US DMV

THE TOP 100 MOST COMMON

QUESTIONS
Lose the fear of the unknown. Study the most
common DMV questions so you'll know what
to expect on the big test day.

wh a t 

o w
Kn expect
to

DRIVING-TESTS. ORG
 Please do not try to take these
documents into the knowledge
exam room to cheat with
The term “cheat sheet” used to mean a sheet of notes that you kept with you to
cheat on an exam. Today, it has also come to mean a quick reference or ready
reference of the most important or frequently used items. That’s how we intend
our “cheat sheets” to be used: As quick references for you to browse to help
you study for your written knowledge test.

DRIVING-TESTS. ORG
1. Following too closely behind a vehicle is 5. Before pulling out from a right-side
known as parallel parking space, you must
tailgating check for approaching traffic and give a left-
turn signal.
You should always keep a safe distance from
other vehicles on the road so that you will Before pulling out from a right-side parallel
have plenty of time to react to hazards. parking space, check for approaching traffic
Tailgating refers to following too closely and give a left-turn signal.
behind a vehicle. It is one type of aggressive
driving. 6. If you are parallel parked on the right side
of a street, you should _________ before
2. If a vehicle behind you is following you you pull out into traffic.
too closely (tailgating you), you should look over your left shoulder and signal a left
move into the right lane and reduce your turn
speed.
When you are parallel parked on the right side
If the vehicle behind you is following you too of a street, you must look over your left
closely (tailgating you), encourage the shoulder for approaching traffic and signal a
tailgater to pass you. Move into the right lane left turn before you pull out into traffic. If you
and reduce your speed. are parallel parked on the left side of a one-
way street, look over your right shoulder and
3. What should you do if you're driving on a signal a right turn before you pull out into
two-way road with one lane going in each traffic.
direction, and another driver is following you
too closely (tailgating you)? 7. If traffic from another roadway is merging
Pull over and let the tailgater pass onto the roadway you are traveling on, you
must
You should always keep a safe distance from adjust your speed and vehicle position to
other vehicles on the road so that you will allow the traffic to merge.
have plenty of time to react to hazards.
Tailgating refers to following too closely If traffic from another roadway is merging onto
behind a vehicle. It is one type of aggressive the roadway you are traveling on, adjust your
driving. speed and vehicle position to allow the traffic
to merge safely.
4. When parked facing uphill on the right
side of the road with a curb, you should 8 . At the end of a freeway on-ramp, there is
steer usually _________ that allows you to
away from the curb. increase your speed.
an acceleration lane
When parked facing uphill on the right side of
the road with a curb, you should steer away A t the end of a freeway on-ramp, there is
from the curb so that the back of the right usually an acceleration lane that lets you
front tire will hit the curb should your vehicle increase your speed to match that of highway
start to roll back down. traffic.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 1

8. A typical passenger car can start 13. When there is water on the roadway, you
hydroplaning at speeds as low as must reduce your speed to avoid
35 mph. hydroplaning.

Hydroplaning occurs when there is standing When there is water on the roadway, reduce
water on a roadway. Up to 35 mph, modern your speed. Deep enough water combined
tires will channel water away, like the way that with high enough speeds can cause your
a windshield wiper cleans the windshield. As vehicle to hydroplane out of control.
your speed increases, however, the tires
cannot channel the water as well, and your 14. On a three-lane highway, a driver towing
tires may start to lose contact with the road
a trailer keeps to the right because
and ride over the water like a set of water skis.
it is a slow-moving vehicle.
9. While getting onto a freeway, you reach If you are traveling on a highway with three
the end of the acceleration lane. At this lanes, treat the far right lane as a slower
point, you should be traveling speed through lane, and the far left lane as a
as close as possible to the speed of freeway passing lane. Slower vehicles should always
traffic. use the far right lane.

