Maryland Driver License: Right-of-Way, Speed, Passing and Parking

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

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1. Before starting to drive, in addition to having a valid permit or license, what document must you also carry?

  1. The registration card
  2. A recent vehicle inspection certificate
  3. Your Social Security card
  4. A copy of your insurance policy declarations page

Answer: A — The registration card

You must carry a valid permit or license and the registration card.

2. A driver wants to manage risk before pulling out into traffic. Which of these is a recommended way to do that?

  1. Assuming other drivers will yield appropriately
  2. Ignoring position and direction as long as speed is controlled
  3. Increasing your time to respond by keeping a safe distance
  4. Driving as fast as conditions allow to clear hazards quickly

Answer: C — Increasing your time to respond by keeping a safe distance

Managing risk includes increasing your time to respond and keeping a safe distance, and never assuming others will do the right thing.

3. What is the basic rule of defensive driving?

  1. Driving faster than surrounding traffic to avoid being rear-ended
  2. Relying on other drivers to signal their intentions clearly
  3. Controlling the vehicle at all times to avoid a crash
  4. Only checking mirrors when changing lanes

Answer: C — Controlling the vehicle at all times to avoid a crash

The basic rule of defensive driving is maintaining control of the vehicle at all times to avoid a crash.

4. To drive defensively, where should you be watching as you drive?

  1. Only straight ahead, since mirrors distract from the road
  2. Only the vehicle directly ahead of you
  3. Mainly the rear, since most hazards come from behind
  4. The front, sides and rear

Answer: D — The front, sides and rear

Defensive driving means constantly watching the front, sides and rear to spot problems early.

5. Do you ever automatically have the right-of-way?

  1. Yes, whenever you arrive at an intersection first
  2. Yes, whenever another driver is turning
  3. No, you never automatically have the right-of-way
  4. Yes, whenever you are on a main road

Answer: C — No, you never automatically have the right-of-way

You never automatically have the right-of-way; it must be yielded to you.

6. Two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at the same time, one from each driver's left and right. Who should yield?

  1. Whichever driver is going faster has the right-of-way
  2. The driver on the right must yield to the driver on the left
  3. Neither driver yields; both proceed simultaneously
  4. The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right

Answer: D — The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right

When drivers arrive together, you yield to the driver on your right.

7. At a four-way stop where two vehicles stop at the same time, who yields?

  1. The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
  2. Whoever has the larger vehicle yields
  3. You yield to the driver on your right
  4. Whichever driver signals first yields

Answer: C — You yield to the driver on your right

At a four-way stop, you yield to the driver on your right.

8. A driver is stopped on the stem of a T intersection facing a through road. Who has the right-of-way?

  1. Whichever vehicle signals first
  2. The driver on the through road
  3. The driver on the through road only if turning right
  4. The driver stopped at the T, since through traffic must watch for entering vehicles

Answer: B — The driver on the through road

You must yield to drivers already on the through road when stopped at a T intersection.

9. A driver wants to turn left across oncoming traffic at an intersection. Who must they yield to?

  1. Only vehicles that have their turn signal on
  2. No one, since left-turning traffic always has priority
  3. Only pedestrians, not oncoming vehicles
  4. Oncoming traffic

Answer: D — Oncoming traffic

You must yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.

10. A driver is pulling out of a private driveway onto a public street. Who has the right-of-way?

  1. Drivers already on the road being entered
  2. The driveway driver, if moving slowly
  3. The driver leaving the driveway, since they are starting a new movement
  4. Whichever vehicle is closer to the center line

Answer: A — Drivers already on the road being entered

You must yield to drivers on a road you enter from a driveway or private road.

11. A driver is merging onto a highway from an entrance ramp. Who must yield?

  1. Drivers already on the highway must slow down for merging traffic
  2. Whichever vehicle is traveling faster
  3. Neither; merging traffic has the right-of-way by default
  4. The merging driver must yield to drivers already on the highway

Answer: D — The merging driver must yield to drivers already on the highway

You must yield to drivers already on a highway when you are on the entrance or acceleration ramp.

