Massachusetts Driver License: Turns, Right-of-Way, Rotaries, Passing and Parking

29 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Turns, Right-of-Way, Rotaries, Passing and Parking. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver's turn signal lights have failed and they need to signal a left turn using a hand signal from the driver's window. What is the correct signal?

Arm bent up at the elbow
Arm held straight out
Arm bent down toward the ground
Arm waved in a circular motion

Answer: B — Arm held straight out

The left-turn hand signal is the arm held straight out from the window.

2. On a road with two or more lanes going the same direction, which lane should a driver normally use unless passing, turning left, or the lane is blocked?

The right lane
The middle lane
The left lane
Whichever lane has the least traffic

Answer: A — The right lane

Drivers should keep to the right lane except when passing, turning left, or that lane is blocked.

3. Where is changing lanes never allowed?

Inside an intersection
On an expressway on-ramp
In a marked bicycle lane
On a divided highway

Answer: A — Inside an intersection

Lane changes are prohibited while inside an intersection.

4. When may a driver legally drive in a restricted lane?

To prepare for a turn
When the breakdown lane is closed
Only during rush hour
To pass slower traffic

Answer: A — To prepare for a turn

Restricted lanes may only be entered to prepare for a turn.

5. According to the manual, what speed range do divided highways run?

40 to 60 mph
55 to 75 mph
45 to 65 mph
35 to 55 mph

Answer: C — 45 to 65 mph

Divided highways run from 45 to 65 mph.

6. How far ahead of a highway exit must a driver signal their intent to leave?

500 feet
100 feet
200 feet
300 feet

Answer: A — 500 feet

A highway exit must be signaled at least 500 feet ahead.

7. A driver on a long highway trip starts feeling drowsy. What should they do to avoid highway hypnosis?

Increase speed to reach a rest area faster
Pull into the breakdown lane and rest there
Roll down the windows and keep driving until the destination
Stop every two hours or 100 miles

Answer: D — Stop every two hours or 100 miles

Drivers are advised to stop every two hours or 100 miles to combat highway hypnosis.

8. Which number should a driver dial to get road and traffic conditions?

Answer: B — 511

511 is the number for road condition reports.

9. How far before a turn (not on a highway) must a driver signal?

At least 100 feet
At least 50 feet
At least 500 feet
At least 300 feet

Answer: A — At least 100 feet

A turn must be signaled at least 100 feet ahead (500 feet on a highway).

10. Under what condition is turning left on a red light permitted?

Never, under any circumstance
From any one-way street onto any street, if clear
From a two-way street onto a one-way street
Only from a one-way street onto another one-way street

Answer: D — Only from a one-way street onto another one-way street

Left turns on red are only allowed from a one-way street onto a one-way street.

11. A driver wants to make a U-turn just past a hill crest but cannot see 500 feet ahead. What should they do?

Use hazard lights and turn quickly
Make the U-turn only from the right lane
Not make the U-turn
Proceed if no oncoming traffic is visible

Answer: C — Not make the U-turn

U-turns are never allowed where you cannot see 500 feet, including near a hill crest.

12. Before starting a three-point turn from the curb, what should a driver wait for?

A 10-to-15-second gap in traffic
A signal from another driver
A 20-to-30-second gap in traffic
A complete stop of all approaching traffic

Answer: C — A 20-to-30-second gap in traffic

A three-point turn requires waiting for a 20-to-30-second gap before starting.

13. A blind pedestrian with a white cane is crossing the street ahead. What must a driver do?

Stop completely and stay stopped until the pedestrian finishes crossing
Wave the pedestrian across and proceed after them
Slow down and proceed carefully
Honk to alert the pedestrian, then proceed

Answer: A — Stop completely and stay stopped until the pedestrian finishes crossing

The White Cane Law requires a complete stop that is held until the pedestrian has crossed.

14. At a four-way stop, vehicles arrived in a mixed order. Who has the right of way?

Whoever signals first
The vehicle going straight, regardless of arrival order
The largest vehicle
Vehicles proceed in the order they stopped

Answer: D — Vehicles proceed in the order they stopped

At a four-way stop, vehicles go in the order they stopped.

15. Two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection with no signs at about the same time. Who must yield?

The vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right
The vehicle on the right yields to the vehicle on the left
Whoever arrives a moment later, regardless of direction
Whichever vehicle is smaller yields

Answer: A — The vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right

At an uncontrolled intersection, drivers yield to a vehicle coming from their right.