When you reach the end of a freeway 15. If you are being passed, you should
acceleration lane, you should be traveling as _________ until the pass is complete.
close as possible to the speed of freeway
traffic, weather and road conditions not increase your speed
permitting.
Do not increase your speed until the pass is
complete.
10. _________ are designed to allow
vehicles to slow down and leave the
16. When you exit from a high-speed, two-
expressways.
lane roadway, if traffic is following you, you
Exit ramps should
Exit ramps are designed to allow drivers to not slow down too suddenly.
slow down and leave the expressways. There
is often a lower speed limit posted for the When you exit from a high-speed, two-lane
ramp. roadway, try not to slow down too abruptly if
there are vehicles following you. Use your turn
signals to let other drivers know your
11. If you double your speed on a highway, intentions. Tap your brakes and reduce your
your braking distance will be ________ as speed quickly but safely.
long.
four times 17. Construction zones usually have
If you double your speed, your braking reduced speed limits.
distance will be, not twice as long, but about
Construction zones usually have reduced
four times as long.
speed limits.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 2

18. If there are no reduced speed limits 22. To control your speed on steep
posted at work zones, you should downgrades, you should
obey the normal posted speed limits. use a lower gear.

In many work zones, the speed limits may be The continuous application of brakes to
reduced and lane usage restricted for safety control speed on downgrades will cause the
purposes. If there are no reduced speed limits brakes to fade (become ineffective) . Use an
posted, you should obey the normal posted appropriate lower gear to control your speed
speed limit. on downgrades. Use the brakes only when
stopping the vehicle.
19. On the highway, use the left lane for
passing. 23. While driving, when you see a triangular
red-and-white road sign, you must
The left lane on a highway is used for passing. reduce your speed and yield.
If another vehicle is trying to pass you, do not
increase your speed until that vehicle has A triangular red-and-white road sign is a yield
completed its maneuver. sign. You must slow down and yield to other
traffic.
20. When passing a stopped emergency
vehicle, you must 24. It is foggy and you see a pentagon-
slow down and move into a non-adjacent shaped sign ahead. You know from its shape

lane. that it indicates

a school zone.
When passing a stopped emergency vehicle,
you must slow down to less than the posted It is important to recognize traffic signs and

speed limit and move into a non-adjacent signals by their shape and color. A pentagon-

lane, leaving at least one lane between you shaped traffic sign indicates that a school

and the emergency vehicle. (in some states, zone is ahead.

you only have to do one or the other).

25. A flashing red traffic light should be

21. Which lane must be used by slower- treated as
moving vehicles? a stop sign.
The rightmost lane
A flashing red traffic light should be treated as
Slower-moving vehicles must use the a stop sign. That is, you must come to a
rightmost lane. Watch out for vehicles that complete stop and then proceed when it is
have trouble keeping up with the flow of other safe to do so.
traffic or when entering the roadway; they
take longer to pick up speed.

T h e 1 0 0 m o st c o m m o n U S D M V q u e st i o n s 3
26. You are approaching an intersection 31. Warning signs are placed along the
controlled by a stop sign. Where must you roadways to
stop? indicate potentially hazardous conditions
Behind the stop line ahead.

When approaching an intersection controlled Warning signs are used to warn you of
by a stop sign, you must stop just behind the potentially hazardous conditions ahead so
indicated stop line. that you will proceed with caution. These
signs have black lettering on a yellow
background.
27. If you see a steady yellow signal when
approaching an intersection, you must
come to an immediate stop if it is safe to do
32. What is the correct hand signal for
so. making a right turn?
Left hand and arm extended upward
A steady yellow signal means the light is
about to turn red. Do not enter an intersection Continue signaling until you are ready to make
against a steady yellow light, unless you are the actual turn. The correct hand signal for
too close to stop safely. making a right turn is to extend the left hand
and arm upward.

28. _________ are mobile devices that are

used to give drivers advance warning of 33. At an intersection, a red arrow signal
work zones and other unusual conditions. indicates that turning vehicles
Flashing arrow panels must stop.

Large flashing arrow panels and flashing A red arrow signal means that turning vehicles
message signs are mobile devices that are must stop. They must wait for the next green
used to give drivers advance warning of work light or green turn signal before making a turn.
zones and other unusual conditions.
34. Vertical rectangular signs with black
29. What is the hand signal for a left turn? letters on a white background are
Hand and arm extended outward regulatory signs.

