Test Your Knowledge Of The Rules Of The Road With This Quiz!

By: Becky
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Test Your Knowledge Of The Rules Of The Road With This Quiz!
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Do you consider yourself a good driver? Most people do, even if they are not very good at it. But, for most people, the driving is the easy part. It's the laws that apply to drivers and the road that are more difficult. If you think you know them all, then this quiz is for you. Let's get started to see if you really know as much as you think you do.

You just can't go driving around all willy-nilly with no regard for other drivers, so there are a set of rules that our society has created in an effort to ensure that we all know what we should do while we are behind the wheel. Although the rules may vary a bit by state, or even by county or city, the basics are typically the same wherever you live. For example, in the United States, we drive on the right side of the road, we follow posted speed limit signs, and everyone knows that the leftmost lane is for passing, right? If you think you might be a bit weak on traffic laws, study up before you take this quiz, because you'll need to know this stuff to pass a driver's permit test.

Are you ready?

What side of the road should you drive on?
right
left
who knows
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We thought we'd start off easy, but in case you didn't know, in the U.S., we drive on the right side of the road. Actually, in most countries, drivers drive on the right, not the left. However, in the U.K., they drive on the left side of the road.

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If you and one other person approach a four-way stop and you both stop at the same time, who goes first?
no one
the driver to the right
the driver to the left
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In this scenario, the driver on the left would yield to the driver on the right. In other words, the car on the right gets to go first.

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Three cars are approaching a four-way stop. The blue car reached the intersection first, the red car reaches the intersection second, and the yellow car reaches the intersection third. What car proceeds through the intersection first?
the blue car
the red car
the yellow car
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The blue car should proceed first. At an intersection with four-way stop signs, cars proceed through the intersection in the order in which they arrived... after coming to a complete stop first, of course.

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If you are driving at night and are approaching an oncoming car that has it's high beams on, what should you do if they don't dim their lights?
look to the right
look to the left
look up
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you are in this scenario, simply look to the right of the road where the edge lines are. This will not only help you avoid temporary blindness from the oncoming car's high beams, it will help you maintain your lane until the other car passes.

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What is the leftmost lane used for on most roads?
the slowest cars
entering and exiting the road
passing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The leftmost lane on roadways is typically reserved for passing. That's why it's called a passing lane. If you're not passing, do the rest of us a favor, and move to the right.

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What is the speed limit in a school zone?
65
50
20
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The school zone speed limit is 20 miles per hour. This is because small children don't always look before they run across or into the street, and we all want to keep them as safe as possible.

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If you are driving behind a school bus and the bus puts on its red flashing lights, what must you do?
go around
turn at the first corner
stop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If a school bus puts on its red lights, all traffic behind and on the lane to the left of the bus must stop. Never go around a school bus that has put on its flashing red lights. Some school buses also have on board stop signs for drivers who are not paying attention.

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If you see "RR" painted on the road, what are you near?
a Dairy Queen
a railroad crossing
a police station
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you see "RR" painted in white letters on the road, this is an indication that you are approaching a railroad crossing. Be careful! Some crossings don't have lights or barriers.

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When are you required to turn on your headlights?
never
dusk
only in the morning
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You are required by law to turn on your headlights at dusk. Some newer vehicles automatically turn on the headlights when the outside light is low. You should also turn on your headlights when it's raining or snowing to make sure that other drivers can see you.

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What should you NOT do if it's foggy outside?
turn on your high beams
slow down
increase your following distance
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We often think that if we have trouble seeing, we should shed more light on the problem. However, in the case of fog, this is not only untrue, it's dangerous. Light reflects off fog, so your headlights actually make it harder to see, not easier.

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What shape is a stop sign?
circle
square
octagon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A stop sign is an octagon shape. It has eight sides.

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In some areas, not using what is a primary offense?
tires
seats
seatbelts
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In some areas, not using your seatbelt is a primary offense. A primary offense is something for which you can get pulled. In other areas, you can only get a ticket for failing to wear your seatbelt if you are stopped for something else. Check the laws in your area.

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If you are driving on a dark road with your high beams on, what should you do if another car approaches in the opposite direction?
nothing
slow down
turn off your high beams
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although slowing down is an option, it is more important in this scenario to turn off your high beams. You may turn them back on once the approaching car has passed. It's important to avoid blinding other drivers.

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How many seconds behind a car that's in front of you should you remain?
three
15
60
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The three-second rule requires that you remain at least three seconds behind the car in front of you. Another rule of thumb is to remain one car length for each 10 miles per hour you're traveling.

