DMV Written Test

If the acceleration lane is short, you will need A. a longer gap to enter traffic. B. more clear space ahead of your car. C. a shorter gap to enter traffic. D. a gradual steering motion.

A. a longer gap to enter traffic.

Why can a bridge surface freeze before adjoining road surfaces do? A. The roadway has warmth built into it. B. The bridge has good shade cover. C. Cold air circulates above and below the bridge road surface. D. The bridge is exposed to sunlight.

C. Cold air circulates above and below the bridge road surface.

One purpose of the tread pattern on a tire is to A. reduce tire wear. B. reduce traction. C. allow water to flow away from the tire. D. look impressive.

C. allow water to flow away from the tire.

As you drive on a residential street, you spot the following clues: a parked vehicle with front wheels turned toward the street and a person sitting behind the wheel. You should A. decide to ignore the parked vehicle. B. predict that the vehicle may enter your path. C. predict the parked vehicle will remain parked. D. anticipate no change in your path.

D. anticipate no change in your path.

The pedestrians most at risk are A. teenagers. B. physically handicapped. C. young adults. D. children and older persons.

D. children and older persons.

Why are expressways safer than other types of roads? A. Cross traffic is eliminated. B. There is more traffic on expressways. C. There is no division of opposing lanes of traffic on the expressway. D. The average speed is higher on expressways.

A. Cross traffic is eliminated.

When stopping the car and expecting to continue again shortly, the selector lever should be in A. DRIVE (D). B. REVERSE (R). C. PARK (P). D. NEUTRAL (N).

A. DRIVE (D).

What is the last thing you do as a check inside the car? A. Fasten your safety belt. B. Adjust the seat so you are comfortable. C. Adjust inside and outside mirrors. D. Lock all doors.

A. Fasten your safety belt.

What should you do if the brake system warning light comes on? A. Gradually stop, have the vehicle towed, and have the problem corrected. B. Stop and add brake fluid. C. Stop and immediately remove the brake cable. D. Drive quickly to a service station.

A. Gradually stop, have the vehicle towed, and have the problem corrected.

One of the questions you should ask yourself as you are deciding to pass another vehicle is: A. Is passing here safe? B. Why is that driver going so slowly? C. Why would anyone pass here? D. Is passing here desired?

A. Is passing here safe?

In a vehicle with automatic transmission, A. always come to a full stop before shifting to another gear. B. shift to another gear whenever needed. C. accelerate and then shift. D. slow down and then shift.

A. always come to a full stop before shifting to another gear.

A computer device that prevents your wheels from locking is a(n) A. antilock braking system. B. radar-controlled braking system. C. four-wheel disk braking system. D. non-locking braking system.

A. antilock braking system.

Road privileges A. are the same for both motorcyclists and other vehicles. B. are different for all vehicles. C. depend on the size of your vehicle. D. are different for motorcyclists.

A. are the same for both motorcyclists and other vehicles.

Air bags are designed to A. be used with safety belts. B. protect in all types of collisions. C. take up most of the room on your dashboard for safety purposes. D. protect all occupants of the vehicle, front and back.

A. be used with safety belts.

When changing lanes, check the blind spot by A. checking over your shoulder in the direction you are going to move. B. signaling your intentions early. C. looking over your left shoulder every time. D. looking in rearview mirrors.

A. checking over your shoulder in the direction you are going to move.

Most warning signs are A. diamond-shaped. B. oval-shaped. C. square-shaped. D. round-shaped.

A. diamond-shaped.

Expressway collisions tend to be more serious than those on other types of roads because A. expressway speeds are higher. B. a median strip is present. C. expressways have more hazards. D. there are so many traffic conflicts.

A. expressway speeds are higher.

An oncoming driver has just begun to cross into your lane as you are driving at night. You should A. flash headlights and sound the horn. B. move to the lane left of yours. C. speed up so the vehicle does not hit you head on. D. turn off your headlights so they do not blind the oncoming driver.

A. flash headlights and sound the horn.

What are the most important parts of the control system? A. four tires B. brakes C. the steering wheel column D. the clutch and accelerator

A. four tires

A vehicle driven into a curve tends to A. go in a straight line. B. store energy of motion. C. increase speed. D. increase traction.

