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Permit test questions and answers

18 questions, three per state, written from each state's official handbook, with the answer, the reason and the handbook section. No one can show you the real test; this shows you what it asks and where the answers live.

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California: Right-of-way

Two vehicles meet on a steep, narrow mountain road where neither can pass. Which vehicle has the right-of-way?

  1. The vehicle facing downhill
  2. The vehicle facing uphill
  3. The vehicle that is larger
Show the answer

The vehicle facing uphill. The vehicle facing uphill goes first. The downhill vehicle has more control when backing up, so it should back up until the other can pass.

From the handbook: Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road > Right-of-Way Rules: Who Goes First? > Mountain Roads

California: Speed limits

Unless otherwise posted, what is the maximum speed limit on a two-lane undivided highway?

  1. 45 mph
  2. 55 mph
  3. 65 mph
Show the answer

55 mph. Two-lane undivided highways have a 55 mph limit unless posted otherwise. The same 55 mph limit applies to vehicles towing trailers.

From the handbook: Section 8: Safe Driving (Continued) > Manage Your Speed

California: Signals, horn and lights

It is raining and you turn on your windshield wipers. What else must you turn on?

  1. Your high-beam headlights
  2. Your low-beam headlights
  3. Your emergency flashers
Show the answer

Your low-beam headlights. If you need your windshield wipers because of fog, rain, or snow, you must also turn on your low-beam headlights.

From the handbook: Section 5: An Introduction to Driving > Signals, Horns, And Headlights > Using Your Headlights

Florida: Right-of-way

A pedestrian crosses in the middle of a block, away from any crosswalk. Who is required to yield the right-of-way?

  1. Drivers must always yield
  2. The pedestrian must yield to vehicles
  3. Whoever is moving faster
  4. Neither; they must take turns
Show the answer

The pedestrian must yield to vehicles. Outside a crosswalk, the pedestrian must let vehicles go first. Drivers must still do everything they can to avoid hitting anyone.

From the handbook: Sharing the Road: Pedestrians, Rules for Pedestrians (PDF p. 96)

Florida: Speed limits

Where are 'Speeding Fines Doubled' signs posted?

  1. On every limited access highway
  2. In parking lots
  3. Near railroad crossings
  4. In active school and work zones
Show the answer

In active school and work zones. These signs appear in active school and work zones, where a speeding ticket costs twice as much.

From the handbook: Traffic Controls: Regulatory Signs, Speeding Fines Doubled (PDF p. 55)

Florida: Signs, signals and pavement markings

A School sign tells you a school is nearby. When should you watch for children?

  1. At all times, not only during school hours
  2. Only during school hours
  3. Only when a light is flashing
  4. Only when a crossing guard is on duty
Show the answer

At all times, not only during school hours. Near a school, children can appear at any hour, so stay alert all the time, not just when school is in session.

From the handbook: Traffic Controls: School Zone Signs & Signals (PDF p. 65)

Illinois: Right-of-way

Traffic is backed up on the far side of an intersection, and your light is green. What should you do?

  1. Stop on the crosswalk so you are ready to go
  2. Enter and stop in the intersection until traffic moves
  3. Wait until there is room on the other side before entering
Show the answer

Wait until there is room on the other side before entering. Do not pull into an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is room to clear it without blocking other vehicles or pedestrians.

From the handbook: Chapter 4: Traffic Laws > Right of Way (A driver may not:) (PDF p. 29)

Illinois: Speed limits

Which situation requires you to slow down even if you are already under the posted limit?

  1. Entering a long straight road
  2. Approaching the top of a hill
  3. Driving in light traffic on a dry day
Show the answer

Approaching the top of a hill. The manual lists intersections, curves, hilltops, and narrow winding roads as places where you must reduce speed, whatever the posted maximum.

From the handbook: Chapter 4: Traffic Laws > Speed Limits (PDF p. 27)

Illinois: Signs, signals and pavement markings

How must you treat a railroad crossbuck sign?

  1. As a yield sign: give way to any oncoming train or railroad equipment
  2. As a stop sign, stopping fully every time
  3. As a speed limit sign
Show the answer

As a yield sign: give way to any oncoming train or railroad equipment. Where several tracks cross, a sign under the crossbuck counts them.

From the handbook: Chapter 10: Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings > Railroad Crossings (PDF p. 84)

New York: Right-of-way

Another driver has just yielded to you. What should you keep in mind?