When you want to make a turn, make your Vertical rectangular signs with black letters on
intentions known to other drivers. Continue a white background are used to regulate
signaling until you are ready to make the turn. traffic. Examples include speed limit signs and
The hand signal for a left turn is the left hand "Do Not Pass" signs.
and arm extended outward.
35. When you see a flashing yellow signal at
30. What is the correct hand signal to an intersection, you should
indicate that you are stopping? slow down and proceed through the
Left arm out the window and pointing down intersection carefully.

The correct hand signal to indicate that you A flashing yellow signal means that you may
are stopping is your left arm out the window proceed only with caution.
and pointing down.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 4

36. If you approach a vehicle with a 40. If you spot an oncoming vehicle while
triangular reflective orange sign on its rear, you are waiting to turn left at an
you should intersection, you must
slow down and use caution. yield the right-of-way to the oncoming vehicle.

This triangular orange emblem represents a When you are preparing to turn left, you must
slow-moving vehicle. You must slow down and yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and
use caution. oncoming vehicles.

37. If you are moving through an intersection 41. If a broken yellow line is on your side of
with a green light and a pedestrian starts to the center solid line,
cross your path against a red light, you you may cross the line to pass other vehicles.
should first
sound your horn to warn the pedestrian. When a broken yellow line is on your side of
the center solid line, you may cross the line for
If you are moving through an intersection with passing if it is safe to do so.
a green light and a pedestrian starts to cross
your path against a red light, sound your horn 42. A single broken yellow line usually
to warn the person. If the pedestrian still does marks the centerline of a two-way roadway
not stop, you must stop.
where
you may pass if it is safe.
38. What must you do at a steady yellow
traffic signal? A single broken yellow line usually marks the
Stop if it is safe to do so; the signal will soon centerline of a two-way roadway on which you
turn red. may pass if it is safe to do so.

A steady yellow traffic light is a warning that 43. You must NOT pass a vehicle on the left
the traffic light will soon turn red. You should
when
try to stop if it is safe to do so. But do not stop
suddenly; always consider the vehicles behind your lane has a solid yellow line.
you before you brake. If you cannot stop
You may not pass a vehicle on the left if your
safely, proceed with caution through the
lane has a solid yellow line.
intersection.

39. On a road with only two lanes of traffic,

44. When adjusting your seat, you should
allow at least ______________ between
you may not pass another vehicle except
your chest and the steering wheel.
when there is a broken yellow line next to
your lane. 10 inches

When there is a broken line next to your lane, When ad usting your seat position, you should
j

you are allowed to pass. allow at least 10 inches between your chest
and the steering wheel to give the airbag
sufficient room to deploy if necessary.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 5

45. To guard against glare from the 50. You should signal ________ braking to
headlights of a vehicle behind you, you make a turn.

should use __________ and adjust it before before

you drive.

a day/night mirror
You should signal before braking to make a
turn. This will let those behind you know that

To guard against glare from the headlights of you will be slowing down.

a vehicle behind you, use a day/night mirror.

Adjust it before you drive.

1
5 . When turning left from a two-way street

onto a one-way street, you must

46. When you see the letters "RR" painted begin the turn with your left wheel as close as

on the pavement, you are approaching possible to the yellow dividing line.

a railroad crossing.
When turning left from a two-way street onto a
The letters "RR" on the pavement indicate a one-way street, begin the turn with your left

railroad crossing ahead. wheel as close as possible to the yellow

dividing line.

47. _________ on your side of the road

indicates a no-passing zone. 5 2. If a tire blows out, you should NOT

A solid yellow line brake immediately.

A solid yellow line on your side of the road x

If you e perience a blowout, hold the steering

marks a no-passing zone. wheel tightly, steer straight ahead, and slowly

ease your foot o ff the accelerator. Do not

brake until the vehicle is back under your
48. Which method is used to turn around on
control. Pull the vehicle completely off the
a narrow two-way street?
road at the nearest safe location.

