Pennsylvania DMV practice test

Official handbook

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Questions about the Pennsylvania test

All 41 questions and answers

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

1. 1.How many questions are on the Pennsylvania learner permit knowledge test, and how many must you get right?

   The Written Test

   • 18 questions, 15 correct

   The manual states the knowledge test has 18 multiple-choice questions and requires 15 correct answers. Handbook: Tests - Knowledge Test, page 5.

2. 2.You fail the Pennsylvania knowledge test. When can you retake it?

   The Written Test

   • The following business day

   If you fail the knowledge test you are permitted to retake it the following business day. Handbook: Tests - Knowledge Test, page 5.

3. 3.You watch the rear bumper of the car ahead pass a telephone pole and count. You reach the pole in three seconds. What does that mean?

   Following Distance

   • You are following too closely

   If you pass the marking or object in less than four seconds, you are following too closely. Handbook: Managing Space, page 40.

4. 4.How much following distance does the Pennsylvania manual ask you to leave behind a motorcycle?

   Following Distance

   • Three or four seconds

   Leave three or four seconds when following a motorcycle so the rider can manoeuvre or stop in an emergency. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Motorcycles, page 2.

5. 5.Why does a safe following distance matter?

   Following Distance

   • It lets you react without needing a panic stop

   A safe following distance lets you react to a problem ahead without a panic stop that a driver behind could crash into. Handbook: Managing Space, page 40.

6. 6.In Pennsylvania, which BAC range is counted as general impairment for a driver of legal drinking age?

   Alcohol and Drugs

   • .08 to .099

   Table 1 covers .08 to .099, Table 2 covers .10 to .159, and Table 3 covers .16 and up. Handbook: Table 1 - General Impairment, page 83.

7. 7.Which BAC range is treated as the high rate of impairment in Pennsylvania?

   Alcohol and Drugs

   • .10 to .159

   The high rate table starts at .10, and it also covers young drivers, commercial drivers and school bus drivers at lower levels. Handbook: Table 2 - High Rate, page 83.

8. 8.At what BAC does the highest rate table apply, and who else falls under it?

   Alcohol and Drugs

   • .16, and drivers who refuse chemical testing at any BAC

   The highest rate is .16 and up, and the table also applies to drivers who refuse chemical testing at any BAC. Handbook: Table 3 - Highest Rate, page 83.

9. 9.You are 19 and have a BAC of .03. Which penalty table applies to you in Pennsylvania?

   Alcohol and Drugs

   • High rate, because the high rate table covers drivers under 21 with .02 or more

   The note under the high rate table applies it to drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or more. Handbook: Table 2 - High Rate, page 83.

10. 10.What does Pennsylvania's high rate table give you for a first offence at .10 to .159?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • 2 days to 6 months in prison, a $500 to $5,000 fine and a 12-month suspension

    A first high rate offence carries 2 days to 6 months in prison, a $500 to $5,000 fine, a 12-month suspension and an ignition interlock. Handbook: Table 2 - High Rate, page 83.

11. 11.At how many points on your Pennsylvania record does PennDOT start corrective action?

    Points and Sanctions

    • Six

    PennDOT begins corrective action when a driving record reaches six or more points. Handbook: Pennsylvania's Point System, page 79.

12. 12.What happens the first time your Pennsylvania record reaches six or more points?

    Points and Sanctions

    • You get a written notice and must take a special point examination

    The first time you reach six or more points you get a written notice and a special point examination. Handbook: Pennsylvania's Point System, page 79.

13. 13.How are points removed from a Pennsylvania driving record?

    Points and Sanctions

    • Three points for every 12 consecutive months with no violations

    Three points come off for every 12 consecutive months without a violation that adds points or suspends the licence. Handbook: Point Removal for Safe Driving, page 79.

14. 14.You are 17 and are convicted of driving 26 mph or more over the posted speed limit. What happens?

    Points and Sanctions

    • Your driving privilege is suspended

    A driver under 18 is suspended at six or more points or a conviction of 26 mph or more over, starting with 90 days. Handbook: Pennsylvania's Point System, page 79.

15. 15.A school bus stops with its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended. How far back must you stop?

    School Buses

    • At least 10 feet

    You must stop at least 10 feet away, whether you are behind it, coming toward it, or approaching an intersection where it is stopped. Handbook: School Buses, page 58.

16. 16.What suspension follows a conviction for failing to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing and its stop arm extended?

    School Buses

    • 60 days

    Failure to stop for a school bus is listed with a 60-day suspension. Handbook: Suspensions and Revocations, page 79.

17. 17.A school bus begins flashing amber warning lights. What should you do?

    School Buses

    • Decrease speed and be prepared to stop

    Amber lights warn that the bus is preparing to stop, so slow down and be ready to stop. Handbook: School Buses, page 58.

18. 18.You cannot change lanes because traffic blocks you, and a disabled vehicle with warning lights is stopped ahead. What must you do?

    Move Over Law

    • Reduce your speed to at least 20 mph below the posted limit

    If you cannot move over, the Move Over Law requires you to reduce your speed to at least 20 mph below the posted limit. Handbook: Move Over Law, page 59.

19. 19.How many points does a Move Over Law violation add in Pennsylvania?

    Move Over Law

    • 2

    A conviction adds 2 points to the driving record. Handbook: Move Over Law, page 59.

20. 20.What is the fine for a first Move Over Law offence in Pennsylvania?

    Move Over Law

    • Up to $500

    A first offence is a summary offence carrying a fine of up to $500, $1,000 for a second and $2,000 for a third. Handbook: Move Over Law, page 59.

