Alabama DMV practice test

Official handbook

Key numbers from the handbook

Questions about the Alabama test

All 44 questions and answers

Read the bank before a mock test. Each answer names the handbook section and the printed page.

1. 1.What does the Alabama knowledge test contain questions on?

   The Test

   • Alabama traffic laws, road signs and rules of safe driving

   The manual says the test contains questions on Alabama traffic laws, road signs and rules of safe driving. Handbook: Knowledge Test, page 13.

2. 2.Where do the Alabama knowledge test questions come from?

   The Test

   • The material in the Alabama Driver Manual

   The manual says the test is taken from material found in the booklet. Handbook: Knowledge Test, page 13.

3. 3.What is the minimum age to obtain an Alabama restricted learner license?

   Licensing and GDL

   • 15

   Any person 15 years of age may obtain a restricted learner license for learning to drive safely. Handbook: The Learner License and Restricted License, page 11.

4. 4.Who must accompany a 15-year-old driving with an Alabama learner license?

   Licensing and GDL

   • A parent, legal guardian or person 21 or older in the front seat

   A 15-year-old must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat. Handbook: The Learner License and Restricted License, page 11.

5. 5.When may an Alabama driver who is 16, or 17 with a license under six months, not drive?

   Licensing and GDL

   • Between midnight and 6 a.m.

   The GDL restrictions bar driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless a parent or legal guardian is along, with limited exceptions. Handbook: GDL Summary, page 86.

6. 6.How many nonfamily passengers may ride with an Alabama GDL driver who is 16 or 17 with a license under six months?

   Licensing and GDL

   • One

   The restriction allows no more than one nonfamily passenger other than a parent, guardian or supervising licensed driver at least 21. Handbook: GDL Summary, page 86.

7. 7.What happens to an Alabama GDL driver convicted of a second moving traffic violation?

   Licensing and GDL

   • Automatic 60-day license suspension

   A second moving traffic violation or an offense with four or more points automatically suspends the license for 60 days. Handbook: GDL Summary, page 86.

8. 8.What is the statutory speed limit in an Alabama urban district?

   Speed and Space

   • 30 mph

   Alabama's statutory speed limits include 30 mph in an urban district. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 62.

9. 9.What is the statutory speed limit on an Alabama unpaved road?

   Speed and Space

   • 35 mph

   The statutory limit is 35 mph on an unpaved road. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 62.

10. 10.What is the statutory speed limit on an Alabama county paved road unless posted otherwise?

    Speed and Space

    • 45 mph

    The statutory limit is 45 mph on a county paved road unless posted. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 62.

11. 11.What is the statutory speed limit in Alabama locations not covered by another limit?

    Speed and Space

    • 55 mph

    The statutory limit is 55 mph in other locations not covered by a specific limit. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 62.

12. 12.What is the speed limit where posted on an Alabama interstate?

    Speed and Space

    • 70 mph

    The statutory limit is 70 mph where posted on an interstate. Handbook: Speed Limits, page 62.

13. 13.Which following-distance formula does the Alabama manual teach?

    Speed and Space

    • The two-second rule

    The manual teaches the two-second rule as a safer, easier-to-apply replacement for the old one-car-length formula. Handbook: How to Avoid Rear End Collisions, page 38.

14. 14.What should you increase your following count to when road and weather conditions are not good?

    Speed and Space

    • A four- or five-second count

    In bad road and weather conditions, increase your following distance to a four- or five-second count. Handbook: How to Avoid Rear End Collisions, page 38.

15. 15.How many points does Alabama assess for speeding 26 mph or more over the limit?

    Points and Penalties

    • 5 points

    Speeding 26 mph or more over the limit is assessed 5 points. Handbook: The Alabama Point System, page 21.

16. 16.How many points does Alabama assess for passing a stopped school bus?

    Points and Penalties

    • 5 points

    Passing a stopped school bus is assessed 5 points. Handbook: The Alabama Point System, page 21.