12. A posted speed limit represents what?

  1. The minimum safe speed for that road
  2. The maximum speed under ideal conditions
  3. The average speed of traffic on that road
  4. A recommended speed that can be exceeded slightly if traffic allows

Answer: B — The maximum speed under ideal conditions

The posted limit is the maximum speed allowed under ideal conditions, and it may never be exceeded.

13. On a road where most traffic is moving at the posted speed limit, what is generally the safest approach?

  1. Alternating speeds to avoid predictability
  2. Driving 10 mph over the limit to keep pace with the fastest cars
  3. Driving noticeably slower than traffic to be cautious
  4. Driving at the same speed as most traffic, up to the limit

Answer: D — Driving at the same speed as most traffic, up to the limit

Driving at the same speed as most traffic, up to the limit, is safest; driving slower invites constant passing.

14. What is one effect that driving too fast has on a driver's ability to handle the road?

  1. It improves reaction time by increasing alertness
  2. It only affects the ability to judge curves, not straightaways
  3. It cuts the ability to see and react to hazards and stop in time
  4. It has no effect on stopping distance, only on fuel use

Answer: C — It cuts the ability to see and react to hazards and stop in time

Speeding cuts your ability to see and react to hazards, handle curves and obstacles, and stop in time.

15. What does the law generally require regarding the speed you drive?

  1. A reasonable speed with awareness of hazards, never above the limit
  2. Exactly the posted limit at all times
  3. Whatever speed keeps pace with surrounding traffic, even above the limit
  4. A speed at least 5 mph below the posted limit in all conditions

Answer: A — A reasonable speed with awareness of hazards, never above the limit

The law requires a reasonable speed with awareness of hazards; you may drive below the limit but never above it.

16. A driver approaches a railroad grade crossing. What should they do regarding speed?

  1. Maintain the posted limit since crossings are regulated separately
  2. Slow down
  3. Speed is irrelevant as long as no train is visible
  4. Speed up to clear the crossing quickly

Answer: B — Slow down

Drivers should slow down for railroad grade crossings, among other hazardous conditions.

17. What is a leading cause of rear-end crashes?

  1. Following too closely
  2. Driving below the posted speed limit
  3. Changing lanes without signaling
  4. Passing on the right instead of the left

Answer: A — Following too closely

Most rear-end crashes come from following too closely.

18. In ideal conditions, how much following distance is recommended behind another vehicle?

  1. 10 seconds or more
  2. 3 to 4 seconds
  3. 1 to 2 seconds
  4. 6 to 8 seconds

Answer: B — 3 to 4 seconds

At least 3 to 4 seconds is recommended in ideal conditions.

19. How can a driver measure following distance behind the car ahead using a fixed reference point like a sign?

  1. By counting seconds from when the car ahead passes the point until their own car reaches it
  2. By counting how many other vehicles pass between them and the reference point
  3. By measuring the length of their vehicle against the reference point
  4. By checking the speedometer only

Answer: A — By counting seconds from when the car ahead passes the point until their own car reaches it

You count seconds ('1 one thousand, 2 one thousand...') from when the lead car passes a reference point until your own car reaches it.

20. A driver is following a delivery van that stops frequently. How much following distance should they allow?

  1. 4 or 5 seconds or more
  2. No extra distance is needed if traffic is light
  3. Less than 2 seconds, since vans are shorter than trucks
  4. Exactly 3 seconds, the same as any other vehicle

Answer: A — 4 or 5 seconds or more

Behind vehicles that stop often, such as buses and delivery vans, allow 4 or 5 seconds or more.

21. Which of the following affects how much distance a vehicle needs to come to a stop?

  1. Only the posted speed limit
  2. How long the driver takes to notice danger, along with road and brake condition
  3. The number of passengers riding in the vehicle
  4. Only the weight of the vehicle's cargo

Answer: B — How long the driver takes to notice danger, along with road and brake condition

Stopping distance depends on how long you take to notice danger, the road, your tire tread and your brakes.

