Intersections and Turns

How to position the vehicle and signal for left, right and U-turns, how roundabouts work and which turns are allowed on a red light.

112 practice questions with answers. These rules are the same in every state.

Intersections and Turns quiz

Answer at your own pace. After each question you see the correct answer and why, and at the end a review of what you missed.

Quick quiz: 10 random questions on intersections and turns; pass with 8 correct.

Intersections and Turns questions with answers

You have a green arrow to turn left. What still applies?
1. You must stop before turning even though the arrow is green
2. You may proceed without checking, because the arrow clears the intersection for you
3. You may turn only after oncoming traffic has stopped at its own red light
4. You must yield to any pedestrian or vehicle still inside the intersection
Show answer

Answer D: You must yield to any pedestrian or vehicle still inside the intersection

A green arrow protects your turn from conflicting traffic, but you must still let anyone already in the intersection get clear before you move.
How should you position your vehicle for a right turn from a two-way street?
1. In the left lane, so that oncoming drivers can see you clearly before you begin the turn
2. As close as practical to the right curb or edge, then turn into the nearest right lane
3. Astride the lane line, so that you can still choose either lane once the turn is finished
4. In the center of the roadway, so that you have room to swing wide around the corner
Show answer

Answer B: As close as practical to the right curb or edge, then turn into the nearest right lane

Right turns are made from the lane nearest the right edge into the nearest available lane, which keeps the turn tight and prevents a wide sweep into other traffic.
You are turning left from a two-way street onto another two-way street. Where should you begin and end the turn?
1. Begin from the right-hand lane and cut across the intersection to reach the far left lane of the new street
2. Begin in the lane just right of the center line and finish just right of the center line of the new street
3. Begin from the oncoming lane, because starting there gives you more room to complete the turn
4. Begin from whichever lane is moving and finish in the far right lane of the new street
Show answer

Answer B: Begin in the lane just right of the center line and finish just right of the center line of the new street

You approach a left turn from the lane closest to the center line and enter the new roadway just to the right of its center line, which keeps you clear of oncoming traffic.
You want to turn right at a steady red light and no sign prohibits the turn. What is required?
1. Slow down and turn without stopping, provided that no traffic or pedestrian is coming
2. Come to a complete stop, then yield to traffic and pedestrians before turning
3. Wait for the light to turn green before making any turn, because red always forbids it
4. Stop only if another vehicle is already waiting ahead of you at the same red light
Show answer

Answer B: Come to a complete stop, then yield to traffic and pedestrians before turning

A right turn on a steady red is permitted only after a complete stop and only after yielding to cross traffic and to pedestrians, and a posted sign can prohibit it entirely.
You are stopped at a steady red arrow pointing right, and no sign or state rule permits turning on a red arrow. May you turn right?
1. No, you must wait until the red arrow goes out and a green signal appears
2. Yes, but only from the far right lane and only when the crosswalk is empty
3. Yes, after coming to a complete stop, exactly as you would at a round red light
4. Yes, provided that no pedestrians are present and the cross traffic has cleared
Show answer

Answer A: No, you must wait until the red arrow goes out and a green signal appears

A steady red arrow prohibits the movement it points to until a signal permitting it appears. Only a posted sign or a specific state rule allows a turn on a red arrow after a complete stop, so without one you must wait.
The light ahead is green but traffic beyond the intersection is backed up. What should you do?
1. Enter the intersection and stop in the crosswalk so that room is left behind you
2. Wait behind the intersection until there is room to clear it completely
3. Change lanes inside the intersection until you find a gap in the queue ahead
4. Enter the intersection on the green and wait there until the traffic ahead moves
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Answer B: Wait behind the intersection until there is room to clear it completely

You may not enter an intersection unless you can get completely through it, because stopping inside blocks cross traffic when the signal changes.
At a stop sign with a painted stop line and a crosswalk, where must you stop?
1. With your front wheels level with the far edge of the crosswalk
2. Anywhere within the intersection as long as you stop fully
3. In the crosswalk, so you can see cross traffic
4. At the stop line, before it and before the crosswalk
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Answer D: At the stop line, before it and before the crosswalk

You stop at the stop line first, and only if there is no stop line do you stop before the crosswalk, and only if there is neither do you stop before entering the intersection.
You are stopped inside an intersection waiting for a gap to turn left. How should your front wheels be positioned?
1. It makes no difference while the vehicle is stopped
2. Turned to the left, ready for the turn
3. Pointing straight ahead until you actually begin the turn
4. Turned fully to the right to shorten the turn
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Answer C: Pointing straight ahead until you actually begin the turn

If your wheels are already turned left and another vehicle strikes you from behind, you would be pushed into oncoming traffic.
When should you turn on your signal before a turn or a lane change?
1. Only when another vehicle is close enough behind you to be affected by it
2. At the moment you begin to steer, so that nobody takes the gap you are aiming for
3. Well before the maneuver, so other drivers have time to react
4. Immediately after completing the maneuver, to confirm what you have just done
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Answer C: Well before the maneuver, so other drivers have time to react

A signal is a warning to others, so it has to be given far enough ahead of the maneuver that drivers and pedestrians can adjust.
You are turning left from a one-way street onto another one-way street. Which lane should you use?
1. Turn from the far right lane and finish in the far left lane of the new street
2. Turn from the far left lane into the far left lane of the new street
3. Turn from the far left lane and end up in the far right lane of the street you enter
4. Turn from the center lane and settle into whichever lane of the new street is empty
Show answer

Answer B: Turn from the far left lane into the far left lane of the new street

The general turning rule is to turn from the lane nearest the direction of the turn into the nearest lane of the new roadway, which on a one-way to one-way left turn means far left to far left.
A center lane is bordered by a solid yellow line on the outside and a broken yellow line on the inside, with left-turn arrows painted in it. How may you use that lane?
1. Only to make a left turn or to prepare for one from either direction
2. As an extra through lane whenever the traffic in your direction is heavy
3. As a place to park and wait until a gap appears in oncoming traffic
4. To pass slower vehicles ahead of you when your own lane is blocked
Show answer

Answer A: Only to make a left turn or to prepare for one from either direction

That marking identifies a two-way left turn lane, which may only be used for left turns or to prepare for a left turn and never for travel or passing.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You are approaching a multilane roundabout. When should you choose your lane?
1. Once you are circulating, by moving over toward your exit
2. At the exit itself, whichever lane happens to be free
3. Before you enter, using the lane-choice sign on the approach
4. It does not matter, since all lanes serve all exits
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Answer C: Before you enter, using the lane-choice sign on the approach

You select your lane on the approach the way you would at any multilane intersection, then stay in that lane all the way around, because changing lanes inside a roundabout creates side-impact conflicts.

Source: wsdot.wa.gov
What should you do as you approach your exit from a roundabout?
1. Signal right and check the crosswalk for pedestrians before leaving
2. Signal left so that the waiting drivers understand you are still circulating
3. Cross into the outside lane at the last moment before the exit opens
4. Stop just before the exit to check for traffic on the road you are joining
Show answer

Answer A: Signal right and check the crosswalk for pedestrians before leaving

A right signal tells following drivers and waiting drivers that you are leaving, and pedestrians cross at the exit leg, so the crosswalk must be checked.

