Section 5
An Introduction to Driving: practice questions
An Introduction to Driving
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Which of the following is illegal while driving?
- Wearing a headset or ear plugs that covers both ears.
- Wearing a headset or ear plugs that covers one ear.
- Using cruise control on residential streets.
Answer
Wearing a headset or ear plugs that covers both ears.
It is illegal to wear a headset or earplugs in both ears while driving.
5 · An Introduction to Driving From the DMV's Class C Test #4
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How does being tired affect your driving?
- It slows your reaction to hazards.
- It sharpens your focus for a short while.
- It matters only late at night.
Answer
It slows your reaction to hazards.
Fatigue and Drowsiness – Can affect your vision and increase reaction time to hazards.
5 · An Introduction to Driving
Controlling the Vehicle
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For push/pull steering, where should your hands start on the wheel?
- At 10 and 2, or 11 and 1 o'clock.
- At 9 and 3, or 8 and 4 o'clock.
- Both hands at the top of the wheel.
Answer
At 9 and 3, or 8 and 4 o'clock.
To use this steering wheel method: Start with your hands at 9 and 3 o’clock or 8 and 4 o’clock.
5 · Controlling the Vehicle -
When turning with push/pull steering, should your hands cross over the middle of the wheel?
- No, they should never cross.
- Yes, once for every full turn.
- Only on sharp, slow turns.
Answer
No, they should never cross.
In push/pull steering your hands never cross the middle of the wheel, and they stay in position even when turning.
Do not cross your hands over the middle of the steering wheel. Keep your hands in these positions, even when making turns.
5 · Controlling the Vehicle -
When should you use hand-over-hand steering?
- When changing lanes at freeway speed.
- When backing up and looking behind you.
- When parking or turning at low speed.
Answer
When parking or turning at low speed.
Use hand-over-hand steering for low-speed turns, parking, or recovering from a skid. When turning while backing, steer with one hand at 12 o'clock.
Use this steering wheel method when you turn at low speeds, park, or need to recover from a skid.
5 · Controlling the Vehicle -
You are turning while backing up and looking behind you. Where may you place one hand on the wheel?
- At 12 o'clock.
- At 6 o'clock.
- At 9 o'clock.
Answer
At 12 o'clock.
There are only two situations that may require steering with one hand: When you are turning while backing up to see where you are going behind you. Place your hand at the 12 o’clock position on the steering wheel.
5 · Controlling the Vehicle -
When is it acceptable to steer with one hand while driving forward?
- When you must work a vehicle control.
- On long, straight stretches of freeway.
- Whenever you are below 25 mph.
Answer
When you must work a vehicle control.
There are only two situations that may require steering with one hand: When you are operating vehicle controls that require you to remove a hand from the steering wheel.
5 · Controlling the Vehicle To control your vehicle, it is critical to keep both hands on the wheel whenever possible.
5 · Controlling the Vehicle
Signals, Horns, and Headlights
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When should you use hand-and-arm signals in a car?
- Only when you are riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
- When your signal lights don't work or are hard to see.
- At night, so drivers can see what you plan to do.
Answer
When your signal lights don't work or are hard to see.
If your signal lights are not functioning, or bright sunlight makes your signal lights hard to see, use the hand-and-arm signals
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
The driver ahead holds an arm straight out of their window. What are they about to do?
- Turn left.
- Turn right.
- Slow down or stop.
Answer
Turn left.
An arm held straight out signals a left turn.
LEFT TURN 5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights 
RIGHT TURN 5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
The driver ahead holds an arm out of their window, bent up at the elbow. What are they about to do?
- Turn left.
- Turn right.
- Slow down or stop.
Answer
Turn right.
An arm held out and bent up at the elbow signals a right turn.
RIGHT TURN 5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights
LEFT TURN 5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
The driver ahead holds an arm out of their window, bent down at the elbow. What are they about to do?
- Turn left.
- Turn right.
- Slow down or stop.
Answer
Slow down or stop.
An arm bent down at the elbow means the driver is slowing down or stopping.
SLOW OR STOP 5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights
LEFT TURN 5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
A bicyclist ahead holds one arm straight out to the side, pointing. What does it mean?
- They want you to pass them.
- They plan to turn that way.
- They are slowing to stop.
Answer
They plan to turn that way.
Bicyclists may signal a turn with their arm held straight out, pointing in the direction they plan to turn.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
You are about to change lanes on an empty road. What should you do about signaling?
- Signal anyway before you move over.
- Skip it; no one is there to see.
- Signal only if a car comes into view.
Answer
Signal anyway before you move over.
