North Carolina DMV Practice Test

Which statement about horns and sirens is correct?

1. All vehicles are required to have a siren

2. Only law enforcement vehicles have horns

3. Every licensed motor vehicle must have a horn and only emergency vehicles have sirens

4. Horns are optional for non-commercial vehicles

The correct answer is: Every licensed motor vehicle must have a horn and only emergency vehicles have sirens

Every licensed motor vehicle is indeed required to have a horn as a standard safety feature. The purpose of a horn is to alert other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists of the vehicle's presence, thus contributing to overall road safety. This requirement is established to ensure that drivers can communicate their intentions or signal danger effectively. In contrast to horns, sirens are specifically designated for emergency vehicles, such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. These vehicles use sirens to signal urgency and command right-of-way in emergency situations, distinguishing them from standard vehicles that only utilize horns for signaling. Therefore, the statement that encompasses the requirement of horns in all licensed motor vehicles and the fact that only emergency vehicles utilize sirens is accurate and reflects the regulations governing vehicle equipment.