Source: wsdot.wa.gov
The lane you are in has a right-turn-only arrow painted on the pavement. What must you do?
1. Turn right only if there is a matching sign overhead
2. Continue straight if no sign repeats the arrow
3. Turn right, because a lane-use arrow is a legal requirement
4. Choose freely, since pavement arrows are only advisory
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Answer C: Turn right, because a lane-use arrow is a legal requirement

Lane-use arrows painted on the pavement are regulatory markings, so a driver in that lane must travel in the direction shown.
You are turning left from a two-way street onto a one-way street. Which lane should you enter?
1. Any lane on the one-way street, because all of its lanes run the same way
2. The lane nearest the right curb, so that following drivers can pass on your left
3. The first lane open to traffic on the left side of the one-way street
4. The center lane, which keeps you clear of vehicles entering from both sides
Show answer

Answer C: The first lane open to traffic on the left side of the one-way street

Turn left from the lane closest to the center line and finish in the first available lane on the left of the one-way street, then change lanes if you need to.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Study tip. Rule out the options you know are wrong first. Two plausible answers are easier to choose between than four.
There is a stop sign but no stop line and no crosswalk. Where must you stop?
1. Before entering the intersection, where you can see cross traffic
2. Level with the stop sign itself, even if a building blocks your view of the street
3. Anywhere in the first half of the intersection, provided that you stop completely
4. Only if another vehicle or a pedestrian is already close to the intersection
Show answer

Answer A: Before entering the intersection, where you can see cross traffic

With no line or crosswalk, stop before you enter the intersection at the point where you can see traffic on the cross street.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Where is a U-turn most clearly unsafe and generally prohibited?
1. On any street that has a painted center line of any kind along it
2. At any intersection controlled by a traffic signal rather than by a stop sign
3. On a residential street where the pavement is wide enough for the whole turn
4. On a curve or near a hill crest, where other drivers cannot see you
Show answer

Answer D: On a curve or near a hill crest, where other drivers cannot see you

U-turns are barred where approaching drivers cannot see you in time, such as on a curve or near the top of a hill.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Before making a right turn at an intersection, what should you check besides oncoming traffic?
1. Only the mirror on the left side, since that is where following traffic appears
2. Your right blind spot and the crosswalk, for cyclists and pedestrians
3. Only the traffic signal, to be sure that it will not change during your turn
4. The road surface for potholes, which are the main danger during a slow turn
Show answer

Answer B: Your right blind spot and the crosswalk, for cyclists and pedestrians

Right turns often catch a cyclist or a pedestrian coming up on the right, so check the blind spot and the crosswalk before you turn.

Source: nhtsa.gov
The signal ahead turns yellow while you are approaching it. What does the yellow light mean?
1. Speed up so that you can clear the intersection before the light turns red
2. The light is about to turn green again, so keep going without changing speed
3. The red is coming; stop if you can do so safely
4. You may enter the intersection at any time while the yellow light is showing
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Answer C: The red is coming; stop if you can do so safely

A steady yellow warns that the red is next. Stop if you can do so safely; enter the intersection only when stopping would be dangerous.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You are waiting inside the intersection to turn left when your light turns red. What should you do?
1. Complete the turn as soon as the way is clear
2. Reverse out of the intersection and wait behind the stop line for the next green
3. Stay where you are until the light turns green again, whatever the cross traffic does
4. Turn at once, because vehicles already inside an intersection always have priority
Show answer

Answer A: Complete the turn as soon as the way is clear

Once you have legally entered the intersection you should clear it as soon as the oncoming traffic has stopped, rather than sit in the path of cross traffic.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You signaled a lane change and the signal did not switch itself off afterwards. Why does that matter?
1. It drains the battery quickly and may leave the vehicle unable to restart
2. Other drivers may act on a turn you do not intend to make
3. The signal will not work for the next maneuver until it has been reset
4. The bulb will burn out sooner if the signal is left blinking for a long time
Show answer

Answer B: Other drivers may act on a turn you do not intend to make

A signal left on tells other drivers you are about to turn, and someone may pull out in front of you. Cancel it as soon as the maneuver is finished.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You reach a red light with a sign reading NO TURN ON RED. What may you do?
1. Turn right after a full stop, since the sign only warns against turning too fast
2. Turn right if no other vehicle is waiting behind you at the same red light
3. Turn right during the hours when the intersection is not busy with traffic
4. Wait for the green; no turn is allowed while the light is red
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Answer D: Wait for the green; no turn is allowed while the light is red

That sign removes the usual permission to turn on red at the intersection, so you must wait for a green indication.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
When should most of your braking for a turn be finished?
1. Halfway through the turn, once you can see where the new road goes
2. Before you begin to turn the wheel
3. After the turn, using the brakes to settle the vehicle into its new lane
4. There is no need to brake at all if the turn is wide and the road is dry
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Answer B: Before you begin to turn the wheel

Slow to the right speed before the turn begins; braking hard while turning uses up the grip the tires need for steering.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Where should you be looking as you steer through a turn?
1. At the front corner of your own hood, to judge how close you are to the curb
2. At the vehicle waiting on the cross street, so you can react if it moves
3. Toward the point on the new road where you want to end up
4. At the painted center line, to keep an exact distance from it during the turn
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Answer C: Toward the point on the new road where you want to end up

Drivers steer toward what they look at, so looking through the turn to where you want to go keeps the path smooth and accurate.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You are crossing a divided highway with a wide median. How should you treat the two roadways?
1. As one intersection, so you may cross both roadways in a single movement
2. As one intersection, stopping in the median only when a signal tells you to
3. As two intersections, but only when the median is planted with grass or trees
4. As two intersections, waiting in the median only when your vehicle fits
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Answer D: As two intersections, waiting in the median only when your vehicle fits

Each roadway of a divided highway is a separate intersection, and you should wait in the median only if it is long enough to hold your vehicle clear of both roadways.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Why should you avoid swinging wide to the left before making a right turn in a car?
1. Another driver may think you are turning left and try to pass on your right
2. It uses more fuel than a tight turn and wears out the front tires much faster
3. It is the only way to keep the rear wheels from climbing onto the curb line
4. It makes the turn signal cancel early and leaves following drivers unwarned
Show answer

Answer A: Another driver may think you are turning left and try to pass on your right

Swinging left first misleads other road users about your intention and invites someone to move up on your right, exactly where you are about to go.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You are driving through a residential area where parked cars hide the side streets. What is the safest approach?
1. Keep to the middle of the road so that you can see past the parked vehicles
2. Hold your speed and rely on other drivers to stop before they reach your road
3. Slow down and cover the brake as you pass each opening
4. Sound the horn at every side street so that hidden drivers know you are there
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Answer C: Slow down and cover the brake as you pass each opening

