Oregon Driver License: Belts, Hazardous Conditions, Distraction, Impaired Driving and Failures

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Belts, Hazardous Conditions, Distraction, Impaired Driving and Failures. Free, no account needed.

1. A child is 7 years old and 4 feet 6 inches tall. Can they stop using an approved child seat and just wear the adult lap and shoulder belt?

Yes, height no longer matters once the child is in school
No, a child seat is required until age 8 or a height of 4 feet 9 inches, and until the adult lap and shoulder belt fits
Yes, any child over 6 years old can switch to the adult belt
No, child seats are required until age 12 regardless of height

Answer: B — No, a child seat is required until age 8 or a height of 4 feet 9 inches, and until the adult lap and shoulder belt fits

This child is neither 8 years old nor 4 feet 9 inches tall. Children must use an approved child seat until age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches, and until the adult lap and shoulder belt fits.

2. Parents are deciding when they can turn their infant's car seat to face forward. What is the minimum age at which a child no longer must ride rear-facing?

3 years old
4 years old
1 year old
2 years old

Answer: D — 2 years old

Infants must ride rear-facing until they turn two years old.

3. A driver finds the shoulder belt uncomfortable and tucks it behind their back while keeping the lap belt fastened. Is this acceptable?

Yes, as long as the lap belt is worn correctly
No, but tucking it under the arm is acceptable
Yes, but only on short trips under a mile
No, the shoulder strap must never be worn under the arm or behind the back

Answer: D — No, the shoulder strap must never be worn under the arm or behind the back

The shoulder strap must never be worn under the arm or behind the back, regardless of the lap belt.

4. You are slowing down and want the traffic behind you to know it. Which of the ways to communicate with other drivers tells them you are slowing or stopping?

Headlights
Turn signal
Horn
Brake lights, used when slowing or stopping

Answer: D — Brake lights, used when slowing or stopping

Brake lights are specifically used to tell others you are slowing or stopping.

5. A vehicle is about to strike you from the side, and you have open room in the lane ahead of you. What is the recommended action?

Brake hard immediately
Sound the horn and hold your speed
Turn sharply away from the vehicle
Speed up to clear the space ahead

Answer: D — Speed up to clear the space ahead

Speeding up is the recommended option when a vehicle threatens to hit you from the side or behind and there is room ahead.

6. Your right wheels drop off the pavement onto the shoulder. What should you do to get back on the road safely?

Accelerate to build momentum before steering back
Brake hard right away to stop before returning
Slow down, grip the wheel firmly, and turn the front wheels only enough to return to the lane
Turn the wheel sharply back onto the roadway

Answer: C — Slow down, grip the wheel firmly, and turn the front wheels only enough to return to the lane

A sharp turn back onto the road can send you across into oncoming traffic, so you should slow gradually and steer back gently.

7. An oncoming car drifts into your lane head-on. What should you do?

Pull as far right as possible and warn with horn or lights
Speed up to pass before it reaches you
Brake hard and hold your lane position
Move into the opposing lane to go around it

Answer: A — Pull as far right as possible and warn with horn or lights

You should pull right and warn the other driver, since moving into the opposing lane risks a collision if the other driver swerves back.

8. A rider on horseback raises a hand toward you as you approach. What does this mean and how should you respond?

It means you should pass quickly before the animal moves
The animal is frightened; stop unless stopping would cause a collision
It signals you to honk to scare the animal off the road
It's a friendly greeting; continue at normal speed

Answer: B — The animal is frightened; stop unless stopping would cause a collision

A raised hand signals a frightened animal, and you should stop unless doing so would cause a collision.

9. At dusk you find you cannot clearly make out a pedestrian standing 800 feet ahead. Are you required to turn on your headlights?

No, headlights are only required after full sunset
No, only fog lights are required in this case
Yes, headlights are required whenever people or vehicles can't be seen at 1,000 feet
Yes, but only if it is also raining

Answer: C — Yes, headlights are required whenever people or vehicles can't be seen at 1,000 feet

Headlights must be used whenever conditions make it hard to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead, not just after sunset.

10. You are on high beams and a car is approaching from the opposite direction. At what distance must you dim your headlights?

