Question 1 of 20Road signs
North Carolina road signs test: free practice
North Carolina road signs test: free practice with 20 sign questions.
Road-sign questions
Question 2 of 20Road signs
According to the North Carolina handbook, a stop sign is usually posted how far from the intersection?
Question 3 of 20Road signs
What does this sign tell you?
Question 4 of 20Road signs
When you reach this sign, what must you do?
Question 5 of 20Road signs
What does this sign mean?
Question 6 of 20Road signs
What lies ahead when you see this sign?
Question 7 of 20Road signs
You come to this sign. There is no stop line and no crosswalk. Where should you stop?
Question 8 of 20Road signs
What should you do when you see this sign?
Question 9 of 20Road signs
What does this sign tell you?
Question 10 of 20Road signs
Your lane has this sign over it. What must you do at the intersection?
Question 11 of 20Road signs
What is not allowed where this sign is posted?
Question 12 of 20Road signs
In North Carolina, on which side of the road is the yellow pennant no-passing sign placed?
Question 13 of 20Road signs
What does this sign tell you to do?
Question 14 of 20Road signs
What does this sign tell you?
Question 15 of 20Road signs
What does this sign mean?
Question 16 of 20Road signs
A crossing has only this sign, with no lights or gates. What should you do?
Question 17 of 20Road signs
What does this sign warn you about?
Question 18 of 20Road signs
What is this sign warning you about?
Question 19 of 20Road signs
What does this sign warn you about?
Question 20 of 20Road signs
What does this orange sign tell you?
1 of 20
Answer each question to see the explanation. Keyboard: A–D or 1–4 to answer, N next, P previous.
Answers and explanations (text version)
The correct answer to each question above, why it is right, and where it comes from. Try the test first.
Question 1: D. Turn around to go back the way you came
This sign bans U-turns. You may not turn around to go back the way you came at that spot.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 2: B. 6 to 50 feet
The North Carolina handbook says a stop sign is usually posted 6 to 50 feet from the intersection.
Handbook: Chapter 5: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings — Traffic Signs: Regulatory Signs
Question 3: D. The top legal speed when conditions are good
A speed limit sign shows the highest legal speed in good conditions. You may need to go slower when conditions are poor.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 4: C. Stop completely, then go when it is safe
This is a stop sign. You must come to a full stop and move on only when the way is clear.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 5: A. You may not pass other vehicles here
This sign means do not pass. You must not pass other vehicles on this part of the road.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 6: C. A series of curves
The wavy arrow means a winding road with a series of curves. Keep your speed down until it straightens.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 7: B. Before you enter the intersection, where you can see
With no stop line or crosswalk, stop before you enter the intersection at a point where you can see traffic coming.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 8: B. Slow down and get ready to stop
This sign warns of a stop sign ahead. Slow down so you can stop at it.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 9: D. There is a traffic light ahead
This sign warns of a traffic light ahead. Be ready to stop if it is yellow or red.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 10: C. Turn left
A left turn only sign means every vehicle in that lane must turn left at the intersection.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 11: D. Turning left
This sign bans left turns. You may go straight or turn right if those moves are allowed.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 12: A. The left side
The pennant sign stands on the left side of the road and points to where the no-passing zone begins.
Handbook: Chapter 5: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings — Traffic Signs: Warning Signs
Question 13: C. Pass to the right of the island ahead
A keep right sign means you must pass to the right of the island, divider or object ahead.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 14: C. A school is near and children may cross
This school sign means a school is near and children may be crossing. Slow down and obey any school speed limit.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 15: D. You may not park here
This is a no parking sign. You may not leave your car parked in the area it covers.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 16: D. Look both ways and stop if a train is near
Treat a crossbuck like a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen, and stop if a train is near.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 17: A. People may be crossing the road ahead
This pedestrian crossing sign warns that people may be crossing. Slow down and yield to anyone in the crosswalk.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 18: D. The bridge ahead is narrower than the road
The narrow bridge sign means the bridge is narrower than the road. Slow down and watch for oncoming vehicles.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 19: A. A yield sign is coming up
This sign warns of a yield sign ahead, so slow down and be ready to give way.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 20: B. There is road work ahead, so slow down
Orange signs are for work zones. This one warns of road work ahead, so slow down and stay alert.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Work zone signs
North Carolina has a separate traffic signs test. US regulatory and warning signs as shown in the North Carolina Driver Handbook and NCDMV's Regulatory Signs and Warning Signs PDFs; the signs test asks applicants to identify signs by color and shape and explain each. 16 correct (80%) is our practice mark, not an official pass mark.
United States road signs and what they mean
Our own simplified drawings of the signs learners meet most. The full list, with meanings, is in the United States sign library; the official reference is the North Carolina Driver Handbook.
Regulatory signs
Come to a complete stop at the line, crosswalk or intersection edge, then go only when the way is clear.
Slow down and let traffic and pedestrians that have the right-of-way go first, stopping if needed.
The highest legal speed on this road under ideal conditions.
You must not drive into this road or ramp from this direction.
You are driving against traffic; stop safely and turn around.
Traffic on this road moves only in the direction of the arrow.
Left turns are not allowed here.
Right turns are not allowed here.
Turning around to go back the way you came is not allowed here.
You may not turn while the signal is red, even after stopping.
Pass to the right of the island or obstruction ahead.
Overtaking other vehicles is not allowed on this stretch.
You may not park here; stopping briefly to load or unload may still be allowed where local rules say so.
Vehicles in this lane must turn left.
Marks the crossing itself; yield to any train and stop if one is coming.
Warning signs
Marks the start of a stretch where passing is not allowed; it sits on the left side of the road.
The road bends gently to the right ahead; slow down before the bend.
The road turns sharply right ahead; slow down a lot before the turn.
A series of bends lies ahead; keep speed down until the road straightens.
Another road crosses yours ahead; watch for traffic from both sides.
A road joins from the right ahead; expect vehicles entering.
The road you are on ends ahead at a crossing road; be ready to turn left or right.
Traffic from another lane or ramp will join yours ahead; adjust speed so both can merge safely.
The right lane ends ahead; drivers in it must move left when safe.
A median will separate the two directions of traffic ahead; keep right of it.
The median ends ahead and traffic in both directions will share one road.
You are leaving a one-way road; oncoming traffic will use the same road ahead.
There is a traffic light ahead; be ready to stop.
A stop sign is coming up; slow down and prepare to stop.
A yield sign is coming up; slow down and be ready to give way.
People may be crossing ahead; slow down and yield to anyone in the crosswalk.
A school is near and children may be crossing; slow down and obey any school speed limit.
A railroad crossing is ahead; slow down, look and listen for trains.
The surface gets slick in rain; slow down and avoid sudden braking or steering.
Deer often cross here, especially at dawn and dusk; slow down and watch the roadsides.
A steep downgrade is ahead; check your speed and use a lower gear.
The bridge ahead is narrower than the road; slow down and watch for oncoming vehicles.
Marks the outside of a sharp curve and shows the direction to steer.
Temporary signs
Construction is ahead; slow down, expect changes and obey work-zone signs.
A worker is directing traffic ahead; follow their signals.
People are working on or next to the road; slow down and give them space.
The usual route is closed; follow the detour signs in the arrow direction.