Connecticut Driver License: Vehicle Checks, Belts, Child Restraints, Phones and Insurance

28 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Vehicle Checks, Belts, Child Restraints, Phones and Insurance. Free, no account needed.

1. A vehicle fails its state emissions inspection. How many days does the owner have to complete repairs and get a recheck?

120 days
30 days
60 days
90 days

Answer: C — 60 days

A vehicle that fails emissions testing is given 60 days to complete repairs and pass a recheck.

2. While braking, a driver notices the pedal sinks nearly to the floor before the car slows down. What does this signal?

The tires need to be rotated
The brake system needs immediate service
Normal wear that needs no action
The suspension needs new shocks

Answer: B — The brake system needs immediate service

A brake pedal that sinks toward the floor is a warning sign that calls for brake service.

3. Other drivers keep flashing their headlights at a driver during a night trip. What should the driver check?

The horn
Tire pressure
Headlight alignment
Turn signal bulbs

Answer: C — Headlight alignment

Other drivers flashing their lights, or trouble seeing at night, is a sign the headlights need checking.

4. A windshield is clean on the outside but dirty on the inside. Driving toward the sun, the driver finds the glare unusually blinding. Why?

The windshield is illegally tinted
The wiper blades are smearing the outside of the glass
Sun shining on the dirty inside surface of the glass blinds the driver
The headlights are misaligned

Answer: C — Sun shining on the dirty inside surface of the glass blinds the driver

Sun or headlights shining on a dirty inside windshield surface can blind the driver, which is why the inside of the glass should be cleaned too.

5. Performing the penny test on a tire, none of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread in the lowest groove. What does this mean?

The tread is fine and safe to drive on
Tire pressure is too low
The tread is below safe level and grip in bad conditions drops sharply
The tire just needs to be rotated

Answer: C — The tread is below safe level and grip in bad conditions drops sharply

If none of Lincoln's head is covered, the tread has worn below the safe level and grip drops sharply in bad conditions.

6. A car bounces repeatedly after going over a bump and feels harder to control afterward. What system likely needs attention?

Brakes
Suspension/shocks
Steering column
Exhaust system

Answer: B — Suspension/shocks

Bouncing after bumps or stops, or trouble controlling the car, points to worn shocks in the suspension.

7. Why should a driver never run a vehicle's engine inside a closed garage?

It wastes fuel unnecessarily
It drains the battery quickly
Leaking exhaust gases can kill within minutes
It damages the suspension

Answer: C — Leaking exhaust gases can kill within minutes

Exhaust gases trapped in an enclosed space like a closed garage can be lethal within minutes.

8. What can a poorly running engine cause?

Improved fuel economy
Reduced emissions
Stronger braking performance
Loss of power and possible stalling on the road

Answer: D — Loss of power and possible stalling on the road

A poorly running engine loses power, wastes fuel, pollutes, and can die on the road.

9. A driver notices the steering feels stiff and responds only after a delay. What should the driver do?

Ignore it, this is common in cold weather
Adjust the mirrors
Add air to the tires
Have a mechanic check the steering

Answer: D — Have a mechanic check the steering

Hard or delayed steering is a warning sign that needs a mechanic's attention.

10. When a side mirror is adjusted correctly, what should the driver see when leaning slightly forward?

Only the road directly behind
Nothing, the mirror should show only the blind spot
The side of their own vehicle
The horizon line

Answer: C — The side of their own vehicle

Side mirrors should be set so that leaning slightly forward brings the side of the vehicle into view.

11. What is the fine for each unbelted driver or passenger in a vehicle?

$150
$75
$50
$100

Answer: B — $75

Connecticut imposes a $75 fine for each unbelted driver or passenger.

12. A vehicle has a two-part lap-and-shoulder seat belt. How should it be worn for full protection?

Lap belt only
Both the lap and shoulder parts fastened
Shoulder belt only
Either part alone gives equal protection

Answer: B — Both the lap and shoulder parts fastened

Wearing only one part of a two-part belt gives far less protection than using both.

13. In which situations do air bags fail to protect a vehicle occupant?

Side or rear impacts and rollovers
Head-on collisions
Collisions with the dashboard
Low-speed frontal impacts

Answer: A — Side or rear impacts and rollovers

Air bags protect against the wheel, dashboard and windshield but not in side or rear hits or rollovers, and cannot keep you behind the wheel.

14. An infant is 10 months old and weighs 22 pounds. What restraint is required?

A seat belt alone
A forward-facing seat with a harness
A booster seat
A rear-facing-only or rear-facing convertible seat with a five-point harness

Answer: D — A rear-facing-only or rear-facing convertible seat with a five-point harness

Children under age 2, or under 30 pounds at any age, must use a rear-facing seat with a five-point harness.

15. A child is 3 years old and weighs 35 pounds. What restraint is required?

A rear- or forward-facing restraint with a five-point harness
A rear-facing-only seat exclusively
A seat belt alone
A booster seat with a seat belt

Answer: A — A rear- or forward-facing restraint with a five-point harness

Children age 2 to 5, or under 40 pounds at any age, need a rear- or forward-facing restraint with a five-point harness.