A three-point turn

If you must turn around on a narrow two-way

5 3. If you want to change several lanes on a
multilane highway,
street, make a three-point turn unless it's

prohibited. change them one at a time.

If you want to change several lanes, change

49. If the traffic signals at an intersection are
them one at a time to reduce the risk of an
not operating properly, treat the intersection
accident.
as a(n)

all-way stop.
54. Before changing lanes, you should
ffic signals are not operating properly,
If the tra check your mirrors and look over your

treat the intersection as an all-way stop. You shoulder toward the rear.

must come to a complete stop before

proceeding.
Before changing lanes, you should check your
mirrors and look over your shoulder toward

the rear to check your blind spot.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 5

55. At an intersection at which the traffic 59. To turn left from a one-way street onto

lights are not working, you must another one-way street, you must begin the

__________ before entering the intersection turn

and then yield the right-of-way. from the left lane and make the turn close to

come to a complete stop the left curb.

An intersection whose traffic lights are not To turn left from a one-way street onto another

working should be treated as an all-way stop. one-way street, begin the turn from the left

That is, you must come to a complete stop, lane and make the turn close to the left curb.

yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on your

right, and then proceed (with extreme caution)

60. All trucks and buses have
when it is safe to do so.
front, rear, and side blind spots.

56. If you accidentally miss your exit on an Trucks and buses have larger side, front, and
expressway, you should rear blind spots. If you tailgate a truck, it will

continue to the next exit. be impossible for the truck driver to see you.

Pass a truck as soon as possible to avoid a

If you miss your exit on an expressway, go on collision in the truck's blind spot.

to the next exit and double back from there.

Backing up greatly increases the chance of a

61. Lanes marked with a diamond symbol are
collision with another vehicle.
high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.

57. Proactively looking ahead, to the sides, Lanes marked with a diamond symbol are

and behind the vehicle to anticipate high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.

problems is part of

defensive driving. 62. If a tire suddenly goes flat while you are

driving, you should

To be a defensive driver, you must know what
hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the
is happening all around your vehicle. You must
vehicle going straight.
look ahead, to the sides, and behind the

vehicle. Scanning helps you see problems

If a tire suddenly goes flat, hold the steering
ahead so you can respond to oncoming
wheel tightly and keep the vehicle going
hazards more easily.
straight. Take your foot off the gas pedal, but

do not apply the brakes. Let the car slow

58. If you have suddenly lost control of your down gradually, pull off the road, and apply

vehicle, you should the brakes when the car is almost stopped.

ease your foot off the gas pedal.

63. A solid line on the outer edge of the road

If you have suddenly lost control of your
tells you where the edge of the road is.
vehicle, ease your foot off the gas pedal. Turn

on your emergency flashers and let your

A solid white line on the edge of the road tells
vehicle slow to a stop. Brake very gently to
you where the edge of the road is.
prevent your vehicle from spinning.

T h e 1 0 0 m o st c o m m o n U S D M V q u e st i o n s 7
64. When you find both a solid and a broken 68. Before passing another vehicle, you
yellow line between opposing lanes of should
traffic, you must NOT pass look ahead for road conditions and traffic.
if the solid yellow line is on your side.
Before you pass a vehicle, look ahead for road
Where there are both a solid and a broken conditions and traffic that may cause other
yellow line between opposing lanes of traffic, vehicles to move into your lane. Never drive
you may not pass if the solid yellow line is on off the paved portion of the road. You should
your side. usually pass on the left. Pass on the right only
if the driver is signaling a left turn.
65. _________ are the most likely places for
car and motorcycle collisions to occur. 69. If a car approaches you with its bright
Intersections headlights on, you should __________ to
prevent being temporarily blinded.
Intersections are the most likely places for car look toward the right edge of the road
and motorcycle collisions to occur. Typically,
the car driver does not see the motorcycle If a car approaches you with its bright
and turns into the motorcycle's path. headlights on, do not stare at the lights. Steer
by the line at the outer edge of the road to
66. If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock prevent being temporarily blinded.
brakes, when they engage, you should
keep your foot on the brake. 70. For better visibility during rain, fog, or
snow, you must keep your vehicle's
If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock _________ on.
brakes, when they engage, you should keep low-beam headlights
your foot on the brake. If you take your foot off
the brake, the anti-lock brakes will stop High beams reflect off rain, fog, and falling
working. snow. This makes it even harder for you to see
where you are going. For better visibility in
67. On one-way roads, solid yellow lines are these conditions, keep your vehicle's
used as headlights on low beam.
left-edge lines.
71. On a two-way roadway with a center
Before you pass a vehicle, look ahead for road lane, drivers from either direction can
conditions and traffic that may cause other __________ from the center lane.
vehicles to move into your lane. Never drive drivers from either direction may use the
off the paved portion of the road. You should center lane for left turns.
usually pass on the left. Pass on the right only
if the driver is signaling a left turn. Drivers from either direction may use the
center lane for left turns.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 8

