Rules of the Road: DMV Questions and Answers

1. Time
2. Coffee
3. A cold shower
4. Fresh air

Answer: A. Only time lets the body remove alcohol. Coffee, showers and fresh air do not lower BAC.

Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks

1. A large glass of wine (12 oz)
2. Two shots of liquor
3. A 5-ounce glass of wine
4. A pitcher of beer

Answer: C. 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine and 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor contain about the same amount of alcohol.

Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks

1. Hearing
2. Judgment
3. Steering strength
4. Eyesight color

Answer: B. Judgment is affected first — often before the driver feels any effect.

Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks

1. Never affect driving
2. Are safe with alcohol
3. Only matter for truck drivers
4. Can impair driving — read the label and ask your doctor or pharmacist

Answer: D. Many medicines cause drowsiness or slow reactions, especially combined with alcohol.

Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks

1. Leave if no one is hurt
2. Wait until the next day to report it
3. Call your insurance company only
4. Stop and exchange information with the other driver

Answer: D. Always stop. Exchange name, address, license, registration and insurance information.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 12 (If You Are in a Traffic Crash)If you are in a crash, you must stop. The level of damage does not matter.

1. Move them to your car
2. Not move them, and call for help
3. Give them water and food
4. Help them walk away

Answer: B. Do not move an injured person unless there is fire or other life-threatening danger.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 12 (If You Are in a Traffic Crash)

1. Get out and run
2. Touch the wires to move them
3. Stay inside the vehicle until help arrives
4. Drive over the wires

Answer: C. Stay inside and warn others to stay away until help arrives.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 12 (If You Are in a Traffic Crash)remain inside until help arrives.

1. Toward the curb
2. Away from the curb
3. Straight ahead
4. It does not matter

Answer: A. Downhill: wheels toward the curb, set the parking brake, put the car in Park (or first gear).

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 7 (Parallel Parking)Turn the wheels toward the curb or the side of the road

1. Toward the curb
2. Away from the curb
3. Straight ahead
4. Toward the right with no curb

Answer: B. Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb so they roll back against it.

Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 6

1. Toward the center of the road
2. Straight ahead
3. Toward the side of the road
4. Any direction

Answer: C. With no curb, turn wheels toward the side of the road so the car rolls away from traffic.

Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 6

1. Slow down and go if the way is clear
2. Come to a complete stop
3. Stop only if other vehicles are present
4. Yield to traffic without stopping

Answer: B. A stop sign always requires a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk or before the intersection.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)

1. Slow down and proceed with caution
2. Stop completely, then go when it is safe
3. The light is about to turn green
4. Stop only if a pedestrian is crossing

Answer: B. Treat a flashing red light like a stop sign: stop completely, then proceed when the way is clear.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)Flashing red: Means the same as a STOP sign: Stop, yield the right-of-way, and go when it is safe.

1. Speed up to beat the red light
2. The light is about to turn green
3. The light is about to turn red; be prepared to stop
4. Pedestrians may cross

Answer: C. A steady yellow light warns that the red light is coming. Prepare to stop.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)The light will change from green to red. Be prepared to stop for the red light.

1. Drive with caution
2. Stop and wait for green
3. The road is closed
4. Turn right only

Answer: A. A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed carefully.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)Drive with caution.

1. Turn in the arrow's direction after a full stop
2. Not turn in the direction of the arrow
3. Turn if no cars are coming
4. Turn only if a pedestrian waves you on

Answer: B. A red arrow means do not go in that direction. Turning on red is not permitted at a red arrow.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)A right or left turn on red is not permitted at a red arrow.

1. Bike lanes from car lanes
2. Lanes going the same direction
3. Parking spaces
4. Traffic moving in opposite directions

Answer: D. Yellow lines divide traffic going in opposite directions. White lines divide lanes going the same direction.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)Lines that separate traffic that moves in opposite directions are yellow.

