North Carolina Driver Knowledge Tests
Every North Carolina course, the agency that gives the test, and the shape of each test.
- Licensing Agency
- North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles
- Learner's Permit Test
- 37 questions in 2 parts — Signs: 12 questions, 9 to pass; Rules of the Road: 25 questions, 20 to pass.
- Motorcycle Test
- 25 questions, 20 correct to pass.
- CDL General Knowledge
- 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Learner's Permit
The rules of the road plus North Carolina's own licensing rules, permit conditions and penalties.
517 questions37 questions in 2 parts — Signs: 12 questions, 9 to pass; Rules of the Road: 25 questions, 20 to pass.
Motorcycle
The motorcycle knowledge test for North Carolina: gear, controls, curves, traffic, hazards, passengers, and alcohol.
108 questions25 questions, 20 correct to pass.
CDL General Knowledge
The commercial license general knowledge test: the federal rules for commercial driving that every CDL program follows, in every state and DC.
282 questions50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
CDL Hazardous Materials (H)
The CDL Hazardous Materials (H) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
180 questions30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
CDL Air Brakes
The CDL Air Brakes knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
64 questions25 questions, 20 correct to pass.
CDL Passenger (P)
The CDL Passenger (P) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
60 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
CDL School Bus (S)
The CDL School Bus (S) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
49 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
CDL Tank Vehicle (N)
The CDL Tank Vehicle (N) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
50 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
CDL Doubles/Triples (T)
The CDL Doubles/Triples (T) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
45 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
North Carolina Permit Test Facts
| Test | Questions | Passing Score | Who Gives It | Agency Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learner's Permit | 37 | Signs: 9 correct; Rules of the Road: 20 correct | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles | NCDMV |
| Motorcycle | 25. North Carolina doesn't publish an official question count or pass mark; 25 questions with 20 to pass is our practice format, based on the most widely reported format.25. DetailsNorth Carolina doesn't publish an official question count or pass mark; 25 questions with 20 to pass is our practice format, based on the most widely reported format. | 20 correct. North Carolina doesn't publish an official question count or pass mark; 25 questions with 20 to pass is our practice format, based on the most widely reported format.20 correct. DetailsNorth Carolina doesn't publish an official question count or pass mark; 25 questions with 20 to pass is our practice format, based on the most widely reported format. | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles | NCDMV |
| CDL General Knowledge | 50. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.50. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 40 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).40 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles | NCDMV |
| CDL Hazardous Materials (H) | 30. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.30. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 24 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).24 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles | NCDMV |
| CDL Air Brakes | 25. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.25. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 20 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).20 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles | NCDMV |
| CDL Passenger (P) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles | NCDMV |
| CDL School Bus (S) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles | NCDMV |
| CDL Tank Vehicle (N) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles | NCDMV |
| CDL Doubles/Triples (T) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles | NCDMV |
Permit Tests in Other States
ALAlabama Permit TestAKAlaska Permit TestAZArizona Permit TestARArkansas Permit TestCACalifornia Permit TestCOColorado Permit TestCTConnecticut Permit TestDEDelaware Permit TestDCDistrict of Columbia Permit TestFLFlorida Permit TestGAGeorgia Permit TestHIHawaii Permit TestIDIdaho Permit TestILIllinois Permit TestINIndiana Permit TestIAIowa Permit TestKSKansas Permit TestKYKentucky Permit TestLALouisiana Permit TestMEMaine Permit TestMDMaryland Permit TestMAMassachusetts Permit TestMIMichigan Permit TestMNMinnesota Permit TestMSMississippi Permit TestMOMissouri Permit TestMTMontana Permit TestNENebraska Permit TestNVNevada Permit TestNHNew Hampshire Permit TestNJNew Jersey Permit TestNMNew Mexico Permit TestNYNew York Permit TestNDNorth Dakota Permit TestOHOhio Permit TestOKOklahoma Permit TestOROregon Permit TestPAPennsylvania Permit TestRIRhode Island Permit TestSCSouth Carolina Permit TestSDSouth Dakota Permit TestTNTennessee Permit TestTXTexas Permit TestUTUtah Permit TestVTVermont Permit TestVAVirginia Permit TestWAWashington Permit TestWVWest Virginia Permit TestWIWisconsin Permit TestWYWyoming Permit Test
Official Links
Questions
Common Questions
Who gives the driver knowledge test in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. Check its website for fees, documents and whether you need an appointment.
How many questions are on the North Carolina permit test?
37
What is the passing score on the North Carolina permit test?
Signs: 9 correct; Rules of the Road: 20 correct
Does North Carolina have a motorcycle knowledge test?
Yes. North Carolina doesn't publish an official question count or pass mark; 25 questions with 20 to pass is our practice format, based on the most widely reported format. North Carolina also requires a separate road sign identification test.
Which CDL tests can I practice for North Carolina?
CDL General Knowledge and the CDL Hazardous Materials (H), CDL Air Brakes, CDL Passenger (P), CDL School Bus (S), CDL Tank Vehicle (N), CDL Doubles/Triples (T). The CDL tests are federal, so the questions are the same in every state and DC.