17. 17.How many points does Alabama assess for following too closely?

    Points and Penalties

    • 3 points

    Following too closely is assessed 3 points. Handbook: The Alabama Point System, page 21.

18. 18.How many points does Alabama assess for reckless driving?

    Points and Penalties

    • 6 points

    Reckless driving or reckless endangerment involving a motor vehicle is assessed 6 points. Handbook: The Alabama Point System, page 21.

19. 19.How many points in a two-year period cause a 60-day Alabama license suspension?

    Points and Penalties

    • 12 to 14 points

    The Alabama point schedule suspends a license for 60 days at 12 to 14 points in a two-year period. Handbook: The Alabama Point System, page 21.

20. 20.At what blood alcohol concentration does Alabama law consider a driver impaired?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • 0.08 percent

    The manual says the legal limit for driving is 0.08 percent for most drivers. Handbook: Alcohol, Drugs and Driving, page 35.

21. 21.What blood alcohol content applies to an Alabama commercial vehicle operator?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • 0.04 percent

    A commercial vehicle operator whose blood alcohol content is 0.04 percent or more is over the limit. Handbook: Alcohol, Drugs and Driving, page 35.

22. 22.What blood alcohol content applies to an Alabama driver under 21?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • 0.02 percent

    A person under 21 whose blood alcohol content is 0.02 percent or more is over the limit. Handbook: Alcohol, Drugs and Driving, page 35.

23. 23.According to the manual's summary of research, at what BAC does impairment clearly begin?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • 0.05 percent

    The manual says research shows that a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 percent clearly impairs driving. Handbook: Alcohol, Drugs and Driving, page 35.

24. 24.Which driver groups have a lower blood alcohol limit in Alabama?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • Commercial operators, drivers under 21, and school bus and daycare drivers

    Commercial operators are over the limit at 0.04 percent, and drivers under 21 and school bus and daycare drivers at 0.02 percent. Handbook: Alcohol, Drugs and Driving, page 35.

25. 25.At an uncontrolled Alabama intersection where two vehicles arrive at about the same time, who yields?

    Signals and Right of Way

    • The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right

    If two vehicles enter an uncontrolled intersection at about the same time, the driver on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. Handbook: Right of Way and Yielding, page 65.

26. 26.What must you do when an Alabama emergency vehicle displays a flashing red or blue light and sounds a siren or bell?

    Signals and Right of Way

    • Pull to the side of the roadway and stop, clearing an intersection first

    Pull to the side of the roadway and stop; if you are in an intersection, clear it before stopping, and do not proceed until the vehicle has passed. Handbook: Right of Way and Yielding, page 65.

27. 27.Whom must Alabama drivers yield to at any intersection?

    Signals and Right of Way

    • A blind person with a white cane tipped in red or a guide dog

    The law requires stopping and giving right of way to a blind person carrying a white cane tipped with red or using a guide dog. Handbook: Right of Way and Yielding, page 65.

28. 28.When turning left in Alabama, whom must you yield to?

    Signals and Right of Way

    • Vehicles approaching from the opposite direction when close enough to be an immediate hazard

    On a left turn you must yield to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is within the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. Handbook: Right of Way and Yielding, page 65.

29. 29.What does a solid yellow center line on a two-lane Alabama road mean?

    Signals and Right of Way

    • Passing is prohibited in areas marked with the solid line

    Solid yellow center stripes and no-passing signs mark areas where passing would be hazardous and is prohibited. Handbook: No Passing Zones, page 66.

30. 30.How far from an Alabama school bus displaying its stop signals must you stop?

    School Buses

    • At least 20 feet

    When you see the displayed signals, you must stop at least 20 feet from the bus, coming from either direction. Handbook: School Buses, page 64.

31. 31.How far ahead do Alabama school buses use flashing amber lights in rural areas and municipalities?

