100+ Free North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Test Practice Questions
Pass your North Carolina DMV Class M Motorcycle Knowledge Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Most motorcycle crashes occur within how far from the rider's home?
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Key Facts: North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Test Exam
37
Multiple-Choice Questions
NCDMV
78% (29/37)
Passing Score
NCDMV
$21.50 / $43.25
Learner Permit / License Application Fee
NCDMV 2026
16 years
Minimum Age for Motorcycle Learner Permit
NCDMV
Universal
Helmet Law (NCGS 20-140.4)
North Carolina General Statutes
The North Carolina DMV motorcycle knowledge test has 37 multiple-choice questions and you must answer at least 29 correctly (78%) to pass. The motorcycle learner permit fee is $21.50, and the $43.25 driver license application fee covers up to three written-test attempts. North Carolina has a universal helmet law under NCGS 20-140.4 — every operator and passenger must wear a FMVSS 218 (DOT) helmet with a secured retention strap, regardless of age. Eye protection is required when the motorcycle has no windshield. Lane splitting is prohibited. Per-se DUI is 0.08% BAC for riders 21+, 0.04% for commercial operators, and zero tolerance under 21. NCMSEP Basic Rider Course graduates receive a one-year skills-test waiver.
Sample North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Test Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under North Carolina law (NCGS 20-140.4), who is required to wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle?
2Which North Carolina license credential is required to legally operate a motorcycle on public roads?
3What is the per-se DWI blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a non-commercial motorcycle operator age 21 or older in North Carolina?
4What is the BAC limit for a commercial motor vehicle operator in North Carolina?
5Under North Carolina's zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21 (NCGS 20-138.3), how much alcohol in the body can result in a DWI charge?
6Which of the following is required eye protection for a motorcyclist in North Carolina when the motorcycle has no windshield?
7Lane splitting — riding between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles — is:
8How many motorcycles may legally ride side-by-side in a single lane in North Carolina?
9What does the acronym T-CLOCS stand for in a pre-ride motorcycle inspection?
10On a typical motorcycle, the front brake lever is operated by:
About the North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Test Exam
The North Carolina DMV motorcycle knowledge test is the written exam you must pass to earn either a motorcycle learner permit or a Class M motorcycle endorsement added to your driver license. It contains 37 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook, covering controls, T-CLOCS inspections, cornering, braking, swerving, SIPDE/SEE hazard management, and North Carolina-specific laws including the universal helmet law (NCGS 20-140.4). Applicants must answer at least 29 of 37 questions correctly to pass, a score of 78%. The $43.25 driver license application fee covers up to three written-test attempts, and graduates of an approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course through the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program (NCMSEP) receive a skills-test waiver valid for one year.
Questions
37 scored questions
Time Limit
No strict time limit at most NCDMV driver license offices
Passing Score
78% (29 of 37 questions correct)
Exam Fee
$21.50 motorcycle learner permit; the $43.25 driver license application fee covers up to 3 written test attempts; motorcycle endorsement costs $2.55 per year (North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV))
North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Test Exam Content Outline
Motorcycle Controls and Pre-Ride Inspection
Hand and foot controls, friction zone, T-CLOCS (Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, Stands) daily inspection, and smooth shifting
Riding Skills and Cornering
Body position, counter-steering above 12-15 mph, Slow-Look-Press-Roll cornering, braking distance physics, and swerve-then-brake obstacle avoidance
SIPDE, SEE, and Hazard Management
Scan-Identify-Predict-Decide-Execute, the MSF Search-Evaluate-Execute strategy, defensive riding around left-turning cars, and managing tailgaters
North Carolina Motorcycle Laws
Universal helmet law (NCGS 20-140.4) with FMVSS 218 retention strap, eye protection rule, lane-sharing prohibition, headlight-on rule, passenger laws, and BAC limits (0.08% / 0.04% commercial / under-21 zero tolerance)
Road Hazards and Weather
Blue Ridge mountain twisties, valley fog, deer on rural Piedmont and mountain roads, sudden Appalachian and coastal storms, gravel, hurricane and tropical storm debris on coastal routes, night riding, and tar snakes
How to Pass the North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Test Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 78% (29 of 37 questions correct)
- Exam length: 37 questions
- Time limit: No strict time limit at most NCDMV driver license offices
- Exam fee: $21.50 motorcycle learner permit; the $43.25 driver license application fee covers up to 3 written test attempts; motorcycle endorsement costs $2.55 per year
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
North Carolina Motorcycle Permit Test Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the North Carolina motorcycle knowledge test?
The North Carolina DMV motorcycle knowledge test has 37 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official North Carolina Motorcyclists' Handbook. Applicants also take a separate road-sign identification test and a vision screening at the NCDMV driver license office.
What score do I need to pass the North Carolina motorcycle permit test?
You must answer at least 29 of 37 questions correctly, a passing score of 78%. If you do not pass on a given attempt, your $43.25 driver license application fee covers up to three written-test attempts before you must reapply.
How much does the North Carolina motorcycle license cost?
The motorcycle learner permit fee is $21.50. The driver license application fee is $43.25 and covers up to three knowledge-test attempts. The motorcycle endorsement itself costs $2.55 for each year the underlying driver license remains valid.
Does North Carolina require motorcycle riders to wear helmets?
Yes. NCGS 20-140.4 is a universal helmet law requiring every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a safety helmet that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, with the retention strap properly secured. There is no age or experience exemption, and a violation is an infraction with a $25.50 fine plus court costs.
Is lane splitting legal in North Carolina?
No. North Carolina prohibits lane splitting and lane filtering. Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane of travel, and riding between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles is illegal. Two motorcycles may legally share a single lane side by side when both riders consent.
What is the NCMSEP Basic Rider Course skills-test waiver?
Successful completion of an approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course (BRC) through the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program issues a skills-waiver card that the NCDMV accepts in place of the on-cycle skills test. The waiver card is valid for one year from the date of course completion.
What is the BAC limit for motorcycle operators in North Carolina?
North Carolina's per-se DWI limit is 0.08% BAC for operators age 21 and older and 0.04% BAC for commercial operators. Drivers under 21 are subject to a zero-tolerance rule — any detectable alcohol can result in a DWI charge under NCGS 20-138.3.