72. When you are following a vehicle that 77. If your vehicle's wheels drift onto the
makes frequent stops, you should allow shoulder of the road, you should
_________ than usual. not try to turn back onto the pavement right
a greater following distance away.

Vehicles such as buses and post office vans If your vehicle's wheels drift onto the shoulder
will make more stops on the road. When of the road, do not try to turn back onto the
following them, you should maintain a greater pavement right away. That might throw the
following distance than usual. vehicle off balance. Instead, slow down,
regain control, and slowly turn back onto the
road.
73. You should never drive alongside a
motorcycle in the same lane because
motorcycles need a full lane width. 78. When making a left turn at a controlled
intersection, you must yield to
Like other motor vehicles, motorcycles need a oncoming traffic.
full lane width. Never drive alongside a
motorcycle in the same lane, even if the lane When making a left turn at a controlled
is wide and the motorcyclist is riding to one intersection, yield to oncoming traffic and stop
side. for pedestrians within the crosswalk.

74. When there is a solid yellow line on your 79. When stopped behind another vehicle on
side of the center line of the road, you must a hill, you should stay back at least
not pass other vehicles on the left. one vehicle length.

Many roads have lane markings that tell you When stopped behind another vehicle on a
when it is unsafe to pass. You must not pass hill, you should stay back about one vehicle
when there is a solid yellow line on your side length. When the vehicle ahead of you starts,
of the center line of the road. it may roll backward. If you are too close, it
may collide with your vehicle.
75. When you are traveling on a two-lane
road and a vehicle ahead of you stops for a 80. A broken yellow line alongside a solid
pedestrian, you must yellow line indicates that
not pass the stopped vehicle. passing is permitted on the side of the broken
line, but not on the side of the solid line.
When a vehicle ahead of you stops for a
pedestrian, you must not pass the stopped A broken yellow line alongside a solid yellow
vehicle even if there are two lanes available. line indicates that passing is permitted on the
This is a frequent hazard for pedestrians. side of the broken line, but not on the side of
the solid line.
76. When you see an elderly person crossing
an intersection, you must 81. To avoid collisions, you must
stop your vehicle and yield the right-of-way. try to keep a space cushion.

You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. To avoid collisions, try to keep plenty of space
between your vehicle and others on all sides.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 9

82. If you find yourself feeling sleepy while 86. If you are about to pass a bicycle to your

driving, you should right and an oncoming vehicle is

pull over and take a nap.

approaching you on your left, what should

you do?

If you find yourself becoming sleepy while

Slow down and let the vehicle pass first to
driving, you should pull over and get some
leave extra room for the bicycle.
rest.

Sometimes you need to deal with hazards one

at a time. If you are about to pass a bicycle

83. If an emergency vehicle is approaching
and an oncoming vehicle is approaching, slow
with its siren and flashing lights on, you
down and let the vehicle pass first so that you
must
can leave more room for the bicycle. Then
pull over to the right edge of the road.
move to the left to give yourself plenty of

room to pass the bicycle.

If an emergency vehicle is approaching with

its siren and flashing lights on, you must pull

over to the right edge of the road and stop 87. When several vehicles arrive one after

until the emergency vehicle has passed. the other at a four-way stop, which one has

the right-of-way?

