Oregon Driver License: Speed, Markings, Space, Passing, Freeways and Towing

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Speed, Markings, Space, Passing, Freeways and Towing. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver approaches a driveway with no stop sign or signal and wants to pull out onto the road. What must they do first?

Sound the horn and proceed if no vehicles are close
Slow down but not stop, then merge into traffic
Stop before entering or crossing the road, then yield to approaching vehicles and pedestrians
Yield only if pedestrians are visible

Answer: C — Stop before entering or crossing the road, then yield to approaching vehicles and pedestrians

Driveways, alleys, and parking lots not controlled by signs or signals require a full stop before entering or crossing, then yielding.

2. On a two-way road with no center line, how much of the road must a driver leave for oncoming traffic?

The entire road, moving onto the shoulder
At least half the road
Two-thirds of the road
One quarter of the road

Answer: B — At least half the road

With no center line, drivers must give oncoming traffic at least half the road.

3. A driver's lane is blocked by a fallen tree branch, so no vehicle needs to be passed. Is driving left of the center line to get around it permitted?

No, crossing the center line is only allowed when passing another vehicle
Yes, driving left of center to pass an obstruction is permitted
Only if a police officer is present to direct traffic
Only on one-way roads

Answer: B — Yes, driving left of center to pass an obstruction is permitted

Driving left of center to pass an obstruction is one of the listed exceptions to driving on the right.

4. What is the speed limit in an alley or narrow residential area, unless a different speed is posted?

10 mph
15 mph
25 mph
20 mph

Answer: B — 15 mph

Alleys and narrow residential areas carry a 15 mph limit unless posted otherwise.

5. What is the speed limit in a school speed zone, unless a different speed is posted?

15 mph
25 mph
35 mph
20 mph

Answer: D — 20 mph

School speed zones, like business districts, carry a 20 mph limit unless posted otherwise.

6. A digital roadside sign is yellow, reads "advisory speed," and recommends a slower speed because of heavy traffic or slick roads, switching on and off as conditions change. What kind of sign is this?

A variable advisory speed sign
A school zone sign
A basic rule sign
A variable speed limit sign

Answer: A — A variable advisory speed sign

Yellow color and the phrase "advisory speed" identify a variable advisory speed sign, distinct from the black-and-white variable speed limit sign.

7. A driver travels at the posted 55 mph limit on a highway during dense fog with very poor visibility and is cited for driving too fast for conditions. What principle justifies this citation even though the driver was within the posted limit?

The variable speed limit sign
The variable advisory speed sign
The two-to-four-second following distance rule
The basic rule, requiring a speed that is reasonable and cautious for existing conditions

Answer: D — The basic rule, requiring a speed that is reasonable and cautious for existing conditions

The basic rule applies at all times and can be violated even when driving at or below the posted limit if conditions make that speed unsafe.

8. What is the approximate risk of death for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 42 mph?

About 50 percent
About 70 percent
About 10 percent
About 90 percent

Answer: A — About 50 percent

At 42 mph the risk of pedestrian death is about 50 percent, compared with 10 percent at 23 mph and 90 percent at 58 mph.

9. A driver on a two-way road sees a broken yellow line down the center. What does this indicate?

The road is one-way
A two-way left-turn lane follows
Passing is allowed in both directions
Passing is forbidden in both directions

Answer: C — Passing is allowed in both directions

A broken yellow center line marks a two-way road where passing is allowed in both directions.

10. A road is marked with double solid yellow lines down the center. May a driver ever legally cross them?

Only while on a hill
Never, under any circumstance
Only to turn left across them after oncoming traffic clears
Only to pass a slower vehicle

Answer: C — Only to turn left across them after oncoming traffic clears

Double solid yellow lines forbid passing in both directions, but a driver may still turn left across them once oncoming traffic clears.

11. A center line consists of one solid yellow line paired with one broken yellow line, and a driver is traveling on the broken-line side. May they pass?

