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- 6 topics from the North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook
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North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Practice Test
Every rider passes the NCDMV motorcycle knowledge test. Practice with 650+ questions for the North Carolina motorcycle knowledge test, written from the North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook.
- 37questions
- 29to pass (78%)
- $0full test here
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Road sign test
Know your signs
Full test
Full motorcycle test
- 37 questions · 29 to pass
- Graded at the end, like the real test
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Sample question
North Carolina motorcycle test
Intersections and being seen
Which part of the motorcycle should touch the curb when you park at the roadside?
Practice Intersections and being seen
Ride Within Your Abilities
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- Your results list each miss with its reason and its page in the manual.
Correct!
Park at a 90-degree angle with the rear wheel touching the curb.
Practice Intersections and being seen- Licensing, gear and checks
- Control and lane position
- Intersections and being seen
- Crash avoidance and hazards
- Passengers and group riding
- Alcohol, drugs and fatigue
North Carolina Motorcyclists' HandbookThirteenth Edition, September 2007checked Page numbers are the ones printed on the handbook pages; tap one to open the official PDF at that page. A PDF viewer counts the cover and the unnumbered pages too, so its page numbers run higher.
How the North Carolina motorcycle test works
Two ways to the endorsement
Every rider passes the NCDMV motorcycle knowledge test. The skills part is either the NCDMV motorcycle skills test or an approved alternative: a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic RiderCourse, approved military motorcycle training, or a valid out-of-state endorsement.
The learner permit
A learner permit lets you practice first but isn't required. You need a full provisional, regular or commercial license and must pass the knowledge, road sign and vision tests. It lasts 12 months and can be renewed once for six; riders 16 to 18 also need parental consent and a safety course.
Helmets for every rider
North Carolina law requires the operator and every passenger to wear a helmet that meets the federal FMVSS 218 standard, with the DOT symbol put on by the maker and a label inside giving the maker, model, size and year. North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook p. 4 to 7
Booking the tests
Motorcycle knowledge and skills tests are by appointment only. Skills tests run Tuesday to Thursday, weather permitting, at selected driver license offices, with one attempt a day; a course or accepted waiver replaces it.
Riding in North Carolina
Do motorcycle riders and passengers have to wear helmets in North Carolina?
Yes. Under state law, whoever rides, operator or passenger, wears a helmet that meets FMVSS 218. A compliant helmet carries the DOT symbol, put on by the manufacturer, and a permanent label inside with the maker, model, size and year; a DOT sticker added later doesn't make a novelty helmet compliant. p. 4 to 7
What counts as a moped in North Carolina, and who may ride one?
A two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a motor under 50cc, no external shifter and a top speed of 30 mph or less on level ground. No driver license is needed, but riders must be at least 16, wear a motorcycle helmet, and register the moped.
What alcohol test result costs a North Carolina rider their license on the spot?
An alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more (0.04 in a commercial vehicle) brings immediate revocation for at least 30 days. A conviction adds mandatory penalties, and impairment begins well below that limit. p. 40
Sources: NCDMV: Motorcycle & Moped Privileges
Rules from the North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook
From the Thirteenth Edition, September 2007 edition.
Licensing, gear and checks
- p. 2Licensing and Registration
Registering a motorcycle with the Division of Motor Vehicles gives you a license plate to place on the back of the motorcycle; keep it clean and readable.
- p. 4Helmet Use
North Carolina law requires the operator and all passengers on a motorcycle to wear a helmet that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218.
- p. 9Know Your Motorcycle
More than half of all crashes happen on motorcycles their riders have ridden for less than six months, so however experienced you are, ride extra carefully on any new or unfamiliar motorcycle.
- p. 10Check Your Motorcycle
Before mounting, check the tires (air pressure, wear and tread), oil and fluid levels (hydraulic fluids and coolants at least weekly) and look underneath for oil or gas leaks, test both headlight beams and the taillight, both turn signals, and that each brake control lights the brake light.
- p. 11Know Your Responsibilities
"Accident" suggests no one was at fault, but most people in a crash share some responsibility; a crash rarely has a single cause, blame doesn't matter once someone is hurt, and it's up to you not to cause, or be unprepared for, any crash.
- p. 42Earning Your License
To earn the license you pass a knowledge test, with questions drawn from the information, practices and ideas in the handbook, and an on-cycle skill test held either in real traffic or in a controlled, off-street area.
Crash avoidance and hazards
Passengers and group riding
- p. 34Equipment
To carry a passenger, have a seat big enough for both of you (without sitting farther forward than usual), passenger footpegs, and the same protective gear for the passenger as for the operator.
- p. 36Carrying Loads
Fasten loads with elastic cords or nets (more than one attachment point per side is more secure), since a tight load can't catch in the wheel or chain and rope stretches and its knots loosen; stop now and then to check that the load hasn't worked loose or moved.
Alcohol, drugs and fatigue
- p. 39–40Blood Alcohol Concentration
The body clears about one drink an hour, so at least the drinks beyond that stay in the blood: two drinks in an hour leave at least one, eight drinks in four hours at least four, and seven drinks in three hours at least four.
- p. 40Consequences of Conviction
Penalties for riding under the influence are mandatory, so judges must impose them: license suspension (for a conviction, an arrest or refusing a breath test), severe fines, community service, and costs such as lawyer fees, lost work time and getting around while suspended.
North Carolina motorcycle license questions and answers
9 questionsThe knowledge test
Do I have to take the motorcycle skills test at a North Carolina DMV office?
Not always. Everyone passes the NCDMV motorcycle knowledge test, but the skills requirement can also be met with an approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic RiderCourse, approved military motorcycle training, or a valid endorsement from another state.
What does this North Carolina motorcycle practice test cover?
The NCDMV Motorcyclists' Handbook (Thirteenth Edition, September 2007): licensing and registration, helmets and gear, the right motorcycle and pre-ride checks, body position, shifting, braking and turning, lane position and following distance, SEE and intersections, being seen, quick stops, swerves and curves, dangerous surfaces, mechanical problems, passengers, cargo and group riding, and alcohol, drugs and fatigue. North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook p. 2 to 43
Do I take the motorcycle knowledge test again when I renew?
No. The handbook says the knowledge test is waived on a renewal. To add the endorsement to a license you already hold, a duplicate license is issued once you pass the tests. North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook p. 2
What score do I need to pass the North Carolina motorcycle permit test?
You need 29 of the 37 questions right (78%). Always confirm the current test with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). Compare every state
How many questions can I miss on the North Carolina motorcycle permit test?
You can miss up to 8 of the 37 questions: you need 29 right (78%) to pass.
Getting your endorsement
Who can get a North Carolina motorcycle learner permit?
Anyone with a full provisional, regular or commercial North Carolina license who passes the motorcycle knowledge, road sign and vision tests. Riders aged 16 to 18 also need a parent's or guardian's signed consent and a completed Motorcycle Safety Foundation or North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program course.
How long does a North Carolina motorcycle learner permit last?
Twelve months, and it can be renewed only once, for six months. The permit is optional: you can go straight for the endorsement.
How are North Carolina motorcycle tests scheduled?
By appointment only through NCDMV. Skills tests are offered Tuesday through Thursday, as the weather allows, at selected driver license offices, and you get one attempt per day; if you don't pass, book a new appointment.
How much does a North Carolina motorcycle permit and license cost?
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) lists the current fees for the motorcycle permit, tests and license on its official fee page.
Sources: NCDMV: Motorcycle & Moped Privileges · North Carolina NCDMV: Licenses & Fees