1. Passing is allowed when safe
2. No passing; cross only to turn left into or out of a driveway or road
3. Passing is allowed only at night
4. Trucks may not pass

Answer: B. Double solid lines prohibit passing. You may cross them only to turn left into or out of a road or driveway.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)You cannot go across the lines except to turn left to enter or leave the highway.

1. May pass when it is safe
2. May never pass
3. May pass only on the right
4. Must stop before crossing

Answer: A. With the broken line on your side, you may pass when it is safe. Drivers on the solid-line side may not pass.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)

1. Wait for the green light
2. Stop and then turn right
3. Follow the officer's direction
4. Sound your horn

Answer: C. An officer's directions override signs, signals and pavement markings.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)Directions given by traffic officers take precedence over signs, signals or pavement markings.

1. Go through without slowing down
2. Stop as you would at a STOP sign, then go when it is safe
3. Treat it as a flashing yellow
4. Honk and drive through

Answer: B. When a signal is out, stop as for a STOP sign and follow right-of-way rules, unless an officer directs otherwise.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)you must come to a stop as you would for a stop sign.

1. Speed up to get out of the way
2. Stop right where you are, even in an intersection
3. Keep driving at the same speed
4. Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop

Answer: D. Pull to the right and stop. If you are in an intersection, drive out of it first. Do this even if the vehicle is in the opposite lane.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)safely pull over immediately to the right edge of the road and stop.

1. The driver on the left
2. The driver on the right
3. The faster car
4. The larger vehicle

Answer: A. When two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the driver on the right.

1. No one, because you have a green light
2. Only pedestrians
3. Oncoming traffic going straight or turning right
4. Cars behind you

Answer: C. A driver turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, and to pedestrians.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)a driver that turns left must yield to traffic that moves straight or turns right.

1. Traffic waiting to enter
2. Traffic already in the roundabout
3. No one
4. Only trucks

Answer: B. Drivers entering a roundabout or traffic circle yield to vehicles already in the circle.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)must yield the right-of-way to drivers already in the circle.

1. Honk and enter quickly
2. Yield only to trucks
3. Enter at the speed limit
4. Stop and yield to traffic and pedestrians

Answer: D. Coming out of a driveway, alley or private road, stop and yield to pedestrians and to traffic on the road.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)must stop and yield the right-of-way to traffic on the roadway and to pedestrians.

1. Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the car to go
2. Brake as hard as you can
3. Turn the wheel the opposite way of where you want to go
4. Speed up quickly

Answer: A. In a rear-wheel skid, steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go, and avoid hard braking.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 10 (Special Driving Conditions)

1. Pump the brake pedal
2. Shift into neutral
3. Keep firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal
4. Use only the parking brake

Answer: C. With ABS, keep even pressure on the brake pedal. Pump the brakes only if your car does not have ABS.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 10 (Special Driving Conditions)keep your foot with even pressure on the brake pedal.

1. Brake hard immediately
2. Hold the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas
3. Turn sharply onto the shoulder
4. Speed up to keep control

Answer: B. After a blowout, hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the gas and brake gently once the car is under control.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 10 (Special Driving Conditions)hold the steering wheel tightly and slowly take your foot off the gas pedal.

1. Try to restart the engine
2. Stay in the car and wait
3. Push the car off the tracks
4. Get out and move away from the tracks, toward the train at an angle

Answer: D. Get everyone out at once. Move away from the tracks at an angle in the direction the train is coming from, so you are not hit by flying debris.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 10 (Special Driving Conditions)toward the train but away from the tracks at a 45-degree angle.

1. Always yield to them
2. Yield only at a crosswalk with a signal
3. Honk to let them know you are there
4. Drive around them slowly

Answer: A. Blind pedestrians are identified by a white or metal cane or a guide dog. Always give them the right-of-way.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 11 (Sharing the Road)You must always give them the right-of-way

1. Pass it carefully
2. Honk and pass
3. Stop too — a pedestrian may be crossing
4. Change lanes and pass

Answer: C. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. It may be stopped for a pedestrian you cannot see.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 6 (Passing)You must never pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to go across.