Where parked vehicles hide side streets and driveways, lower speed and a covered brake buy the time you lose in sight distance.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Two left-turn lanes are marked at the intersection and you are in the left one. What must you do?
1. Stay in your own lane all the way around the turn
2. Move into the outer lane during the turn if it gives you a wider line to follow
3. Merge into the right-hand lane of the new street as soon as the turn is finished
4. Follow the vehicle beside you closely so that both lanes clear the signal together
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Answer A: Stay in your own lane all the way around the turn

With dual turn lanes each driver must hold a lane through the whole turn and come out in the matching lane of the new street.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You realize at the last moment that you have passed the street where you meant to turn. What should you do?
1. Brake hard and turn anyway, since the drivers behind will see your brake lights
2. Stop and back up along the curb lane until you are level with the street again
3. Make a U-turn at once, whatever the traffic and the markings around you say
4. Keep going and turn around where it is safe and legal
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Answer D: Keep going and turn around where it is safe and legal

A missed turn is a minor inconvenience; braking suddenly, backing up or turning across traffic to recover it causes crashes.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You are turning onto a street that has two lanes going your way. Which lane should you enter?
1. Whichever of the two lanes happens to be empty as you complete the turn
2. The lane closest to you, changing lanes later if you need to
3. The far lane, so that vehicles behind you can also turn without waiting
4. The far lane whenever your next turn will be a left turn further along the street
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Answer B: The lane closest to you, changing lanes later if you need to

Turn into the nearest lane going your direction and make any lane change afterwards, when you have signaled and checked that it is clear.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You are turning right from a one-way street onto a two-way street. Where should the turn end?
1. In the lane nearest the right curb of the street you are entering
2. In whichever lane has the least traffic on the street you are entering
3. In the lane just to the right of the center line of the new street
4. In the far left lane, because traffic there usually moves faster
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Answer A: In the lane nearest the right curb of the street you are entering

A right turn starts and finishes as close to the right as practical, so you leave the one-way street from the right lane and arrive in the lane nearest the right curb.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You are turning right onto a one-way street. Which lane of that street should you enter?
1. Any lane you like, because a one-way street has no lane rules for turning
2. The lane closest to the left curb, since all the lanes run the same way
3. The lane closest to the right curb
4. The center lane, so that you are clear of vehicles parked at the curb
Show answer

Answer C: The lane closest to the right curb

Even though every lane on a one-way street runs your way, a right turn must end in the lane nearest the right curb; you may change lanes afterwards when it is safe.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You are turning left from a one-way street onto a two-way street. How should the turn be made?
1. Start in the right lane of the one-way street and finish in the far left lane
2. Start in the far left lane and finish just to the right of the center line
3. Start in any lane and finish in whichever lane happens to be empty
4. Start in the far left lane and finish in the lane nearest the left curb
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Answer B: Start in the far left lane and finish just to the right of the center line

Left turns begin from the lane nearest the left edge of the street you are leaving and must finish on the right-hand side of the center line of a two-way street.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Two left-turn lanes are available and you must turn right again a short distance after the turn. Which of the two should you use?
1. The left one, because it clears the intersection more quickly
2. Either one, then cross lanes inside the intersection to reach the right side
3. The left one, then move across immediately after the crosswalk
4. The right one, so you finish nearer the right side of the new street
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Answer D: The right one, so you finish nearer the right side of the new street

Each turn lane feeds the matching lane of the new street, so choosing the right-hand of the two left-turn lanes leaves you closer to the side you will need.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You are in the right-hand of two left-turn lanes and the vehicle beside you starts to drift toward your lane during the turn. What should you do?
1. Speed up so that you are ahead of the drifting vehicle before it reaches you
2. Slow slightly, keep to your own lane and give the other vehicle room
3. Sound the horn and hold your speed so the other driver moves back over
4. Move right toward the curb lane so you leave the intersection sooner
Show answer

Answer B: Slow slightly, keep to your own lane and give the other vehicle room

Drivers commonly drift wide in dual turn lanes, so hold your own line, ease off and leave space rather than racing or crowding the other vehicle.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You want to turn right from a lane marked for through traffic and right turns, and the driver behind you wants to go straight. What should you do?
1. Pull onto the shoulder so that the driver behind you can pass on the left
2. Wave the driver behind you around before you begin the turn
3. Signal, stay in the lane and make the turn when it is safe
4. Move to the left lane and then swing back right across the traffic lane
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Answer C: Signal, stay in the lane and make the turn when it is safe

A shared lane is the correct place to turn right from, so signal early and turn from the lane; the driver behind must wait or use another lane.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You are stopped in a shared through and right-turn lane with your right signal on, and a bicyclist rides up along your right side. What should you do?
1. Let the bicyclist clear the intersection or move ahead before you turn
2. Turn quickly, before the bicyclist reaches the front corner of your vehicle
3. Move as close to the curb as you can and turn without checking again
4. Sound the horn so that the bicyclist stops and lets you finish the turn
Show answer

Answer A: Let the bicyclist clear the intersection or move ahead before you turn

A cyclist alongside your right side is in the path your turn will sweep across, so wait until that space is clear before turning.

Source: nhtsa.gov
A bike lane on your right is marked with a dashed line for the last stretch before the corner. What does that dashed section allow you to do?
1. Park in the bike lane while you wait for a gap in the cross traffic
2. Drive along the bike lane from the previous intersection to the corner
3. Use the bike lane to pass slower vehicles that are waiting to turn right
4. Merge into the bike lane after checking, and turn right from there
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Answer D: Merge into the bike lane after checking, and turn right from there

The dashed section is where drivers are meant to merge into the bike lane before turning, which puts cyclists behind the vehicle instead of beside it.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
The street you are turning right onto has a bike lane along its right edge. Where should your vehicle end up?
1. In the bike lane, because it is the lane nearest the curb on that street
2. In the first traffic lane to the left of the bike lane
3. Straddling the bike lane line, so you can move over when the lane ends
4. In the second traffic lane, leaving the first one free for bicycles
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Answer B: In the first traffic lane to the left of the bike lane

A bike lane is not a travel lane for motor vehicles, so the nearest lane you may finish a right turn in is the first general traffic lane beside it.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
As a general rule, how far should you travel along a center two-way left-turn lane before you turn?
1. As far as you like, provided you keep your left signal flashing
2. Up to a mile, since the lane is not open to through traffic anyway
3. Only a short distance, just enough to slow down and wait for a gap
4. Only one vehicle length, so you must stop before you enter the lane
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Answer C: Only a short distance, just enough to slow down and wait for a gap

The center lane is for making or preparing a left turn, so you enter it only shortly before the turn and never travel along it as a through lane; several states set a specific limit such as 200 or 300 feet.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You are waiting in a center two-way left-turn lane. What should you expect from oncoming traffic?
1. Oncoming drivers may enter the same lane to prepare their own left turns
2. Oncoming drivers are not permitted to use that lane at any time
3. Oncoming drivers must leave the whole lane to you once you are in it
4. Oncoming drivers may use the lane only where a solid white line marks it
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Answer A: Oncoming drivers may enter the same lane to prepare their own left turns

