Utah Driver License: Distractions, Driving Challenges, Crashes and Insurance

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Distractions, Driving Challenges, Crashes and Insurance. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver running late repeatedly speeds, tailgates and runs red lights, endangering other people on the road. Under Utah's definitions, this conduct is:

Reckless endangerment
Aggressive driving
Road rage
Distracted driving

Answer: B — Aggressive driving

Aggressive driving is committing moving offenses so as to endanger people or property. Road rage is narrower: it must be committed in response to a roadway incident with intent to endanger or intimidate someone in another vehicle.

2. A driver is convicted of road rage for the first time. How long can the court suspend their license?

The license is permanently revoked
Six months
One year
Two years

Answer: C — One year

A first road rage conviction can bring a one-year license suspension.

3. A deer suddenly appears near the roadside at dusk. What is the safest response?

Sound the horn and accelerate past it
Assume it will stay put and hold your speed
Slow down and keep the vehicle controlled in its lane
Swerve sharply around it

Answer: C — Slow down and keep the vehicle controlled in its lane

Drivers should slow near animals that may bolt or be followed by others, keep the vehicle controlled in its lane, and never swerve, which may cause worse harm.

4. A driver stranded on the roadside wants to signal that they need help. What should they tie to the antenna or left door handle?

A spare tire cover
A red cloth
A white or orange cloth
A reflective triangle

Answer: C — A white or orange cloth

Tying something white or orange to the antenna or left door handle signals distress.

5. Before a long drive, how much sleep should a driver get to avoid fatigue-related crashes?

6 to 7 hours
5 to 6 hours
9 to 10 hours
7 to 9 hours

Answer: D — 7 to 9 hours

Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep before a trip is recommended to prevent fatigue.

6. On a long road trip, about how often should a driver plan a break to stay alert?

Every hour
Every two hours
Every four hours
Only when visibly drowsy

Answer: B — Every two hours

Planning a break every two hours helps fight fatigue on a trip.

7. A flash flood covers a low road crossing with fast-moving water about two feet deep. What is the danger?

It can stall the engine but not move the vehicle
It is unlikely to affect most vehicles
It can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups
It only threatens vehicles with low ground clearance

Answer: C — It can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups

Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups.

8. A 20-year-old driver uses a voice command to place a hands-free call while driving. Is this permitted?

No, all phone use while driving is illegal regardless of age
Only if the call concerns an emergency
Only if the vehicle is stopped at a red light
Yes, drivers over 18 may talk hands-free when voice commands connect the call

Answer: D — Yes, drivers over 18 may talk hands-free when voice commands connect the call

Drivers over 18 may use voice commands and hands-free technology to talk while driving.

9. Descending a narrow mountain road, a driver meets a vehicle climbing toward them. Who must yield?

Whichever vehicle is larger has the right-of-way
Whichever vehicle arrived at the curve first
The uphill driver yields to the descending traffic
The descending driver yields to the uphill traffic

Answer: D — The descending driver yields to the uphill traffic

On a narrow descending road, the downhill driver yields to uphill traffic.

10. In a heavy afternoon rainstorm, a driver cannot clearly see people and vehicles ahead. Headlights and taillights must be turned on whenever visibility drops below what distance?

1,000 feet
2,000 feet
1,500 feet
500 feet

Answer: A — 1,000 feet

Headlights and taillights must be on whenever people and vehicles cannot be clearly seen 1,000 feet ahead, in addition to from sunset to sunrise.

11. An oncoming vehicle is approaching at night. At what distance should a driver dim their high beams?

1,000 feet
300 feet
800 feet
500 feet

Answer: D — 500 feet

High beams should be dimmed before coming within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

12. A driver is caught speeding through an active highway work zone. How does the fine compare to a normal speeding fine for the same violation?

It is at least double the regular fine
It is the same as a normal fine
It is capped at $100 regardless of speed
It is reduced if no workers are present

Answer: A — It is at least double the regular fine

Courts must fine work-zone speeding at least twice the regular amount.

13. A driver is caught in a severe lightning storm while driving a convertible with the top down. What is the safest option?

Get into a hard-topped vehicle or a well-built building with plumbing and wiring
Pull over and stand outside near the vehicle
Use the car radio's external antenna to call for help
Continue driving with windows open for visibility

Answer: A — Get into a hard-topped vehicle or a well-built building with plumbing and wiring

Only a hard-topped vehicle protects against lightning; otherwise a well-built building with plumbing and wiring is safest.

14. A driver going 45 mph on a wet road suddenly feels the steering go light. What is the likely cause?

Hydroplaning, which can begin above 35 mph
Brake fade from overheating
Black ice, which looks like a wet spot rather than ice
A tire blowout

Answer: A — Hydroplaning, which can begin above 35 mph

Hydroplaning, the front tires riding on water, can begin above 35 mph and worsens with speed until steering is lost.

15. A vehicle's rear end begins skidding to the right on a wet road. Which way should the driver turn the front wheels?

Right, the same way the rear is skidding
Left, opposite the skid
Sharply in either direction while braking hard
Straight ahead only, without turning

Answer: A — Right, the same way the rear is skidding

In a skid, turn the front wheels the way the rear is skidding — right for a rear skid to the right.

