Road Situations Practice Test: 20 Questions With Diagrams

Road Situations Practice Test With Diagrams

DMV practice testroad situationsAbout 15 min·By Dr Irfan Mansuri
Road Situations Practice Test: 20 Questions With Diagrams
Road Situations Practice Test: 20 Questions With Diagrams
20 permit-test questions with the answer and the reasoning on every one. These are the questions that are hard to picture from words alone, so each one is drawn. 17 diagrams cover the intersections, markings and parking situations that decide most permit tests.
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
Rules of the road 11
Parking rules 4
Safe driving 4
Traffic laws 1

Difficulty mix: 3 easy, 11 medium, 6 hard. The questions run easiest first.

The 20 questions

Answered 0 of 20 | Correct 0
Question 1Rules of the roadMedium
Four-way stop intersection with a stop sign on each of the four approaches
At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first. Ties go to the driver on the right.

At this four-way stop, car A stopped first and car B stopped second. Who should go first?

Show the answer

Correct answer: D. Car A, because it stopped first

At a four-way stop the order of arrival decides the order of departure. The yield-to-the-right rule only settles a tie, and here there is no tie: A stopped first, so A goes first.

Question 2Rules of the roadMedium
Two cars reaching an uncontrolled intersection at the same time from adjacent roads
No signs and no signals: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Cars A and B reach this uncontrolled intersection at exactly the same moment. Who must yield?

Show the answer

Correct answer: A. Car A must yield to car B, which is on its right

With no signs or signals and a genuine tie, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. B is to A’s right, so A waits. Make eye contact before moving, because the other driver may not know the rule.

Question 3Rules of the roadEasy
A car waiting to turn left across the path of an oncoming vehicle
A left turn yields to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard.

Car A is turning left and car B is coming straight through on a green light. What must A do?

Show the answer

Correct answer: D. Yield to B and turn only when there is a safe gap

A left-turning driver always yields to oncoming traffic going straight. A green light permits the turn but grants no priority. Wait with the wheels straight, so a rear-end hit does not push you into oncoming traffic.

Question 4Rules of the roadMedium
A roundabout with vehicles circulating counter-clockwise and one waiting to enter
Entering traffic yields to vehicles already in the roundabout, then joins to the right.

Car A is approaching this roundabout while car B is already circulating. What should A do?

Show the answer

Correct answer: B. Yield to B and enter when there is a safe gap

Traffic already in the circle has the right-of-way. Slow on approach, look to your left, and enter in a gap. US roundabouts run counterclockwise, and you should never stop once you are inside one.

Question 5Rules of the roadMedium
A side road meeting a through road at a T-intersection
At a T-intersection the driver on the ending road yields to traffic on the through road.

Car A is on the road that ends at this T-intersection, and car B is on the through road. Who yields?

Show the answer

Correct answer: D. Car A, because its road ends at the intersection

Traffic on a terminating road yields to traffic on the through road unless signs or signals say otherwise. A must wait for a gap in both directions before entering.

Question 6Rules of the roadEasy
A stopped school bus with red lights flashing on a two-lane road, traffic halted both ways
On an undivided road, traffic in BOTH directions must stop for a school bus with red lights flashing.

This school bus has stopped on a two-lane road with red lights flashing and the stop arm out. Which drivers must stop?

Show the answer

Correct answer: C. Both car A and car B

On an undivided road, traffic in both directions must stop and stay stopped until the lights go off and the arm folds in. Children may cross in front of the bus where neither driver can see them.

Question 7Rules of the roadHard
A stopped school bus on a divided highway with a median, only traffic behind it stopped
Where a median or physical barrier divides the road, only traffic on the bus’s side must stop.

The school bus is stopped on the far side of a raised median. In most states, what must car B do?

Show the answer

Correct answer: B. Continue with care, because a physical median separates the roadways

Most states exempt drivers separated from the bus by a raised median or barrier. A painted line is not a divider, so on an undivided road you would still have to stop. New York requires the stop either way, so check your own state rule.

Question 8Parking rulesMedium
A car parked facing downhill with its front wheels turned toward the curb
Downhill with a curb: turn the wheels TOWARD the curb.

This car is parked facing downhill next to a curb. Which way should the front wheels point?

Show the answer

Correct answer: C. Toward the curb

Facing downhill, turn the wheels toward the curb so a rolling car catches on it instead of drifting into traffic. Set the parking brake and leave an automatic in park, or a manual in reverse.

Question 9Parking rulesMedium
A car parked facing uphill with its front wheels turned away from the curb
Uphill with a curb: turn the wheels AWAY from the curb and roll back onto it.

This car is parked facing uphill next to a curb. Which way should the front wheels point?

Show the answer

Correct answer: B. Away from the curb, so the car rolls back against it

Facing uphill, turn the wheels away from the curb and let the car roll back a few inches until the tire rests against it. The curb then blocks any further movement.

Question 10Parking rulesHard
A car parked on a hill with no curb, wheels turned toward the shoulder
No curb, either direction: turn the wheels toward the edge of the road.

There is no curb on this slope. Which way should the front wheels point?

Show the answer

Correct answer: A. Toward the edge of the road, so a rolling car leaves the roadway

With nothing to catch the tire, aim the wheels so a runaway car heads off the road rather than into traffic. This applies whether you are facing uphill or downhill.

Question 11Rules of the roadMedium
A road showing solid and broken yellow centre lines and which side may pass
A broken line on YOUR side means you may pass when it is safe. A solid line on your side means you may not.

Looking at the center line markings, which driver is allowed to pass?

Show the answer

Correct answer: A. Car B, because the line on its side is broken

The line on your own side of the center governs your permission. B has a broken line and may cross to pass when the way is clear. A has a solid line, meaning its sight distance is inadequate, so A may not pass.

