the highway you will enter.
A driver entering or crossing a highway from a driveway, private road, alley or building entrance must yield to all approaching vehicles on that highway. Do not treat the driveway as an equal-priority intersection.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-156(a): Exceptions to the right-of-way rule; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
At the end of a block in a residential district, a pedestrian is using the regular crossing formed by the sidewalk boundaries. There are no painted crosswalk lines, officers or traffic controls. What must a driver do?
Correct answer: Yield to the pedestrian in that crossing.
In the stated setting, the statutory crossing can be formed by the continuation of sidewalk boundaries even without paint. Yield to the pedestrian; the question excludes intersections controlled by officers or traffic-direction devices.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-155(c): Right-of-way; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A properly marked school bus is stopped to load passengers on an undivided two-lane road. Its red lights are flashing, but its stop arm has not extended. What must an approaching driver do?
Correct answer: Stop fully; the flashing red lights are enough to trigger the duty.
For a properly marked bus stopped to receive or discharge passengers, the law applies when the mechanical stop signal OR flashing red lights are displayed. Do not wait for both devices or for a child to enter the road.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-217(a), (b), (c): Motor vehicles to stop for properly marked and designated school buses; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
You stopped behind a properly marked school bus loading children. Its stop arm is now withdrawn and its red stoplights are off, but the bus has not started moving. May you pass under the school-bus rule?
Correct answer: No; remain stopped until the bus also starts to move.
G.S. 20-217(a) requires the stop signal to be withdrawn, red stoplights turned off, AND the bus to have started moving before you proceed. Continue to watch for children and other hazards even when those conditions are met.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-217(a), (b): Motor vehicles to stop for properly marked and designated school buses; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A properly marked school bus is stopped for passengers with red lights flashing on the opposite roadway of a highway separated by a physical barrier. What does North Carolina's school-bus law require of you?
Correct answer: It does not require your opposite-direction vehicle to stop for that bus.
The law excepts opposite-direction traffic on a separate roadway across an intervening space or physical barrier. This does not excuse traffic approaching the bus on its own roadway, and other hazards may still require slowing or stopping.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-217(a)-(c): Motor vehicles to stop for properly marked and designated school buses; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A road has one through lane in each direction plus a shared center left-turn lane. A properly marked school bus opposite you is stopped for passengers with red lights flashing. Must you stop?
Correct answer: Yes; this three-lane layout does not qualify for the center-lane exception.
A center left-turn lane counts for this exception only when there are at least four additional lanes. One through lane each way plus the center lane is not enough, so opposite-direction traffic must stop in this scenario.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-217(a)-(c): Motor vehicles to stop for properly marked and designated school buses; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A road has two through lanes in each direction plus a center left-turn lane. A properly marked school bus on the opposite side stops for passengers with red lights flashing. Which statement is correct?
Correct answer: Opposite-direction traffic is excepted from stopping for that bus.
The center left-turn lane qualifies because this road has at least four additional lanes. The exception is for opposite-direction traffic across the separation, not for drivers following the bus.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-217(a)-(c): Motor vehicles to stop for properly marked and designated school buses; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A 17-year-old driver is moving on a public road and wants to make a hands-free call to a friend about a movie. Is hands-free use an exception to North Carolina's under-18 phone ban?
Correct answer: No; the age-specific rule also covers hands-free calls.
The statutory phone definition includes hands-free calling. A routine call to a friend is not one of the listed exceptions; the moving-vehicle ban applies to drivers under 18, regardless of the time they have held a license.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-137.3(a)(2), (b), (d): Unlawful use of a mobile phone by persons under 18 years of age; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
Which voice call is expressly excepted from North Carolina's age-specific moving-vehicle phone ban for a driver under 18?
Correct answer: A call solely to communicate with the driver's parent.
The age-specific statute expressly excepts communication solely with a parent, legal guardian or spouse, along with specified emergency communications. This legal exception is not a recommendation to drive distracted; separate texting rules still apply.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-137.3(b), (d): Unlawful use of a mobile phone by persons under 18 years of age; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
An adult is driving a moving passenger car on a public road. Does North Carolina's text-and-email rule permit reading a normal text message just because it was saved on the phone before the trip?
Correct answer: No; the rule covers stored as well as newly transmitted messages.
The rule prohibits reading ordinary email or text messages stored in or transmitted to the phone while operating in this moving-vehicle scenario. The law has specific exceptions, but an old saved message is not one of them.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-137.4A(a)(2), (b): Unlawful use of mobile telephone for text messaging or email; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
An adult rides in the rear seat of a passenger car manufactured with seat belts. The car is moving forward on a public street, and no statutory exception applies. Must the adult wear the belt?
