North Carolina · Handbook chapter 7 · 7 min read

North Carolina speed limits, stopping distance, curves, turning, the two-second rule, changing lanes, passing rules, backing, parking distances, intersections and right of way, roundabouts, railroad crossings, interstates and vehicle equipment.

Why this chapter matters

This is the largest part of the handbook and the backbone of the knowledge test. It is packed with exact distances and speeds: 35 mph in town, 25 feet from an intersection, 15 feet from a hydrant, 500 feet of sight to pass.

Speed

• Even in ideal conditions, a car at 55 mph needs about 211 feet to stop.
• Never drive faster than the posted limit or faster than conditions allow. A vehicle going well below the limit is also more likely to be in a crash. Observe any posted minimum speed, and pull over to let traffic pass if a line builds up behind you.
• When moving slower than the limit on a multi-lane highway, keep to the far right lane except to pass or turn left.

Curves and turns

• Slow down before a curve so you do not need to brake in it, then gently increase speed through it. Going downhill into a curve, shift to a lower gear first and brake earlier.
• For a right turn, stay close to the right edge so no one can slip between you and the curb.
• Motorcycles and bicycles are especially hard to see when you turn.

Following and lane changes

• Following too closely is a leading cause of crashes. Use the two-second rule: at least two seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a point and you reaching it.
• Before changing lanes, check the mirrors, look over your shoulder for the blind spot, signal, then move. On a multi-lane road, also check the lane beyond the one you want.

Passing

1. Look ahead and behind. 2. Signal. 3. Sound the horn to alert the driver ahead.

• You must pass at least two feet to the left of the vehicle you pass. If that driver has to slow to let you back in, you did not pass safely.
• When you are being passed and the other driver sounds the horn, move toward the right and never speed up.

Passing is unsafe and usually illegal:

• at intersections in towns and at railroad crossings, and at marked rural intersections
• on any curve or hill where you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead
• where there is a solid yellow line in your lane or a double solid yellow line
• where a vehicle has stopped at a crosswalk to let people cross.

Passing on the right is allowed only on roads with two or more lanes each way, on one-way streets, past a vehicle in a left-turn lane, or in a lane set aside for right turns. On a three-lane road, pass only in the center lane where it is marked for passing in your direction.

Backing and parking

• Look behind the car before you get in. Keep your left hand on the wheel, turn to look back over your right shoulder out of the rear window, and keep your speed to 10 mph or less.
• Park on the right except on one-way streets. Before pulling out of a parallel space, signal left.

Do not park:

Also never park in an intersection, in front of a driveway, on a crosswalk, sidewalk or bridge, beside another parked car (double parking), anywhere on an interstate's right of way except designated areas or emergencies, or in an accessible space without a placard or plate.

Intersections and right of way

• Crashes happen most often at intersections: more than one-third of fatal crashes.
• With no signs or signals, the vehicle already in the intersection goes first. If two arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first.
• A driver turning left must yield to an oncoming driver going straight.
• At a STOP sign, stop completely and yield to traffic on the through street. When leaving a private driveway, stop and yield to all vehicles and pedestrians.
• Never change lanes while going through an intersection.
• On a four-lane road with a median wider than 30 feet, each crossing is a separate intersection.

Roundabouts

• Slow to about 15 to 20 mph, travel counterclockwise, and yield to vehicles and bicyclists already inside.
• In a multi-lane roundabout, choose your lane before entering: usually the right lane to exit right, the left lane to go straight, turn left or make a U-turn. Do not change lanes inside.
• Never enter while an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens is passing through. If you are already in, exit first, then pull over.

Railroad crossings

• When a signal, lowered gate, flagger, warning whistle or visible train shows a train is coming, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.
• Never drive around or under a lowered gate. Never stop on the tracks.
• After a train passes, wait: another train may be coming. Wait for the red lights to stop flashing.
• If the gates start down while you are on the tracks, keep moving. The gates are flexible and cannot trap you.
• If you stall on the tracks, get out at once, move away, then call the number on the blue Emergency Notification System sign posted at every crossing.
• A train at 55 mph can take more than a mile to stop.

Interstates

• Use the acceleration lane to match traffic speed, then merge. Keep right and use the left lanes for passing.
• Rest at least once every 100 miles. Never stop in a travel lane.
• Missed your exit? Do not slow down, back up or turn around. Go on to the next exit.
• If you enter going the wrong way, pull onto the right shoulder, stop, and turn around when it is clear.
• If you break down, get far off the road, tie a white cloth to the antenna or left door handle and raise the hood.

Vehicle equipment

• High beams should show a person 200 feet away; low beams, 75 feet.
• Taillights must be red and visible for 500 feet. The plate light must make the number readable at 50 feet. Brake and turn lights must be visible for 100 feet in daylight.
• The horn must be heard at 200 feet. Only police and emergency vehicles may have emergency lights or sirens.
• Tires are unsafe with less than 1/16 inch of tread. Check pressure at least once a month, when the tires are cool.
• With anti-lock brakes, brake hard and keep firm, steady pressure. Do not pump.
• A brake pedal that sinks to less than one-third of its travel from the floor needs checking. Exhaust leaks can let carbon monoxide into the car.