56 DMV Questions of Defensive Driving
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# 1. To make a right turn at the corner, you:
A. May not enter the bicycle lane.
B. Should only merge into the bicycle lane if you stop before turning.
C. Must merge into the bicycle lane before turning.
# 2. Drivers who eat and drink while driving:
A. Have no driving errors
B. Have trouble driving slow
C. Are better drivers because they are not hungry
D. Have trouble controlling their vehicles
# 3. When driving on a freeway entrance ramp, you should look for a gap in freeway traffic by:
A. Looking in the inside rearview mirror only
B. Looking in the sideview mirror only
C. Looking in both rearview and sideview mirrors
D. Looking in your mirrors and turning your head to look over your shoulder
# 4. You are waiting to turn left at a multilane intersection, and opposing traffic is blocking your view, you should:
A. Accelerate rapidly when the first lane you need to cross is clear
B. Wait until you can see all the lanes you need to cross before going ahead with your turn
C. Wait for the opposing driver to wave you across the intersection
D. Edge your car into each lane of opposing traffic as soon as it clears
# 5. Allowing a space cushion is important because it:
A. Prevents distractions from other vehicles
B. Allows you time to react to situations
C. Keeps traffic flowing at a safe pace
D. Keeps other drivers alert
# 6. Which of the following statements about blind spots is true?
A. They are eliminated if you have one outside mirror on each side of the vehicle.
B. Large trucks have bigger blind spots than most passenger vehicles.
C. Blind spots can be checked by looking in your rear view mirrors.
# 7. The only time you do not have to stop for a school bus whose red lights are flashing and stop arm is extended is when you:
A. Are driving on the opposite side of a divided highway
B. Are behind the bus
C. See no children present
D. Can safely pass on the left
# 8. Who must yield when a driver is turning and a pedestrian is crossing without a traffic light?
A. Whoever started last
B. The driver
C. Whoever is slower
D. The pedestrian
# 9. On long trips you can prevent drowsiness by
A. Turning on your car radio.B. Slowing down so you can react better.C. Stopping at regular intervals for a rest.D. Moving your eyes from side to side as you drive.
Explanation : Before you embark on a trip, you should: Get a good nights sleep.
Plan to drive long trips with a companion.
Schedule regular stops, every 100 miles or 2 hours.
Avoid alcohol and medications that may impair performance.
# 10. You can park and leave your car
A. In a tunnel.B. 30 feet from a railroad crossing.C. Between a safety zone and the curb.D. None of the above.
Explanation : Never park or leave your vehicle in a tunnel or on a bridge, on or within 50 feet of a railroad crossing, or between a safety zone and the curb.
# 11. When you are merging onto the freeway, you should be driving:
A. At or near the same speed as the traffic on the freeway.
B. 5 to 10 MPH slower than the traffic on the freeway.
C. The posted speed limit for traffic on the freeway.
# 12. When traveling behind a motorcycle:
A. Allow a following distance of at least 2 car lengths
B. Allow at least 2 seconds of following distance
C. Allow at least 4 seconds of following distance
D. Allow a following distance of at least 4 motorcycle lengths
# 13. Your lane position should __________
A. increase wind blast from other vehicles.B. protect your lane from other drivers.C. decrease your ability to see and be seen.D. all the above
Explanation : Your lane position should:
Increase your ability to see and be seen. Avoid others` blind spots. Protect your lane from other drivers. Communicate your intentions.Help you avoid wind blasts from other vehicles.
Provide an escape route.
# 14. When a truck driver behind you wants to pass your vehicle, your speed should:
A. Remain steady or decrease
B. Change lanes
C. Change
D. Increase
# 15. On a two-lane road, you may pass another vehicle on the right when:
A. Driving on a single lane entrance ramp
B. The driver you are passing is travelling slower than the posted speed limit
C. Never
D. The driver you are passing is making a left turn
# 16. To avoid last minute moves, you should be looking down the road to where your vehicle will be in about ____.
A. 5 to 10 seconds
B. 10 to 15 seconds
C. 15 to 20 seconds
# 17. These pavement markings tell you that at the intersection ahead:
A. Center lane traffic may go straight or turn leftB. You can only turn right from the center laneC. The center lane mergers into one laneD. Center lane traffic must turn left
