Free permit practice test: 25 questions for every state

Permit practice test

1. Pavement markings

   A center lane is bordered by solid and broken yellow lines on each side and shows left-turn arrows. What is it for?

   

   1. ABuses and carpools only
   2. BParking while you run errands
   3. CLeft turns from either direction
   4. DPassing slower traffic on both sides
   Answer and reason

   C. Left turns from either direction. A center lane with left-turn arrows is a two-way left-turn lane for turning left from either direction. Source: MUTCD Section 3B.05 Pavement Markings for Two-Way Left-Turn Lanes

   Report this question

2. Signs

   A white sign reads DO NOT PASS. What does it mean?

   

   1. ADo not overtake other vehicles
   2. BDo not turn left here
   3. CDo not park on the shoulder
   4. DDo not follow too closely
   Answer and reason

   A. Do not overtake other vehicles. DO NOT PASS means you may not overtake another vehicle in that zone. Source: MUTCD Section 2B.36 DO NOT PASS Sign (R4-1)

   Report this question

3. Signs

   A green rectangular sign has white lettering reading CIVIC CENTER and a white arrow pointing right. What information does it provide?

   1. AA requirement for every vehicle to turn right
   2. BA warning that the road bends sharply right
   3. CPermission to turn right without checking traffic
   4. DDirections to the civic center
   Answer and reason

   D. Directions to the civic center. Green guide signs provide direction guidance to destinations. Source: MUTCD Section 1D.05 Color Code

   Report this question

4. Traffic signals

   A steady green arrow points left while the circular light is red. A pedestrian is still crossing directly in your intended turning path. What must you do?

   1. ATurn left and stop inside the crosswalk
   2. BTurn left now; the arrow gives you the right-of-way
   3. CGo straight instead, since the arrow is on
   4. DYield to the pedestrian, then turn when safe and permitted
   Answer and reason

   D. Yield to the pedestrian, then turn when safe and permitted. A green arrow allows the left turn, but you must still yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Source: MUTCD Section 4A.03 Meanings of Steady Vehicular Signal Indications

   Report this question

5. Intersections and turns

   You plan to turn onto a one-way street. Its permitted traffic direction runs from your left to your right. There are no other turn restrictions. Which turn follows that street’s legal direction?

   1. AA left turn across the near side of the street
   2. BA left turn followed by an immediate lane change
   3. CEither turn if the destination street is empty
   4. DA right turn
   Answer and reason

   D. A right turn. Enter a one-way street only in its designated direction of travel. Source: UVC § 11-308(b) One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands (model law)

   Report this question

6. Right-of-way

   At a marked crosswalk with no traffic signals, a pedestrian is already crossing in your lane. You have enough distance to stop safely. Which action gives the pedestrian the right-of-way?

   1. ASteer into the next lane to pass the pedestrian
   2. BStop and let the pedestrian cross
   3. CSound your horn and keep your current speed
   4. DContinue because your road has no stop sign
   Answer and reason

   B. Stop and let the pedestrian cross. Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing in their path within an unsignalized crosswalk. Source: UVC § 11-502(a) Pedestrians’ right of way in crosswalks (model law)

   Report this question

7. Sharing the road

   A motorcycle is traveling ahead in your lane. There appears to be enough room for your car beside it. How should you treat the motorcycle’s lane space?

   1. AMove beside it after sounding a brief horn warning
   2. BShare its lane whenever your car can fit beside it
   3. CAllow the motorcycle full use of its lane
   4. DUse its unused lane space when traffic is moving slowly
   Answer and reason

   C. Allow the motorcycle full use of its lane. A motorcycle is entitled to full use of a lane; a car must not crowd into that space. Source: UVC § 11-1303(a) Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic (model law)

   Report this question

8. Alcohol and drugs

   What happens when you mix alcohol with another drug before you drive?

   1. AThey cancel each other’s effects
   2. BOnly the alcohol matters
   3. CThere is no added risk
   4. DThe effects can get stronger
   Answer and reason

   D. The effects can get stronger. Mixing alcohol with other drugs can amplify the impairing effects of each, making driving more dangerous. Source: NHTSA: Drug-Impaired Driving, Many Substances Can Impair Driving

   Report this question

9. Speed and space

   On a clear, dry highway you drive so slowly that a long line of cars builds up behind you, though no hazard or law requires it. What does the law say?

