GMAC Insurance says it tested 5,183 drivers in all 50 states on their knowledge of driving laws, and North Carolina ranked slightly above the median at #20.
That's good, compared to the rest of the southern states. All of them ranked lower, from Virginia at #21 to Georgia at #47. (Check the rankings.)
Generally, most of the best were from the West (Idaho, Wisconsin and Montana were the top three). And generally, the least were from the South and the Northeast. Drivers over 35 scored better than younger ones.
Test-takers stumbled most on questions about yellow lights and safe following distances. On the test with 20 questions taken from actual DMV tests across the country, the average NC score was 78.2 (the passing grade is 70).
You can take the test, and learn from your mistakes, at www.nationaldriverstest.com.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter and editor since 1976, he took over the 
Comments
It's another good news
Tue, 07/28/2009 - 03:07 — makemineIt's another good news anyway
medical health
strange post
Mon, 05/25/2009 - 10:09 — acaveinThe first post is very convoluted. The stats say NC did well, but not the whole south. It has been common knowledge , based on GMAC stats that the worst drivers ON PAPER AND ON THE ROAD , ARE FROM THE NORTHEAST. CASE CLOSED. The up tight button down attitude. The whole thing about health care workers , I don't get.
Best drivers in the South??
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 14:55 — sutraquioOn paper,oh I see.Hmmmm....They need to get some of these "test-on-paper whizzes" and put them on the road,injuring and killing people!Especially the SUV drivers!These people think they own the road!On paper,you say?If you do not do it well on the paper AND especially on the road,it really "ain't" worth even talking about.And this note is not aimed at the one that reported it,its for anybody who may believe that just paper work is enough.Lack of needed skills--also why many of our MEDICAL CARE personnel(with whatever grades they made in school) are giving such inadequate patient care!