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About This Quiz
You don't always need to know the rules of the road in order to survive. You just need to have good instincts and a general sense of what's likely to be legal, as well as a penchant for always having all your paperwork on you - and be pretty darn good at actually operating your vehicle. However, unless you're driving almost exclusively on rural roads where you never encounter another driver - or indeed a pedestrian with fewer than four legs - then you really do need to know the rules in order to stay safe, keep others safe and not get on the wrong side of the law.
We all have to pass the test in order to get a license in the first place, but how well do you remember the actual rules? Muscle memory and instinct are probably driving you around most of the time, after all. Could you recall the precise rules well enough to teach them to someone else? Could you take that test again today and pass it? Or do you mostly just rely on common sense, habits, and the fact that most of your fellow drivers have some idea what's going on? Let's find out!
What color lines separate lanes traveling in opposite directions?
White
Red
Blue
Yellow
White means lanes go the same way. Yellow is the opposite.
Who has legal right of way between a pedestrian and a vehicle?
Vehicle
Depends on the lights
Vehicle during rush hour, pedestrian other times
Pedestrian
Unless otherwise designated, the pedestrian has right of way. That's just the rule.
How many states ban use of a cellphone handset to talk while driving?
50
11
39
15
Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands join 15 states in banning this dangerous activity!
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What shape is a yield sign?
Triangular
Yield signs are yellow triangles with black letters.
Round
Square
Long and thin
At a four-way stop sign, who has right of way?
Whoever came first
The vehicle to the right
The person with right of way is the person on the right. If there is no one on your right, you have it!
In practice, the biggest jerk
I do.
What is level 5 autonomy?
Being able to drive
A new driver who is halfway through learning
A car that drives itself on freeways
Level 5 autonomy means fully automatic. Your car is probably a 1.
A car that drives itself all the time
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When you wish to turn left and you face an oncoming car turning left from the opposite direction, which side of them should you pass?
In front
Think Ghostbusters - you never cross the streams! Unless you have to.
Behind
Either
Neither
What is an HOV lane?
Carpool lane
You can go in this lane if you have more than one person in the car. People pay students to ride with them to get around this.
Left lane
Right lane
Maintenance lane
What shape is a stop sign?
Octagonal
Stop signs are red and white and they are octagonal in shape.
Round
Square
Triangle
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What does it mean when a driver flashes their headlights?
After you!
After me!
Dip your bright headlights, you bozo!
It depends.
It really depends on the state, culture, locality, etc.
What is a typical speed limit for a city center?
25mph
35mph
Technically it's 35mph but if you've managed to hit that in rush hour Los Angeles, you are a miracle worker.
45mph
10mph
Can you ever go through a red light?
No
Yes, to turn left
Yes, to turn right
Some states have right on red but many don't.
Yes, if you are in an emergency
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What does a black X in a yellow circle mean?
Stop!
Go!
Railroad crossing!
This sign means there is a railroad intersection coming up.
Party on!
What records should you have in your vehicle at all times?
Insurance information
Registration
License
All of the above
You should carry everything except ownership papers. The latter will just help people steal your car.
What is a turnpike?
A toll road
A turnpike means you have to pay for that road as you go, instead of through taxes.
A big intersection
A spaghetti junction
A rotary
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What is the intersection called where the cars go round and round and then out the right exit?
Rotary
Roundabout
Traffic circle
All of the above
All these words are in use in the USA.
What is the maximum speed limit in most states?
65 mph
This is typical but some states go higher or lower.
75 mph
85 mph
100 mph
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How old do you have to be to rent a car?
18
21
25
It depends on the company.
Some companies offer higher prices for "underage" drivers which means anyone under 25.
Who has right of way at a crossroads with no stop sign and no lights?
First come, first served
It's whoever got there first - but don't defend your right of way at the cost of your life, OK?
The car to the right
The car to the left
Whoever shoves hardest
Can you do a U-turn on a dual carriageway?
Sure
Never
Only if there is a lane for it
You can't do this without a lane - technically. You probably have, though.
Only if there is no one around
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To which side of a vehicle should you pass?
Right
Left
When you drive on the right, you pass to the left.
Either
You should not pass.
What should you do to your car before you get in it?
Nothing
Kick the tires
Check the tires
Check those tires! If one of them is bad, you want to know before you get in.
Check the mirrors
What is a typical speed limit for a school crossing?
10 mph
15 mph
15 mph is the usual speed in a school zone.
25 mph
20 mph
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What should you do first if you are pulled over by the police, once you have stopped your vehicle?
Put your hands on the wheel
Put your hands clearly visible on the wheel.
Get out
Get your license and registration
Start streaming live on social media
If you are driving a car with several occupants, what should you do before you turn on the car?
Pray
Tell them to shush.
Move your seat so that the person behind you is comfy.
Insist they put on seat belts.
Your passengers can talk on a phone, fiddle with the radio, eat - lots of things you can't do - but they absolutely cannot be in a car without being strapped in. It's the law, plus it's just stupid.
When was the first speed limit set in the USA?
1888
1757
It was before America, too. Speed limits are older than you might think!
1701
1901
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How many states ban texting and driving?
39
39 states have banned this. The other 11 probably don't have very good cell reception.
50
22
7
In which state is it specifically prohibited to drive while blindfolded?
Alabama
It's not clear why they made this law, but they did. It's a little scary, really.
Georgia
Alaska
Connecticut
Is it OK to have an open drink in your car?
Yes.
No.
Technically, you should not have open drinks, alcoholic or otherwise. Passengers can have a drink but they should keep it closed when not drinking it.
Only if it is not alcoholic.
Not if I'm the one drinking it.
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Where can children and babies sit in the car?
Anywhere
Front seat
Booster or child seat
Babies and children should sit on a booster or child seat. This is the law in many states now.
Back seat
What do you do if you see a first responder behind you with their blue lights on?
Accelerate
Brake
Pull over and stop
You should pull over and stop to let the ambulance, police or firefighters go past.
Get out of their way by any means necessary
What is the legal limit for blood alcohol content?
1.5%
8%
0.8%
You should probably just abstain if you're driving, but if you insist on drinking, this level is typically reached at 1 pint or two small glasses of wine.
0.08%
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What percentage of Americans commute by car?
77%
This is why the traffic is so bad. You're not imagining it.
50%
22%
12%
You Got:
/35
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