Free practice tool

NC DMV Road Sign Test Practice

The NC sign test isn't multiple choice. You look at a sign and explain it. Practice exactly that: look, say it out loud, then check.

Sign 1 of 120 right so far

What do this shape and color tell you? Say it out loud first.

Keyboard: Space shows the answer, then 1 if you had it or 2 if not.

How the NC sign test works

NCDMV's sign test covers regulatory and warning signs. You identify each sign by its color and shape and explain what it means, out loud, with no answer choices to pick from. It is its own part of the permit visit, alongside the written knowledge test and the vision screening.

NCDMV doesn't publish how many signs you'll be asked about or how many you can miss. Start with the shapes and colors, because they tell you what kind of sign you're looking at, then work through the regulatory and warning sets until you can explain each one without peeking.

The set covers the regulatory and warning signs on pages 86 and 87 of the handbook, picture signs such as deer crossing and slippery when wet included. The drawings are simplified, so check the real sign sheets below too.

Read the full guide to NC road signs →

Every sign in this practice set

Shapes and colors

Red octagon
Stop. The eight-sided shape is used for stop signs only: come to a full stop and go on only when the way is clear. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 83)
Red and white triangle, point down
Yield. Slow down and give the right of way, and stop if traffic on the other road means you have to wait. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 83)
Yellow diamond
A warning about the road ahead. Drive with extra care. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
Orange diamond
A construction or maintenance area ahead. Drive with extra care. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
Yellow pennant on the left side of the road
The start of a no-passing zone. It backs up the white DO NOT PASS sign rather than replacing it. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
Round yellow sign
A railroad crossing ahead. Slow down, and stop if necessary to be sure you can clear the tracks. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
White X-shaped sign
The railroad crossing itself. Stop whenever a flagger, signal or gate shows a train is coming. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
Five-sided sign (pentagon)
A school zone or school crossing. Watch for children, and in many school zones expect a lower speed limit during school hours. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 85)
White rectangle with black lettering
A regulatory sign: a rule you must obey, such as a speed limit or a turn you may not make. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 83)
Green rectangle
A guide sign with directions and distances, such as an exit or a mileage sign. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 85)
Blue sign
Services, such as a nearby hospital, Highway Patrol station or rest area. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 85)
Brown sign
A guide sign to a park or recreation area, such as a state park. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 85)

Regulatory signs

Stop
Come to a full stop at the stop line, or before the crosswalk or intersection if there is no line. Go on only when the way is clear. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 83)
Yield
Slow down and give the right of way to traffic on the road you are entering. Stop if you have to wait for it to pass. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 83)
Speed Limit
The highest speed allowed on this stretch of road, here 50 mph. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Do Not Enter
You may not drive into this road or ramp from where you are, usually because traffic on it comes toward you. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
No Left Turn
Left turns are not allowed here. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
No Right Turn
Right turns are not allowed here. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
No U Turns
You may not make a U-turn here. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
No Turns
No turns in either direction. Go straight. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Left Turn Only
Traffic in this lane must turn left. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
One Way
Traffic on this road moves only in the direction of the arrow. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Keep Right
Stay to the right of the median or obstacle ahead. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Keep Left
Stay to the left of the obstacle ahead. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Do Not Pass
Passing other vehicles is not allowed from here. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Pass With Care
The no-passing zone has ended. You may pass, but only when it is safe. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Slower Traffic Keep Right
If you are driving slower than the traffic around you, use the right lane. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Keep Off Median
Do not drive or stop on the median. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Left Lane Must Turn Left
If you are in the left lane, you must turn left at the intersection ahead. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Railroad Crossing (crossbuck)
Marks the railroad crossing itself, with a sign below it when there is more than one track. Stop when a flagger, signal or gate shows a train is coming, and stay stopped until it is safe. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
Do Not Stop On Tracks
Never stop on a railroad track, for any reason. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
No Bicycles
Bicycles are not allowed on this road. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Thru & Left
Traffic in this lane may go straight or turn left. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
Reserved Parking (handicap)
The space is reserved for people who qualify for and display a handicap license plate or dashboard placard. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 83)
Emergency Parking Only
You may stop or park here only in an emergency. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
One Hour Parking
Parking is limited to one hour between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The arrows show the rule applies on both sides of the sign. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)
No Parking, Bus Stop
No parking here: the space in the direction of the arrow is a bus stop. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 86)

Warning signs

Signal Ahead
There is a traffic light ahead, possibly out of sight. Be ready to stop. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Stop Ahead
A stop sign is ahead that a curve or other objects may hide. Slow down and get ready to stop. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
Yield Ahead
A yield sign is ahead. Slow down and be ready to give the right of way. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Merging Traffic
Traffic from another road will join your lane ahead. Watch for it and adjust your speed so it can merge. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Lane Drop
A lane ends ahead. Traffic in that lane has to merge into the one beside it. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Divided Highway
The road ahead becomes a divided highway, with a median between the two directions. Keep to the right of the median. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Divided Highway Ends
The median ends ahead, so traffic from the other direction will be in the lane beside yours with nothing between you. Keep right. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Two Way Traffic
Traffic ahead travels in both directions, and oncoming cars will be in the lane beside you. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Low Clearance
A bridge or other structure ahead is only as high as shown, here 12 feet 6 inches. Taller vehicles cannot fit under it. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
No Passing Zone (pennant)
A no-passing zone starts here. The pennant sits on the left side of the road, points to where the zone begins, and backs up the DO NOT PASS sign. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
Right Turn
The road turns sharply to the right ahead. Slow down before you reach the turn. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Curve Right
The road curves to the right ahead. Slow down before the curve. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Winding Road
A series of curves ahead. Slow down and stay in your lane. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Side Road
Another road joins yours from the side ahead. Watch for vehicles turning in or out. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Cross Road
A road crosses yours ahead. Watch for traffic from both sides. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Soft Shoulder
The edge of the road is soft and may not hold a car. Stay off the shoulder unless you must use it. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Railroad Crossing (advance warning)
A railroad crossing is ahead. Slow down, and stop if necessary to be sure you can clear the crossing safely. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
Road Closed Ahead (work zone)
Orange marks a construction or maintenance area. The road is closed 1,500 feet ahead, so get ready to follow the detour. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
School Zone
A school zone. Watch for children, and in many school zones expect a lower speed limit during school hours. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 85)
School Crossing
A school crosswalk. Watch for children crossing and be ready to stop for them. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Pedestrian Crossing
People may be crossing the road ahead. Slow down and be ready to yield to pedestrians. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 84)
Bike Crossing
Bicycles may be crossing or riding on the road ahead. Watch for cyclists and give them room. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Cattle Crossing
Cattle may be on or crossing the road ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Deer Crossing
Deer may cross the road ahead. Slow down and watch both sides of the road. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Farm Machinery
Slow farm vehicles such as tractors may be on the road ahead. Be ready to slow down behind them, and pass only when it is safe. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Hill
A steep downhill grade ahead. Slow down before the descent and keep your speed under control. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Slippery When Wet
The road ahead is slippery when wet. In rain, slow down and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)
Side Road (at an angle)
Another road joins yours at an angle ahead. Watch for vehicles turning in or out. (NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026), p. 87)

Official NCDMV study sheets

Sign drawings are simplified for practice. Names and meanings follow the NC Driver's Handbook (April 2026). Always confirm current rules with NCDMV.