Driver’s License Study Guide with Questions/Answers:

1. By law, your headlights must be used at times when you cannot clearly see at least ___
feet ahead of you and when it is _____, _____, _____, _____, or _____.
a. 500 feet
b. Rain, sleet, snow, hail, or fog (keep at low beam)
2. A _______ is the connection of a freeway to a road or another freeway through a series
of ramps.
a. Freeway interchange
3. What is a NEV?
a. Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (e.g., golf cart). This electronic powered vehicle
has 3 to 4 wheels and can travel a maximum speed of 25 mph.
4. Where can a NEV be used?
a. Most public roads where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less.
5. Sign color meanings:
a. Regulatory:
i. Red: prohibits and commands
ii. White: regulates
b. Warning:
i. Yellow: warns
ii. Yellow green: warns and controls in pedestrian and bicycle crossing
and school areas
iii. Orange: warns and controls in construction zones
c. Informational:
i. Green: guides and informs
ii. Blue: Describes services for motorists
iii. Brown: Indicates historic, cultural, or recreation sites
6. You must stop when you see a_____.
a. Flashing red light
7. When red lights are flashing on a school bus, how many feet away should you stop?
a. At least 20 feet
8. If someone is injured in a crash, who do you call?
a. 911
9. What is illegal to do as a driver’s license holder with your cell phone while driving?
a. Composing, reading, or sending electronic messages including e‐mails, text
messages, instant messaging and accessing the internet except if using the
device to obtain emergency assistance, report a crash or crime, or when the
device is solely voice‐activated or in hands‐free mode.
10. Using what rule will help you maintain a safe following distance?
 a. 3 second rule
11. What is the 3 second rule? Explain.
a. “Choose a fixed reference point at the side of the road ahead, such as a
telephone pole, signpost, tree, or bridge. When the vehicle ahead of you passes
the reference point, begin counting: “One‐thousand‐one, one‐thousand‐two,
one‐thousand‐three.” If you pass the reference point before you are through
counting, you are following too closely. Gradually slow down until you have
reached a safe following distance and speed. When road conditions are poor, or
if you are driving a vehicle that is longer than the standard length, increase your
following distance to a four‐ or five‐second count” (p. 70).
12. When parallel parking the vehicle should be no more than _____ inches from the curb.
a. 12 inches (1 foot)
13. When you see railroad crossing lights and the gates activated, stop your vehicle at least
_____ feet from the rail or gate.
a. 10 (feet)
14. On a level highway, it takes _____to_____ seconds longer to pass a commercial vehicle
than to pass a passenger car.
a. 3 to 5 seconds
15. When making a right turn, look right and left, yield the right of way, and turn the
steering wheel ________.
a. Hand over hand & complete the turn into the lane next to the curb
16. If you do not wear a seat belt, your chances of being killed or injury is _____times
greater.
a. 4 times
17. You are more likely to survive a car crash if you use ______&______ together.
a. Lap and shoulder belts
18. What is the legal limit of alcohol concentration in the state of Minnesota?
a. Below 0.08 (regular vehicles); below 0.04 (commercial vehicles)
b. “If a law enforcement officer can prove that alcohol caused the driver to commit
driving errors, he or she can be arrested for DWI at an alcohol concentration
level as low as 0.04” (p. 91).
19. When you see a reflective triangular sign on the rear of a vehicle, you should ____.
a. Adjust your speed or prepare to change lanes
20. What are High‐occupancy vehicle lanes?
a. Lanes only used by motorcycles, buses, and vehicles carrying two or more
people.
21. When passing another vehicle, when is it safe to return to your lane?
a. When you see the vehicle’s headlights in your rear‐view mirror.
22. Name the 3 Freeway Interchanges.
a. Clover leaf
b. Folded Diamond
 c. Diamond
23. Areas around your vehicle where your view is obstructed are called _____.
a. Blind spots
24. True or False. You cannot make a left turn from a one‐way street onto another one way
while the light is red if certain conditions are met. Certain conditions: Before turning,
you must first come to a complete stop, make sure the intersection is clear, and yield to
any pedestrians or vehicles. Traffic must be permitted to travel in the direction in which
you are turning.
a. False
25. What kind of turn is illegal to make on interstate freeways, near tops of hills, on curves
and where other drivers cannot see you from 1000 feet away?
a. U‐turns
26. Do not pass on curve or hill where you cannot see the road _____ feet ahead or within
_____ feet of a railroad or tunnel.
a. 700 (feet); 100 (feet)
27. Backing up is not allowed on freeways or expressways, except by ________.
a. Drivers of emergency vehicles in the course of duty
28. At least 25% of all MN crashes are caused by what?
a. Distraction
29. What positions should your hands be on the steering wheel and which position should
you avoid?
a. 8 & 4 o’clock or 9 & 3 o’clock
b. Avoid the 10 and 2 o’clock position
30. Within how many days do you have to report a crash that results in injury, death, or
$1,000 property damage?
a. 10 days
31. A center lane between lanes of traffic traveling in opposite direction may be designated
for ________.
a. Left turns only
32. True or False. You can turn right on red unless there is sign posted saying otherwise.
a. True
33. What must you do when an emergency vehicle (e.g., ambulance, fire truck, police, etc.)
display flashing red lights and sounding siren or bell approaches your vehicle on a two‐
way road?
a. You must pull to the right and stop.