16. A car plunges into a lake after a crash. Roughly how long will it float before sinking?

5 minutes
30 to 60 seconds
2 to 3 minutes
10 to 15 seconds

Answer: B — 30 to 60 seconds

A submerged vehicle typically floats only 30 to 60 seconds before sinking.

17. A driver wants to fit studded snow tires. During what period are they legal to use?

All year round
September 1 through February 28
October 15 through March 31
November 1 through April 15

Answer: C — October 15 through March 31

Studded snow tires may be used from October 15 through March 31.

18. A driver is stranded in freezing weather overnight and wants to run the engine for warmth without draining the battery or risking carbon monoxide. What is the recommended approach?

Run the engine and heater for a full hour, then shut it off for an hour
Run the engine continuously with all windows sealed
Never run the engine while stranded
Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour, keeping a window cracked

Answer: D — Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour, keeping a window cracked

Run the engine and heater until warm, then shut off, about 10 minutes an hour, keeping at least one window open against carbon monoxide.

19. A crash causes about $3,000 in total property damage but no injuries. Is a report to law enforcement required?

Yes, because the damage exceeds the $2,500 reporting threshold
Only if the vehicle cannot be driven away
Only if another driver was involved
No, only injury crashes must be reported

Answer: A — Yes, because the damage exceeds the $2,500 reporting threshold

A crash with at least $2,500 in total property damage must be reported to law enforcement immediately, whether or not another driver was involved.

20. What share of crashes is generally attributed to driver error?

About 50 percent
About 75 percent
About 65 percent
About 90 percent

Answer: B — About 75 percent

Driver error figures in 75 percent of crashes.

21. A driver flees the scene of a crash that injured another person. How is this offense classified?

Class B misdemeanor
Class C misdemeanor
Infraction only
Third-degree felony

Answer: D — Third-degree felony

Leaving an injury crash is a third-degree felony.

22. A driver backs into a parked, unattended car and cannot find the owner. What must they do?

Drive away since no one witnessed it
Report it only if damage exceeds $500
Wait at the scene indefinitely until the owner returns
Leave a note with their name, address and the plate number of the vehicle that caused the crash

Answer: D — Leave a note with their name, address and the plate number of the vehicle that caused the crash

For an unattended vehicle whose owner cannot be found, leave a note with the driver's name, address and the plate number of the vehicle that caused the crash.

23. A driver's brakes suddenly fail while moving at moderate speed. What should they do first?

Apply the parking brake slowly, ready to release it if the vehicle skids
Turn off the engine immediately
Pump the parking brake rapidly
Shift into neutral and coast to a stop

Answer: A — Apply the parking brake slowly, ready to release it if the vehicle skids

If the brakes fail while moving, apply the parking brake slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels, ready to release it if you skid; only if that fails do you turn off the engine.

24. A vehicle equipped with ABS needs an emergency stop. How should the driver use the brake pedal?

Pump it rapidly in short bursts
Press it hard and hold it down
Avoid the brake and use the parking brake instead
Press it gently and release it repeatedly

Answer: B — Press it hard and hold it down

With ABS, press the pedal as hard as you can and hold it, since ABS works only while pressed.

25. A driver breaks down on a highway shoulder and sets out flares to warn approaching traffic. About how far behind the vehicle should the flares be placed?

Immediately next to the vehicle
200 to 300 feet
500 to 600 feet
50 to 100 feet

Answer: B — 200 to 300 feet

Flares or triangles should be placed 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle so others can change lanes or slow.

26. A front tire blows out while driving. What does the vehicle tend to do?

Pull hard toward the blown tire
Wobble and shake without pulling
Continue straight with no noticeable change
Pull away from the blown tire

Answer: A — Pull hard toward the blown tire

A front blowout pulls hard toward the blown tire, while a rear one wobbles, shakes and pulls.

27. A driver knowingly drives a vehicle that has no owner's security (insurance) on it. How is this offense classified?

Third-degree felony
Class C misdemeanor
Civil infraction only
Class B misdemeanor

Answer: D — Class B misdemeanor

Knowingly driving, or letting someone drive, without owner's security is a Class B misdemeanor.

28. After being convicted of driving without insurance, a driver must file proof of future financial responsibility. How long must this proof (SR22) be kept?

Three years
Two years
Five years
One year

Answer: A — Three years

A conviction for driving without insurance or proof requires an SR22 for three years.

29. A driver wants coverage that pays their own medical bills after a crash regardless of who was at fault. Which coverage type provides this?

Uninsured motorist coverage
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Comprehensive coverage
Collision coverage

Answer: B — Personal injury protection (PIP)

Personal injury protection (PIP) provides basic benefits for bodily injury regardless of fault.

30. A driver has an unpaid court judgment for crash damages after 60 days. What happens to their driving privilege?

Nothing, as long as they eventually pay
They receive only a warning letter
It is suspended until the judgment is satisfied and future proof of responsibility is filed
Their registration is revoked but they may still drive

Answer: C — It is suspended until the judgment is satisfied and future proof of responsibility is filed

A court judgment for damages unpaid within 60 days suspends the driving privilege until it is satisfied and an SR22 is filed.