Traffic Laws Practice Test: 22 Questions on Speed, Seat Belts and Licences

Traffic Laws Practice Test

traffic lawsDMV practice testAbout 17 min·By Dr Irfan Mansuri
Traffic Laws Practice Test: 22 Questions on Speed, Seat Belts and Licences
Traffic Laws Practice Test: 22 Questions on Speed, Seat Belts and Licences
22 permit-test questions with the answer and the reasoning on every one. The written law, rather than the judgement calls: limits, requirements, and what happens when you break one.
Not an official DMV site. irfanedu.com is an independent education site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any state Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Public Safety, Motor Vehicle Commission, Secretary of State office, or any other government agency, and the agency names used here are used only to say which state’s rules a page describes. Nothing on this page is an official examination or a substitute for your state’s driver handbook. Only your own licensing agency can tell you what is on your test.
How to use this page. This is study material for a learner permit test, not legal advice, and it is not a copy of any official exam. This page covers the rules that are the same across the United States, and the sign meanings set federally by the MUTCD. Speed limits, blood alcohol thresholds, penalties and some clearances are set by each state, so check yours against your own handbook. The sign artwork is drawn to the federal standard rather than photographed, so a sign near you may carry different wording on the same shape and colour.

What is in this test

Tap an option and the page marks it and opens the explanation. Nothing is timed and nothing is stored, so you can work through it in one sitting or come back to it. If you would rather not tap through, every answer is also listed in the answer key at the bottom.

Subject Questions
Traffic laws 22

Difficulty mix: 1 easy, 15 medium, 6 hard. The questions run easiest first.

Traffic changing lanes to leave an empty lane beside a stopped emergency vehicle
Move over a lane for a stopped emergency vehicle. If you cannot, slow well below the limit.

The 22 questions

Answered 0 of 22 | Correct 0
Question 1Traffic lawsEasy

The basic speed law says that you must:

Show the answer

Correct answer: A. Never drive faster than is safe for the current conditions, even if that is below the posted limit

The posted limit is a ceiling for ideal conditions only. In fog, rain, heavy traffic, or roadworks the safe speed is lower, and you can be cited for driving too fast for conditions while still under the posted number.

Question 2Traffic lawsMedium

If you are involved in a collision, you are legally required to:

Show the answer

Correct answer: A. Stop, exchange information, render reasonable aid, and report the crash as your state requires

Failing to stop is a serious offense in every state, and a felony where someone is injured. Exchange name, address, license, registration, and insurance details, help anyone hurt, and file a report if injuries or damage exceed your state’s threshold.

Question 3Traffic lawsMedium

Financial responsibility laws require every driver to:

Show the answer

Correct answer: C. Carry at least the state minimum liability insurance or an approved alternative

Liability insurance pays for injury and damage you cause to others. Driving without it typically brings fines, license and registration suspension, and personal liability for every dollar of damage.

Question 4Traffic lawsMedium

A graduated driver licensing (GDL) program typically restricts a new teen driver from:

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Correct answer: B. Driving late at night and carrying young passengers, for a set period

GDL phases in full driving privileges. The common restrictions are a night-time curfew and a limit on teen passengers, because both sharply raise crash risk for inexperienced drivers. Restrictions lift with age and time held.

Question 5Traffic lawsMedium

A learner’s permit holder must normally drive:

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Correct answer: A. Accompanied by a licensed adult supervising driver in the front passenger seat

A permit authorizes supervised practice only. The supervising driver must be a licensed adult, usually 21 or older, seated where they can take control. Driving unsupervised on a permit normally voids it and delays your license.

Question 6Traffic lawsMedium

You must notify the licensing agency when:

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Correct answer: D. You change your address or name

Most states require notice of an address change within about ten to thirty days. Official notices, including suspension letters, go to the address on file, and not receiving one is not a defense.

Question 7Traffic lawsMedium

Child passenger safety laws generally require that:

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Correct answer: D. Children use an appropriate car seat or booster based on age, height, and weight, and ride in the back seat while young

Requirements step up from rear-facing to forward-facing to booster and finally to an adult belt, keyed to size rather than age alone. An airbag can seriously injure a small child, which is why the back seat is required while young.

Question 8Traffic lawsMedium

Driving with a suspended license typically results in:

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Correct answer: D. Extension of the suspension, heavy fines, possible vehicle impoundment, and possible jail

Driving on a suspension is treated as a serious offense because it shows disregard for a court or agency order. It usually extends the suspension and, in many states, carries jail exposure even on a first offense.

Question 9Traffic lawsMedium

Documents you must be able to produce when stopped by a police officer usually include:

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Correct answer: B. Your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance

Keep the registration and insurance card in the vehicle and your license on you. Many states now accept an electronic insurance card. Have them ready before the officer reaches your window, and keep your hands visible.

Question 10Traffic lawsMedium

In a school zone during posted hours, you must:

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Correct answer: C. Reduce to the posted school zone speed limit and watch for children and crossing guards

School zone limits, often 15 to 25 mph, apply during posted hours or when children are present. Fines are commonly doubled, and a crossing guard’s hand signals must be obeyed like those of a police officer.

Question 11Traffic lawsMedium

Work zone traffic fines are commonly:

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Correct answer: A. Doubled or otherwise increased

Most states double fines in a work zone, and many apply the increase whether or not workers are visible at that moment. Reduced limits stay in force until an END ROAD WORK sign.

Question 12Traffic lawsMedium

When must you turn on your headlights?

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Correct answer: C. From dusk to dawn, and whenever visibility is poor or your wipers are in use

The general rule is from about half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, plus any time visibility drops below roughly 1000 feet. Many states also require headlights whenever the wipers are running.