500 feet
1,000 feet
200 feet
350 feet

Answer: A — 500 feet

High beams must be dimmed within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

11. You are following another vehicle at night on high beams. At what distance behind it must you dim your lights?

100 feet
1,000 feet
500 feet
350 feet

Answer: D — 350 feet

High beams must be dimmed within 350 feet of a vehicle you are following.

12. Driving at night, a driver uses only parking lights instead of headlights on a well-lit street. Is this legal?

Yes, if speed stays under 25 mph
Yes, if the street has enough ambient lighting
Yes, but only within city limits
No, driving at night or in bad weather on parking lights alone is illegal

Answer: D — No, driving at night or in bad weather on parking lights alone is illegal

Driving on parking lights alone at night or in bad weather is illegal, regardless of street lighting or speed.

13. You're driving through thick fog. Which headlight setting should you use?

Low beams, since high beams reflect back as glare
Fog lights set to high beam
Parking lights only
High beams, for maximum range

Answer: A — Low beams, since high beams reflect back as glare

In fog, low beams should be used because high beams reflect back off the fog as glare.

14. It starts raining and you turn your wipers on. What else should you do, and what should you avoid?

Turn on your headlights and avoid using cruise control
Switch to high beams and keep cruise control on
Leave headlights off and roll down the windows
Turn off your headlights to reduce glare and use cruise control to hold a steady speed

Answer: A — Turn on your headlights and avoid using cruise control

Headlights should be on whenever wipers are running, and cruise control should never be used on wet roads.

15. You just drove through a puddle of standing water and suspect your brakes are wet. What should you do?

Do nothing; wet brakes dry on their own with no action needed
Apply the brakes gently at low speed as soon as possible after driving through the water
Pump the parking brake repeatedly at highway speed
Slam the brakes once, hard, to shake off the water

Answer: B — Apply the brakes gently at low speed as soon as possible after driving through the water

Wet brakes should be dried by applying them gently at low speed as soon as possible.

16. Your car begins to skid on a slick road. What is the correct first response?

Slam the brakes to stop the skid immediately
Accelerate hard to regain traction
Turn the wheel opposite the direction you want to travel
Stay off the brakes and steer in the direction you want to go

Answer: D — Stay off the brakes and steer in the direction you want to go

During a skid you should stay off the brakes and steer where you want to go, correcting as the vehicle straightens.

17. It's April 15 and a driver wants to keep studded tires mounted. Are studded tires generally allowed on this date?

No, studded tires are generally allowed only from November 1 through March 31
Yes, studded tires are allowed only from April through October
Yes, studded tires are allowed year-round
No, studded tires are banned in Oregon at all times

Answer: A — No, studded tires are generally allowed only from November 1 through March 31

Studded tires are generally allowed only from November 1 through March 31.

18. A 16-year-old driver wants to send a quick text while driving. Is this legal?

Yes, as long as the text is sent before the trip ends
Yes, if a hands-free accessory is used
Yes, if it takes less than 30 seconds
No, a driver under 18 may not use a mobile electronic device at all while driving

Answer: D — No, a driver under 18 may not use a mobile electronic device at all while driving

A driver under 18 may not use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device at all while driving.

19. An adult driver wants to answer an incoming call while driving. What does the law require?

The driver may only answer calls at intersections
The driver may use a hands-free accessory requiring no more than a minimal finger touch to activate
The driver may hold the phone as long as it's on speaker
The driver must pull over completely before answering

Answer: B — The driver may use a hands-free accessory requiring no more than a minimal finger touch to activate

Drivers 18 or older must use a hands-free accessory needing no more than a minimal finger touch.

20. A driver's sound system can be clearly heard from 60 feet outside the vehicle. Is this legal?

No, sound audible beyond 50 feet is illegal
No, any sound audible outside the vehicle is illegal
Yes, there is no distance limit on vehicle sound systems
Yes, up to 100 feet is allowed

Answer: A — No, sound audible beyond 50 feet is illegal

A radio or sound system loud enough to be heard 50 feet away is illegal.

21. Another driver is tailgating you aggressively and making rude gestures. What is the recommended response?

Speed up to get away and outdrive them
Stay out of their way and never challenge them
Slow down abruptly to make a point
Match their speed to show you're unbothered

Answer: B — Stay out of their way and never challenge them

You should stay out of the way of an angry or aggressive driver and never challenge them by speeding or trying to out-drive them.

