Louisiana Driver License: Parking, Passing, Night, Pedestrians and Sharing the Road

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Parking, Passing, Night, Pedestrians and Sharing the Road. Free, no account needed.

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1. A driver needs to reverse direction on a quiet, narrow two-lane road with no way around the block. What is the correct first step of the maneuver used only in this situation?

  1. Circle the block instead
  2. Signal left and turn hard left immediately
  3. Signal right and stop at the right edge
  4. Turn the wheel hard right while still moving forward

Answer: C — Signal right and stop at the right edge

The three-point turnabout begins by signaling right and stopping at the right edge before reversing direction in stages.

2. What is the recommended way to reverse direction on a busy street instead of doing a turnabout there?

  1. Make a quick U-turn between traffic gaps
  2. Back up into the nearest driveway
  3. Circle the block
  4. Perform a three-point turnabout

Answer: C — Circle the block

Turning around on a busy street should be avoided; circling the block is the safer alternative.

3. A driver parks an automatic-transmission car on level ground and shifts into park without setting the parking brake. What risk does this create?

  1. The tires could lose air pressure
  2. The engine could stall the next time it starts
  3. The transmission's parking pawl could break and let the car roll
  4. The battery could drain overnight

Answer: C — The transmission's parking pawl could break and let the car roll

Skipping the parking brake relies solely on the parking pawl, which can break and let the car roll; the brake should be used every time regardless of transmission type or terrain.

4. A car is parked facing downhill on a street that has a curb. Which way should the front wheels be turned?

  1. It doesn't matter as long as the parking brake is set
  2. Away from the curb
  3. Toward the curb
  4. Straight ahead

Answer: C — Toward the curb

Facing downhill on a street with a curb, turn the wheels toward the curb and use reverse or park.

5. A car is parallel parked at the curb. The right wheels must be within what distance of the curb?

  1. Within 30 inches
  2. Within 3 feet
  3. Within 6 inches
  4. Within 18 inches

Answer: D — Within 18 inches

A parallel-parked car's right wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb.

6. How close to a fire hydrant is a vehicle legally permitted to park?

  1. No closer than 5 feet
  2. No closer than 50 feet
  3. No closer than 15 feet
  4. No closer than 20 feet

Answer: C — No closer than 15 feet

Parking is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, a different distance than the 50 feet reserved for railroad crossings or 20 feet for crosswalks.

7. A driver begins passing another car on a two-lane road and notices an oncoming vehicle approaching. How close to that oncoming vehicle is it still legal to be while completing the pass?

  1. No closer than 500 feet
  2. No closer than 100 feet
  3. No closer than 25 feet
  4. No closer than 200 feet

Answer: B — No closer than 100 feet

A pass must be completed before coming within 100 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

8. About how many seconds away can an oncoming vehicle be while still appearing to stand still to a driver judging whether to pass?

  1. 5 seconds
  2. 45 seconds
  3. 25 seconds
  4. 10 seconds

Answer: C — 25 seconds

An oncoming vehicle more than 25 seconds away appears to stand still, which is why judging distance before passing is deceptive.

9. Under what circumstance is passing on the right permitted?

  1. Whenever the vehicle ahead signals a left turn
  2. On the paved shoulder if space allows
  3. Only during an emergency
  4. When two or more lanes move in the same direction

Answer: D — When two or more lanes move in the same direction

Passing on the right is allowed when two or more lanes move the same direction, but never by driving onto the shoulder.

10. What should a driver do before backing a vehicle out of a parking spot?

  1. Tap the horn once and reverse immediately
  2. Walk around the car to check for a child, pet or object
  3. Turn on the hazard lights
  4. Rely on the mirrors instead of turning around

Answer: B — Walk around the car to check for a child, pet or object

Drivers should walk around the car first to check for a child, pet, or object before backing, rather than relying only on mirrors.

11. In heavy rain, at about what speed can a vehicle's tires lose all contact with the road, leaving no braking, acceleration, or turning ability?

  1. 45 mph
  2. 35 mph
  3. 65 mph
  4. 55 mph

Answer: D — 55 mph

Partial hydroplaning begins around 35 mph, but by 55 mph the tires may lose all contact with the road.

12. A car begins to skid on a slick road. What is the correct response?

  1. Ease off the gas and steer where you want to go
  2. Turn the wheel opposite the skid and brake hard
  3. Accelerate slightly to regain traction
  4. Brake firmly while steering away from the skid

Answer: A — Ease off the gas and steer where you want to go

In a skid the driver should stay calm, ease off the gas, and steer where they want to go, avoiding the brakes.

13. Rain has just started falling on a road that was previously dry. How much following distance should a driver allow compared to normal?

  1. Four times the normal distance
  2. The same as normal
  3. Twice the normal distance
  4. Half the normal distance

Answer: C — Twice the normal distance

Roads are most slippery right after rain begins, so drivers should allow twice the normal following distance.

14. A driver's low-beam headlights illuminate the road about 150 to 200 feet ahead. About what speed matches a safe stopping distance within that range?

  1. 55 mph
  2. 35 mph
  3. 65 mph
  4. 45 mph

Answer: D — 45 mph

Low beams show about 150 to 200 feet, a stopping distance matched by about 45 mph.

15. A driver is following another vehicle at night with high beams on. At what distance must the driver switch to low beams?