Question 13Traffic lawsMedium

You are pulled over by a police officer at night. The safest way to behave is to:

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Correct answer: C. Stop in a safe spot, turn on the interior light, keep your hands visible on the wheel, and wait

Turn off the engine, roll the window down, and keep your hands where they can be seen. Tell the officer before reaching for documents rather than moving first and explaining after.

Question 14Traffic lawsMedium

Studies of vehicle registration and licensing show that driving records are used by:

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Correct answer: A. Licensing agencies, courts, and insurers assessing risk

Points and convictions follow you well past the ticket. Insurers price directly off the record, so a single serious violation can cost far more in premiums than in fines.

Question 15Traffic lawsMedium

A permit holder is stopped while driving alone. The usual consequence is:

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Correct answer: C. A violation that can void the permit and delay the full license

A learner permit authorises supervised practice only. Driving unsupervised usually restarts the holding period and can add points before the driver even has a license.

Question 16Traffic lawsMedium

Riding in the cargo bed of a pickup truck on a public road is:

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Correct answer: B. Prohibited or heavily restricted in most states, especially for minors

There is no restraint in a cargo bed, and occupants are thrown out in even a modest crash. Most states ban it outright for minors and many ban it for everyone on public roads.

Question 17Traffic lawsHard

Points are added to a driving record in order to:

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Correct answer: B. Track repeat violations and trigger suspension when a threshold is reached

Each moving violation adds points that stay on the record for a set period. Reaching the threshold brings a hearing, probation, or suspension, and insurers treat points as a direct signal of risk.

Question 18Traffic lawsHard

A minimum speed limit posted on a highway means:

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Correct answer: A. Driving below that speed without cause obstructs traffic and can be cited

Unusually slow vehicles force others to overtake, which is when collisions happen. If conditions or a mechanical problem force you below the minimum, use your hazard lights and leave the highway at the first opportunity.

Question 19Traffic lawsHard

Your vehicle must be equipped with:

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Correct answer: B. Two working headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, and a horn

Equipment laws set a minimum for safe operation, and an officer can cite you or order the vehicle off the road for a defect. A burned-out bulb is one of the most common reasons for a traffic stop.

Question 20Traffic lawsHard

If your vehicle breaks down on a highway, you should:

Show the answer

Correct answer: C. Move it as far off the roadway as possible, turn on hazard lights, and wait away from the traffic side

Get the vehicle beyond the shoulder if you can. Standing behind or beside a stopped vehicle on a highway is extremely dangerous. If you stay in the car, keep your belt fastened, and exit on the side away from traffic if you must get out.

Question 21Traffic lawsHard

A driver strikes a parked car and no owner is present. The law requires them to:

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Correct answer: B. Leave a note with their name and contact details, and report the crash if required

Leaving without making a reasonable effort to notify the owner is a hit and run, regardless of how small the damage looks. A note with name and contact details satisfies the duty.

Question 22Traffic lawsHard

Most states require a vehicle’s windshield and front side windows to:

Show the answer

Correct answer: C. Meet a minimum light transmission standard so the driver remains visible and can see out

Tint limits exist so drivers can see at night and so officers can see into the cabin. Excessive tint is an equipment violation and can require removal before the vehicle passes inspection.

Answer key

Every answer in one place, in question order.

No. Ans The correct option
1 A Never drive faster than is safe for the current conditions, even if that is below the posted limit
2 A Stop, exchange information, render reasonable aid, and report the crash as your state requires
3 C Carry at least the state minimum liability insurance or an approved alternative
4 B Driving late at night and carrying young passengers, for a set period
5 A Accompanied by a licensed adult supervising driver in the front passenger seat
6 D You change your address or name
7 D Children use an appropriate car seat or booster based on age, height, and weight, and ride in the back seat while young
8 D Extension of the suspension, heavy fines, possible vehicle impoundment, and possible jail
9 B Your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance
10 C Reduce to the posted school zone speed limit and watch for children and crossing guards
11 A Doubled or otherwise increased
12 C From dusk to dawn, and whenever visibility is poor or your wipers are in use
13 C Stop in a safe spot, turn on the interior light, keep your hands visible on the wheel, and wait
14 A Licensing agencies, courts, and insurers assessing risk
15 C A violation that can void the permit and delay the full license
16 B Prohibited or heavily restricted in most states, especially for minors
17 B Track repeat violations and trigger suspension when a threshold is reached
18 A Driving below that speed without cause obstructs traffic and can be cited
19 B Two working headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, and a horn
20 C Move it as far off the roadway as possible, turn on hazard lights, and wait away from the traffic side
21 B Leave a note with their name and contact details, and report the crash if required
22 C Meet a minimum light transmission standard so the driver remains visible and can see out

More permit test practice

Everything on this site tagged DMV lives in the DMV category.

Sources

Where this comes from, and how it was checked. Every question, answer explanation and lesson on this page is original text. None of it is copied from a state driver handbook, from any commercial practice-test product, or from another website, and none of it is written by a language model — the pages are generated from a fixed, hand-written question bank. The facts behind them were checked against the official sources listed at the bottom of this page: the state agency’s own handbook or vehicle code for anything state-specific, and the federal MUTCD — a US government work in the public domain — for every sign shape, colour and meaning. All artwork is drawn from that standard in code rather than photographed or traced, so no third-party image appears anywhere on this site. Traffic law itself is fact and carries no copyright; only a particular wording of it does, and the wording here is ours. Found something that does not match your handbook? Tell us and we will correct it.

Compiled and published by Dr Irfan Mansuri for irfanedu.com. Facts on this page last checked against the sources above on 31 August 2026. Road law changes; if a number here does not match the current edition of your state handbook, your handbook is right and we want to hear about it.


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