Massachusetts Driver License: Emergency Vehicles, Police Stops, Emergencies and Crashes

28 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Emergency Vehicles, Police Stops, Emergencies and Crashes. Free, no account needed.

1. A fire engine with its siren on approaches from behind while you are driving. What should you do?

Pull to the left shoulder and stop
Slow down and continue driving in your lane
Pull as close as possible to the right and come to a complete stop
Slow down and roll slowly while staying alert

Answer: C — Pull as close as possible to the right and come to a complete stop

Drivers must pull as close as possible to the right and stop completely; slowly rolling or pulling left is not enough.

2. How closely may you legally follow behind an emergency vehicle that is responding to an alarm?

No closer than 300 feet
No closer than 500 feet
No closer than 100 feet
No closer than 200 feet

Answer: A — No closer than 300 feet

Following closer than 300 feet behind an emergency vehicle answering an alarm is illegal.

3. You are driving on a four-lane highway and see a police cruiser stopped ahead with its lights flashing, assisting a vehicle on the shoulder. What does the move-over law require?

Flash your high beams to warn the officer of your approach
Come to a complete stop in your current lane
Only slow down, no lane change is needed
Move into a lane not next to the stopped vehicle, or slow with caution if that is not possible

Answer: D — Move into a lane not next to the stopped vehicle, or slow with caution if that is not possible

On a highway of four or more lanes, the move-over law requires moving into a lane not next to the stopped vehicle, or slowing with caution if that isn't possible.

4. You need help while driving and see a police cruiser stopped ahead with its lights flashing. Where should you pull over?

Directly behind the cruiser
Anywhere nearby, as long as your hazard lights are on
Alongside the cruiser, next to the officer's window
In front of the cruiser

Answer: D — In front of the cruiser

You should pull in front of a police cruiser if you need help, never behind it.

5. A fire is burning near the roadway. Within what distance is it illegal to drive by or park?

800 feet
500 feet
100 feet
300 feet

Answer: A — 800 feet

Driving by or parking within 800 feet of a fire is illegal.

6. You come across an unprotected fire hose stretched across the road. What should you do?

Drive over it only if no firefighters are visible
Stop and wait until the fire is fully out
Drive over it slowly and carefully
Never drive over it unless a firefighter directs you to

Answer: D — Never drive over it unless a firefighter directs you to

You should never drive over an unprotected fire hose unless a firefighter directs you to.

7. An officer signals you to pull over. To which side of the road should you move your vehicle?

Either side, whichever is closer
Into the nearest driveway
The left
The right

Answer: D — The right

You must move slowly and completely to the right, never the left, and not into a driveway, intersection, or travel lane.

8. You have just pulled over for a police officer. Before the officer approaches, what should you do with the vehicle?

Put the car in park (or neutral with the parking brake), turn off the engine and radio, and stay inside
Exit the vehicle immediately and stand behind it
Keep the engine running and the radio on
Turn off your headlights so you don't blind the officer

Answer: A — Put the car in park (or neutral with the parking brake), turn off the engine and radio, and stay inside

You should park, turn off the engine and radio, and stay inside; headlights should stay on, especially at night.

9. During a traffic stop, you cannot produce your license or registration. What is the fine for a first offense?

$20
$35
$100
$200

Answer: B — $35

Failing to produce either document is a $35 fine for a first offense.

10. During a traffic stop, you refuse to give your name and address, or give a false one. What penalty applies?

$200 fine and license suspension
$100 fine and possible arrest
No penalty unless a citation is issued
$35 fine only

Answer: B — $100 fine and possible arrest

Refusing to give your name and address, or giving a false one, is a $100 fine and possible arrest.

11. An officer has stopped you and has not yet asked for your license and registration. What should you do?

Reach into the glove compartment right away
Hand over your whole wallet
Wait until asked, then hand them over outside your wallet
Immediately hand them over to save time

Answer: C — Wait until asked, then hand them over outside your wallet

Drivers should wait to be asked before reaching for license and registration, and hand them over outside any wallet.

12. After a Massachusetts officer writes you a citation, are you required to sign it?

No, Massachusetts does not require a signature, though other states may
Yes, signing is mandatory statewide
Only on a first offense
Only if you disagree with the ticket

Answer: A — No, Massachusetts does not require a signature, though other states may

Massachusetts does not require you to sign a citation, though other states may; a signature only confirms receipt.

13. Your car begins to skid and the rear end slides to the left. Which way should you steer?

Right
Keep the wheel straight
Whichever way feels natural, then brake hard
Left

Answer: D — Left

You should turn the wheel in the direction of the skid; if the rear is sliding left, steer left.

14. Your car begins to skid. What should you do with the gas pedal and brake?

Ease off the gas, shift to neutral, and do not brake
Brake firmly and shift to neutral
Pump the brakes rapidly while accelerating slightly
Keep steady pressure on the gas while braking gently

Answer: A — Ease off the gas, shift to neutral, and do not brake

In a skid you should ease off the gas, shift to neutral, and not brake, while steering in the direction of the skid.