34. The average car traveling at 55 mph can stop within _____ to _____ feet.
a. 130 to 140
35. Failure to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing, results in ________.
a. A fine no less than $500 & withdrawal of your driving privileges
36. What is a commercial vehicle? Explain.
 a. A motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles weighing more than 26,000
lbs. used to transport passengers or property.
37. What is a blowout?
a. A burst tire that can throw your vehicle out of control.
38. When you are within ______ feet of an oncoming vehicle or following another vehicle at
a distance of _____ feet or less, your headlights must remain on low beam.
a. 1,000(feet); 200 (feet)
39. At night when you are 1,000 feet from an oncoming vehicle or following within 200 feet,
you must ________.
a. Dim your lights
40. How many inches should you be from the steering wheel?
a. 10 inches (an airbag safety suggestion)
41. How can you prevent drowsiness on long road trips?
a. By stopping at regular intervals for rest
42. How many miles/hours should you stop and move around while traveling?
a. 100 miles/2 hours
43. When another driver is trying to pass you, you should ______.
a. Stay in your own lane and do not increase speed
44. You are in an intersection. An emergency vehicle displaying flashing red lights and
sounding a siren or bells is approaching. What do you do?
a. Proceed through the intersection before stopping. Remain stopped until all
emergency vehicles have passed.
45. If you are driving slower than other traffic on a highway or freeway, stay in the lane
______.
a. Nearest to the right side of the road
46. What weight do children have to be to stop wearing forward facing harnessed seats?
a. 40 to 60 lbs. depending on the seat
47. The back seat is safest for children under ____years old.
a. 13
48. Infants must ride in rear facing seat until _____ years old or _____ lbs.
a. 1 (years) or 20 (lbs.)
49. Children under _______, who have outgrown a forward‐facing harnessed seat, must sit
in a belt‐positioning, forward facing booster seat, used with both adult lap and shoulder
belts.
a. 8 years old or 4ft 9in
50. Children under 13 years old should ride where?
a. The backseat
51. Where are rear facing infant seat not allowed?
a. In front of an active air bag
52. How many days after becoming a MN resident do you have to register your car?
a. 60 days
53. If a load extends ____ feet or more from the rear of any vehicle a _____, _____, or
_____ flag at least 16 inches square must be attached to the end of the load.
a. 4; red, yellow, or orange
54. No parking allowed how many feet from the following:
a. Fire hydrant
i. 10 feet
b. Crosswalk
i. 20 feet
c. Flashing lights, stop sign or traffic control signal located at the side of a public
road
i. 30 feet
d. Railroad crossing
i. 50 feet
55. On urban or town roads, the legal speed limit under ideal driving conditions is
_____mph unless traffic sign indicate otherwise.
a. 30 mph
56. What do flashing yellow lights on a school bus mean?
a. The school bus is stopping in 100ft in a speed zone of 35 mph or less and 300ft in
a speed zone of 35 mph or more.
57. When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended you
must ________.
a. Stop at least 20 feet from the bus
58. Both headlights must be visible from at least _____ feet.
a. 500 (feet)
59. A recreational vehicle combination may not be more than _____ feet in length.
a. 70 (feet)
60. When the front of vehicle is parked on a curb facing downhill, what direction should the
wheels be turned?
a. Towards the curb
61. When the front of a vehicle is parked on a curb facing uphill, what direction should the
wheels be turned?
a. Away from the curb
62. What are the 3 steps to enter the freeway?
a. Accelerate
b. Select a gap in traffic and adjust speed accordingly
c. Signal and move carefully into traffic lane
63. It is illegal to pass any vehicle within _____ feet of a railroad crossing.
a. 100 (feet)
64. What is the “NO ZONE”?
a. These zones (the front, the sides and rear of the vehicle) are the blind spots of a
commercial vehicle.
 b.
65. Some truck drivers may not be able to see up to ______ feet in front of the cab, on
either side of the trailer, and up to _____ feet to the rear.
a. 20 (feet); 200 (feet)
66. What are these?

a.
b. Answer: hand turn signals
67. When you wish to change lanes or make a turn you must __________ to inform other
motorists of your intentions.
a. Signal with an approved signal device (i.e., with your car’s signals or with the use
of your arms)
68. Turn signals must be used _____ feet before turning the car.
a. 100 (feet)
69. What is carbon monoxide poisoning?
a. A deadly, odorless, and colorless gas produced by engines.
70. How do you reduce carbon monoxide poisoning? Name at least two ways.
a. Avoid idling a vehicle in a garage. A safer place to warm up a vehicle is in the
driveway. Avoid sitting in a vehicle with the engine idling. Do not drive with all
windows tightly closed. Avoid idling a vehicle when stuck in the snow or the
mud. Make sure your vehicle’s exhaust system does not leak and is not blocked.
Periodically allow fresh air into the vehicle by lowering the windows.