# 18. Collisions can happen more often when:
A. All vehicles are traveling about the same speed.
B. One lane of traffic is traveling faster than the other lanes.
C. One vehicle is traveling faster or slower than the flow of traffic.
# 19. If you stop at a railroad crossing with more than one track:
A. Wait until you have a clear view of all tracks
B. Stop on the railroad track and watch for another train
C. Go through as soon as the train passes
D. Go through when one of the tracks is free
# 20. On two-lane, two-way streets or highways, you should start left turns:
A. Close to the center line
B. Close to the outside line
C. In the center of the lane
D. Anywhere in the lane
# 21. When no signs, signals, or police tell you what to do at an intersection, the law states that:
A. Drivers on the right must yield to drivers on the left
B. There are no laws stating who must yield
C. Drivers going straight must yield to drivers turning left at the intersection
D. Drivers turning left must yield to drivers going straight through the intersection
# 22. It is best to keep a space cushion:
A. Only in back of your vehicle
B. Only on the left and right side of your vehicle
C. Only in front of the vehicle
D. On all sides of the vehicle
# 23. When entering a freeway:
A. Vehicles on the freeway must always yield the right-of-way to vehicles that are entering the freeway.B. You must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already on the freeway.C. Increase your speed even if the way is not clear.D. You must always drive at the same speed as the rest of the traffic.
Explanation : Enter the freeway at or near the speed of traffic. Do not stop before merging with freeway traffic unless absolutely necessary. Freeway traffic has the right of way. Watch for vehicles around you. Use your mirrors and turn signals.
# 24. U-turns in residential districts are legal:
A. On a one-way street on a green arrow.
B. When there are no vehicles approaching nearby.
C. Across two sets of solid double, yellow lines.
# 25. You drive defensively when you:
A. Always put one car length between you and the car ahead.
B. Look only at the car in front of you while driving.
C. Keep your eyes moving to look for possible hazards.
# 26. When driving near a blind pedestrian who is carrying a white cane or using a guide dog, you should:
A. Slow down and be prepared to stop
B. Take the right-of-way
C. Proceed normally
D. Drive away quickly
# 27. If you are driving behind a motorcycle, you must:
A. Allow the motorcycle to use a complete lane
B. Drive on the shoulder beside the motorcycle
C. Allow the motorcycle to use only half a lane
D. Pass in the same lane where the motorcycle is driving
# 28. When you drive through an area where children are playing, you should expect them:
A. To know when it is safe to cross
B. To stop at the curb before crossing the street
C. To run out in front of you without looking
D. Not to cross unless they are with an adult
# 29. After a train has passed, you should:
A. Check again for approaching trains and proceed with caution
B. Wait for a green light
C. Proceed across the tracks
D. Blow horn and proceed
# 30. The law gives _______ the right of way at intersections.
A. No one
B. Drivers turning left
C. Drivers going straight
D. Drivers turning right
# 31. The most important thing to remember about speed management and curves is to:
A. Drive at the posted speed limit as you enter the curve, then slow down at the sharpest part of
the curve
B. Slow down before you enter the curve
C. Accelerate gently before you enter the curve
D. Drive at the posted speed limit of the roadway, before, throughout, and after the curve
# 32. If you want to get off from a freeway, but you missed your exit, you should:
A. Go to the next exit, and get off the freeway there
B. Make a U-turn through the median
C. Pull onto the shoulder and back your car to the exit
D. Flag down a police officer for an escort back to your exit
# 33. If you are following a truck that swings left before making a right turn at an intersection, you should remember that it is very dangerous to:
A. Try to squeeze between the truck and curb to make a right turn
B. Apply your brakes until the truck has completed the turn
C. Violate the 4-second following distance rule
D. Honk your horn at the truck driver
# 34. A safe speed to drive your car
A. Is the posted speed limit.B. Is less than the posted speed limit.C. Depends on the weather and road conditions.D. Depends on the mechanical skill of the driver.
Explanation : You must obey the posted speed limit, or, if no limit is posted, drive no faster than 55 mph (88 km/h). the legal limit on an icy or foggy expressway might be 55 mph (88 km/h), but the safe speed to drive would be much lower.
# 35. Minimum speed signs are designed to
A. Keep traffic flowing smoothly.B. Show current local road conditions.C. Test future traffic signal needs.D. Assure pedestrian safety.
Explanation : To keep traffic flowing smoothly, some highways also have minimum speed limits. Driving slower than the minimum speed can interrupt the traffic flow and create a dangerous situation.