You should signal: Even when you do not see other vehicles around you.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights Always signal when you turn, change lanes, slow down, or stop.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
On a freeway, what is the least time you should signal before changing lanes?
- Five seconds.
- Two seconds.
- Ten seconds.
Answer
Five seconds.
You should signal: At least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights Before every lane change.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
Should you signal before pulling away from the curb?
- Yes, before you pull out.
- Only if a car is coming.
- No, signals are only for turns.
Answer
Yes, before you pull out.
You should signal: Before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
You plan to turn into a driveway just past an intersection. When should you signal?
- When you are almost through the intersection.
- Just before you enter the intersection.
- Only once you start to turn into it.
Answer
When you are almost through the intersection.
Signal when you are almost through the intersection, so drivers don't think you are turning at it.
You should signal: When you are almost through the intersection if you plan to turn shortly after crossing the intersection.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
On a narrow mountain road, below what sight distance ahead should you sound your horn?
- 500 feet.
- 200 feet.
- 100 feet.
Answer
200 feet.
Use your horn to: Alert oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
When should you use your horn?
- To tell a slow driver to hurry up.
- To show another driver you are upset.
- To warn others of a hazard.
Answer
To warn others of a hazard.
Use your vehicle’s horn to let other drivers know you are there or warn others of a hazard.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights Avoid collisions.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
How many feet away should you switch from high beam to low beam headlights when approaching a vehicle coming towards you?
- 900 feet.
- 700 feet.
- 500 feet.
Answer
500 feet.
Dim your high-beam headlights to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights From the DMV's Class C Test #1
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Which lights should be used if a driver is having trouble seeing other vehicles because of dust or smoke blowing across the roadway?
- Parking lights.
- Emergency lights.
- Headlights.
Answer
Headlights.
Use your headlights: When conditions (such as clouds, dust, smoke, or fog) prevent you from seeing other vehicles.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights From the DMV's Class C Test #4
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What is the closest you may follow another vehicle with your high beams on?
- 500 feet.
- 100 feet.
- 300 feet.
Answer
300 feet.
Dim your high-beam headlights to low beams within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
What is the rule for driving with only your parking lights on?
- It is never allowed.
- It is allowed until 30 minutes after sunset.
- It is allowed in light rain.
Answer
It is never allowed.
Driving with only your parking lights on is illegal at any time. In rain, and from 30 minutes after sunset, use your headlights.
It is illegal to drive using only parking lights.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
You must use your headlights when it is too dark to see how far ahead?
- 500 feet.
- 100 feet.
- 1,000 feet.
Answer
1,000 feet.
Use your headlights: When it is too dark to see from 1,000 feet away.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
What is the latest after sunset you may turn on your headlights?
- 30 minutes.
- 15 minutes.
- One hour.
Answer
30 minutes.
Use your headlights: Beginning 30 minutes after sunset. Until 30 minutes before sunrise.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
On a sunny day, where should you still use your headlights?
- Only where a sign says headlights must be on.
- In tunnels and on mountain roads.
- Only when you need your wipers.
Answer
In tunnels and on mountain roads.
Use your headlights: On mountain roads and tunnels (even on sunny days).
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
You turn on your wipers because of rain during the day. What else must you do?
- Turn on your high-beam headlights.
- Turn on your low-beam headlights.
- Nothing more, since it is daytime.
Answer
Turn on your low-beam headlights.
If you need to use your windshield wipers due to fog, rain, or snow, you must turn on your low-beam headlights.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
You see a crash ahead and need to warn drivers behind you. What can you do?
- Switch on your high beams.
- Tap your brakes three or four times.
- Brake hard so they notice your lights.
Answer
Tap your brakes three or four times.
Warn drivers behind you by tapping your brakes three or four times, turning on your flashers, or using a hand signal as you slow.
If you can see a collision or hazard ahead, warn drivers behind you using these methods: Lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights Turn on your emergency flashers.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
You must stop for car trouble, and your car has no emergency flashers. How can you warn others?
- Leave your high beams on.
- Use your turn signals.
- Turn on your interior light.
Answer
Use your turn signals.
Turn on your emergency flashers, or your turn signals if the car doesn't have flashers.
If you need to stop because of vehicle trouble: Turn on your emergency flashers. If your vehicle does not have emergency flashers, use your turn signals.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights -
Your car is failing and you can't get it fully off the road. Where should you stop?
- Where drivers behind can see you.
- Just past the top of a hill.
- Just around a curve, out of sight.
Answer
Where drivers behind can see you.
Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve. Other drivers may not see your vehicle in time to avoid a collision.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights If you cannot get completely off the road, stop where people can see you and your vehicle from behind.
5 · Signals, Horns, and Headlights