71. What are the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
a. Sudden fatigue, headache, dizziness, and nausea
72. What warning signs are at railroad crossings?
a. Flashing lights, bells, and gates
73. True or False. When passing another car, a driver should wait until the entire car the
driver pass is visible in the rearview mirror.
a. True
74. At what angle should you walk quickly away from the tracks if your car stalls on the
tracks and a train is coming?
 a. 45‐degree angle in the direction the train is coming from
75. Anyone who is convicted of operating a vehicle without insurance, can be fined _____
and sentenced ______.
a. Up to $1,000; up to 90 days in jail
76. A traffic light that has a green arrow and a red light means?
a. You may drive only when the green arrow light is on and in the direction of that
arrow.
77. A “motorized bicycle” is defined how?
a. By its speed capacity (capable of traveling at speeds of 30 mph or less)
78. When passing you are passing another vehicle, you must return to the right side of the
road before coming within _____ feet of an oncoming vehicle.
a. 100 (feet)
79. Within how many feet of a fire truck, are vehicles traveling only on official emergency
business allowed to follow behind?
a. 500 feet
80. If you pull a camper or trailer with your vehicle, you must maintain a following distance
of at least _____ feet from other vehicles.
a. 500 (feet)
81. If someone is driving aggressively behind you, you should ________.
a. Try to get out of the aggressive driver’s way
82. How many feet may a fully loaded tractor‐trailer require to come to a complete stop?
a. More than 400 feet
83. Trailer Light Requirements:
a. Tail lamps – 2 red lights
b. Reflectors – 2 red reflectors
c. Rear license plate – one white light
84. Trailer Size Requirements:
a. Max length: 45 feet
b. Max width: 8 feet 6 inches
c. Max height: 13 feet 6 inches
85. Vanessa’s Law asserts that an unlicensed teen with a crash‐related moving violation or
an alcohol/controlled substance‐related violation (a violation of one or more statutes,
including DWI, Implied Consent, Open Bottle, or Underage Drinking, and Driving/Not a
Drop Law) cannot be given a license, instruction permit or provisional license until age
18. At 18, the driver must:
a. Pass both the knowledge test(s) and road test. Fulfill reinstatement
requirements, including the payment of fees. Obtain an instruction permit and
hold it for at least six months.
86. Minnesota’s basic speed law requires you to drive ________ under existing conditions
including weather, traffic, and road conditions.
a. At a speed no faster than is reasonable
87. What are the speed limits for alleys, urban and town roads, and all other locations not
specified?
a. Alleys: 10 mph
b. Urban or town roads: 30 mph
c. All other locations that are not specified: 55 mph
88. True or False. It is lawful to move into the same lane as and move alongside a
motorcycle.
a. False
89. How many seconds will a car float on the surface of the water?
a. 30‐60 seconds
90. What is the penalty if you commit two or more cell phone violations when a vehicle is in
motion or a part of traffic?
a. $225 fine in addition to the fine specified by the court
91. Explain hydroplaning.
a. When your tires lose all contact with the road which then makes you unable to
brake, accelerate, or change direction. At speeds of 35 mph or less, most tires
will “wipe” water off the road surface to keep tires in contact with the road. At
higher speeds, water can collect under tires and lift them off the surface of the
road which can cause this dangerous issue.
92. When lawfully passing on a two‐lane road with a posted speed limit of 55 mph, how
many mph can you increase your speed?
a. 10 mph
93. What does SIPDE stand for?
a. S: Scan – search aggressively ahead, to the sides and behind to avoid potential
hazards even before they arise. Search for oncoming traffic that may turn in
front of you, traffic coming from the left and right (including bicycles and
pedestrians) traffic approaching from behind, and hazardous road conditions.
b. I: Identify – locate hazards and potential conflicts such as cars, motorcycles,
bicycles, pedestrians or other vehicles, unattended children and animals,
stationary objects, potholes, guard rails, bridges, roadway signs, hedges, or
trees.
c. P: Predict – Consider speed, distance, and direction of hazards to anticipate how
they may affect you.
d. D: Decide – Decide what you would need to do if the situation changed quickly.
e. E: Execute – Carry out your decision. Communicate your presence with lights
and/or horn, adjust your speed appropriately, adjust your position and/or
direction to create space and minimize harm.
94. Explain Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI).
a. When traffic lanes cross over at each end of the bridge to eliminate left‐hand
turns across opposing traffic and to improve traffic safety and cut overall traffic
delays.
95. How far behind your vehicle should you place flares when you are having car troubles?
a. 100 to 500 feet to the right edge of the main road
96. Explain Reduced Conflict Intersections.
a. Intersections that decrease fatalities and injuries caused by broadside crashes on
four‐lane divided highways.
97. If a pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk you must ______.
a. Stop and wait until the pedestrian has passed your lane
98. When passing another vehicle, you must ________.
a. Make sure there is a safe distance between you and the oncoming vehicle
99. A dashed white line next to your lane means that you can ______.
a. Change lanes
100. If you see a steady yellow light as you approach an intersection, you should not
_______.
a. enter the intersection
101. When passing a bicyclist, the law requires at least ____ feet between the side of your
car and the bicyclist.
a. 3 (feet)