How Much Do You Know About Driving?

By: Talin Vartanian
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
How Much Do You Know About Driving?
Image: Pexels by Megapixelstock

About This Quiz

Many people in the world know how to drive, and have obtained their license through a series of classes and driving exercises to learn the rules of the road. These types of rules range from signs and colored curbs to passing lanes and merging. In this quiz, we're exploring many of these rules to see if you're truly a driving expert!

Let's start with a few basic signs. If you see a sign that says "Slower Traffic Keep Right," what do you think that means? Well, it means that anybody who is driving slow should be driving in the far right lane(s), as faster vehicles tend to drive in the leftmost lanes. Another example would be "Shoulder Work Ahead," which indicates that some type of construction activity is going on ahead of you (in the shoulder area). In this case, you should always slow down and even pass into another lane to avoid a potential collision with a construction worker. If a police officer catches you speeding in these types of construction zones, you'll often get a hefty fine as well!

This quiz will also look at parking, crosswalks, scanning, speed limits and more, so we hope you've studied hard for this quiz! If you think you can easily score a 35/35, it's time to test your driving wits now!

If you see a sign that says "JCT" on it, what does that mean?
A crossroad
Junction
A sharp turn ahead
A winding road ahead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A junction is abbreviated as "JCT," and indicates two roads that "join together" (sometimes for only a brief time). This is often seen on freeways (an example sign would be JCT 35).

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If you see a flashing red light, what does this mean?
You treat it as a Yield sign.
You treat it as a Stop sign.
You treat it as a Caution sign.
You treat it as a Go sign.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Flashing red lights should be treated like Stop signs when you approach them. You must also slow down and make a full, complete stop at this type of light before lettings others pass.

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If you see an orange triangle (with a red outline) on the rear end of a vehicle, what does this mean?
It's a handicapped vehicle.
It's a slow-moving vehicle.
The vehicle is a motorcycle.
It's probably just a bumper sticker.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This type of shape refers to a slow-moving vehicle, such as a tractor. These vehicles are generally not equipped for freeways roads, since they can (usually) go up to 25 mph in speed.

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If you're towing a trailer, which lane are you supposed to drive in?
It doesn't matter which lane.
The middle lane
The lane to the far right
The lane to the far left
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The "Number 3 Lane" is commonly called the "Slow Lane" and is for heavy trucks and vehicles with towed trailers. This is so that the flow of traffic is not affected in any way.

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Which of these signs is shaped like an octagon?
JCT sign
Yield sign
Stop sign
A "Do Not Enter" sign
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Stop sign is often in residential intersections, and is actually shaped like an octagon. An octagon is an eight-sided shape.

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If you see two solid lines that are yellow, what does this mean?
You can pass, but not the driver in the oncoming lane.
Neither you nor the vehicles in the oncoming lane are allowed to pass.
The driver in the oncoming lane can pass, but not you
Everyone is allowed to pass each other
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you see two solid yellow lines on the ground, this is not only to separate lanes, but is used to indicate that nobody is allowed to pass each other. This goes for you, the drivers in your lane and the drivers in the oncoming lane.

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Who always has the right-of-way in crosswalks?
Emergency personnel
Pedestrians
Drivers
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pedestrians always have the right-of-way with regard to crosswalks. This means that even if a pedestrian is crossing a street when they're not supposed to, you're still supposed to yield to them.

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If you see a circular yellow sign with a black "X" through it, what does it mean?
A railroad is nearby.
Stop
Yield
Wrong Way
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A circular yellow sign with a black "X" through it means that you are near a railroad area, so you should always slow down before crossing over tracks. If a train is passing, be sure to come to a full and complete stop.

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If you're driving on roads that are considered to be hazardous (like snow or rain), how many seconds should be between you and the vehicle ahead of you?
4 seconds
3 seconds
2 seconds
1 second
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For dangerous roads that are slippery from snow or ice, you should provide at least 4 seconds of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. This is to give you enough space for proper reaction times as well.