Both directions share a two-way left-turn lane, so an oncoming vehicle may be waiting in it and you must never treat it as yours alone.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
As a center two-way left-turn lane reaches an intersection, the markings change into a single left-turn lane. What does that mean for you?
1. You may still use it in either direction right up to the intersection
2. You may use it to go straight through, because it is a center lane
3. You must stop before entering it and wait for a gap in the cross traffic
4. From that point it serves one direction only, so use it just to turn left
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Answer D: From that point it serves one direction only, so use it just to turn left

Where the shared lane becomes a marked turn bay it belongs to one direction of travel, and only vehicles making that left turn may occupy it.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
Where is a U-turn generally the most reasonable choice?
1. Just past the crest of a hill, where oncoming drivers can see your lights
2. At an intersection where it is permitted and you can see well both ways
3. In the middle of a block between two long rows of parked vehicles
4. Anywhere on a divided highway, using the nearest opening in the median
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Answer B: At an intersection where it is permitted and you can see well both ways

A U-turn needs a legal place and a long clear view in both directions, which is why a permitted intersection with open sight lines is the usual choice.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Which of these places should never be used to turn your vehicle around?
1. A wide signal-controlled intersection where the turn is permitted
2. A commercial parking lot with an exit back onto the same street
3. The driveway of a fire station or the roadway in front of it
4. A quiet residential side street with driveways on both sides
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Answer C: The driveway of a fire station or the roadway in front of it

Turning around in or in front of a fire station driveway can block emergency vehicles leaving, and most states prohibit it.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
From which lane should a permitted U-turn be started?
1. The lane nearest the center line, the same one used for a left turn
2. The lane nearest the right curb, so that you have the widest arc
3. Whichever lane is empty, since a U-turn crosses every lane anyway
4. The center two-way left-turn lane only, never a marked turn lane
Show answer

Answer A: The lane nearest the center line, the same one used for a left turn

A U-turn is begun from the far left lane for your direction, the same position used for a left turn, so you do not cut across traffic beside you.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Study tip. When two answers both seem legal, pick the one that is safer for everyone on the road. That is how most tests are written.
On a divided highway you see a median opening marked for authorized vehicles only. May you use it to turn around?
1. Yes, if you can complete the turn without stopping in the median
2. Yes, as long as no police vehicle is in sight at that moment
3. Yes, provided you signal and yield to traffic on both roadways
4. No, those openings are for emergency and maintenance vehicles
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Answer D: No, those openings are for emergency and maintenance vehicles

Official crossovers are reserved for emergency and highway maintenance use; turning there puts a slow vehicle across high-speed traffic.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You are about to make a three-point turn on a narrow two-way street. What is the first step?
1. Reverse to the left edge of the road and then drive forward across it
2. Pull close to the right edge, signal left and check traffic both ways
3. Stop in the middle of the road with the hazard lights flashing
4. Swing over to the left edge first, so the front of the car has room
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Answer B: Pull close to the right edge, signal left and check traffic both ways

A three-point turn starts from a stop at the right edge with a left signal, and you only move once you have checked that both directions are clear.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
During the reversing part of a three-point turn, where should you be looking?
1. At the mirrors only, so that both hands stay high on the wheel
2. At the road ahead, because the front of the car swings the most
3. Over your shoulder through the rear window, glancing both ways
4. At the back-up camera screen, which shows everything behind you
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Answer C: Over your shoulder through the rear window, glancing both ways

You look through the rear window in the direction the car is moving, checking both ways for traffic and people, because mirrors and cameras leave blind areas.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Where is a three-point turn most clearly a bad idea?
1. On a busy street near a curve, where approaching drivers cannot see you
2. On a quiet street where you can see several hundred feet in both directions
3. In a wide residential street with no traffic and a clear view either way
4. On a dead-end street where the little traffic there moves at low speed
Show answer

Answer A: On a busy street near a curve, where approaching drivers cannot see you

The maneuver leaves you blocking the road for several seconds, so it needs light traffic and a long clear view; a blind curve gives neither.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You need to reverse direction on a busy street. Which choice is usually safest?
1. A three-point turn taken quickly during a gap in the traffic flow
2. Backing into the nearest driveway on the left side of the street
3. A U-turn made from the right lane when you can see no headlights
4. Driving around the block and using the intersections instead
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Answer D: Driving around the block and using the intersections instead

Going around the block uses normal turns at controlled intersections instead of stopping across live traffic lanes.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You decide to turn around using a driveway on your right. What is the safer way to do it?
1. Drive in forward, then reverse out into the traffic lane and turn
2. Reverse into it from the far side after crossing the oncoming lane
3. Stop past the driveway, reverse into it, then pull out and drive away
4. Drive in forward and wait there until no traffic is coming either way
Show answer

Answer C: Stop past the driveway, reverse into it, then pull out and drive away

Passing the driveway and backing in means you reverse off the roadway and then rejoin traffic facing forward, with a full view of both directions.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What makes a left turn protected rather than permissive?
1. The intersection has a marked turn lane and a crosswalk on every corner
2. Oncoming traffic is held by a red signal while you have a green arrow
3. A sign warns oncoming drivers to yield to vehicles turning across them
4. The turn is made from a lane that no other movement is allowed to use
Show answer

Answer B: Oncoming traffic is held by a red signal while you have a green arrow

A protected turn is one where the conflicting movements are stopped by their own signal, which is what the green arrow indicates.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
Your left-turn lane faces a steady green ball and oncoming traffic is heavy. What are you allowed to do?
1. Turn at once, because a green ball gives turning traffic priority
2. Stay behind the stop line, because entering on a green ball is not allowed
3. Move into the intersection and turn when a safe gap appears
4. Sound the horn and turn, since oncoming drivers have to slow for you
Show answer

Answer C: Move into the intersection and turn when a safe gap appears

A green ball permits the turn but gives no priority, so you may move into the intersection and wait there for a gap in the oncoming traffic.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
Your green left-turn arrow goes out and a steady green ball stays lit. What may you do?
1. Continue turning left, but only after yielding to oncoming traffic
2. Complete the turn at once, because the movement is still protected
3. Stop where you are and wait for the arrow to come back on
4. Leave the intersection straight ahead, since left turns are now banned
Show answer

Answer A: Continue turning left, but only after yielding to oncoming traffic

When the arrow ends and a green ball remains, the turn changes from protected to permissive, so it is still allowed but oncoming traffic goes first.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
The green left-turn arrow ends and a steady red ball comes on for your lane, at an intersection where no turn on red is allowed. What must you do?
1. Complete the turn if you have already switched your signal on
2. Turn if the oncoming traffic has a red signal at the same moment
3. Move forward into the intersection and wait for the next green arrow
4. Stop and wait, because no turn is allowed while the red ball is lit
Show answer