1. Carrying hazardous materials
2. A slow-moving vehicle
3. An emergency vehicle
4. A school bus

Answer: B. Farm equipment, horse-drawn vehicles and construction equipment display this emblem. Slow down and pass only when it is safe.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 11 (Sharing the Road)

1. Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder
2. Check only the rear-view mirror
3. Check only the side mirror
4. Honk your horn

Answer: A. Mirrors have blind spots. Signal, check your mirrors, and turn your head to look over your shoulder before moving over.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 6 (Passing)Never depend on your mirrors when you prepare to change lanes.

1. Pass it on the right
2. Honk to warn the driver
3. Pass it on the left
4. Stay back and do not try to pass on the right

Answer: D. Large trucks often swing left to make a right turn. Do not move into the space on its right, or you can be trapped.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 11 (Sharing the Road)

1. You always have the right-of-way
2. Go, but yield to traffic and pedestrians as the law requires
3. Speed up to clear the intersection
4. Stop, then go

Answer: B. Green means go, but you still must yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)Go, but yield the right-of-way to other traffic at the intersection as required by law.

1. Turn faster
2. The arrow is broken
3. Pedestrians may cross
4. The protected turn is ending; be ready to stop

Answer: D. A yellow arrow means the protection of the green arrow is about to end.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)The protection of a green arrow will end.

1. Lanes of traffic moving in the same direction
2. Traffic moving in opposite directions
3. Parking spaces from bike lanes
4. Bus lanes only

Answer: A. White lines separate lanes going the same direction; yellow lines separate opposite directions.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)Lines that separate lanes of traffic that moves in the same direction are white.

1. A bike lane begins
2. You may pass
3. The road narrows ahead
4. A parking area ahead

Answer: C. An edge line angling toward the center shows the road is narrower ahead.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)An edge line that angles toward the center of the road shows that the road is narrower ahead.

1. On top of the line
2. Before the stop line
3. In the crosswalk
4. Past the line so you can see

Answer: B. Stop before the stop line; if there is none, before the crosswalk; if neither, before entering the intersection.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)you must stop before you reach the stop line, if there is one.

1. They are only suggestions
2. You may change lanes in the intersection
3. Buses only
4. You must use the lane for the movement shown

Answer: D. Lane arrows show which way you must go from that lane; get into the correct lane early.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)You must be in the correct lane before you reach the solid line that separates the lanes.

1. Slow down and proceed with caution
2. Stop and wait
3. Speed up to leave the work zone
4. Ignore it if no workers are near you

Answer: A. Obey flaggers: SLOW means reduce speed and proceed carefully; STOP means stop.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 4 (Traffic Control)

1. Enter and wait in the intersection
2. Honk to move traffic
3. Wait before the intersection until there is room to clear it
4. Turn instead

Answer: C. Do not enter an intersection you cannot clear; blocking it causes gridlock.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)Wait until traffic ahead clears, so you do not block the intersection.

1. Go first if you got there first
2. Yield — there is an unmarked crosswalk at intersections
3. Honk and proceed
4. Yield only if there is a signal

Answer: B. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)Drivers must yield to pedestrians who legally use marked or unmarked crosswalks.

1. Use the ramp to reach freeway speed and merge into a safe gap
2. Stop at the end of the ramp
3. Merge slowly at 25 mph
4. Drive on the shoulder until there is a gap

Answer: A. Use the acceleration lane to match traffic speed, then merge into a safe gap; drivers already on the freeway have the right-of-way.

Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 6

1. Stop and back up
2. Cross the median to turn around
3. Make a U-turn
4. Go on to the next exit

Answer: D. Never back up on a ramp or cross the median — continue to the next exit.

Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks

1. Turned left
2. Turned right
3. Pointed straight ahead
4. At any angle

Answer: C. Keep the wheels straight until you start the turn, so a rear-end crash will not push you into oncoming traffic.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)Keep your wheels straight until you actually begin to make your turn.

1. Follow exactly the front wheels
2. Travel inside the path of the front wheels
3. Travel outside the path of the front wheels
4. Lift off the road

Answer: B. Rear wheels track inside the front wheels, so leave room at the curb and watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)your rear wheels will travel inside the path of the front wheels

1. Move as far right as possible and avoid a wide, sweeping turn
2. Swing left first
3. Move to the center of the road
4. Turn from the left lane

Answer: A. Get as far right as possible and turn into the right lane of the road you enter.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 5 (Intersections and Turns)get as far to the right as possible.

1. Speed up so it cannot pass
2. Move to the left
3. Brake hard
4. Stay in your lane and slow down slightly

Answer: D. Keep to your lane and ease off the gas slightly so the other driver can complete the pass.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 6 (Passing)

1. You have passed its front bumper
2. You can see its front bumper in your inside rear-view mirror
3. You have signaled for 1 second
4. The other driver flashes lights

Answer: B. Return when you can see the passed vehicle's front bumper in your inside mirror, after signaling and checking over your shoulder.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 6 (Passing)

1. On a straight, level road
2. When the broken line is on your side
3. When approaching a curve or the top of a hill
4. During the day

Answer: C. Never pass where you cannot see oncoming traffic, such as near curves or hilltops.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 6 (Passing)You are approaching a curve or the top of a hill on a two-way road and cannot see around or over it.

1. Driving too fast for conditions
2. Driving with headlights on
3. Using cruise control
4. Driving in the left lane

Answer: A. The posted limit is a maximum for ideal conditions; you must drive at a speed reasonable for the conditions.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 8 (Defensive Driving)a police officer could ticket you for a speed "not reasonable" for the conditions.

1. Count two seconds after a green light
2. Look in your mirror every two seconds
3. Brake for two seconds before stopping
4. When the car ahead passes a fixed object, count — you should not reach it before "one thousand two"

Answer: D. Pick a fixed object; when the vehicle ahead passes it, count. If you reach it before two seconds, you are too close.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 8 (Defensive Driving)the two-second rule

1. Brake suddenly to warn them
2. Increase the space ahead of you or move over and let them pass
3. Speed up
4. Turn on your high beams

Answer: B. Give yourself more room in front, or change lanes when safe so the tailgater can pass.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 8 (Defensive Driving)

1. Only when changing lanes
2. Once a minute
3. Every few seconds
4. Only when braking

Answer: C. Check your mirrors every few seconds to know what is behind and beside you.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 8 (Defensive Driving)check behind you through your mirrors every few seconds.

1. Low-beam headlights
2. High-beam headlights
3. Parking lights only
4. Hazard lights while moving fast

Answer: A. High beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility; use low beams and slow down.

Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8

1. Turn on your high beams
2. Close your eyes for a moment
3. Look straight into the lights
4. Look toward the right edge of your lane

Answer: D. Look toward the right side of the road to avoid glare, and slow down if needed.

Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8

1. Brake hard
2. Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight
3. Speed up
4. Turn the wheel sharply

Answer: B. Take your foot off the gas and steer straight until the tires regain traction; do not brake hard.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 10 (Special Driving Conditions)can cause complete loss of traction and control of steering.

1. Turn off the engine
2. Jump out of the car
3. Pump the brake pedal, then use the parking brake gently if needed
4. Shift into reverse

Answer: C. Pump the pedal to build pressure; if that fails, apply the parking/emergency brake gently and steer to a safe place.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 10 (Special Driving Conditions)

1. Shift to neutral, brake, and pull off the road
2. Turn off the ignition immediately while moving fast
3. Pump the gas pedal
4. Steer onto the shoulder at full speed

Answer: A. Shift to neutral, brake, steer off the road when safe, then turn off the engine.

Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8

1. Jerk the wheel left right away
2. Brake hard
3. Speed up and steer left
4. Ease off the gas, then steer back gently when it is safe

Answer: D. Slow down, keep a firm grip, and return to the pavement gently once it is safe.

Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8

1. Drive around the gate
2. Wait until the gate is all the way up
3. Honk and go
4. Back up and take another road immediately

Answer: B. Do not cross until the lights and bells stop and the gates are completely up.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 10 (Special Driving Conditions)

1. Go immediately
2. Honk twice
3. Check that no second train is coming on another track
4. Cross while the gate rises

Answer: C. A second train may be hidden by the first. Look and listen before crossing.

Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks

1. On railroad tracks
2. At a stop line
3. In a parking space
4. On the shoulder in an emergency

Answer: A. Never stop on railroad tracks; make sure there is room for your whole vehicle on the other side before crossing.

Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks

1. At 12 o'clock with one hand
2. At 10 and 2 o'clock
3. At the bottom only
4. At 9 and 3 o'clock

Answer: D. Hold the wheel at about 9 and 3 o'clock so the airbag does not throw your hands into your face.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 8 (Defensive Driving)Place your hands on the opposite sides of the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions

1. Its top at least as high as the top of your ears
2. As low as possible
3. Touching your shoulders
4. Removed for comfort

Answer: A. Set the head restraint so its top is at least as high as the top of your ears to prevent whiplash.

Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual, ch. 2the top of the head restraint is at least as high as the top of your ears.

1. Open the window and keep going
2. Turn up the radio
3. Pull off in a safe place and rest
4. Drive faster to get home sooner

Answer: C. Only rest helps. Pull off into a safe area and take a short nap; schedule breaks on long trips.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 8 (Defensive Driving)

1. 10 percent
2. 50 percent
3. 5 percent
4. 100 percent

Answer: B. Correctly worn seat belts cut the risk of death or serious injury by about half.

Source: Massachusetts RMV Driver's Manual (2026)safety belts lower the chance of death or serious injury in a crash by about 50 percent.

1. Give it the full lane, as you would a car
2. Share the lane beside it
3. Pass it in the same lane
4. Follow closely so it sees you

Answer: A. A motorcycle is entitled to the full width of a lane. Never share its lane.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 6 (Passing)Never move into the same lane space as a motorcycle.

1. The driver can see you clearly
2. You are at a safe distance
3. The truck driver cannot see you
4. You should honk

Answer: C. If you cannot see the driver in the truck's side mirrors, the driver cannot see you. Do not linger in No-Zones.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 11 (Sharing the Road)

1. You are one car length ahead
2. You can see its whole front in your rear-view mirror
3. You have signaled for 1 second
4. The truck flashes its lights

Answer: B. Do not cut in front of a truck: trucks need much longer to stop. Wait until you see its front in your mirror.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 11 (Sharing the Road)

1. Rely on your mirrors only
2. Honk and go
3. Back up quickly
4. Check behind the vehicle for children and objects, not just in the mirrors

Answer: D. Small children can be hidden behind a vehicle. Look behind before you get in and while backing.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 11 (Sharing the Road)Check behind your vehicle before backing up

1. Slow down and watch for more deer
2. Speed up before it returns
3. Flash your lights and keep your speed
4. Swerve into the other lane

Answer: A. Deer travel in groups — if you see one, expect others. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk.

Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 10 (Special Driving Conditions)

1. Against traffic so they can see cars
2. On the sidewalk only
3. In the same direction as traffic
4. In the center of the left lane

Answer: C. Bicyclists ride in the same direction as other traffic and follow the same rules.

Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks

1. Honk
2. Check for bicyclists and traffic behind you
3. Turn on your high beams
4. Open it quickly

Answer: B. Look back for bicyclists and cars before opening a door into traffic.

Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks