North Carolina DMV Practice Tests

Reading the North Carolina driving manual will only get you so far. The next step is practice tests like the North Carolina driver's license renewal test. Learn how to get your North Carolina driver's license with our series of practice tests.

Your North Carolina DMV Practice Tests

We've arranged several NC DMV practice tests for your convenience. Please pick the one below that fits your needs the best.

FREE Practice Tests

Your North Carolina DMV Handbooks

Before you take a practice test make sure you've reviewed the North Carolina drivers handbook. You will be tested on this content! Find them online below:

Review your Handbook

+ Frequently Asked Questions

We've gathered a list of frequently ask questions by North Carolina drivers. Please click to expand.
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North Carolina Driver's License Resources

Whether you’re getting ready to take your learner’s permit written test for the first time, studying to get a motorcycle endorsement so you can ride your new bike, or preparing for your CDL exam to drive a commercial vehicle, we’ve gathered a wealth of resources and knowledge to help you obtain your driving credentials.

All Drivers

If you’re renewing a license that has been expired for longer than a year, or if you’re applying for reinstatement after a suspension, you may have to retake the written exam in order to obtain your license.

Free Practice Tests

Driver's License practice tests
Learner's Permit practice tests
Motorcycle Endorsement practice tests
CDL practice tests
Road Signs and Signals practice tests

Resources for all drivers

Read the official North Carolina driver’s manual
Check out our frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a driver’s license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Buy a driver’s license renewal test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Read our driving safety articles

North Carolina DMV quick links for all drivers

North Carolina DMV home page
Renewal information
DMV locations
License and permit fees
License forms and applications

New & Teen Drivers

In order to apply for a driver license in North Carolina, you must be at least 16 years of age, pass a series of written exams including traffic signs, regulatory signs, and driving knowledge, and pass a road test. If you are 16 years of age or under, you are subject to the graduated licensing process, which begins with a limited learner permit. You must be between 15 and 18 years old, complete an approved driver education course, pass the written exams, and have a Driving Eligibility Certificate or high school diploma or equivalent in order to apply for a limited learner permit. You must be between 16 and 18 years old, have held a limited learner permit for at least 12 months, complete a Driving Log to Advance to Level 2, and pass a road test in order to advance the limited learner permit to a limited provisional license. You must have held the limited provisional license for at least 6 months in order to advance a limited provisional license to a full provisional license. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a regular Class A, B, or C license.

Resources for new & teen drivers

Read the official North Carolina driver’s manual
Take one of our free learner’s permit practice tests
Check out our new & teen driver frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a learner’s permit test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Buy a driver’s license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Check rates or buy car insurance

North Carolina DMV quick links for new & teen drivers

Driver license and learner permit information
Graduated license information
Driver license knowledge exam and road test requirements

New-to-State Drivers

New North Carolina residents have 60 days after establishing residency in the state to obtain a North Carolina driver license or learner permit. A new resident applying for a North Carolina driver license may be required to take the vision screening, knowledge exams, or road test, as the examiner deems necessary.

Resources for new-to-state drivers

Read the official North Carolina driver’s manual
Take one of our free driver’s license practice tests
Check out our new-to-state frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a new-to-state driver’s license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Check rates or buy car insurance

Motorcycles

In order to apply for a motorcycle endorsement in North Carolina, you must be at least 18 years of age, hold a valid full provisional, regular, or commercial driver license, pass a vision screening, pass the traffic signs and motorcycle knowledge exams, and pass a motorcycle road test. If you less than 18 years of age, you are required to hold a motorcycle learner permit in order to operate a motorcycle. In order to apply for a motorcycle learner permit, you must be at least 16 years of age, hold a full provisional or regular driver license, pass a motorcycle driver education course administered by either the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program, pass a vision screening, and pass the traffic signs and motorcycle knowledge exams.

Resources for motorcyclists

Read the official North Carolina motorcycle manual
Take one of our free motorcycle license practice tests
Check out our motorcycle license frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a motorcycle license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
New-to-state motorcycle insurance

North Carolina DMV quick links for motorcycles

Motorcycle endorsement and permit information

CDL

You must have a valid Commercial Driver License (CDL) or Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) to drive a commercial motor vehicle in North Carolina. In order to apply for a CDL, you must hold a CLP for at least 14 days and pass a road test. In order to apply for a CLP, you must be at least 18 years of age, hold a valid Class A, B, or C driver license, and pass the knowledge exams.

Resources for CDL

Read the official North Carolina CDL manual
Take one of our free CDL practice tests
Buy a CDL test paid cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Check rates or buy CDL insurance

North Carolina DMV quick links for CDL

CDL information

North Carolina DMV Driving Test Info

How many questions are on the written test?

There are 25 questions on the test.

How many questions must you get right?

You must answer at least 20 questions correctly in order to pass.

If you fail when can you retake the test?

You can retake the test again in 1 day.

How many times can you retake the test?

There is no limit on the number of times you can retake the written test.

Who has to take the written test? Teens of what ages?

Anyone who is getting their driver’s license for the first time must pass the written test. Teens can take the test if they are at least 16 years old and have held a driving permit for at least 6 months. If they’re under 18 years of age, they will also need parental consent.

Are you required to take the written test when renewing, and if so every time you renew or just sometimes? What are the conditions if just sometimes?

You do not have to retake the written test when you renew your license unless it has been expired for more than             1 year.

If you’re new to state are you required to take the written test?

Yes, even if you hold a valid driver’s license from another state, or a license that has not been expired for more than 1 year, you are still required to take written knowledge and road sign tests when obtaining your North Carolina driver’s license.

Who has to take the behind the wheel / on-road driving test?

Anyone who is getting their driver’s license for the first time must pass both the written and driving tests. Additionally, you will also be required to re-pass both tests if your driver’s license has expired and you want to renew it.

North Carolina DMV Motorcycle Permit Test Info

How old must you be to take the written test?

You must be at least 16 years old and have either a full provisional license or a regular driver’s license before you can take the test. If you are under 18 years of age you must also have parental consent.

How many questions are on the test?

There are 25 questions on the test.

How many must you get correct to pass?

You must answer at least 20 questions correctly in order to pass.

What are the permit restrictions for motorcycles?

You cannot drive on highways, drive during hours of darkness, or carry any passengers.

Do you need to take an on-road motorcycle driving test?

Yes, you are required to pass a practical on-road motorcycle skill test in order to get your motorcycle license.

Are there any other state specific age requirements or restrictions for motorcycles?

Drivers under the age of 18 are required to complete a course offered by either the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) or the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program before they can receive a motorcycle endorsement.

What is the helmet law is this state?

All operators and passengers of a motorcycle are required to wear a protective helmet meeting state-approved safety standards at all times while operating or riding on the motorcycle, regardless of their age.

North Carolina Watercraft Written Safety Test Info

Is there such a test in the state?

Yes; boaters of a certain age in North Carolina are required to have a boat safety certificate and must complete a boating safety class approved by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Additionally, boaters also have the option of taking an online safety course such as those offered by either Boat-Ed.com or BoatUS.org.

Who has to take the test?

All boaters who are under 26 years of age and older must complete a NASBLA certified boating education course in order to operate a motorboat with more than 10 HP on North Carolina waterways.

How many questions are on the test?

North Carolina boating safety courses are administered by a variety of different organizations, and testing requirements may vary for each one. You can find information on how to locate an approved safety course on the State Police website, which you may then use to contact the instructor of a course near you for more specific information regarding testing requirements.

The online safety courses generally have 60 questions on the test.

How many must you get correct to pass?

You must answer at least 70% (42 questions) correctly on the online test in order to pass.

 
 
Drivers License Practice Packages
License Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
 
Basic Practice
unlimited
50
No
$9.95
Continue
Advanced Practice
unlimited
100
$19.95
Continue
Our Test
1
20
 
No
no cost
Continue
north carolina Drivers License Practice Packages
License Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers License Package Price
 
Basic Practice
unlimited
50
No
$9.95
Continue
Advanced Practice
unlimited
100
$19.95
Continue
Our Test
1
20
 
No
no cost
Continue
north carolina Drivers License Practice Packages
License Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers License Package Price
 
Basic Practice
unlimited
50
No
$9.95
Continue
Advanced Practice
unlimited
100
$19.95
Continue
Our Test
1
20
 
No
no cost
Continue
Motorcycle Permit Practice Packages
Motorcycle Permit Practice Packages
Test Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
State Specific Questions
 
Basic Practice
$9.95
unlimited
50
Continue
Advanced Practice
$14.95
unlimited
100
Continue
Our Test
no cost
1
15
 
Continue
Drivers License Practice Packages
CDL Package Price
CDL Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
State Specific Questions
 
Basic Practice
$9.95
unlimited
50
Continue
Advanced Practice
$14.95
unlimited
100
Continue
Our Test
no cost
1
20
 
Continue
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