Answer D: Stop and wait, because no turn is allowed while the red ball is lit

Once a red indication faces your lane and no turn on red is permitted there, the turn is over; only a vehicle already inside the intersection completes its movement.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
At an intersection where turning on a red arrow is not permitted, the signal shows a red left arrow next to a steady green ball. What may you do?
1. Nothing at all, because a red arrow stops every movement at that signal
2. Turn left after stopping, since the green ball covers all the movements
3. Turn left if no oncoming vehicle is within a block of the intersection
4. Go straight or turn right if permitted, but not left
Show answer

Answer D: Go straight or turn right if permitted, but not left

An arrow controls only the movement it points to, so here the red arrow stops the left turn while the green ball still allows the other movements.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You have a green light and are turning right while people are crossing the street you want to enter. Who goes first?
1. You do, because a green light gives vehicles priority over pedestrians
2. The pedestrians, and you wait until they are clear of your path
3. Whoever reaches the crosswalk first, whether on foot or driving
4. You do, as long as you sound the horn to warn them you are turning
Show answer

Answer B: The pedestrians, and you wait until they are clear of your path

A green light permits the turn but does not remove the duty to yield to pedestrians already crossing the street you are turning into.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Every signal head at an intersection is flashing red in all directions. How should you treat the intersection?
1. As a yield, slowing only if another vehicle is already close by
2. As a signal that has failed, so cross without stopping if it looks clear
3. As an all-way stop, stopping and then going in turn
4. As a controlled intersection where the wider road keeps its priority
Show answer

Answer C: As an all-way stop, stopping and then going in turn

Red flashing in every direction means each approach must stop, so the intersection works exactly like an all-way stop.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
A traffic signal is dark and you reach the intersection at the same moment as a vehicle on your right. Who goes first?
1. The vehicle on your right, as at any all-way stop
2. You do, because a vehicle on the right must always yield
3. Whichever driver flashes their headlights at the other first
4. The vehicle on the wider or busier of the two roads
Show answer

Answer A: The vehicle on your right, as at any all-way stop

A dark signal is treated as an all-way stop, and the usual tie-breaker then applies: the vehicle on the right goes first.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
The light turns yellow when your front wheels are already past the stop line inside the intersection. What should you do?
1. Brake hard and reverse back behind the stop line before the red appears
2. Keep going and clear the intersection without speeding up
3. Stop where you are and wait for the next green indication
4. Switch on the hazard lights and wait there for the cross traffic to pass
Show answer

Answer B: Keep going and clear the intersection without speeding up

Once you are legally in the intersection the safest and correct action is to continue through and clear it, without accelerating.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You are stopped at a red light waiting to turn right where the turn is allowed. Besides traffic from the left, what must you check?
1. Only the signal, until it changes to green for your direction
2. Only vehicles coming from your right on the cross street
3. Only the mirrors, because traffic behind you is the real risk
4. Both crosswalks, and anyone approaching along your right side
Show answer

Answer D: Both crosswalks, and anyone approaching along your right side

A right turn on red crosses the crosswalk in front of you and enters the one on the cross street, and cyclists often approach along your right.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You are at a red light where right turns on red are allowed, you cannot see clearly, and the driver behind sounds the horn. What should you do?
1. Turn immediately, because a driver behind may not be kept waiting
2. Wave the other driver past you and then follow them through the red
3. Stay stopped until you can see that the turn is safe
4. Move forward onto the crosswalk for a better view and then turn
Show answer

Answer C: Stay stopped until you can see that the turn is safe

Turning right on red is permitted, never required, so you wait until you can see that the way is clear no matter what the driver behind does.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
Some states allow a left turn against a red light. Which movement is it?
1. A left turn from a one-way street onto another one-way street
2. A left turn from a two-way street whenever the oncoming lanes are empty
3. A left turn from a two-way street onto another two-way street
4. A left turn from a one-way street onto a two-way street
Show answer

Answer A: A left turn from a one-way street onto another one-way street

The movement generally allowed on red is one-way to one-way, because the turn does not cross any lane of oncoming traffic; a few states also extend it to a two-way street turning onto a one-way street.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
A sign at the signal reads LEFT TURN ON GREEN ARROW ONLY. The ball turns green but no arrow appears. What may you do?
1. Turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic, as on any green ball
2. Turn left only if the oncoming lanes happen to be empty at the time
3. Wait, because your turn is allowed only while the arrow is showing
4. Enter the intersection and wait inside it until the arrow comes on
Show answer

Answer C: Wait, because your turn is allowed only while the arrow is showing

The sign removes the permissive turn, so the left is legal only during the green arrow and you must wait behind the line until it appears.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
The signal ahead has a sign prohibiting left turns, and your route needs a left. What should you do?
1. Turn left anyway, because the sign applies only during busy periods
2. Make a U-turn at the intersection and come back to turn right
3. Stop in the intersection until an officer waves you through the turn
4. Go straight on and find a legal place to turn and come back
Show answer

Answer D: Go straight on and find a legal place to turn and come back

A turn prohibition applies to every driver, so you continue through and reach your route by another legal turn.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
A turn restriction sign at the corner shows a range of times below the symbol. What does that mean?
1. The turn is banned only during the hours shown on the sign
2. The turn is banned at all times, and the hours refer to parking
3. The hours show when the turn is allowed and at no other time
4. The hours apply only to trucks and buses, not to ordinary cars
Show answer

Answer A: The turn is banned only during the hours shown on the sign

Times posted under a regulatory symbol set the period during which the restriction applies; outside those hours the movement is permitted.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You reach a T intersection where the cross street has a ONE WAY sign pointing to the right. What may you do?
1. Turn either way, provided you yield to traffic already on the street
2. Turn right only, because the street carries traffic in that direction
3. Turn left, but only after coming to a complete stop at the corner
4. Cross straight over, because a one-way street may always be crossed
Show answer

Answer B: Turn right only, because the street carries traffic in that direction

The arrow shows the only direction traffic may travel, so the only legal movement from the terminating road is a right turn.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You have turned onto a street and see parked cars facing you and headlights coming toward you. What has probably happened?
1. You are on a street where the far side has angle parking
2. You are on a road where oncoming drivers have drifted over the line
3. You have turned the wrong way onto a one-way street
4. You are on a two-way street where the center line has worn away
Show answer

Answer C: You have turned the wrong way onto a one-way street

Vehicles parked facing you and headlights approaching in your lane are the classic signs of driving against the flow on a one-way street.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You realize you have turned the wrong way onto a one-way street. What should you do?
1. Pull to the right, stop, and back into the street you came from when clear
2. Continue to the next corner and turn right to rejoin normal traffic there
3. Speed up so you reach the next junction before another vehicle arrives
4. Drive along the edge of the sidewalk until a gap in the traffic appears
Show answer

Answer A: Pull to the right, stop, and back into the street you came from when clear

Get out of the traffic stream first: pull right and stop, then back out into the street you came from once you can see it is safe.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You and an oncoming driver are both turning left at the same intersection. What is the usual rule?
1. Whichever driver arrived at the intersection first turns while the other waits
2. Both drivers pass behind each other, keeping right of the center of the junction
3. The larger vehicle turns first and the smaller one follows along behind it
4. Both turn in front of each other unless markings show otherwise
Show answer