  1. 500 feet
  2. 100 feet
  3. 350 feet
  4. 200 feet

Answer: D — 200 feet

Low beams are required within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet when following another vehicle.

16. What type of lights does Louisiana law require a driver to use between sunset and sunrise?

  1. Fog lights only
  2. Parking lights only
  3. High beams only
  4. Headlights, not parking lights

Answer: D — Headlights, not parking lights

Louisiana requires headlights, not parking lights, from sunset to sunrise.

17. A pedestrian is already partway across a crosswalk when the Don't Walk signal begins flashing. What should the pedestrian do?

  1. Return to the starting curb
  2. Stop immediately and wait in the road
  3. Run back to the nearest curb
  4. Finish crossing

Answer: D — Finish crossing

A flashing Don't Walk means do not start crossing, but finish if already crossing.

18. A pedestrian using a white cane is waiting to cross at a crosswalk. How close may a driver stop to that crosswalk?

  1. No more than fifteen feet away
  2. Right at the crosswalk line
  3. No more than one foot away
  4. No more than five feet away

Answer: D — No more than five feet away

Drivers should stop no more than five feet from the crosswalk so a pedestrian using a cane or guide dog can hear the engine.

19. A pedestrian crosses the street illegally, outside of any crosswalk. What is a driver's obligation toward that pedestrian?

  1. Yield to the pedestrian at all times
  2. Yield only during daylight hours
  3. Yield only if the pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk
  4. No obligation, since the pedestrian is crossing illegally

Answer: A — Yield to the pedestrian at all times

Drivers must yield to pedestrians at all times, even jaywalkers crossing illegally.

20. A driver takes about 4.6 seconds to read a text message while traveling at 55 mph. About how far does the vehicle travel in that time?

  1. About 10 feet
  2. About a city block
  3. The length of a football field
  4. About half a mile

Answer: C — The length of a football field

Texting takes a driver's eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds, which at 55 mph covers a football field's length.

21. How much more likely does reading or sending a text message while driving make a crash?

  1. About equally likely
  2. 8 to 23 times likelier
  3. 50 to 100 times likelier
  4. 2 to 5 times likelier

Answer: B — 8 to 23 times likelier

Texting while driving makes a crash 8 to 23 times likelier.

22. Fatal crash risk rises noticeably starting at about what age due to increased susceptibility to injury?

  1. 75
  2. 65
  3. 85
  4. 60

Answer: A — 75

Fatal crash risk rises from age 75 because of injury susceptibility.

23. How much clearance should a driver give when passing a bicyclist?

  1. At least three feet
  2. At least one foot
  3. At least ten feet
  4. At least six inches

Answer: A — At least three feet

Drivers should keep at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.

24. Louisiana law requires a bicycle helmet for riders under what age?

  1. Under 18
  2. Under 16
  3. Under 8
  4. Under 12

Answer: D — Under 12

A helmet is required by law for children under 12.

25. A driver on a two-way road wants to pass a bicyclist but sees an oncoming vehicle approaching in the other lane. What should the driver do?

  1. Tap the horn and pass quickly before the oncoming vehicle arrives
  2. Move onto the shoulder to pass on the right
  3. Let the oncoming vehicle pass first, then move left to pass the bicyclist
  4. Pass the bicyclist immediately, squeezing between it and the oncoming vehicle

Answer: C — Let the oncoming vehicle pass first, then move left to pass the bicyclist

On a two-way road, a driver should never pass between a bicyclist and an oncoming vehicle; instead, let the oncoming vehicle pass first, then move left.

26. How many seconds of following distance should a driver keep behind a motorcycle, with more added in wet conditions?

  1. At least four seconds
  2. At least six seconds
  3. At least two seconds
  4. At least one second

Answer: A — At least four seconds

Drivers should follow a motorcycle by at least four seconds, more when wet.

27. What is the most common cause of collisions between cars and motorcycles?

  1. The motorcyclist exceeding the speed limit
  2. A driver turning in front of the motorcyclist
  3. The car tailgating the motorcycle
  4. The motorcyclist riding between lanes of cars

Answer: B — A driver turning in front of the motorcyclist

Over two-thirds of car-motorcycle collisions come from the other driver turning in front of the rider.

28. A loaded tractor-trailer with good tires and brakes is traveling 55 mph on a dry road. At least how much distance does it need to stop?

  1. 150 feet
  2. 500 feet
  3. 290 feet
  4. 100 feet

Answer: C — 290 feet

A loaded tractor-trailer at 55 mph on dry road needs at least 290 feet to stop.

29. What are the blind spots around a large truck called?

  1. The squeeze play
  2. The safety cushion
  3. The No-Zone
  4. The dead zone

Answer: C — The No-Zone

The blind spots at a truck's front, back and sides are called the No-Zone.

30. A truck signals a right turn but first swings wide to the left. Why should a driver never pull into the space between the truck and the curb at that moment?

  1. It is illegal for any vehicle to be beside a truck at an intersection
  2. The truck is actually preparing to reverse, not turn
  3. The truck swings wide left in order to turn right, so it needs the space between itself and the curb
  4. The truck's driver cannot legally use turn signals while turning

Answer: C — The truck swings wide left in order to turn right, so it needs the space between itself and the curb

A truck swings wide left to turn right and may use other lanes; a driver should never move between it and the curb until the turn is complete, avoiding the squeeze play.

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