16. What speed can the larger Massachusetts rotaries handle?

40 mph
25 mph
15 mph
55 mph

Answer: A — 40 mph

Large rotaries can handle speeds up to 40 mph.

17. What is the minimum distance a driver must be able to see ahead before crossing a broken yellow line to pass?

200 feet
400 feet
600 feet
100 feet

Answer: B — 400 feet

A driver must see at least 400 feet ahead before crossing a broken yellow line to pass.

18. After passing a vehicle and moving back to the right lane, how close may an oncoming vehicle be before the passing driver must have already returned?

Within 100 feet
Within 200 feet
Within 50 feet
Within 500 feet

Answer: B — Within 200 feet

A driver must return to the right lane before any oncoming vehicle is within 200 feet.

19. When may a driver pass another vehicle on the right?

When the road is clear and wide enough for two lines of traffic and the vehicle ahead is turning left
Whenever the vehicle ahead is travelling below the speed limit
Only on a divided highway with three or more lanes
Never, passing on the right is always illegal

Answer: A — When the road is clear and wide enough for two lines of traffic and the vehicle ahead is turning left

Passing on the right is allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left and the road is clear and wide enough for two lines of traffic.

20. Approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a highway with at least four lanes (two in your direction), what does the move-over law require?

Sound the horn and pass quickly
Stop completely until the vehicle moves
Move into a lane not adjacent to it, leaving an open lane between
Merge into the lane adjacent to the vehicle

Answer: C — Move into a lane not adjacent to it, leaving an open lane between

On a highway with enough lanes, drivers must move into a lane not adjacent to the emergency vehicle.

21. A school bus ahead on an undivided road stops with red lights flashing and its stop sign extended. What must drivers approaching from both directions do?

Stop from either direction until the lights stop or the sign folds
Slow down and proceed carefully
Only drivers behind the bus must stop
Stop only if children are visible near the bus

Answer: A — Stop from either direction until the lights stop or the sign folds

Drivers on either side of the road must stop for a school bus with its lights and stop sign out.

22. Under what circumstance is a driver exempt from stopping for a stopped school bus with lights flashing?

When the driver is turning right at the next corner
When the driver is more than 100 feet away
When the bus is stopped across a divided highway with a barrier
When no children are visible near the bus

Answer: C — When the bus is stopped across a divided highway with a barrier

The only exception is a bus stopped across a divided highway with a barrier.

23. Roughly how much more stopping distance might a loaded tractor-trailer need compared to a car?

About the same
About twice as much
About three times as much
About half as much

Answer: B — About twice as much

A loaded tractor-trailer may need twice the stopping distance.

24. How close may a driver come to a trolley's passenger step while it is loading passengers?

Never closer than 12 feet
Never closer than 3 feet
Never closer than 8 feet
Never closer than 20 feet

Answer: C — Never closer than 8 feet

Drivers must never drive within eight feet of a trolley's passenger step while it loads.

25. How much clear roadway must a driver leave available when parking?

15 feet
20 feet
12 feet
8 feet

Answer: C — 12 feet

Parking must always leave a 12-foot clear roadway.

26. In a business or residential district without angle parking, how close to the curb must a vehicle park?

Within 6 inches
Within 12 inches
Within 24 inches
Within 36 inches

Answer: B — Within 12 inches

Vehicles must park within 12 inches of the curb in such districts.

27. A driver parks facing downhill against a curb. Which way should the front wheels be turned?

Straight ahead
Toward the travel lane
Inward toward the curb
Toward the road edge

Answer: C — Inward toward the curb

Parked facing downhill against a curb, wheels should be turned inward toward the curb.

28. A 15-year-old is riding a bicycle on a public street. What is required of them?

A CPSC-approved helmet
No helmet is required after age 12
A helmet only on roads with speed limits over 30 mph
A helmet only when riding on sidewalks

Answer: A — A CPSC-approved helmet

Cyclists under 16 must wear a CPSC-approved helmet, and 15 is under that age.

29. How much clearance must a motorist leave when passing a bicyclist?

At least 6 feet
At least 3 feet
At least 2 feet
At least 4 feet

Answer: D — At least 4 feet

Drivers must stay at least four feet away when passing a bicyclist.