Correct answer: Yes; the requirement includes rear-seat occupants.
The ordinary seat-belt requirement covers each occupant, not just front-seat occupants, while the vehicle moves forward on a street or highway. The scenario expressly excludes the statute's specific exceptions.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-135.2A(a), (c): Seat belt use mandatory; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A 7-year-old child weighing 60 pounds rides in an ordinary car with an available lap-and-shoulder-belt seating position. No statutory exception applies. What does North Carolina require?
Correct answer: A properly used, weight-appropriate child passenger restraint system.
A child under 8 AND under 80 pounds must use a weight-appropriate child restraint, such as a suitable booster when appropriate for the child and restraint instructions. The narrow lap-belt-only provision does not apply to the available seating stated here.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-137.1(a), (a1), (b): Child restraint systems required; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A driver transports a 14-year-old in an ordinary seat-belt-equipped car, with no exception applying. Whose duty under North Carolina's child-restraint statute is it to ensure that the passenger is properly secured?
Correct answer: The driver transporting the child.
The statute places the duty on every driver transporting passengers younger than 16 to have them properly secured in an appropriate restraint or seat belt. It is not shifted away merely because a child is a teenager or a parent is absent.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-137.1(a), (b): Child restraint systems required; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
When North Carolina law requires you to stop at a railroad grade crossing, how far from the nearest rail must the stop be?
Correct answer: At least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet.
A required railroad stop must be within 50 feet of the nearest rail but not closer than 15 feet. Stay stopped until crossing is safe and continue to obey the applicable warnings.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-142.1(a): Obedience to railroad signal; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
Rail maintenance equipment is plainly approaching a crossing close enough to be a hazard. Does North Carolina's railroad-stop statute apply even though no conventional train is present?
Correct answer: Yes; it expressly includes on-track equipment.
Current G.S. 20-142.1 covers railroad trains AND on-track equipment. Plainly visible equipment in hazardous proximity is an independent stop condition; the older handbook's quoted statute omits that wording.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-142.1(a)(1)-(4): Obedience to railroad signal; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
During daytime rain, your windshield wipers are running continuously as you drive on a highway. What lighting does North Carolina require?
Correct answer: Lighted headlamps and rear lamps.
The wiper provision requires headlamps and rear lamps when wipers are used for the specified conditions. This scenario uses continuous rain wiping; the statute separately excepts intermittent wiping in misting rain, sleet or snow, without cancelling other lighting duties.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-129(a)(4): Required lighting equipment of vehicles; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
Separate from the weather-and-wiper provision, North Carolina requires lights when insufficient light prevents clearly seeing a person on the highway at what distance ahead?
Correct answer: 400 feet.
The insufficient-light provision uses 400 feet. The statute has separate sunset-to-sunrise and weather/wiper requirements; do not confuse this particular threshold with the separate 500-foot severe-visibility language.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-129(a)(2), distinguished from (a)(4): Required lighting equipment of vehicles; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
An ambulance approaches with lights and siren on a two-way undivided street. No officer directs you otherwise. What must you do?
Correct answer: Pull as far right as possible, clear of intersections, and stop until it passes.
Move to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right edge or curb, clear of intersections, then remain stopped until the ambulance passes unless lawfully directed otherwise. The separate opposite-direction divided limited-access-highway exception is not this scenario.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-157(a): Approach of emergency vehicles; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
A police vehicle is stopped within 12 feet of the roadway with warning lights on. You are in the nearer of two lanes in your direction and can change lanes safely without interfering with traffic. No official directs otherwise. What is required?
Correct answer: Move into the lane farther from it and stay there until safely clear.
When the stated lane-change conditions are met, move out of the lane nearest the stopped authorized vehicle and remain in the farther lane until safely clear. Slowing is the specified alternative when there is only one lane or a safe lane change cannot be made.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-157(f)(1), with (f)(2) distinction: Approach of emergency vehicles - move over; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
You approach a stopped ambulance within 12 feet of the road with warning lights on. Traffic prevents a safe move to the farther lane, and no official directs otherwise. What must you do?
Correct answer: Reduce to a safe speed and be prepared to stop until completely past it.
If a lane change cannot be made safely without interfering with traffic, slow to a safe reduced speed and be ready to stop until completely past the authorized vehicle. Do not force an unsafe lane change.
Source: North Carolina General Statutes, G.S. 20-157(f)(2), with (f)(1) distinction: Approach of emergency vehicles - move over; current enacted text reviewed September 13, 2026 ↗