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What should you do when you see an emergency vehicle with lights and sound on?
turn around
pull over
honk you horn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Whenever you see an emergency vehicle with lights and sound, you should pull over to the side of the road. The exception to this rule is if you are in an intersection. Clear the intersection, then pull over.

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What action do broken yellow lines permit?
speeding
stopping
passing
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Broken yellow lines indicate that you are in a passing zone. You are still responsible to ensure that you pass safely, though.

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How far ahead of a turn should you signal your intent to turn?
one mile
five inches
100 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You are required to signal your intent to turn 100 feet ahead of the turn. If you signal too far ahead, you can confuse other drivers, and signaling at the last second is not only rude, it's dangerous.

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What should you do if you accidentally miss your highway exit?
back up to reach the exit
go to the next exit
stop and pull over
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Never stop and pull over or back up to make your exit. Just proceed to the next exit and take another route or get back onto the highway in the other direction. Better safe than sorry.

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What should you do if another vehicle is passing you?
maintain a constant speed
slow down
speed up
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If another vehicle is trying to pass you, don't speed up. Don't be that guy. Maintain your speed, so that the cars around you know what's going on.

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What is the typical speed limit in an alley or parking lot?
15 mph
50 mph
75 mph
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Typically, the speed limit in an alley or parking lot is 15 mph. This is to ensure everyone's safety.

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If you approach an intersection, and you see a flashing yellow light, what should you do?
Stop
Slow down and proceed with caution.
Turn left
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In this scenario, you should slow down and proceed with caution. Yellow lights mean caution.

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There has been a storm, and the signal light at an intersection is not working. What should you do?
Treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Keep going. Other drivers will stop for you.
Turn around. You don't want to be in the middle of that.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If a traffic signal is not working, you should treat the intersection as if it were a four-way stop. Just pretend that the non-working light is a stop sign.

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Who always has the right of way?
pedestrians
other cars
trucks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even if they are jaywalking, pedestrians always have the right of way. So, make sure you always yield to pedestrians.

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If you see a pedestrian with a white tipped cane, what should you assume about that person?
that he/she can't talk
that he/she can't walk
that he/she is blind
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

White tipped canes are used by the blind. Pay special attention to pedestrians with white tipped canes.

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What must you not do when passing?
speed
drive
look ahead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even when you are passing another car, you may not speed. If you need to pass another car, the assumption is that the car is going to slow or is already going under the speed limit.

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What is it called when you lose traction on a wet road?
waterbath
icicles
hydroplaning
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hydroplaning is that happens when your tires lose contact with a wet road. This can happen any time it's raining, so slow down to regain control.

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What is the name of an area that serves as a divider on a road?
median
mean
middle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A median, or a median strip, is an area used to divide lanes on a road. These areas may be paved or grassy.

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In some areas, using what behind the wheel is a primary offense?
kleenex
cellphone
mittens
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In some areas, it is a primary offense to use your cellphone behind the wheel. Either go hands free, or wait until you can pull over. A primary offense is something for which you can be pulled over.

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Other than braking distance, what is figured into the time it takes a driver to stop?
reaction time
hair color
eye color
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Other than braking distance, reaction time is also part of a driver's stopping time. Everyone's reaction time is different, but reaction time increases as you get older, if you have been drinking, if you are distracted, and/or if you are tired.

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In what direction do you navigate a roundabout?
clockwise
straight
counterclockwise
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In a roundabout, traffic moves counterclockwise. Roundabouts are circular areas that take the place of four-way stops.

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If you are waiting to make a left turn, and the light turns red while you are in the intersection, what should you do?
turn
stop where you are
back up
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you are in an intersection, waiting to make a left turn, and the light turns red, make your turn with caution. By law, you must clear the intersection.

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What document must you always be prepared to show if a police officer pulls you over?
driver's license
marriage license
property deed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You must always be prepared to show your driver's license to a police officer. Some areas also require that you show your vehicle registration and proof that you carry car insurance.

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What is your car's headrest designed to prevent?
backward vision
blind spots
a neck injury
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Neck injuries are common in collisions. Your car's headrest is designed to support your neck if you are hit from behind.

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What should you do when you encounter a flashing red traffic signal?
stop
slow down
speed up
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you approach a flashing red traffic signal, you must stop. Treat this type of signal like a stop sign.

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Can you complete the following rhyme? Red means stop; green means go; the yellow in the middle means go real _____.
slow
show
go
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The rhyme should be "red means stop; green means go; the yellow in the middle means go real slow." You won't see this on the test, but you may have learned it in elementary school. Some things are just hard to forget.

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You Got:
/35
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