Yes, but only from the solid-line side
Yes, passing is allowed from the broken-line side
Only after dark
No, passing is forbidden from both sides

Answer: B — Yes, passing is allowed from the broken-line side

A double center line of one solid and one broken yellow line allows passing only from the side with the broken line.

12. A driver wants to turn left using a two-way center left-turn lane. What is the correct way to use it?

Travel in it for some distance before turning
Merge into it well in advance to signal the turn early
Use it as a passing lane when traffic is light
Enter it just before the turn and wait there until traffic clears

Answer: D — Enter it just before the turn and wait there until traffic clears

The two-way left-turn lane may not be traveled in; a driver should enter it only just before turning and wait there.

13. Approaching an intersection, a driver notices dotted white lines (short dashes closer together than a normal broken line) marking their lane. What does this most likely indicate?

The lane merges with oncoming traffic
Passing is prohibited in that lane
The lane is a bike lane
The lane will not continue on the route, meaning it is turn-only or exit-only

Answer: D — The lane will not continue on the route, meaning it is turn-only or exit-only

A dotted white line before an exit ramp or intersection tells a driver their lane will not continue on the route.

14. A double solid white line runs along a roadway, often accompanied by a sign. What does it indicate?

An upcoming exit ramp
A bike lane boundary
Drivers must stay in their lane and should not change lanes
A marked pedestrian crosswalk

Answer: C — Drivers must stay in their lane and should not change lanes

A double solid white line, usually paired with a sign banning lane changes, means stay in your lane.

15. A transit lane is marked solid red near a bus stop, but just before a driveway the marking becomes striped red. What does the striped red section allow?

General traffic to travel freely in the lane
A driver to enter briefly to turn, park, or reach a driveway
Passing, but only during off-peak hours
Nothing; striped red always forbids entry

Answer: B — A driver to enter briefly to turn, park, or reach a driveway

Striped red shows where a driver may enter a transit-only lane to turn, park, or reach a driveway.

16. Traveling at 45 mph on a highway, what following distance should a driver maintain behind the vehicle ahead?

6 seconds, regardless of speed
2 seconds
1 second
4 seconds or more

Answer: D — 4 seconds or more

Above 30 mph the safe following distance increases to 4 seconds or more.

17. Stopped behind another vehicle at a red light, how can a driver check that they have left a safe gap?

Be able to see where the vehicle's rear tires meet the road
Match the bumper height of the vehicle ahead
Stay exactly one car length back
Count to five after stopping

Answer: A — Be able to see where the vehicle's rear tires meet the road

When stopped behind a vehicle, a driver should be able to see where its rear tires meet the road.

18. A driver notices someone tailgating closely, and there is no lane to the right to move into. What is the recommended response?

Slowly reduce speed to encourage the tailgater to pass
Brake hard to make a point
Pull onto the shoulder and stop until they pass
Speed up to lose the tailgater

Answer: A — Slowly reduce speed to encourage the tailgater to pass

Without a right lane to move into, a driver should slowly reduce speed to encourage passing rather than braking hard.

19. A vehicle is signaling to merge onto the freeway from an on-ramp, and a driver is in the lane next to the ramp with no one beside them. What should they do?

Move over a lane to make room, if possible
Flash headlights to warn the merging driver away
Speed up to pass before the merging vehicle enters
Maintain their exact speed and lane position

Answer: A — Move over a lane to make room, if possible

Drivers should make room for entering vehicles by moving over a lane when no one is beside them.

20. Traveling at 60 mph, approximately how far does a vehicle travel from recognizing a hazard to a complete stop?

About 500 feet
About 200 feet
About 123 feet
About 359 feet

Answer: D — About 359 feet

From 60 mph, the recognition-to-stop distance is about 359 feet, versus about 123 feet from 30 mph.

21. Approaching a curve, where should a driver position the vehicle and where should they look?

Move to the left edge of the lane and watch the shoulder
Stay right of the center line in the middle of the lane and look through the curve to where they want to go
Hug the center line and look only at the road immediately ahead
Straddle the center line to maximize visibility of oncoming traffic

Answer: B — Stay right of the center line in the middle of the lane and look through the curve to where they want to go

Drivers should stay right of the center line in the middle of their lane and look through the curve toward their intended path.