The first vehicle to stop should be the first to

84. When passing, you should pass on the
go.
left at a safe distance and do not _______

until you are well ahead of the passed

When more than one vehicle reaches a four-
vehicle.
way stop, the first vehicle to stop should be
return to the lane
the first to go. However, when two vehicles on

different roadways arrive at a four-way stop at

When passing, you should pass on the left at a
the same time, the vehicle on the left should
safe distance. Do not return to the lane you
yield to the vehicle on the right.
started from until you are well ahead of the

passed vehicle. Signal a right turn before

returning to the original lane.

88. When initiating a U-turn, you should

begin it from

the lane closest to the centerline of the

85. When a vehicle turns, its rear wheels will
roadway.
follow a _________ than its front wheels.

shorter path
When initiating a U-turn, you should begin it

from the lane closest to the centerline of the

When a vehicle turns, its rear wheels will
roadway. This ensures you will turn across as
follow a shorter path than its front wheels. The
few lanes as possible.
longer the vehicle is, the greater the

difference will be. Tractor-trailers may initially

swing out before turning. When you see a

89. You should make a left turn from

tractor-trailer move left, do NOT try to pass it the leftmost lane.

on the right; the truck may actually be about to

turn right. Usually, you should make a left turn from the

leftmost lane.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 10

90. On a highway being controlled by lane 95. You are approaching an uncontrolled
use control signals, you see that a lane is intersection. A truck reaches it on your right
controlled by a flashing yellow X. What does at the same time. Who has the right-of-way?
this mean? The truck
The lane may only be used for left turns.
You must yield the right-of-way to the truck
A lane controlled by a flashing yellow X is a because at an uncontrolled intersection, the
left-turn lane. It should only be used for vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on
turning left. the right.

91. Yellow pavement markings on the road 96. When two vehicles meet on a steep
indicate mountain road where neither can pass,
the left edge of a roadway. which vehicle has the right-of-way?
The vehicle traveling uphill
Yellow markings are used to divide opposing
lanes of traffic and indicate the left travel edge When two vehicles meet on a steep mountain
of the roadway. road where neither can pass, the vehicle
traveling downhill must yield the right-of-way
by backing up until the vehicle going uphill
92. At an intersection, a steady yellow arrow
can pass. The vehicle facing downhill has the
pointing left indicates that
greater amount of control when backing.
the left-turn signal is about to change to red.

A steady yellow arrow warns that the left-turn 97. Vehicles entering a highway from an
signal is about to change to red. If you are entrance ramp must yield the right-of-way to
approaching the intersection, you must stop. traffic already on the highway.

93. The distance your vehicle travels

Vehicles entering a highway from an entrance
ramp must yield the right-of-way to traffic
between the time you recognize a hazard
already on the highway before they can move
and the time you apply the brakes is known
into the proper lane.
as
the reaction distance.
98. When several vehicles arrive one after
The distance your vehicle travels between the the other at a four-way stop, which one has
time you recognize a hazard and the time you the right-of-way?
apply the brakes is known as the reaction The first vehicle to stop should be the first to
distance. Reaction distance is part of the total go.
stopping distance.
When more than one vehicle reaches a four-
way stop, the first vehicle to stop should be
94. Passing is not allowed on either side of a
the first to go. However, when two vehicles on
two-lane road when
different roadways arrive at a four-way stop at
there is a solid yellow line on each side. the same time, the vehicle on the left should
yield to the vehicle on the right.
When there is a solid yellow line on each side
of the road, passing is not allowed.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 11

99. Which takes precedence: road signs,
signals, a stopped school bus, or a police
officer?
Police officer's instructions

An officer can wave you through a red light or

override other signs/signals.

100. What can get you sober after drinking

so it's safe to drive?
Patience and time.

The more alcohol that gets into your body to

make you intoxicated, the longer it will take
your liver to break it all down. The liver can
break down about one standard drink (1.5
ounces of hard liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or a
12-ounce can of beer) per hour. If you
consume a great deal of alcohol, it can take as
long as a day or two for your body to fully
recover.

The 100 most common US DMV questions 12