   1. AYou must match the fastest car’s speed
   2. BDo not block the normal flow of traffic
   3. CYou may drive any slow speed you choose
   4. DYou must pull over and stop completely
   Answer and reason

   B. Do not block the normal flow of traffic. Do not drive so slowly that you impede normal traffic, unless the slow speed is needed for safety or to obey the law. Source: UVC § 11-805 Minimum speed regulation (model law)

   Report this question

10. Seat belts and child safety

    Every rear seat in your car allows a correct car-seat installation. Which spot is unsafe for a rear-facing child safety seat?

    1. ABeside a rear-side window
    2. BThe middle seat in the back row
    3. CBehind the driver’s seat
    4. DFront seat, facing an active air bag
    Answer and reason

    D. Front seat, facing an active air bag. A rear-facing seat must never go in front of an active air bag, whose force can seriously injure a child. Source: NHTSA: Air Bags, The Topic — Protection

    Report this question

11. Night and bad weather

    You are using high beams on a dark two-way road. An oncoming vehicle is getting close enough that your high beams could dazzle its driver. What should you do?

    1. AKeep high beams on until the other driver flashes theirs
    2. BKeep high beams on and aim your car toward the shoulder
    3. CSwitch to low beams
    4. DSwitch to parking lights until the other vehicle passes
    Answer and reason

    C. Switch to low beams. Dim high beams to low beams to avoid blinding an oncoming driver. Source: California Driver Handbook (California DMV): Signals, Horns, and Headlights: Using Your Headlights; Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations, Headlights; Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV): Low Visibility; Night Driving

    Report this question

12. Distraction

    You drop something on the floor while driving. What should you do?

    1. AStop in the middle of the lane to get it
    2. BLook down and grab it in one quick move
    3. CWait to pick it up until you stop safely
    4. DReach down quickly while watching the road
    Answer and reason

    C. Wait to pick it up until you stop safely. Wait to retrieve a dropped object until you can pull over and stop safely; reaching distracts you. Source: NHTSA: Distracted Driving, What Is Distracted Driving?

    Report this question

13. Emergencies

    You slept very little, drank coffee, and now begin drifting out of your lane. A designated rest area is just ahead. What is the safest response?

    1. AKeep driving because the coffee will prevent sleep
    2. BTurn the music louder and increase your driving speed
    3. CPull into the rest area and stop to rest
    4. DOpen the windows and continue until your destination
    Answer and reason

    C. Pull into the rest area and stop to rest. Coffee alone may not prevent microsleeps; stop in a safe place when sleepiness affects your driving. Source: NHTSA: Drowsy Driving, Short-Term Interventions

    Report this question

14. Lanes

    You are on a road with four lanes and two-way traffic, with a center line between the directions. When may you cross that center line?

    1. AWhenever your side of the road is busy
    2. BTo use the oncoming lanes as a shortcut past traffic
    3. CTo pass a slower car ahead of you
    4. DTo make a safe, permitted left turn into a driveway, alley, or private road
    Answer and reason

    D. To make a safe, permitted left turn into a driveway, alley, or private road. On a four-lane two-way road, never drive left of center to pass; turning left into a driveway is allowed. Source: UVC § 11-301(c) Drive on right side of roadway - exceptions (model law)

    Report this question

15. Passing

    You want to pass a slow truck on a two-lane road, but you are nearing a hill crest where you cannot see oncoming traffic. What should you do?

    1. APass on the right shoulder instead
    2. BWait until you can see far enough to pass
    3. CPass quickly before you reach the crest
    4. DFollow close behind and pass at the crest
    Answer and reason

    B. Wait until you can see far enough to pass. Do not pass where your view is blocked, such as near a hill crest, curve, intersection, or crossing. Source: UVC § 11-306(a)(1) Further limitations on driving on left of center of roadway (model law)

    Report this question

16. Highways

    You are on a divided highway with a grassy median between the two roadways, and you miss your turn. What may you do?

    1. ACross the median where the grass is low
    2. BDrive the wrong way briefly to an opening
    3. CUse the next crossover marked for emergency vehicles only
    4. DContinue to an opening or intersection where crossing is permitted, and turn only when safe
    Answer and reason

    D. Continue to an opening or intersection where crossing is permitted, and turn only when safe. Stay on your roadway until you reach a permitted crossing, and turn only when safe. Source: UVC § 11-311 Driving on divided highways (model law)

    Report this question

17. Traffic signals

    A steady yellow left-turn arrow is showing. What does it tell you?

    1. ALeft turns are now forbidden
    2. BYou now have the right-of-way to turn
    3. CThe left-turn movement is ending; prepare to stop
    4. DThe arrow is about to turn green
    Answer and reason

    C. The left-turn movement is ending; prepare to stop. A steady yellow arrow warns that the current left-turn movement is ending; prepare to stop. Source: MUTCD Section 4A.03 Meanings of Steady Vehicular Signal Indications

    Report this question

18. Pavement markings

    A white arrow painted in your lane curves left. What does it tell you?