22. A driver notices yawning, heavy eyelids, and drifting out of the lane while on a long trip. What should they do?

Stop in a safe place to rest or walk briskly
Turn up the radio and keep driving to the destination
Roll down the windows and push through to the destination
Keep driving but check mirrors more often

Answer: A — Stop in a safe place to rest or walk briskly

A drowsy driver should never push through to the destination but should stop to rest or walk briskly.

23. A driver's blood alcohol concentration tests at 0.09 percent. What does this mean under Oregon law?

It's below the threshold, so no presumption of impairment applies
It only affects license points, not a DUII charge
Oregon law presumes impairment at 0.08 percent or more, so this triggers the presumption
It only matters for drivers under 21

Answer: C — Oregon law presumes impairment at 0.08 percent or more, so this triggers the presumption

Oregon law presumes impairment at a BAC of 0.08 percent or more.

24. An officer asks a driver to take a breath test after a stop, and the driver refuses. What can happen under Oregon's implied consent law?

Only a written warning is issued
Nothing; refusal is always a protected right with no consequence
A fine and/or suspension can result from the refusal
The DUII investigation is automatically dropped

Answer: C — A fine and/or suspension can result from the refusal

Refusing a requested breath, blood, or urine test under implied consent can bring a fine and/or suspension.

25. A 19-year-old driver is tested and shows a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent. Do they fail the test?

Yes, under the zero tolerance law anyone under 21 fails with any amount of alcohol
Yes, but only if they were also driving erratically
No, unless it's above 0.05 percent
No, since it's well under 0.08 percent

Answer: A — Yes, under the zero tolerance law anyone under 21 fails with any amount of alcohol

Under 21, a driver fails the test with any amount of alcohol under the zero tolerance law.

26. A previously opened bottle of wine has been resealed and placed in the back seat of a car. Is this legal under the open container law?

Yes, as long as it's in the back seat and not the front
No, a container is open once its seal is broken even if reclosed, and it belongs in the trunk
Legal only if less than half the bottle remains
Yes, resealing it makes it legal anywhere in the car

Answer: B — No, a container is open once its seal is broken even if reclosed, and it belongs in the trunk

A container counts as open once its seal is broken, even if reclosed, and open containers must be kept in the trunk.

27. A 17-year-old wants to ride in the open bed of a pickup truck on a rural road. Is this legal?

Legal as long as they wear a helmet
Legal since it's a rural road, not a highway
Illegal; Oregon law forbids anyone under 18 from riding on the pickup bed or other external part of a vehicle
Legal if the truck stays under 25 mph

Answer: C — Illegal; Oregon law forbids anyone under 18 from riding on the pickup bed or other external part of a vehicle

Oregon law forbids anyone under 18 from riding in a pickup bed or on any external part of a vehicle.

28. A rear tire suddenly blows out and the back of the car starts to weave and sway. What should the driver do?

Turn sharply to counter the weave
Grip the wheel firmly, slow gradually, and pull off the road
Accelerate briefly to stabilize the rear end
Brake hard immediately to stop the weaving

Answer: B — Grip the wheel firmly, slow gradually, and pull off the road

In a blowout, the correct response is to grip the wheel firmly, slow gradually, and pull off the road, not brake hard or turn sharply.

29. The brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor with no response. What should the driver do first?

Shift immediately into neutral
Pump the brakes to try to build pressure
Turn off the engine immediately
Yank the parking brake fully at highway speed

Answer: B — Pump the brakes to try to build pressure

If the brakes fail, the driver should pump them to build pressure, then downshift and slowly apply the parking brake.

30. The gas pedal sticks and the car keeps accelerating on its own. What should the driver do?

Pump the accelerator repeatedly to free it
Shift to neutral with an open palm while steering smoothly and braking
Turn off the ignition immediately while at speed
Shift directly into park while still moving

Answer: B — Shift to neutral with an open palm while steering smoothly and braking

If the accelerator sticks, the driver should shift to neutral using an open palm (to avoid selecting another gear) while steering and braking.