A. go in a straight line.

When driving in the winter, you should A. make an extra effort to use the IPDE Process. B. drive the same as in other seasons. C. use the same following distance as in other conditions. D. always cover the brake pedal.

A. make an extra effort to use the IPDE Process.

Moped and motor scooter operators A. must have a license. B. do not have to obtain a license. C. usually are only driven by people ages 15-25. D. can drive anywhere a motorcycle can go.

A. must have a license.

You minimize a hazard when you A. put more distance between yourself and the hazard. B. omit the Identify step in the IPDE Process. C. increase the risk of collision. D. decrease distance between yourself and the hazard.

A. put more distance between yourself and the hazard.

If your vehicle's wheels are stuck in deep snow, mud, or sand, you usually can free the wheels by A. rocking the vehicle. B. using gentle accelerator and brake pedal pressure at the same time. C. spinning the tires. D. turning your front wheels sharply to one side.

A. rocking the vehicle.

Plan to pass a large truck when the driver A. shifts gears to gain speed. B. motions you on. C. taps his lights. D. shifts gears to slow down.

A. shifts gears to gain speed.

All the skilled actions a driver must take to drive a vehicle safely are called A. the driving task. B. driving actions. C. judging time-space relationships. D. interpreting traffic scenes.

A. the driving task.

A flashing DON'T WALK pedestrian signal indicates that A. the signal light will soon be yellow. B. no pedestrian will cross the street. C. you should prepare to slow. D. your speed is too slow.

A. the signal light will soon be yellow.

If your vehicle is first in line when the light turns green, you should check A. traffic to the left, the right, and ahead. B. your outside mirrors. C. your rearview mirror. D. your speedometer.

A. traffic to the left, the right, and ahead.

When riding a bicycle at night, A. use a headlight that is visible at least 500 feet. B. ride toward traffic. C. use a headlight that is visible at least 50 feet. D. use a headlight that is visible at least 100 feet.

A. use a headlight that is visible at least 500 feet.

If leaving the car from the street side, A. walk around the rear of the car. B. walk around the front of the car. C. place keys where you can see them. D. glance over your right shoulder.

A. walk around the rear of the car.

If there is an air bag in your vehicle's steering wheel, keep your hands at the A. 1 and 3 or 2 and 6 o'clock positions. B. 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock positions. C. 10 and 2 or 9 and 3 o'clock positions. D. 11 and 1 or 7 and 5 o'clock positions.

B. 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock positions.

In wet weather, with temperatures near the freezing point, A. a highway roadway freezes before a bridge roadway. B. a bridge roadway freezes before a highway roadway. C. bridge and highway roadways will freeze at the same time. D. bridge and highway roadways will not freeze.

B. a bridge roadway freezes before a highway roadway.

When should you slow to the advisory speed posted for a curve? A. just as your vehicle reaches the curve B. before entering the curve C. when you reach the sharpest part of the curve D. throughout the entire curve

B. before entering the curve

Learning to drive is a A. reaction process. B. continuous process. C. licensing course. D. one-time course.

B. continuous process.

Of all the possible causes of collisions, what is by far the most common? A. slick roadway B. driver error C. road rage D. steering wheel failure

B. driver error

The temperature light or gauge indicates the temperature of the A. air inside the car. B. engine coolant. C. engine oil. D. air outside the car.

B. engine coolant.

A properly adjusted safety belt A. fits loosely across the body and tightens during a collision. B. fits snugly across the hips and comfortably across the chest. C. restricts the upper body from moving. D. restricts breathing and circulation.

B. fits snugly across the hips and comfortably across the chest.

When meeting an oncoming vehicle at night, you might avoid being momentarily blinded if you A. wear sunglasses. B. glance at the right edge of the road. C. flash your headlights. D. brake hard.

B. glance at the right edge of the road.

The tailgater is a hazard to you because A. you have enough space ahead to position your vehicle. B. if you brake suddenly, the tailgater might hit you from the rear. C. there is a 2-second following distance. D. the tailgater will brake if you do.

B. if you brake suddenly, the tailgater might hit you from the rear.

When measuring a following distance under normal conditions, the 3-second technique A. should be decreased in adverse conditions. B. is safe for most conditions. C. is insufficient at a speed over 40 mph. D. is the same as the total stopping distance.

