North Carolina Car / Permit practice
North Carolina Car / Permit: Road Signs practice test
Learn the shapes, colors, and meanings of regulatory, warning, and guide signs — from stop and yield to construction and school-zone signs.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
20 questions · pass with 16 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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Up to 20 questions on this topic, with feedback after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Road Signs questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. What is the correct meaning of a blue sign with a white letter 'H'?
Correct answer: A hospital with emergency medical services is nearby.
A hospital with emergency medical services is nearby. (This is the "Hospital" sign.)
2. What is the correct meaning of a white rectangular sign reading 'NO TURN ON RED'?
Correct answer: You may not turn while the traffic signal is red.
You may not turn while the traffic signal is red. (This is the "No Turn on Red" sign.)
3. What is the correct meaning of a black-and-white sign with a horizontal arrow reading 'ONE WAY'?
Correct answer: Traffic flows only in the direction the arrow points.
Traffic flows only in the direction the arrow points. (This is the "One Way" sign.)
4. What is the meaning of a downward-pointing triangular sign bordered in red and white?
Correct answer: Give the right of way, stopping if necessary
The inverted triangle is a yield sign. Slow down, give the right of way to traffic on the intersecting street, and stop if you must to let it pass.
5. Rectangular signs that are black-and-white or red-and-white generally serve to:
Correct answer: State speed limits and other rules you must obey
These regulatory signs state the traffic laws that apply, such as a posted speed limit or a NO U-TURN restriction. Ignoring them is both unsafe and illegal.
6. Signs with a blue background and white lettering usually point out:
Correct answer: Nearby services such as a hospital or telephone
Blue-and-white signs mark nearby services such as a hospital, a Highway Patrol station, or a telephone.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Guide/Informational Signs
7. A sign shaped like an eight-sided octagon with a red background tells you to do what?
Correct answer: Come to a full stop before proceeding
Only stop signs use the red octagon shape. You must come to a full stop and not move again until the way is clear.
8. When a diamond-shaped warning sign appears in orange rather than yellow, it warns of:
Correct answer: A construction or maintenance work area
Black lettering on an orange background is reserved for construction and maintenance zones. Drive with extra care and be ready for workers, equipment, or changed traffic patterns.
9. Green rectangular signs along a highway are used mainly to:
Correct answer: Provide directions and distances
Guide signs, often green, give directions and distances. If you are unsure of your route, pull safely onto the shoulder to read them rather than stopping in the road.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook — Guide/Informational Signs
10. What is the correct meaning of a red rectangular sign reading 'WRONG WAY'?
Correct answer: You are traveling against traffic — turn around; you entered the wrong way.
You are traveling against traffic — turn around; you entered the wrong way. (This is the "Wrong Way" sign.)
11. What is the correct meaning of a white sign with a diagonal arrow reading 'KEEP RIGHT'?
Correct answer: Keep to the right of a median, island, or obstruction.
Keep to the right of a median, island, or obstruction. (This is the "Keep Right" sign.)
12. A yellow, pennant-shaped sign posted on the left side of the road marks:
Correct answer: The beginning of a no-passing zone
The pennant points to the start of a no-passing zone and reinforces the rectangular DO NOT PASS sign. A solid yellow line will be in your lane.
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Every North Carolina question is written from the official North Carolina driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free