  1. Having the right-of-way means you may keep your speed
  2. The right-of-way is not complete, so be ready to yield anyway
  3. You never have to yield once you have the right-of-way
Show the answer

The right-of-way is not complete, so be ready to yield anyway. Even with the right-of-way, be ready to yield to others. Waiting a few seconds is far better than risking a crash.

From the handbook: Chapter 8: Defensive Driving > Be Prepared and Look Ahead (page 46)

New York: Speed limits

What is the usual speed limit on an expressway in New York State?

  1. 65 mph everywhere, including inside city limits
  2. 55 mph, with 65 mph posted in some rural areas
  3. 50 mph in every county, unless a sign says otherwise
Show the answer

55 mph, with 65 mph posted in some rural areas. Expressway speed limits are normally 55 mph, and some rural stretches are posted at 65 mph.

From the handbook: Chapter 10: Special Driving Conditions > Expressway Driving (page 62)

New York: Road signs

A reflective orange triangle is mounted on the back of a farm tractor ahead. What does it tell you?

  1. The vehicle is moving slowly, so approach with caution
  2. The vehicle carries hazardous materials, so keep well back
  3. The vehicle is about to turn left
Show the answer

The vehicle is moving slowly, so approach with caution. The orange triangle is the slow-moving vehicle symbol. It appears on animal-drawn vehicles, most farm vehicles, construction equipment and rural mail vehicles. Slow down and pass only when it is safe.

From the handbook: Chapter 11: Sharing the Road > Slow-Moving Vehicles (page 76)

Pennsylvania: Right-of-way

A funeral procession's lead vehicle entered the intersection on green, and the light has now turned red for the procession. What should you do?

  1. Yield and let the procession continue through
  2. Drive through gaps in the procession once your light turns green
  3. Sound your horn to signal the procession to stop
Show the answer

Yield and let the procession continue through. Once the lead vehicle has entered on a green light, the rest of the procession may continue and other traffic must yield. Do not cut in and out of the line.

From the handbook: Chapter 3: Funeral Procession (PDF p. 68)

Pennsylvania: Speed limits

What is the maximum speed for an open-bed pickup truck when someone is riding in the bed?

  1. 25 mph
  2. 35 mph
  3. 45 mph
Show the answer

35 mph. A truck may not exceed 35 mph with anyone in its open bed, and a child under 18 may not ride there except in limited cases such as farm work, hunting, or a parade.

From the handbook: Chapter 3: Passengers in an Open-Bed Truck (PDF p. 63)

Pennsylvania: Road signs

A route marker shaped like a keystone identifies what kind of road?

  1. A U.S. traffic route
  2. An interstate highway
  3. A Pennsylvania traffic route
Show the answer

A Pennsylvania traffic route. The keystone shape marks a Pennsylvania traffic route, such as PA Route 39 in the manual's example.

From the handbook: Chapter 2: Signs, Route Markers (PDF p. 25)

Texas: Right-of-way

You come to a single-lane roundabout. Who has the right-of-way?

  1. Vehicles entering from your right
  2. Vehicles already circulating in the roundabout
  3. You, as the vehicle entering
  4. The largest vehicle
Show the answer

Vehicles already circulating in the roundabout. Wait for traffic inside the circle to pass, enter when there is a safe gap, and go around counterclockwise.

From the handbook: Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations > Roundabouts: Single-lane roundabout (PDF page 56)

Texas: Speed limits

In Texas, what range of criminal penalties can a street racing conviction carry?

  1. Only a warning for a first offense
  2. From a Class B misdemeanor up to a second-degree felony
  3. Only a Class C misdemeanor
  4. A fine of no more than $200
Show the answer

From a Class B misdemeanor up to a second-degree felony. Street racing on public roads is illegal. Penalties start at a Class B misdemeanor and can go as high as a second-degree felony.

From the handbook: Chapter 8: Speed and Speed Limits > Street Racing (PDF page 52)

Texas: Signs, signals and pavement markings

At a pedestrian hybrid beacon at a marked crosswalk, the lights facing you flash red, alternating side to side. What should you do?

  1. Speed up to clear the crosswalk
  2. Stop, then go if the crosswalk is clear
  3. Stay stopped until the beacon goes dark
  4. Slow down but do not stop
Show the answer

Stop, then go if the crosswalk is clear. These beacons are used only at marked crosswalks. When they alternate flashing red, stop and continue only if no one is crossing.

From the handbook: Chapter 4: Right-of-Way > Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PDF page 30)

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