    School Buses

    • At least 300 feet rural and 100 feet in municipalities

    Amber warning lights are used at least 300 feet before stopping in rural areas and at least 100 feet in municipalities. Handbook: School Buses, page 64.

32. 32.What do flashing amber lights on an Alabama school bus mean?

    School Buses

    • The bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children

    Flashing amber lights are a pre-warning that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Handbook: School Buses, page 64.

33. 33.Who must be restrained under Alabama's safety belt law?

    Seat Belts and Children

    • Each occupant, regardless of age

    Alabama's safety belt law requires each occupant, regardless of age, to be restrained. Handbook: Alabama's Safety Belt and Child Restraint Laws, page 32.

34. 34.Until when must an Alabama infant ride in a rear-facing seat?

    Seat Belts and Children

    • Until at least 1 year of age or 20 pounds

    An infant-only or convertible seat must be used in the rear-facing position until the infant is at least 1 year old or 20 pounds. Handbook: Alabama's Safety Belt and Child Restraint Laws, page 32.

35. 35.How long must an Alabama child use a booster seat?

    Seat Belts and Children

    • Until age 6

    The law requires a booster seat until a child is 6 years of age. Handbook: Alabama's Safety Belt and Child Restraint Laws, page 32.

36. 36.Through what age must an Alabama child be restrained?

    Seat Belts and Children

    • Age 15

    Alabama's child restraint law covers children through age 15, who must be restrained in an appropriate system or a seat belt. Handbook: Alabama's Safety Belt and Child Restraint Laws, page 32.

37. 37.At what distances must you dim your headlights in Alabama?

    Night and Railroad

    • Within 500 feet oncoming and 200 feet following

    Dim your headlights when within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet when following another vehicle. Handbook: Night Driving, page 71.

38. 38.When does Alabama law require headlights?

    Night and Railroad

    • From a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, or when you cannot see clearly for 500 feet

    Headlights must be on from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise and whenever visibility is limited to under 500 feet. Handbook: Night Driving, page 71.

39. 39.Where must a school bus or passenger bus stop at an Alabama railroad crossing?

    Night and Railroad

    • Within 15 to 50 feet of the nearest rail

    Vehicles required to stop at railroad crossings, such as school and passenger buses, must stop within 15 to 50 feet of the nearest rail. Handbook: Stopping for Railroad Crossings, page 41.

40. 40.What does a round yellow railroad warning sign tell you?

    Night and Railroad

    • A highway-railroad crossing is ahead

    The round yellow sign warns that a highway-railroad crossing is ahead and is placed in advance of the crossing. Handbook: Railroad Crossings - Advanced Warnings, page 41.

41. 41.On an Alabama road with four or more lanes, what must you do for a stopped emergency vehicle or wrecker with lights flashing?

    Sharing the Road

    • Vacate the lane closest to it, or slow at least 15 mph below the posted limit if moving over is unsafe

    On a four-lane or wider road you must vacate the closest lane; if that is unsafe, slow to at least 15 mph below the posted limit. Handbook: Move-Over Law, page 70.

42. 42.According to the Alabama manual, how far does a loaded truck need to stop at 55 mph?

    Sharing the Road

    • 430 feet

    A National Safety Council study cited by the manual found a loaded truck at 55 mph needs 430 feet to stop safely, against 193 feet for a passenger car. Handbook: Front No-Zones, page 30.

43. 43.Why should you not cut in front of a large truck too soon after passing in Alabama?

    Sharing the Road

    • Truck drivers need nearly twice the stopping room of a car

    The manual warns that truck and bus drivers need nearly twice the room to stop, so wait until you see the whole front of the vehicle in your mirror. Handbook: Front No-Zones, page 30.

44. 44.Why should you not pass a truck on the right when its right turn signal is blinking in Alabama?

    Sharing the Road

    • The driver needs to swing wide and cannot see you, so you could be trapped

    Large vehicles swing wide for right turns; the driver cannot see you and you could become trapped in the squeeze play. Handbook: Turn No-Zones, page 30.

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