16. A child is 6 years old and weighs 45 pounds. What restraint options are allowed?

No restraint is required at that age
A seat belt alone
A five-point harness or booster seat
A rear-facing convertible seat only

Answer: C — A five-point harness or booster seat

Children age 5 to 8, or 40 to 60 pounds, may use a five-point harness or a booster seat.

17. A 9-year-old weighing 65 pounds is riding in a car. What restraint is required?

No restraint is required
A rear-facing seat
A five-point harness only
A booster seat or seat belt

Answer: D — A booster seat or seat belt

Children age 8 or older and 60 pounds or more may use a booster or a seat belt.

18. A child's age falls into one restraint category, but her weight falls into a stricter category. Which rule applies?

The more restrictive of the two categories applies
The age-based category always applies
Neither category applies until her next birthday
The parent may choose either category

Answer: A — The more restrictive of the two categories applies

When age and weight point to different categories, the more restrictive rule governs.

19. A vehicle's front passenger seat has a working passenger air bag. Can a rear-facing child restraint be placed there?

Yes, it is always allowed
No child restraint may ever be placed in a front seat
No, not in a front seat with a working passenger air bag
Yes, but only for infants under 20 pounds

Answer: C — No, not in a front seat with a working passenger air bag

A rear-facing restraint may not be placed in the front seat of a vehicle with a working passenger air bag.

20. What must every driver ensure regarding passengers between the ages of 7 and 16?

That they sit in the back seat
That they are accompanied by a licensed adult
That they wear a seat belt
That they use a booster seat

Answer: C — That they wear a seat belt

Every driver must make sure passengers aged 7 to 16 wear a belt.

21. A driver is temporarily stopped in traffic at a red light. Can they use a hand-held cell phone?

Yes, for calls under one minute
Yes, if using speakerphone while holding the phone
Yes, since the vehicle isn't moving
No, hand-held use is banned even when temporarily stopped for traffic

Answer: D — No, hand-held use is banned even when temporarily stopped for traffic

Hand-held phone use is banned while driving and also while temporarily stopped for traffic, road conditions, or a sign or signal.

22. An adult driver wants to make a phone call while driving. What is allowed?

Texting only, not calling
Hands-free accessories only
No phone use of any kind is ever allowed
Hand-held use, as long as it's brief

Answer: B — Hands-free accessories only

Drivers may use hands-free accessories only.

23. A 16-year-old driver wants to use a hands-free device to make a call while driving. Is this allowed?

Yes, if a parent is in the car
No, drivers 16 and 17 may not use any phone or device, even hands-free
Yes, hands-free is fine at any age
Yes, but only for GPS navigation

Answer: B — No, drivers 16 and 17 may not use any phone or device, even hands-free

16- and 17-year-olds may use no phone or device at all, even hands-free.

24. While driving, a person urgently needs to contact an ambulance. Are they permitted to use a hand-held phone?

Only drivers over 21 may do this
No, hand-held use is banned in all situations
Only if pulled over and parked
Yes, contacting emergency services is an exception for any age

Answer: D — Yes, contacting emergency services is an exception for any age

Contacting an ambulance company or other emergency services is an exception allowed for drivers of any age.

25. A 17-year-old driver is convicted of illegally using a phone while driving. What happens?

The violation is non-moving, so it does not affect the license
It is a moving violation and the conviction brings a license suspension
It counts toward operator retraining only after a second conviction
It is a moving violation, but suspension applies only at age 18 or older

Answer: B — It is a moving violation and the conviction brings a license suspension

A violation by a 16- or 17-year-old is a moving violation; a conviction under 18 brings license suspension and counts toward operator retraining.

26. A driver's auto insurance coverage lapses while the vehicle is still registered. What happens?

The vehicle is automatically impounded
Nothing, DMV is never notified
The insurer reports the cancellation to DMV, which then notifies the owner
The registration is immediately and permanently revoked with no recourse

Answer: C — The insurer reports the cancellation to DMV, which then notifies the owner

When coverage lapses, the insurer reports the cancellation to DMV, which notifies the owner.

27. After being notified of an insurance lapse, what must an owner do under an Insurance Compliance agreement to avoid further action?

Pay the compliance fine; proof of insurance is not required
Surrender the registration until coverage is restored
Show proof of insurance; no fine is charged
Show proof of insurance and pay the compliance fine

Answer: D — Show proof of insurance and pay the compliance fine

The Insurance Compliance agreement requires both proof of insurance and payment of the compliance fine, and nothing more happens as long as coverage continues.

28. An owner ignores a DMV notice about a lapse in insurance coverage. What is the result?

The owner's license is immediately revoked
The vehicle's registration is suspended
The compliance fine automatically doubles
No consequence unless a ticket is issued

Answer: B — The vehicle's registration is suspended

Ignoring the warning about lapsed insurance results in registration suspension.