15. You experience a blowout while driving. After steering into the skid, what should you do before braking again?

Accelerate briefly to regain control
Shift into neutral and coast to a stop
Straighten the car out first, then brake
Brake immediately while still turning

Answer: C — Straighten the car out first, then brake

After steering into the skid, you should straighten the car before braking again.

16. Your brakes fail and your car has antilock brakes. What should you do?

Pump the brake pedal rapidly to build pressure
Downshift step by step, apply the parking brake gently while holding its release, and sound the horn or flash the lights if needed
Press the brake pedal to the floor and hold it there
Shift to neutral and coast until the car stops on its own

Answer: B — Downshift step by step, apply the parking brake gently while holding its release, and sound the horn or flash the lights if needed

With antilock brakes, downshift step by step, gently apply the parking brake while holding its release, and sound the horn or flash lights if you can't slow; pumping is only for brakes without antilock.

17. Your gas pedal sticks and won't return. What should you do first?

Shift to neutral and brake
Turn off the ignition immediately
Pull the parking brake hard
Swerve to the shoulder while pressing the pedal down

Answer: A — Shift to neutral and brake

For a stuck gas pedal, you should shift to neutral and brake, then try to free the pedal.

18. A vehicle is approaching you head-on in your lane. What should you do?

Brake hard and stop in your lane
Swerve into the oncoming lane's shoulder
Speed up to pass it quickly
Slow down, pull right and sound the horn

Answer: D — Slow down, pull right and sound the horn

Facing a head-on threat, you should slow, pull right and sound the horn.

19. Your headlights suddenly fail while driving at night. What should you do?

Turn on parking lights or flashers, try the switch, and pull off the road
Stop immediately in your travel lane
Continue driving using only the high beams
Speed up to reach a lit area quickly

Answer: A — Turn on parking lights or flashers, try the switch, and pull off the road

For headlight failure, turn on parking lights, flashers or a signal, try the switch a few times, and pull off with flashers on.

20. Your car stalls on railroad tracks and you see a train coming. What should you do?

Run straight away from the tracks in the direction the train is heading
Stay in the car and try to restart it
Get everyone out and run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks, toward the train, then call 911
Push the car off the tracks before getting out

Answer: C — Get everyone out and run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks, toward the train, then call 911

With a train coming, get everyone out immediately and run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks toward the train, then call 911.

21. Your car breaks down on a divided highway and you set out warning triangles behind it. At what distances should you place them?

10 feet and 50 feet
10 feet and 100 feet
50 feet and 150 feet
100 feet and 200 feet

Answer: B — 10 feet and 100 feet

Triangles or LED flares should be set 10 feet and 100 feet behind on a divided highway.

22. You are in a crash with only property damage and no one is hurt. What does the Driver Removal Law require?

Waiting in the vehicle with hazards on until towed
Exchanging insurance information only, with no vehicle movement
Leaving vehicles exactly where they stopped until police arrive
Moving undamaged vehicles out of the travel lanes

Answer: D — Moving undamaged vehicles out of the travel lanes

The Driver Removal Law requires moving undamaged vehicles out of travel lanes when no one is hurt.

23. A crash causes $1,000 in property damage. Within how many days must you file a crash report with the RMV and local police?

2 days
10 days
5 days
30 days

Answer: C — 5 days

A crash report must be filed with the RMV and local police within five days for damage of $1,000 or more.

24. At the scene of a crash, an injured person is conscious but you are unsure how serious the injury is. What should you do?

Sit them upright to help them breathe
Move them off the road immediately to prevent further injury
Do not move them unless their life is threatened, supporting the head and spine if you must
Move them to a more comfortable position right away

Answer: C — Do not move them unless their life is threatened, supporting the head and spine if you must

First aid guidance is not to move an injured person unless life is threatened, supporting the head and spine if you must.

25. A hit-and-run crash results in a death. What is the maximum potential penalty?

Up to $200 and up to two years in jail
A fine only, with no jail time
Up to $5,000 and up to 2½ years in jail or 10 years in state prison
Up to $1,000 and up to two years in jail

Answer: C — Up to $5,000 and up to 2½ years in jail or 10 years in state prison

Leaving after a death brings up to $5,000 and up to 2½ years in jail or 10 years in state prison, plus other consequences.

26. You witness a crash and no emergency responders have arrived yet. How far in front of and behind the scene should you place flares or triangles?

Warning devices are not needed if your flashers are on
50 feet
100 feet
200 feet or more

Answer: D — 200 feet or more

When witnessing a crash with no responders present, place flares or triangles 200 feet or more in front and behind.

27. Massachusetts law limits how long you may leave your engine idling when stopped. What is the limit?

Two minutes
There is no limit for personal vehicles
Five minutes
Ten minutes

Answer: C — Five minutes

State law forbids idling more than five minutes.

28. You are cruising on the highway and want to minimize fuel use. Roughly how much does fuel use rise for every 5 mph you drive above 60 mph?

About 40 percent
About 1 percent
About 15 percent
About 5 percent

Answer: D — About 5 percent

Fuel use rises about five percent for every five mph above 60; the 40 percent figure applies to hard starts and stops, not speed.