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If you slow down or stop to look at a traffic accident or someone who's been pulled over, this is known as ...
Tailgating
Inattention
Rubbernecking
Yielding
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you've ever been behind a car which suddenly slows down to look at a traffic accident, they are "rubbernecking." If too many drivers rubberneck, this can slow down and stop the flow of traffic.

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If you see a blue-colored curb, what does this mean?
Anybody can park there, but only for a short duration.
It's for loading zones only.
Only a handicapped driver (or handicapped passenger) is allowed to park there.
Anybody can park there.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A blue curb indicates usage for only handicapped drivers and/or passengers. The vehicle should also show some type of "proof" such as a placard.

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What is a blind intersection?
An intersection for blind pedestrians
An intersection that has no traffic signs
An intersection that doesn't have crosswalks
An intersection in a residential area
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "blind" intersection refers to an intersection that has no guidance or no traffic signs. Drivers should slow down/stop and proceed with great caution for these types of intersections.

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Where should you place your hands on the steering wheel?
At the 6 and 9 o'clock positions
At 12 and 4 o'clock positions
At the 5 and 6 o'clock positions
At the 9 and 3 o'clock positions
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When driving in a vehicle, always place your hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. It is also acceptable to use the 8 and 4 o’clock positions as well.

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When are you supposed to use your low-beam headlights?
Only when it's foggy
Only when it's raining
Only when it's cloudy
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For hazardous conditions like rain, snow and fog (and even cloudy days), you should always use your low-beam headlights. This will also help other drivers see you more clearly.

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When are you allowed to make a U-turn at an intersection?
At a green light
At a yellow light
At a red light
At a Yield sign
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You are only allowed to make a U-turn at an intersection if the traffic light is green, not yellow or red (or for Yield signs). The only exception to this is if you see a "No U-Turn" sign.

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Which of the following areas are illegal for making a U-turn?
One-way street
The driveway of a fire station
A railroad crossing
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All of the options in the list are not suitable for making a U-turn (and are actually illegal). Only make a U-turn at a green traffic light, or when you see a sign that indicates that U-turns are allowed.

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Which of the following methods can be used if someone tailgates you?
Slow down
Pull over on the side of the road
Change lanes
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If someone is tailgating you, you can use any of these methods to try and "lose" them. Never speed up when someone tailgates you (it's more safe to slow down so they can pass you).

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Which of the following is NOT a steering method?
Hand-Over-Hand
Hand-and-Knee
Hand-to-Hand
One-Hand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Hand-and-Knee" is not an acceptable steering method, and can be quite dangerous to you and other drivers. The rest of the answers are acceptable steering methods.

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Which of the following are you allowed to do in a public transit bus lane?
Stop
Park
Turn
Cruise
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you need to make a turn, you are allowed to cross over a public transit bus lane. However, since these lanes are for public transit buses only, vehicles cannot do any of the other options in this lane.

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Do you know what "HOV lanes" are?
Hazardous-occupancy vehicle lanes
High-occupancy vehicle lanes
Helpful-occupancy vehicle lanes
Highway-occupancy vehicle lanes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

HOV lanes are "High-occupancy vehicle lanes" which is a fancy way of saying "carpool lanes." This means that only cars with two or more people in them can occupy that lane (these lanes are also widespread throughout California).

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What do you think a "sharrow" means?
A turnout area
A center left turn lane
A "shared roadway bicycle marking"
An end-of-lane marking
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "sharrow" is actually another way of saying "shared roadway bicycle markings." These markings look like triangles with dashes, and are used to indicate that bicyclists may be sharing your lane.

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When parallel parking, which of these "motions" should you be using?
A "Z" motion
An "8" motion
An "S" motion
An "L" motion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You should actually use the "S" motion to efficiently park between a vehicle in front of you and a vehicle behind you. When you're in reverse, you should also slowly drive back at an angle of 45 degrees.