B. is safe for most conditions.

You pass a school-zone sign. You should A. go slightly faster to pass quickly. B. know you are within one block of a school. C. go 30 mph. D. stop immediately.

B. know you are within one block of a school.

The high collision rate of beginning drivers is due mostly to A. inadequate traffic enforcement. B. lack of experience. C. use of older vehicles. D. low minimum licensing age.

B. lack of experience.

High energy of motion may help to A. go around a tight curve successfully. B. miss a tight curve. C. bank a curve. D. maintain good traction in a tight curve.

B. miss a tight curve.

If you are continually being passed on the right and the left while driving in the center lane at 55 mph, you should A. move to the lane on your left. B. move to the lane on your right. C. stay in the center lane. D. accelerate to the common speed.

B. move to the lane on your right.

The basic speed law requires you to drive A. within 5 mph of the 55 mph speed limit. B. no faster than is safe for existing conditions. C. at the maximum posted speed limit. D. above posted minimum speed limit.

B. no faster than is safe for existing conditions.

Collisions occur at curves because speed A. leaving the curve is too great. B. on the approach is too great. C. on the approach is not enough. D. leaving the curve is not enough.

B. on the approach is too great.

If your vehicle becomes disabled on an expressway, you should A. never stop until off the expressway. B. pull onto the shoulder or median. C. slow down and use emergency flashers. D. drive slowly on the shoulder.

B. pull onto the shoulder or median.

What roadway markings are used to guide your driving path? A. overhead lights B. reflectors C. curve signs D. rumble strips

B. reflectors

Motorcyclists can gain extra traction on a wet road surface by A. crossing the intersection at a right angle. B. riding in a vehicle's wheel tracks. C. weaving left and right. D. riding on painted lane markers.

B. riding in a vehicle's wheel tracks.

Narrow shoulders, bridges, ditches, guardrails, and trees are examples of A. roadside advantages. B. roadside hazards. C. escape paths. D. driving attractions.

B. roadside hazards.

You identify that a vehicle overtaking and passing you will be returning to your lane too close in front of you. You should A. stop immediately. B. slow down. C. swerve in your lane. D. speed up.

B. slow down.

When you move into the deceleration lane, you should A. accelerate to exit ramp speed. B. slow to the exit ramp speed. C. shift into neutral. D. stop in the deceleration lane.

B. slow to the exit ramp speed.

If you encounter a vehicle headed the wrong way on a one-way street, you should A. slow, steer left, and sound your horn. B. slow, steer right, and sound your horn. C. shake your fist at the other driver. D. stop on the shoulder of the road.

B. slow, steer right, and sound your horn.

You separate hazards when you adjust your A. speed and position at the same time. B. speed. C. visual search pattern. D. position.

B. speed.

Injuries and deaths from motorcycle collisions are primarily from A. driving too fast. B. the exposed position of the rider. C. other vehicles hitting them. D. hitting deer.

B. the exposed position of the rider.

Assume that the common speed on the expressway is above the posted speed limit. You should drive at A. the common speed. B. the posted speed. C. a speed between the posted speed and the common speed. D. a speed that forces the other drivers to slow down.

B. the posted speed.

Commentary driving is A. recording a memo while driving. B. thinking out loud. C. talking to your passengers. D. yelling at the vehicle next to you at a light.

B. thinking out loud.

If you are driving into the glare from bright sunlight, you can reduce glare and eyestrain by A. applying dark tint to the windows. B. using sunglasses and the sun visor. C. keeping vehicle interior lights on. D. using the defroster or air conditioner.

B. using sunglasses and the sun visor.

When approaching the top of a hill, passing is not allowed A. within 500 feet before. B. within 700-1,000 feet before. C. within 1,100 feet before. D. none of the above

B. within 700-1,000 feet before.

Overdriving headlights means A. using low-beam rather than high-beam headlights. B. your stopping distance is greater than the distance lighted by your lights. C. you are looking too far ahead. D. using overdrive gear when using high-beam headlights.