Answer D: Both turn in front of each other unless markings show otherwise

The normal practice is to pass driver side to driver side, turning in front of one another, unless pavement markings or signs direct a different path.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
When should you move into the lane you need for a turn?
1. At the last moment, so that you do not hold up traffic in that lane
2. Once you are inside the intersection and can see the new street clearly
3. As soon as you see the signal change, whatever lane you happen to be in
4. Well before the intersection, as soon as you know your route
Show answer

Answer D: Well before the intersection, as soon as you know your route

Getting into the correct lane early lets other drivers read your intentions and keeps you from making a sudden lane change at the corner.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You enter a corner faster than the turn can be taken. What is the most likely result?
1. The vehicle runs wide and may cross into another lane
2. The steering locks up and the wheel becomes impossible to move
3. The rear wheels lift and the vehicle stops turning altogether
4. The brakes overheat and the pedal drops straight to the floor
Show answer

Answer A: The vehicle runs wide and may cross into another lane

Excess speed uses up the available grip, so the vehicle follows a wider arc than intended and drifts out of its lane.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What is the right speed for a normal right turn at a city corner?
1. The posted speed limit, because corners are designed for that speed
2. Fast enough that traffic behind you does not have to slow down at all
3. Slow enough to hold your lane and stop for a pedestrian
4. Whatever speed gets you through before the light changes to yellow
Show answer

Answer C: Slow enough to hold your lane and stop for a pedestrian

A city right turn is tight and crosses a crosswalk, so the correct speed is one that keeps you inside your lane and still allows a stop.

Source: nhtsa.gov
In most states, how far before a turn must your signal already be on in city traffic?
1. About one car length, so the signal is not flashing for very long
2. At least 100 feet, roughly the length of six or seven cars
3. Only once you have started to slow down for the corner itself
4. Only after you have entered the turn lane at the intersection
Show answer

Answer B: At least 100 feet, roughly the length of six or seven cars

Most states require the signal for at least 100 feet before a turn in city driving, which gives drivers behind you time to react before you slow; several require more at higher speeds.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
There is a driveway and a side street between you and the corner where you will turn right. When should you signal?
1. Before the driveway, so that nobody at all is surprised by the turn
2. Only after you have passed the corner and begun to slow down
3. After passing the openings, so nobody pulls out in front of you
4. At the same moment that you begin to turn the steering wheel
Show answer

Answer C: After passing the openings, so nobody pulls out in front of you

A signal switched on before an opening tells drivers waiting there that you are turning in, and they may pull out into your path.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Study tip. One test a day for a week beats seven tests in one evening: spaced practice is what makes rules stick.
After completing a turn you notice your signal is still flashing. What should you do?
1. Switch it off at once, before other drivers act on it
2. Leave it flashing until your next lane change, to save the effort
3. Switch on the opposite signal in order to cancel the first one
4. Use the hazard lights instead until the signal resets by itself
Show answer

Answer A: Switch it off at once, before other drivers act on it

A signal left on after a turn is a false message, and drivers waiting to pull out may move into your path because of it.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Traffic has built up behind you while you wait for a gap to turn left. How should that affect your decision?
1. Take the first gap you see, even a short one, so the queue can move
2. Wave the drivers behind you past on the right so that they can go
3. It should not change it; wait for a gap that is genuinely safe
4. Turn into the far lane instead, because that needs a smaller gap
Show answer

Answer C: It should not change it; wait for a gap that is genuinely safe

Pressure from behind does not make a small gap bigger, and rushing a left turn across traffic is a common cause of serious crashes.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Why should you stay out of an intersection you cannot clear, even on a green light?
1. Because the engine may stall and leave you stranded in the middle
2. Because you would block cross traffic when their signal turns green
3. Because the signal will hold the red until your vehicle has moved away
4. Because the pavement inside an intersection wears out much more quickly
Show answer

Answer B: Because you would block cross traffic when their signal turns green

A vehicle stranded in the intersection blocks the cross street when its light turns green, which stalls the whole junction and traps emergency vehicles.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You are waiting to turn and the traffic ahead has stopped. Where must you not come to rest?
1. Behind the stop line, because that space must be kept clear for cyclists
2. Inside the turn lane, which is only for vehicles that are still moving
3. In the through lane beside you, which belongs to other traffic
4. On the crosswalk, which people need in order to cross the street
Show answer

Answer D: On the crosswalk, which people need in order to cross the street

Stopping on a crosswalk forces pedestrians out into the traffic lanes to get around you, so you hold back before it instead.

Source: nhtsa.gov
The traffic signal is green, but the crossing lights on the tracks inside the intersection begin to flash. What must you do?
1. Continue, because a green signal always overrides the crossing lights
2. Stop only if you can actually see a train approaching the crossing
3. Stop clear of the tracks and wait, even though the signal is green
4. Cross quickly before the gates come down and block your route
Show answer

Answer C: Stop clear of the tracks and wait, even though the signal is green

Active crossing warning devices outrank the green indication, so you stop short of the rails and wait until the warning stops.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You are turning left across tracks that run along the center of the street. What should you do before crossing them?
1. Cross as fast as you can, so you spend little time on the rails
2. Look along the tracks in both directions and cross only when clear
3. Stop with your front wheels on the rails and watch for a signal
4. Rely on the traffic signal, because it controls trains as well as cars
Show answer

Answer B: Look along the tracks in both directions and cross only when clear

Rail vehicles running in the street can arrive from either direction and cannot stop quickly, so look along the tracks before you turn across them.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
A separate right-turn lane leads onto the cross street and carries a yield sign. What does it require?
1. A complete stop at the sign before every turn, exactly as at a stop sign
2. Nothing at all, because the lane is separated from the main intersection
3. A stop only when the traffic signal for the main intersection shows red
4. Slowing and giving way to traffic and people, stopping if needed
Show answer

Answer D: Slowing and giving way to traffic and people, stopping if needed

A yield requires you to slow, give way to traffic in the lane you are joining and to pedestrians, and stop only if that is what safety demands.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You have turned right into the nearest lane but you need the left lane soon. When should you move over?
1. After the turn is finished, once you have checked mirrors and blind spot
2. During the turn, so that you are already in position when you straighten
3. Before the turn, by starting it from the left-hand lane of the old street
4. At the next intersection only, since lane changes near a corner are banned
Show answer

Answer A: After the turn is finished, once you have checked mirrors and blind spot

Complete the turn in the proper lane first, then make a normal lane change with mirror and blind spot checks once you are established on the new street.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
A bus stopped at the corner hides the crosswalk you are about to turn across. What should you do?
1. Turn wide around the bus so that you can carry your speed through the corner
2. Follow the bus closely, so that you are past before it starts to move again
3. Turn slowly, ready to stop for anyone stepping out in front of it
4. Sound the horn twice and complete the turn without slowing further
Show answer

Answer C: Turn slowly, ready to stop for anyone stepping out in front of it

People often step into the road from in front of a stopped bus, so approach the hidden crosswalk slowly and be ready to stop.