21. 21.Which people count as an emergency response area under Pennsylvania's Move Over Law?

    Move Over Law

    • Police, coroners, medical examiners, firefighters, EMS, towing and recovery and highway construction personnel

    The law lists a long set of responders, from police and coroners through towing, recovery and highway maintenance crews. Handbook: Move Over Law, page 59.

22. 22.How must a child under 4 be restrained in Pennsylvania?

    Child Restraints

    • In a federally approved child safety seat secured by the belt or LATCH

    Children under 4 must be in a federally approved child safety seat in the front or back seat. Handbook: Child Restraint Law, page 90.

23. 23.How must a child aged 4 to under 8 be restrained in Pennsylvania?

    Child Restraints

    • In a federally approved booster seat with lap and shoulder belts

    Children 4 and older but under 8 must use a booster seat with lap and shoulder belts. Handbook: Child Restraint Law, page 90.

24. 24.How must a child aged 8 to under 18 be restrained in Pennsylvania?

    Child Restraints

    • In a seat belt, front or back seat

    Children 8 and older but under 18 must be buckled in a seat belt wherever they ride. Handbook: Child Restraint Law, page 90.

25. 25.Pennsylvania requires you to use low beams when you are within what distance of an oncoming vehicle?

    Headlights and Night Driving

    • 500 feet

    State law requires low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when following within 300 feet. Handbook: Headlights and Nighttime Driving, page 40.

26. 26.Pennsylvania requires you to use low beams when following another vehicle within:

    Headlights and Night Driving

    • 300 feet

    Low beams are required when following within 300 feet. Handbook: Headlights and Nighttime Driving, page 40.

27. 27.What top speed does the manual set at night so that you do not overdrive your headlights?

    Headlights and Night Driving

    • 45 mph

    Low beams shine only about 250 feet, and it takes more than that to stop at 55 mph, so stay at 45 mph or below. Handbook: Headlights and Nighttime Driving, page 40.

28. 28.In bad weather, which headlights should you use?

    Headlights and Night Driving

    • Low beams only, because high beams reduce visibility

    In bad weather use only low beams, since high beams actually reduce visibility in rain, snow, sleet, fog, smoke or smog. Handbook: Headlights and Nighttime Driving, page 40.

29. 29.What is the school zone speed when the flashing yellow signals are on, or during the times shown on the sign?

    Speed Zones

    • 15 mph

    You must travel no faster than 15 mph while the yellow signals flash or during the posted time periods. Handbook: School Zone Signals, page 9.

30. 30.How many points do you get for exceeding the speed limit in a school zone in Pennsylvania?

    Speed Zones

    • 3

    Exceeding a school zone speed limit gives three points on your record plus a fine. Handbook: School Zone Signals, page 9.

31. 31.How close to a fire hydrant may you park in Pennsylvania?

    Parking

    • Within 15 feet

    Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is not allowed. Handbook: Special Parking Rules, page 53.

32. 32.How close to a crosswalk at an intersection may you park?

    Parking

    • Within 20 feet

    Special parking rules forbid parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Handbook: Special Parking Rules, page 53.

33. 33.What does the manual say right turn on red requires?

    Turning and Stopping

    • Stop, look in all directions, then turn when it is safe

    Right turn on red means stop, look in all directions, then turn when it is safe, watching for pedestrians. Handbook: Special Driving Circumstances, page 59.

34. 34.When must you turn on your headlights in a Pennsylvania work zone?

    Work Zones

    • Any time, even in daylight

    Headlights are required in all posted work zones, active or not, because they make you more visible to other traffic and workers. Handbook: Work Zones, page 18.

35. 35.What does the manual tell you to do first if a driver behind you does not dim their high beams?

    Vehicle Equipment

    • Flash your high beams and then look toward the right side of the road

    Flash your high beams a few times, and if the driver still does not dim them, look toward the right side of the road. Handbook: Headlights and Nighttime Driving, page 40.

36. 36.How often does the manual say to clean your headlights?

    Vehicle Equipment

    • At least once a week

    Clean them at least once a week, ideally when you buy fuel, because dirty headlights may give only half their light. Handbook: Headlights and Nighttime Driving, page 40.

37. 37.You are sharing a road with a truck that is about to merge into your lane. What should you do?

    Right-of-Way

    • Slow down and give it room

    Anticipate a truck's merge, slow down and leave it space instead of racing it. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Trucks and Buses, page 62.

38. 38.You fail to comply with a railroad crossing gate or barrier in Pennsylvania. What is the suspension?

    Railroad Crossings

    • 30 days

    Failure to comply with a railroad crossing gate or barrier carries a 30-day suspension. Handbook: Suspensions and Revocations, page 79.

39. 39.Which vehicles must obey the flashing yellow school zone signals?

    School Zones

    • Every driver on the roadway

    The flashing yellow signals are placed on the school zone speed limit signs, so every driver on the road must obey them. Handbook: School Zone Signals, page 9.

40. 40.You are following a stopped line of traffic near a pedestrian crossing. How should your speed change?

    Special Circumstances

    • Ease off the accelerator and brake early and gently

    Brake early and gently when preparing to stop or turn so drivers behind you have plenty of warning. Handbook: Managing Speed, page 39.

41. 41.A motorcyclist is beside you and the road is wet. What does the Pennsylvania manual advise?

    Sharing the Road

    • Leave three or four seconds and be patient

    Leave three or four seconds when following a motorcycle so the rider has time to manoeuvre or stop in an emergency. Handbook: Sharing the Road with Motorcycles, page 2.

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