22. When is it acceptable to drive left of the center of the roadway on a two-way street?

  1. When passing a vehicle going your way, or when a sign or signal allows it
  2. Never, under any circumstance
  3. Whenever traffic is light
  4. Only when driving at night

Answer: A — When passing a vehicle going your way, or when a sign or signal allows it

You should keep right of center except when passing, when a sign or signal allows otherwise, or when something forces a safe change of position.

23. Where 'stay right' signs are posted, what should a driver do unless passing?

  1. Use the right lane or lanes
  2. Use the left lane to allow merging traffic
  3. Use whichever lane has less traffic
  4. Alternate lanes based on traffic speed

Answer: A — Use the right lane or lanes

Where 'stay right' signs are posted, use the right lane or lanes unless passing.

24. When is it safe to change lanes within an intersection?

  1. It is never safe; lane changes should not be made inside an intersection
  2. When turning left only
  3. When the intersection is controlled by a stop sign
  4. When no other vehicles are visible

Answer: A — It is never safe; lane changes should not be made inside an intersection

You should never drift across lines or change lanes inside an intersection.

25. Before making a turn, what should a driver do regarding signaling?

  1. Signal ahead of time
  2. Signal only when turning left, not right
  3. Signal only after beginning to turn the wheel
  4. Signaling is optional if no other vehicles are nearby

Answer: A — Signal ahead of time

To turn, you should plan ahead and signal ahead of time.

26. A driver wants to make a U-turn. What must they confirm and do first?

  1. That the speed limit is under 25 mph
  2. That U-turns are allowed there, then signal left and yield to oncoming traffic
  3. That no pedestrians are on the sidewalk, then proceed without signaling
  4. That another vehicle is not also turning, then proceed immediately

Answer: B — That U-turns are allowed there, then signal left and yield to oncoming traffic

U-turns are not legal everywhere: check that they are allowed, signal left, and yield to oncoming traffic.

27. After completing a legal U-turn, into which lane of the opposite direction should a driver turn?

  1. Whichever lane is closest regardless of position
  2. The center turn lane, if one exists
  3. The outside or right-hand lane
  4. The inside or left-hand lane

Answer: C — The outside or right-hand lane

When clear, turn into the outside or right-hand lane of the opposite direction.

28. After passing another vehicle, when is it safe to return to the original lane?

  1. After exactly 5 seconds have passed
  2. When you see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror
  3. When the passed driver flashes their headlights
  4. As soon as the front of your vehicle passes theirs

Answer: B — When you see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror

Return only when you see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.

29. A vehicle ahead is signaling and about to turn left. Under what condition may a driver behind pass it on the right?

  1. Only on one-way roads with a single lane
  2. When the other vehicle is about to turn left, staying on the road
  3. Never, passing on the right is always illegal
  4. Only if the shoulder is wide enough to drive on

Answer: B — When the other vehicle is about to turn left, staying on the road

You may pass on the right, staying on the road, when the other vehicle is about to turn left.

30. A driver is being passed by another vehicle. What should they do?

  1. Move onto the shoulder to give more room
  2. Yield and never speed up
  3. Maintain exact speed and position regardless of the passing vehicle
  4. Speed up slightly to help the pass finish faster

Answer: B — Yield and never speed up

When passed, yield and never speed up.

31. A driver is approaching an intersection and wants to pass another vehicle. Is this allowed?

  1. No, passing is not allowed when crossing or within 100 feet of an intersection
  2. No, unless the vehicle ahead is stopped
  3. Yes, if the intersection has a traffic light
  4. Yes, as long as no other vehicle is turning

Answer: A — No, passing is not allowed when crossing or within 100 feet of an intersection

You may not pass when crossing or within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad grade crossing.

32. Before opening a car door to exit a parked vehicle, what should a driver do?

  1. Leave the parking brake off in case the vehicle needs to be moved
  2. Check mirrors and traffic before opening the door and close it quickly
  3. Open the door quickly to minimize time exposed to traffic
  4. Wait for a passenger to check traffic instead

Answer: B — Check mirrors and traffic before opening the door and close it quickly

You should check mirrors and traffic before opening the door and close it quickly.

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