Source: nhtsa.gov
An oncoming driver flashes their headlights while you are waiting to turn left. What should you do?
1. Turn at once, because flashing lights are an accepted signal to go
2. Flash back to confirm and then complete the turn without delay
3. Wait for the driver to flash a second time before you start to move
4. Judge the situation yourself, since the flash may mean something else
Show answer

Answer D: Judge the situation yourself, since the flash may mean something else

A flash is not a legal signal and may mean many things, so the decision to turn stays yours and must be based on what you can see.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You began a turn from the wrong lane and are already inside the intersection. What should you not do?
1. Reverse in order to get back into the correct lane
2. Complete the turn and correct your position afterwards
3. Continue into the lane that the turn naturally leads to
4. Signal and change lanes once you are clear of the junction
Show answer

Answer A: Reverse in order to get back into the correct lane

Backing up in an intersection puts you into the path of traffic that cannot expect it; finish the movement and fix your position afterwards.

Source: nhtsa.gov
After turning right you see a sign showing that your lane ends a short way ahead. What should you do?
1. Stop at the end of the lane and wait for another driver to let you in
2. Signal and merge into the next lane while there is still room
3. Straddle the two lanes until the merging point has been passed
4. Speed up to get past the traffic beside you before the lane runs out
Show answer

Answer B: Signal and merge into the next lane while there is still room

Merge early and smoothly while a gap is still available, rather than running out of pavement or forcing your way in at the last moment.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Your right-turn lane shows a green arrow while the through lanes face a red ball. What does that mean?
1. Every movement at the signal is now permitted, including going straight
2. You may turn right only after stopping, because the ball is showing red
3. Only the right turn is allowed, and it is protected while the arrow lasts
4. You may turn right, but you must give way to traffic on the cross street
Show answer

Answer C: Only the right turn is allowed, and it is protected while the arrow lasts

A green arrow gives a protected movement in that direction only; the red ball still stops the through traffic in the other lanes.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
A high truck ahead of you hides the traffic signal as you approach the intersection. What should you do?
1. Drop back so you can see the signal and the truck's brake lights
2. Move up close behind the truck and go when it starts to move
3. Change lanes inside the intersection so you can see around it
4. Watch only the cross traffic and go when it comes to a stop
Show answer

Answer A: Drop back so you can see the signal and the truck's brake lights

Extra following distance restores your view of the signal, so you are reacting to the light yourself rather than copying the truck driver.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You are turning left out of a driveway onto a busy two-way street. What must you do?
1. Pull out into the near lane and wait there for a gap in the far lane
2. Cross as soon as the near lane is clear, since the far lane must slow
3. Use the sidewalk as a place to wait while a gap in traffic opens up
4. Wait for a gap in both directions before you start to move
Show answer

Answer D: Wait for a gap in both directions before you start to move

The turn crosses one direction of traffic and joins the other, so you need a gap in both before leaving the driveway rather than stopping across a lane.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You are about to pull out of a driveway when someone on the sidewalk is walking toward it. What should you do?
1. Move forward slowly so that the pedestrian understands you are leaving
2. Sound the horn and continue, because a driveway is private property
3. Pull out behind the pedestrian as soon as they reach your front bumper
4. Wait, because traffic on the sidewalk has the right-of-way
Show answer

Answer D: Wait, because traffic on the sidewalk has the right-of-way

A vehicle entering the roadway from a driveway yields to people on the sidewalk as well as to traffic on the street.

Source: nhtsa.gov
What is the basic rule for entering a roundabout?
1. Traffic already in the circle must slow to let entering vehicles in
2. Traffic already circulating goes first, and you wait for a gap
3. Vehicles enter in turn, one from each approach, as at an all-way stop
4. The vehicle on the right always enters ahead of the vehicle on its left
Show answer

Answer B: Traffic already circulating goes first, and you wait for a gap

Entering traffic yields to vehicles already going around the circle, which is what keeps a roundabout moving instead of locking up.

Source: fhwa.dot.gov
You are circulating in a roundabout and a vehicle is waiting to enter ahead of you. What should you do?
1. Stop inside the circle and wave the waiting driver into the gap ahead of you
2. Move over to the outside lane so that the driver has room to come in
3. Sound the horn to warn the waiting driver to stay where they are
4. Keep going, because circulating traffic does not stop for entering vehicles
Show answer

Answer D: Keep going, because circulating traffic does not stop for entering vehicles

Stopping in the circle to be polite surprises the drivers behind you and defeats the design; entering traffic is the side that waits.

Source: fhwa.dot.gov
A left-turn bay opens ahead of the intersection with a solid white line beside it. Where should you enter the bay?
1. At any point, crossing the solid line wherever it suits your position
2. At the intersection itself, so that you keep the bay clear for others
3. At the opening before the solid line begins
4. Only where an arrow is painted inside the bay to mark the entry point
Show answer

Answer C: At the opening before the solid line begins

The solid line marks where lane changes are no longer intended, so you move into the turn bay at its opening rather than cutting across the line later.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You have a steady green ball to turn left, and the oncoming traffic gets a green left arrow. What does that mean for you?
1. Both of you are protected, so the two of you may turn at the same time
2. The arrow ends the oncoming through movement, so your way is now clear
3. Oncoming vehicles will turn across your path, so you must wait
4. Your green ball becomes a protected turn as soon as their arrow appears
Show answer

Answer C: Oncoming vehicles will turn across your path, so you must wait

A green ball is permissive, so when the oncoming side receives a protected arrow those vehicles have priority and you must yield until they clear.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You are making a U-turn at a signal on a green left arrow. Who must you still watch for?
1. Nobody, because a green arrow stops every conflicting movement there
2. Only vehicles turning right onto the street you are leaving behind
3. Only the traffic behind you, which may follow you round the turn
4. People in the crosswalk you will cross as you come around
Show answer

Answer D: People in the crosswalk you will cross as you come around

Even a protected arrow does not clear the crosswalk, and a U-turn sweeps across a crosswalk that pedestrians may already be using.