22. A driver begins passing another vehicle on a two-lane road and returns to the right lane too late, well after clearing the passed vehicle. What is the main danger?

Running off the right side of the road
A head-on collision with oncoming traffic
Rear-ending the passed vehicle
Sideswiping the passed vehicle

Answer: B — A head-on collision with oncoming traffic

Returning too late after passing risks a head-on crash with oncoming traffic, while cutting back too soon risks sideswiping.

23. A driver is in a no-passing zone marked by a solid yellow line on their side. Under what circumstance may they still cross the center line?

If the right side of the road is blocked or they are turning left
If no oncoming traffic is visible
If they are running late
If traveling slower than the posted limit

Answer: A — If the right side of the road is blocked or they are turning left

Crossing the center line in a no-passing zone is allowed only if the right side of the road is blocked or the driver is turning left.

24. A vehicle ahead is signaling and beginning a left turn on a two-lane road. May the following driver pass it on the right?

Yes, since it is making or signaling a left turn, provided there is room and a clear road ahead
No, passing on the right is always illegal
Only on freeways with multiple lanes
Only if the vehicle ahead has come to a complete stop

Answer: A — Yes, since it is making or signaling a left turn, provided there is room and a clear road ahead

Passing on the right is permitted when the vehicle ahead is making or signaling a left turn, with room to pass and a clear road ahead.

25. While another vehicle is passing, what should the driver being passed do?

Move left to give the passer more room
Flash the headlights to invite the pass
Stay right, check oncoming traffic, and adjust speed so the passer can return quickly
Speed up slightly to finish the pass sooner

Answer: C — Stay right, check oncoming traffic, and adjust speed so the passer can return quickly

A driver being passed should stay right, watch oncoming traffic, and adjust speed to let the passer return quickly, never signaling with hands or lights.

26. Entering a freeway via an on-ramp, how should a driver treat traffic already on the freeway?

Enter at the posted freeway speed regardless of ramp traffic conditions
Yield to traffic already on the freeway and match its speed while merging
Stop at the end of the ramp until a large gap appears
Enter at a slower speed and let freeway traffic adjust around them

Answer: B — Yield to traffic already on the freeway and match its speed while merging

Entering drivers must yield to traffic already on the freeway, matching its speed while merging and keeping moving.

27. A driver accidentally enters a freeway going the wrong direction and sees a Do Not Enter sign facing them. What should they do?

Pull to the side of the ramp, stop, turn on hazard lights, and cautiously turn around or back off
Reverse down the freeway itself
Speed up to reach the next exit quickly
Continue slowly until finding an exit

Answer: A — Pull to the side of the ramp, stop, turn on hazard lights, and cautiously turn around or back off

A wrong-way driver should pull to the side of the ramp, stop, activate hazard lights, and cautiously turn around or back off the ramp.

28. At a freeway ramp meter with one signal per lane, the light is completely dark and unlit. What should a driver do?

Do not stop and proceed
Treat it as a four-way stop
Proceed only if a police officer is present
Stop and wait for it to turn green

Answer: A — Do not stop and proceed

A dark ramp meter means a driver should not stop and should proceed.

29. How many trailers or vehicles, such as a boat or utility trailer, may a passenger or recreational vehicle tow at once in Oregon?

As many as the hitch rating allows
None
One
Two

Answer: C — One

Oregon allows towing at most one boat, utility trailer, or other vehicle behind a passenger or recreational vehicle.

30. A fifth-wheel trailer is set up to carry passengers. Which of the following is one of the required safety features for it to do so?

A separate license plate
A minimum of two axles
A rear-view camera system
An unobstructed exit that opens from inside and outside

Answer: D — An unobstructed exit that opens from inside and outside

A passenger-carrying fifth-wheel trailer needs safety glazing, a signal to the driver, and an unobstructed exit that opens from both inside and outside.