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What does a 5-sided sign indicate?
It means "Do Not Enter"
You can't make a U-turn
A Yield sign
You're approaching a school area.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A 5-sided sign means that you are approaching a school area, so you have to be extra cautious of your surroundings. It's also important to be aware of crosswalks and school buses.

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A flashing yellow sign means that you can ...
Yield to other drivers
Drive fast without looking at your surroundings
Make a full and complete stop
Proceed with caution
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A flashing yellow sign means that you can drive through the intersection, but you have to be cautious of your surroundings. This often means slowing down a bit and looking at drivers on the other side of intersection before proceeding fully.

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You should turn on your left-turn signal ______ feet before a left turn.
100
200
50
75
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before making a left turn at an intersection, always turn on your left-turn signal 100 feet before the turn. This is to indicate to other drivers that you are slowing down to make a turn.

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The "Number 1 Lane" refers to the ...
Fast lane
Slow lane
Intersection
Winding road
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The lanes on a highway are actually numbered, with the "Number 1 Lane" as the "fast lane" for those who like to drive fast. The "Number 2 Lane" would be the lane to the right of it, and so on.

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How far ahead are you supposed to scan for threats when driving?
30-45 seconds ahead
16-20 seconds ahead
8-10 seconds ahead
10-15 seconds ahead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You're supposed to scan 10-15 seconds ahead when driving. The 10-15 seconds rule also indicates that you're not scanning for threats that are too far away as well (rather, it's for potential threats that are at least 10 seconds away).

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If you're driving at a speed of 35 mph, how many feet would it take before your car comes to a full stop?
300 feet
125 feet
210 feet
400 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At a speed of 35 mph, you'll need at least 210 feet of space in front you to come to a full stop. This is also for the safety of you and other drivers around you.

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If you have a Class C license, which of the following are you allowed to drive?
2-axle vehicle
3-wheel motorcycle
Vanpool
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you have a Class C license, you can drive a vanpool. a 3-wheel motorcycle and a 2-axle vehicle. Granted, some restrictions do apply for these vehicles, but they can all be driven under this type of license.

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What does a green-colored curb indicate?
Anybody can park there, but only for a short amount of time.
Nobody can park there.
It's only for handicapped drivers/passengers.
It's only for loading purposes.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're parking alongside a green-colored curb, that means that you only have a short amount of time (such as 30 minutes or an hour) to park there. There is usually a sign that will indicate the length of time.

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In California, blind intersections and alleys both have a speed limit of...
15 mph
12 mph
20 mph
10 mph
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alleys and blind intersections both have a speed limit of 15 mph. This is for the safety of the driver, as well as nearby pedestrians (and because of a lack of traffic signs in these areas too). We used California, but this applies to many states.

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If you're parking on an uphill street, which way should you face your front wheels?
Parallel to the curb
Toward the curb
Away from the curb
Any of these is OK
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're parking your car on an uphill street, you'll want to have your front wheels face away from the curb. This is so that if the car starts to roll back, it'll hit the curb (instead of other cars on the street).

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When you make a complete stop at a railroad crossing, how many feet are you supposed to be away from the tracks?
At least 20 feet
At least 25 feet
At least 15 feet
At least 5 feet
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You're supposed to stop at least 15 feet away from the tracks of a railroad crossing. This is to provide ample space between you and the passing train.

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What does the "No Zone" refer to?
The blind spots of a truck driver
The blind spots of all vehicles
The blind spots of a motorcyclist
A zone that you cannot drive in
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Truck drivers have special mirrors on their trucks that allow them to see the sides of the roads. However, these mirrors are not perfect and have blind spots as well. If a driver is in the blind spot of a truck driver (and they can't see each other through the truck's mirrors) this is called the "No Zone."

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When is the only time that you are allowed to drive in a bicycle lane?
When you need to make a right turn
When you need to park your car
Both of the above answers are correct
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are only two instances when you are allowed to drive in a bicycle lane. One is if you need to park, and the other is if you need to make a right turn.

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You Got:
/35
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