# 36. At an intersection with a stop sign, you should stop and:
A. Check your rearview mirror for cars tailgating
B. Go when the vehicle ahead of you goes
C. Look right first, then left, then right again
D. Look both ways ahead and ensure it is clear and safe before moving off.
# 37. Preparing to smoke and smoking while driving:
A. Do not affect driving abilities
B. Help maintain driver alertness
C. Are distracting activities
D. Are not distracting activities
# 38. When sharing the road with a truck, it is important to remember that, in general, trucks:
A. Take longer distances than cars to stop
B. Require less time to pass on a downgrade than cars
C. Require less turning radius than cars
D. Require less time to pass on an incline than cars
# 39. An orange triangle on the back of a vehicle indicates that vehicle:
A. Carries radioactive materials
B. Takes wide turns
C. Travels at slower speeds than normal traffic
D. Makes frequent stops
# 40. When entering a highway from an entrance ramp, you should generally:
A. Enter above the speed of traffic to get ahead
B. Enter slowly to avoid other vehicles
C. Stop first, then slowly enter traffic
D. Accelerate to the speed of traffic
# 41. At night, it is hardest to see:
A. Road signs
B. Pedestrians
C. Other motorists
D. Street lights
# 42. To pass a slower-moving vehicle on a two-lane road you must:
A. Not cross the center line
B. Flash your lights to oncoming traffic
C. Use the shoulder
D. Use that lane that belongs to oncoming traffic
# 43. Seat belts can be most effective as injury preventive devices when they are worn by
A. The person driving the car.B. Passengers when they are on a long drive.C. All occupants of a car being driven on an expressway.D. Passengers and the driver whenever they are in the car.
Explanation : Whenever you drive, you should make sure everyone in your vehicle wears a seat belt. In the event of a crash, a person without a belt becomes a projectile, and a danger to everyone else in the vehicle.
# 44. One of the rules of defensive driving is
A. Look straight ahead as you drive.B. Stay alert and keep your eyes moving.C. Expect that other drivers will make up for your errors.D. Be confident that you can avoid danger at the last minute.
Explanation : Keep your eyes moving, notice what is happening at the sides of the road, and check behind you through your mirrors every few seconds.
# 45. When a school bus has its lights flashing and its stop arm extended, you must:
A. Stop at least 10 feet away from the bus
B. Pass if children have exited the bus
C. Stop if the bus is on the opposite side of a barrier
D. Drive slowly by the bus
# 46. When passing on a multi-lane highway:
A. Be sure the passing lane is clear
B. Pass only on the right
C. Watch for oncoming traffic
D. There is no need to signal
# 47. When passing a bicyclist, you should:
A. Blast your horn to alert the bicyclist
B. Move as far left as possible
C. Remain in the center of the lane
D. Put on your four-way flashers
# 48. The four-second rule refers to how one should:
A. Yield to other cars
B. Turn at stop signs
C. Follow another car
D. Cross an intersection
# 49. teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in a crash when:
A. They are driving with their pet as a passenger
B. They are driving with adult passengers
C. They are driving with teenage passengers
D. They are driving without any passengers
# 50. Drivers entering a roundabout or traffic circle:
A. Must stop before entering
B. Must yield to drivers in the roundabout or traffic circle
C. Have the right of way if they arrive first
D. Have the right of way if there are two lanes
# 51. You need to use extra caution when driving near a pedestrian using a white cane because:
A. He or she is deaf
B. He or she has a mental disability
C. He or she is blind
D. He or she has a walking problem
# 52. Under normal conditions, a safe following distance between your car and the car ahead is:
A. Fifty feet.B. One car length.C. Three second behind the vehicle you followD. One hundred feet
Explanation : Follow at a safe distance. Use the three-second rule. Increase your following distance in bad weather or poor visibility.
# 53. Highway hypnosis is a driver condition that can result from:
A. Staring at the roadway for long periods of time
B. Frequent rest stops
C. Too much sleep the night before your trip
D. Short trips on expressways
# 54. When exiting a highway, you should slow down:
A. On the main road, just before the exit lane
B. Once you see the toll booth
C. Once you have moved into the exit lane
D. When you first see the exit sign
# 55. Always use your seat belt:
A. Unless the vehicle was built before 1978.
B. Unless you are in a limousine.
C. When the vehicle is equipped with seat belts.
# 56. To turn left on multi-lane streets and highways, you should start from:
A. The middle of the intersection
B. The right lane
C. The left lane
D. Any lane