Question 12Rules of the roadHard
A centre lane bordered by a solid and a broken yellow line, used by both directions to turn left
A two-way left turn lane is for turning left only, from either direction. It is never a travel or passing lane.

The center lane here is bounded by a solid yellow line outside and a broken yellow line inside, on both sides. What is it for?

Show the answer

Correct answer: A. Left turns from either direction, but not for travelling along

This is a two-way left-turn lane. Drivers from both directions share it to prepare for a left turn, so travelling along it risks a head-on meeting. Enter it only shortly before your turn.

Question 13Safe drivingMedium
A car turning right across a cyclist travelling straight in the bike lane
Before turning right, check the bike lane. A cyclist going straight has the right of way.

This car is about to turn right across a bike lane with a cyclist alongside. What should the driver do?

Show the answer

Correct answer: C. Yield to the cyclist, and where the law allows, merge into the bike lane before turning

This is the right hook, one of the most common bicycle collisions. Check the mirror and blind spot, let the cyclist clear, and where merging into the bike lane before the corner is permitted, do it: that removes the crossing conflict entirely.

Question 14Safe drivingMedium
A tractor-trailer with its four blind-spot zones shaded front, rear and along both sides
A large truck cannot see you in the shaded zones. The one on its right side is the largest.

The shaded areas around this truck are its blind spots. Which one is the largest and most dangerous?

Show the answer

Correct answer: D. Along the right side of the trailer

The right-side no-zone runs most of the trailer length and is the worst of the four. A useful rule: if you cannot see the driver’s face in the truck’s mirror, they cannot see you.

Question 15Safe drivingEasy
Two cars separated by a three-second gap measured against a fixed roadside object
Count three seconds between the car ahead passing a fixed object and you reaching it. Add time in poor conditions.

Using a fixed object beside the road to measure the gap, how many seconds should this following distance be in good conditions?

Show the answer

Correct answer: B. At least three seconds

When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count until you reach it. Three seconds is the minimum in good conditions, and you should add a second for each adverse factor such as rain, night, or following a large vehicle.

Question 16Traffic lawsMedium
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.

Car A is approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing on the shoulder. What does the Move Over law require?

Show the answer

Correct answer: B. Change lanes away from the stopped vehicle, or slow down if changing lanes is not safe

Vacate the lane next to the stopped vehicle when you safely can. If traffic makes that impossible, slow well below the posted limit as you pass. The law covers police, fire, EMS, tow trucks, and highway maintenance crews.

Question 17Parking rulesHard
A kerbside diagram of the minimum legal distances from a hydrant, crosswalk, driveway and corner
The clearances that decide most parking questions: hydrant, crosswalk, driveway and intersection.

Looking at this street, what are the usual minimum clearances from a crosswalk and from a fire hydrant?

Show the answer

Correct answer: A. 20 feet from the crosswalk and 15 feet from the hydrant

Twenty feet from a crosswalk and fifteen from a hydrant are the common figures. The crosswalk clearance keeps pedestrians visible to turning drivers, and the hydrant clearance lets a fire crew reach it and run hose.

Question 18Rules of the roadHard
Four-way stop intersection with a stop sign on each of the four approaches
At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first. Ties go to the driver on the right.

At this four-way stop, suppose A and B had instead stopped at exactly the same instant. Who would go first?

Show the answer

Correct answer: C. Car B, because it is to the right of car A

A genuine tie is broken by the yield-to-the-right rule, so B would go first. Order of arrival always takes precedence; the right-hand rule exists only for when arrival order cannot separate the drivers.

Question 19Safe drivingHard
Two cars separated by a three-second gap measured against a fixed roadside object
Count three seconds between the car ahead passing a fixed object and you reaching it. Add time in poor conditions.

It starts raining heavily in the scene shown. How should the following gap change?

Show the answer

Correct answer: C. It should increase to at least four to five seconds

Wet pavement lengthens braking distance and rain shortens how far ahead you can see, so add at least one second per adverse factor. Traction is worst in the first minutes of rain, before the oil film washes away.

Question 20Rules of the roadMedium
A roundabout with vehicles circulating counter-clockwise and one waiting to enter
Entering traffic yields to vehicles already in the roundabout, then joins to the right.

In the roundabout shown, which direction does traffic travel and which lane does A use to exit?

Show the answer

Correct answer: D. Counterclockwise, exiting from the outer lane

US roundabouts run counterclockwise. Stay in the outside lane if you are leaving at the first or second exit, signal right as you approach your exit, and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk on the way out.

Answer key

Every answer in one place, in question order.

No. Ans The correct option
1 D Car A, because it stopped first
2 A Car A must yield to car B, which is on its right
3 D Yield to B and turn only when there is a safe gap
4 B Yield to B and enter when there is a safe gap
5 D Car A, because its road ends at the intersection
6 C Both car A and car B
7 B Continue with care, because a physical median separates the roadways
8 C Toward the curb
9 B Away from the curb, so the car rolls back against it
10 A Toward the edge of the road, so a rolling car leaves the roadway
11 A Car B, because the line on its side is broken
12 A Left turns from either direction, but not for travelling along
13 C Yield to the cyclist, and where the law allows, merge into the bike lane before turning
14 D Along the right side of the trailer
15 B At least three seconds
16 B Change lanes away from the stopped vehicle, or slow down if changing lanes is not safe
17 A 20 feet from the crosswalk and 15 feet from the hydrant
18 C Car B, because it is to the right of car A
19 C It should increase to at least four to five seconds
20 D Counterclockwise, exiting from the outer lane

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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