B. your stopping distance is greater than the distance lighted by your lights.

Why is city driving more difficult than driving in other environments? A. There are more people per square mile in the city than elsewhere. B. More people ignore traffic laws in cities than in other locations. C. There are more hazards, and you have to deal with them more frequently. D. There are fewer police officers per mile on city streets.

C. There are more hazards, and you have to deal with them more frequently.

The process of searching critical areas of the traffic environment in a regular sequence is called A. separating. B. minimal visual exercise. C. an orderly visual search pattern. D. a random search pattern.

C. an orderly visual search pattern.

If you have a leak in your vehicle's exhaust system, you could experience a(n) A. build-up of carbon dioxide gas. B. increase in engine performance. C. build-up of carbon monoxide gas. D. decrease in fuel economy.

C. build-up of carbon monoxide gas.

Which capability is most important to safe driving? A. operating the vehicle's controls B. good hearing C. decision-making D. sense of feel

C. decision-making

Which aspect of driving is most affected by attitudes? A. motor skills B. distance judgment C. driver behavior D. visual acuity

C. driver behavior

Attempting to start an engine that is already running may result in A. warning lights being illuminated. B. electrical system damage. C. expensive starter damage. D. damage to the selector lever.

C. expensive starter damage.

A driver-education course A. teaches you everything you will ever need to know about safe driving. B. guarantees that you will become a safe driver. C. gives you a good start toward becoming a skillful driver. D. is not necessary if you already know how to drive.

C. gives you a good start toward becoming a skillful driver.

A traffic-control officer's signal A. is often a factor in collisions. B. must be the same as the light at the intersection. C. is the only one to follow, regardless of traffic signals. D. is just a suggestion.

C. is the only one to follow, regardless of traffic signals.

You are driving on a city street and have the green light. A pedestrian begins to cross the street ahead of you. You A. should tell the pedestrian to return to the curb. B. can continue without any change in speed or vehicle position. C. must stop regardless of the signal light. D. should quickly change lanes.

C. must stop regardless of the signal light.

Two solid yellow center lines on a two-lane highway indicate A. passing only with caution. B. left turns between intersections. C. no passing from either way. D. passing both ways.

C. no passing from either way.

If you miss the exit you want, you should A. make a U-turn and return to the exit. B. pull over as quickly as possible, and back up to the exit. C. proceed to the next exit. D. pull over immediately on the shoulder or median and check a map for how to best reach your destination.

C. proceed to the next exit.

The distance your vehicle travels while you respond to a road hazard is called A. braking distance. B. perception distance. C. reaction distance. D. stopping distance.

C. reaction distance.

When you rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving, you are A. tracking the clutch. B. guiding the clutch. C. riding the clutch. D. wearing the clutch.

C. riding the clutch.

What most affects how far ahead you must look, vehicle control, and the distance you need to stop? A. weather conditions B. topology of the area C. speed D. size of your vehicle

C. speed

When shifting gears in a stick shift vehicle, A. always shift from FIRST to SECOND at 15 mph. B. always shift from THIRD to FOURTH at 40 mph. C. there is no one correct speed for shifting. D. shift gears every 15 mph.

C. there is no one correct speed for shifting.

When following a large truck, you should increase your following distance because A. you have enough clear sight distance. B. the truck needs greater stopping distance than vehicles. C. you need more clear sight distance. D. the truck is in your blind spot.

C. you need more clear sight distance.

The four-second rule is an estimate of A. the vehicle's braking distance. B. the time it takes you to react to a traffic event. C. your stopping distance. D. the following distance at 20 mph.

C. your stopping distance.

When you tap your brake pedal, what message are you giving to other drivers? A. I am parked along the side of the road. B. I am in need of assistance. C. I am planning to accelerate. D. I am planning to slow or stop.

D. I am planning to slow or stop.

The four steps in the IPDE Process are A. Identify, Predict, Discover, Execute. B. Identify, Predict, Delay, Estimate. C. Identify, Prepare, Defend, Estimate. D. Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute.

D. Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute.

How can you identify a one-way street? A. Parking is allowed only on the right. B. Solid lane markers are present. C. Turn lanes are marked. D. Most traffic signs face the same direction.