Source: nhtsa.gov
A sign at the intersection prohibits U-turns, but the opening looks wide and clear. What may you do?
1. Make the turn slowly, since a sign like that is aimed at peak hours
2. Obey the sign and turn around somewhere else
3. Make the turn if no vehicle at all is in sight in either direction
4. Make the turn from the far lane, which the sign does not cover
Show answer

Answer B: Obey the sign and turn around somewhere else

A prohibition applies whatever the traffic looks like at that moment, usually because of sight distance or conflicts you cannot see from the lane.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
Why is a U-turn on a one-way street a problem?
1. You would end up facing the wrong way against all the traffic
2. The vehicle would need more than one lane in order to complete it
3. A one-way street rarely has the room needed to complete the turn
4. The turn would leave the vehicle facing a solid yellow edge line
Show answer

Answer A: You would end up facing the wrong way against all the traffic

Every lane of a one-way street runs the same way, so turning around leaves you driving head-on against all of the traffic.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You want to reverse direction but the street is too narrow for a U-turn. What is the alternative?
1. Reverse the whole way back to the last intersection that you passed
2. Use the sidewalk to gain the extra room that the vehicle needs
3. Turn into a driveway and reverse straight back into the traffic lane
4. Make a three-point turn, or go around the block in heavy traffic
Show answer

Answer D: Make a three-point turn, or go around the block in heavy traffic

Where there is not enough width for a U-turn, the three-point turn does the job in stages, and on a busy street going around the block is safer still.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
You turn left onto a road that has a center two-way left-turn lane. In which lane should you be traveling once the turn is finished?
1. The center lane, until you have picked up the speed of the other traffic
2. The center lane, because it is the one closest to where you turned from
3. The far right lane, so that faster traffic is able to pass you on the left
4. The first through lane to the right of the center turn lane
Show answer

Answer D: The first through lane to the right of the center turn lane

The shared center lane is only for turning movements, so even where a state lets you pause in it to merge you must end up in the first ordinary travel lane beside it.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
A sign beside the signal reads STOP HERE ON RED. What does it tell you?
1. Stop there only when an amber lamp above the sign is lit
2. Stop at that point on red, not closer to the intersection
3. Stop there only if a vehicle is already waiting ahead of you
4. Stop there and then move up to the corner if the light is still red
Show answer

Answer B: Stop at that point on red, not closer to the intersection

The sign marks the required stopping point, which is set back from the corner so that turning vehicles and sight lines are not blocked.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
Why is it dangerous to make a left turn from the second lane from the center?
1. Because the turn takes longer and uses up more of the green time
2. Because your turn signal cannot be seen by drivers in the center lane
3. Because a driver in the lane beside you is turning into the same space
4. Because the wheels may cut across the painted island at the corner
Show answer

Answer C: Because a driver in the lane beside you is turning into the same space

Drivers in the proper turn lane are entitled to that space, and turning across them puts two vehicles into one path through the intersection.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
A wide crosswalk you are turning across has a refuge island in the middle. What should you assume about people standing on it?
1. They have finished crossing and are going to stay on the island
2. They will wait there for the next walk signal in every case
3. They cannot re-enter the roadway until the signal changes again
4. They may step off the island into your path at any moment
Show answer

Answer D: They may step off the island into your path at any moment

An island is a pause in a crossing, not the end of one, so treat anyone on it as a pedestrian who is still crossing.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You are the second vehicle waiting to turn left on a green ball. Where should you wait?
1. Behind the stop line, until the first vehicle has actually turned
2. Beside the first vehicle, so that both of you can turn together
3. In the intersection just behind the first vehicle, ready to follow it
4. On the crosswalk, so that you are as close to the corner as possible
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Answer A: Behind the stop line, until the first vehicle has actually turned

Only the lead vehicle should move into the intersection to wait; a second vehicle inside it is likely to be stranded there when the light changes.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
You are turning right where a paved trail crosses the road just past the corner. What should you look for?
1. Only walkers, because bicycles have to be walked across every crossing
2. Cyclists and walkers arriving from either direction on the trail
3. Only traffic from the left, because trail users must yield to vehicles
4. Only vehicles already traveling on the road that you are entering
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Answer B: Cyclists and walkers arriving from either direction on the trail

A shared use path carries two-way traffic on foot and on bicycles, so scan both directions along the trail before crossing it.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Study tip. Before test day, check on the official agency website which documents and fees you need to bring.
You are turning left into a street that is divided by a raised median. Which side should you enter?
1. Either side, since a median only separates the parked vehicles
2. The left side, which is the one nearer to the lane you turned from
3. The right-hand roadway, so that you travel on the proper side
4. Whichever side has the lighter traffic at that particular moment
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Answer C: The right-hand roadway, so that you travel on the proper side

A raised median separates two directions of travel, so the turn must be completed into the roadway carrying traffic your way.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
How should a turn at an intersection be taken on a wet road?
1. Brake steadily throughout the turn to keep the speed under control
2. Turn the wheel quickly, so that the vehicle spends less time turning
3. Slow earlier than usual and steer smoothly through the corner
4. Accelerate through the corner so that the front wheels keep gripping
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Answer C: Slow earlier than usual and steer smoothly through the corner

Wet pavement leaves less grip, so the speed must come off before the turn and the steering must be gentle enough not to break traction.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You have stopped at a stop line but parked cars hide the cross street. What comes next?
1. Turn without stopping again, because one stop is all the law asks for
2. Wait for another driver to signal to you that the way ahead is clear
3. Edge forward to where you can see, stopping again if needed
4. Reverse and use a different street in order to avoid the problem
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Answer C: Edge forward to where you can see, stopping again if needed

The legal stop at the line is only the first stop; you then move up slowly to a point where you can see, and stop again if traffic requires it.

Source: dmv.ca.gov
Two lanes at the corner are marked for right turns. What does that require of you?
1. Keep your own lane through the turn and into the matching new lane
2. The outside lane must yield to the inside lane throughout the whole turn
3. Both vehicles may share the space, because the turn is a short one
4. The inside lane must finish in the outside lane of the street you enter
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Answer A: Keep your own lane through the turn and into the matching new lane

Dual turn lanes work only if each vehicle stays in its own lane all the way round and finishes in the corresponding lane of the new street.

Source: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov
At night you are waiting to turn left and can see only the headlights of an approaching vehicle. Why should you allow a bigger margin?
1. Because headlights always make an oncoming vehicle look closer than it is
2. Because most drivers use high beams and so cannot see you waiting there
3. Because your own headlights hide the oncoming vehicle from your view
4. Because lights alone make speed and distance hard to judge
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Answer D: Because lights alone make speed and distance hard to judge

With no other visual cues, two points of light give you very little information about how fast the vehicle is closing, so leave extra margin.

Source: nhtsa.gov
You are turning left at an intersection just beyond the crest of a hill. What is the added risk?
1. The gradient may make your vehicle roll backwards into other traffic
2. Oncoming vehicles appear with very little warning and close quickly
3. The turn takes longer because the engine has less power going uphill
4. Your headlights point too high for the oncoming drivers to notice them
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Answer B: Oncoming vehicles appear with very little warning and close quickly

A crest hides approaching traffic until it is close, so the gap you thought was empty can fill in the time the turn takes.

Source: nhtsa.gov
Which sequence describes a well-made turn?
1. Signal, move into the correct lane, slow down, check, then turn
2. Turn the wheel, then signal, then check the mirrors and adjust the speed
3. Slow down first, then move into the turn lane and signal at the corner
4. Check the mirrors, brake during the turn and signal as you straighten up
Show answer

Answer A: Signal, move into the correct lane, slow down, check, then turn

Tell others first, take your position, lose the speed before the corner, take a final look, and only then steer through the turn.

Source: nhtsa.gov