    1. AThis lane is for left turns
    2. BYou may turn left or go straight
    3. CThe road curves left up ahead
    4. DLeft turns are forbidden here
    Answer and reason

    A. This lane is for left turns. A lane-use arrow shows the movements allowed or required in that lane. Source: MUTCD Section 3B.23 Lane-Use Arrows

    Report this question

19. Intersections and turns

    You face a steady circular green and plan a permitted left turn. An oncoming car is close enough to conflict with your turn. A pedestrian is also lawfully crossing your turning path. What must happen before you turn?

    1. AYou yield until each conflict clears
    2. BThe oncoming car passes; the pedestrian must wait
    3. CYou signal; the car and pedestrian must then yield
    4. DThe pedestrian clears your path; the car must yield
    Answer and reason

    A. You yield until each conflict clears. On a circular green, left turns yield to conflicting oncoming vehicles and pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk. Source: MUTCD Section 4A.03 Meanings of Steady Vehicular Signal Indications; UVC § 11-402 Vehicle turning left (model law)

    Report this question

20. Right-of-way

    A car ahead has stopped at a marked crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross. You approach from behind, and the next lane is open. What must you do?

    1. APass in the open lane after sounding your horn
    2. BPass once your own lane appears clear
    3. CWait behind the stopped car
    4. DPass slowly if the pedestrian is hidden from view
    Answer and reason

    C. Wait behind the stopped car. Never overtake a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross. Source: UVC § 11-502(d) Pedestrians’ right of way in crosswalks (model law)

    Report this question

21. Sharing the road

    Red lights are flashing at a railroad crossing, but the gate is still raised and you cannot see a train. No officer is directing traffic. What should you do?

    1. AStop only if a train becomes visible near the crossing
    2. BCross slowly while watching for a train in both directions
    3. CContinue across because the raised gate permits travel
    4. DStop before the tracks; wait until the lights stop and it is safe
    Answer and reason

    D. Stop before the tracks; wait until the lights stop and it is safe. Flashing crossing lights mean stop before the tracks; a raised gate does not cancel them. Source: UVC § 11-701(a) Obedience to signal indicating approach of train (model law)

    Report this question

22. Alcohol and drugs

    Some medicines you can buy without a prescription can make you drowsy or dizzy. What does this mean for driving?

    1. AOnly prescription drugs impair driving
    2. BThey are safe once you feel awake
    3. CThey only matter at high doses
    4. DThey can impair your driving
    Answer and reason

    D. They can impair your driving. Some over-the-counter and prescription medicines cause drowsiness or dizziness and can impair your driving. Source: NHTSA: Drug-Impaired Driving, Many Substances Can Impair Driving

    Report this question

23. Speed and space

    Which statement about your speed is correct?

    1. AYou must never drive below the posted limit, even in bad weather
    2. BThe posted limit is only a suggestion
    3. CDrive at a safe speed for conditions; don’t needlessly block normal traffic
    4. DYou must match the speed of the fastest car
    Answer and reason

    C. Drive at a safe speed for conditions; don’t needlessly block normal traffic. Drive at a safe speed for conditions, even below the limit, but don’t needlessly impede normal traffic. Source: UVC § 11-801 Basic rule (model law); UVC § 11-805 Minimum speed regulation (model law)

    Report this question

24. Seat belts and child safety

    Where does NHTSA recommend children under 13 ride, when a back seat is available?

    1. AIn the back seat
    2. BIn the front seat with a belt
    3. COn an adult’s lap
    4. DIn the front seat with an air bag
    Answer and reason

    A. In the back seat. NHTSA recommends children under 13 ride in the back seat, away from front air bags. Source: NHTSA: Air Bags, The Topic — Protection

    Report this question

25. Night and bad weather

    Heavy snow is reducing visibility while you drive. You need your headlights to see and be seen. Which lighting choice is appropriate?

    1. ALow-beam headlights
    2. BDaytime running lights without other lighting
    3. CParking lights without the headlights
    4. DHigh beams for the strongest possible light
    Answer and reason

    A. Low-beam headlights. Use low-beam headlights when snow reduces visibility so you can see and other drivers can see you. Source: California Driver Handbook (California DMV): Signals, Horns, and Headlights: Using Your Headlights; Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations, Headlights; Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV): Low Visibility; Night Driving

    Report this question

Answer in any order. Your score shows at the bottom of the screen, and at the end you get a list of topics to look at again. Nothing you pick is saved or sent anywhere.