D. Most traffic signs face the same direction.

If the entrance ramp enters the expressway from the left, you should realize a greater potential for conflict because you will be entering A. after coming to a complete stop. B. the slowest lane on the expressway. C. from the right. D. a higher speed traffic lane.

D. a higher speed traffic lane.

When the expressway is wet or slippery, your following distance should be A. decreased to less than two seconds. B. the same as on dry roadways. C. two seconds. D. at least four seconds.

D. at least four seconds.

When you see a stopped local bus A. you must stop if you are facing it. B. you must stop if you are directly behind it. C. wait for its lights to stop flashing. D. be alert for pedestrians near the bus.

D. be alert for pedestrians near the bus.

When you apply the IPDE Process, you may decide to A. apply gentle persuasion to other drivers. B. always slow down to avoid conflicts. C. speed up your ability to process information. D. change speed, change direction, or communicate with others.

D. change speed, change direction, or communicate with others.

Because of its energy of motion, when a vehicle's speed doubles, the vehicle needs about A. twice the distance to stop. B. half the distance to stop. C. one-fourth the distance to stop. D. four times the distance to stop.

D. four times the distance to stop.

When you compromise space, you A. avoid all hazards in your path of travel. B. put more distance between yourself and the hazard. C. adjust your speed in order to handle one hazard at a time. D. give as much space as possible to the greater hazard.

D. give as much space as possible to the greater hazard.

An intersection is a A. place to change lanes. B. low-risk area needing little attention. C. place to visit with a neighboring vehicle. D. high-risk area needing constant attention to your path of travel.

D. high-risk area needing constant attention to your path of travel.

Just before dawn and dusk, turn on your A. high-beam headlights. B. emergency flashers. C. parking lights. D. low-beam headlights.

D. low-beam headlights.

When driving in fog, you should use A. parking lights. B. emergency flashers. C. high-beam headlights. D. low-beam headlights.

D. low-beam headlights.

If you are driving under adverse conditions or if you need more time to complete the IPDE Process, your following distance should be A. 2 seconds. B. equal to your stopping distance. C. the same as that of other traffic. D. more than 3 seconds.

D. more than 3 seconds.

As the driver of a vehicle, you should A. toot your horn at cyclists to tell them to stay away. B. pass by getting close to the cyclist. C. flash your lights at a cyclist so he or she will move over. D. never tailgate a cyclist before passing.

D. never tailgate a cyclist before passing.

Before you make a right turn on red, make sure A. you turn when the light facing you turns yellow. B. all the left-turning vehicles have proceeded. C. you turn when the red light flashes. D. no pedestrians are in any crosswalks.

D. no pedestrians are in any crosswalks.

What are the parts of the highway transportation system (HTS)? A. pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers B. roads, streets, and highways C. trucks, bicycles, and automobiles D. people, vehicles, and roadways

D. people, vehicles, and roadways

If your sight distance is reduced when driving up a hill, you should A. illuminate your emergency flashers. B. cover the brake pedal. C. flash your headlights. D. reduce your speed.

D. reduce your speed.

If a vehicle cuts into your 3-second following distance, you should A. brake quickly to establish a 4-second following distance. B. flash headlights and sound the horn. C. gesture to the driver to establish superiority. D. reestablish a 3-second following distance on the vehicle ahead.

D. reestablish a 3-second following distance on the vehicle ahead.

How many zones of space surrounding your vehicle are incorporated in the Zone Control System? A. five B. three C. four D. six

D. six

Whenever you approach a YIELD sign at an intersection, you should A. allow vehicles on the left to proceed. B. make a full stop, then proceed. C. slow down and proceed. D. slow or stop and give the right of way to traffic.

D. slow or stop and give the right of way to traffic.

You are in front-wheel skid if you A. tend to go to the inside of the curve. B. generally tend to go to the right. C. generally tend to go to the left. D. tend to go straight.

D. tend to go straight.

The purposes of traffic signs are A. to direct, to decide, to stop. B. to observe, to direct, to guide. C. to stop, to warn, to decide. D. to regulate, to warn, to guide.

D. to regulate, to warn, to guide.

Driving-related laws passed by a state's legislature are found in its A. vehicle owner's manual. B. criminal law book. C. driver's guide. D. vehicle code.

D. vehicle code.