Can You Pass a Basic Driving Test?

Make the passing experience safer for everyone. Slow down a little and simply stay in your lane. Or you can swerve all over the place and cause an accident, your choice.

Ah, the turn signal, that underutilized tool of the modern vehicle. Turn signals are necessary for all sorts of driving tasks, such as when you enter or exit a freeway.

As you increase your speed on a wet road, you also increase the possibility of hydroplaning. In hydroplaning, a layer of water builds up between the tires and the road, reducing your ability to control the vehicle.

It's not uncommon for blowing dust or snow to suddenly cause limited visibility on roadways. Slow down and turn on your emergency flashers.

It's true, in most states, it's illegal to pass slower vehicles on the right. When in doubt, you're best to use the left lane for passing.

School buses and red flashers should be an immediate sign that you need to stop, even if you don't see any children. Never pass a bus that has its red flashers turned on.

Blind spots are the areas of reduced visibility around your vehicle, often created by parts of the car itself. Blind spots obscure other vehicles and pedestrians, so monitor these areas closely as you drive.

If you're changing lanes on a multi-lane highway, you'll want to check your mirrors and blind spots to make sure that there are no vehicles already occupying that space or approaching you at high speed.

Handicapped spots are for disabled drivers only. It's not legal for non-disabled people to even stand in these spots.

School buses must always stop at railroad crossings. Why? Because no one needs that kind of carnage, that's why.

Blind passing is a huge no-no. If you pass on a curve or on the crest of a hill, you can't see oncoming traffic, a fact that can have deadly consequences.

The seat belt is an amazingly effective safety device. Use it every time you get into a car and your chances of getting hurt in a wreck will drop substantially.

No Parking means, well, no parking. But you can stop long enough to let passengers in or out of your vehicle.

Passing on a two-lane highway requires you to use the lane reserved for oncoming traffic. As such, you should never, ever pass in a No Passing zone, or someone may wind up getting hurt.

In almost every case, you should use the left lane to pass vehicles that are traveling in the same direction. Passing on the right is generally allowed only in very limited circumstances.

In most cases, it's legal to stop in a No Stopping zone so long as you're not conflicting with traffic in any way. You may draw the ire of other drivers if you violate this rule.

Defensive driving means that you're driving very carefully, such as when you allow for extra cushion between your car and the car in front of you. Defensive driving saves lives.

Sure, you can refuse that chemical test after you're pulled over. But if you do, you might find your driver's license taken away.

If you're following another vehicle, follow the two-second rule (sometimes called the three-second rule), meaning that you're trailing the leading vehicle by at least two seconds. This gives you a margin of safety at most speeds.

In the U.S., it's illegal for you to drink under the age of 21. That means you can't have any alcohol in your system whatsoever while you're driving ... or anytime, for that matter.

Sure, it's fun to pass other cars on the highway and it feels like you're making better time, too. But statistically, you're also increasing your chances of an accident.

If two vehicles on different highways arrive at an intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way. Skirting this rule can quickly turn an intersection into an accident scene.

Parallel parking is challenging for many drivers, especially when you realize that your wheels have to be within 18 inches of the curb. Any farther away from the curb and your car would be, you know, parked in the street.

It's perfectly legal to perform a U-turn on a residential street. But first, make sure there are no cars approaching from either direction.

Roadways are for vehicles. It's never legal to leave the roadway to pass other vehicles. That's a recipe for an accident ... or a ticket.

Alcohol is proven to affect your driving ability. Adding yet another substance into the mix can greatly increase your chances of an accident.

It's true, night driving is more dangerous than daytime driving. Why? Because no matter how sharp your vision might be, you can't see as well at night.

If you're at an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches from behind, proceed through the intersection, pull to the right and then stop.

At an unmarked intersection (no traffic lights or signs) the vehicle that's going straight has the right-of-way. This prioritization reduces the chances of an accident.

Put a bit of space between your vehicle and the one that you're passing. Don't return to the right lane until you can see the other car's bumper in your rearview mirror.