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  • 0  (4 mistakes allowed to pass)

Free North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2025

Avg. pass rate on our NC tests: 38%.
Average pass rate for this test: 11%.
Hard
6 min
70% fail this test first try • Better here than at DMV
Score distribution:
90-100=>13%
80-89=>20%
70-79=>26%
60-69=>23%
<60%=>18%
Avg. first-try score: 70%
Perfect for:
Learner’s permit applicants
First‑time adult applicants

To legally drive in NC, you’ll need to pass what is commonly referred to as the DMV permit test. It’s also known as the NC permit test, driving test, DMV written test, driver’s license test, or simply the driver’s test. There are 25 questions on the North Carolina learner’s permit test, and you must answer 20 of them correctly to achieve the 80% passing score you need to get your permit. In order to pass the knowledge test, you will need to study the handbook, and it will also help to take practice tests. To help you prepare, we’ve designed this NC DMV practice test – use it as your first step to prepare for the official exam. Covering essential road signs and rules questions directly from the official 2025 NC Driver Handbook, this practice test is a reliable way to prepare for your NC permit test. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or looking to renew, our permit practice test is designed to mimic the structure and content of the official exam, setting you up for success. This practice test is current for December 2025, offering a comprehensive preparation tool that simulates the actual NC driver’s license test.

Tricky exam topics covered here:
Night Driving
Passing Rules
Fog & Low Visibility
Free North Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2025
NC DMV driver's license
Original questions by our team Based on 2025 NC Driver Handbook
2 NC students practicing right now 2 NC students online now
•17 tests completed today statewide
Steven Litvintchouk, M.S., Chief Educational Researcher at Driving-Tests.org

Reviewed for legal and handbook accuracy

Steven Litvintchouk

M.S., Chief Educational Researcher (ACES member)

Last verified for accuracy on

Andrei Zakhareuski, Co-founder & CEO, Driving-Tests.org

Test design and learning experience oversight

Andrei Zakhareuski

Co-founder & CEO, Driving-Tests.org

Questions are created and maintained by the Driving-Tests.org content team following our multi-layer editorial process and updated whenever the North Carolina DMV changes its handbook or website information. Official sources we check: 

How to use this practice test

  1. Start here. One of 4 free North Carolina tests. ~6 min. Read explanations as you go.
  2. Cover more ground. All tests have different questions - no repeats.
  3. Finish strong. Try the Exam Simulator for a full-length run.

Why this works

  • Exam-like questions from the current handbook + questions most people get wrong. Explanations cite the manual.
  • AI Assistant explains like a friend.
  • Performance Insights shows where you need work.
  • Challenge Bank™ saves your mistakes for targeted practice.

Actual DMV permit test: What to expect?

The North Carolina permit test has 25 questions. You must get 20 correct (80%) to pass.
  • Where: Any North Carolina DMV office (find locations)
  • Bring: ID + SSN + residency proof + permit/license fee (see checklist)
  • If you fail: Retake in 7 calendar days.
  • Top reasons for failure: headlight usage and when to turn them on, yielding to pedestrians and bicyclists.
  • Ready to schedule? Book your NC DMV appointment

Real North Carolina drivers who passed first try

Verified student reviews • Shared with permission

This really works!
I was stressed because I didn’t pass my first time but the second time I used driving-tests.org to study and I passed!
A
I felt so prepared going in there.
Took my time and almost all the questions asked in the test were in the practice tests. The diagnostic tests were also so helpful! I passed and so grateful for this resource!
R
I passed the exam without any problem.
Hello, I passed even if I was afraid at the beginning since my level of understanding in English was not really high, but thanks to you I successfully passed my exam in just one attempt. Your website helped me a lot and I would be grateful.
T

About the North Carolina learner permit

As North Carolina has a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) Program, there are several types of learner’s permits. The youngest age at which you may be eligible to drive a vehicle with a Limited Learner Permit, which will only allow you to drive when supervised, is 15 years old. It will cost $20, and in addition to other requirements, you will need to pass a knowledge test. There are several requirements for each phase of the GDL program, so check the 2025 North Carolina Driver’s Handbook or NCDOT website before you apply.

We know what it takes to pass. And we’ve got the proof.

Driver’s Ed is - nobody wants to set foot inside the DMV. That’s why millions of learners trust us for simple, visual, effective prep.

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We are an officially recognized FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training provider and a proud partner to over 2,500 libraries. We work with safety organizations like GHSA and the National Safety Council to help create safer roads for everyone.

A smarter way to study

Challenge Bank™

Our trademarked system automatically saves questions you miss, creating personalized tests that target your weak spots until you’ve mastered the material.

AI-powered feedback

Get smarter as you study. Our new AI-powered feedback provides detailed, question-level insights to help you understand the why behind each answer.

Interactive handbook

Go beyond the boring black-and-white manual. Our interactive handbook lets you read, listen with an MP3 audio version, or even chat with it to find the information you need, faster.