Minnesota Driver License: Your Vehicle, Speed, Turns, Passing and Parking

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Your Vehicle, Speed, Turns, Passing and Parking. Free, no account needed.

1. How far ahead must high-beam headlights be able to show objects?

350 feet
500 feet
700 feet
200 feet

Answer: A — 350 feet

High beams must show objects at least 350 feet ahead.

2. A driver notices dirt has built up on their headlight lenses. What is the effect on light output?

No measurable effect
It reduces output by about 10 percent
It only affects high beams, not low beams
It can cut output by up to 75 percent

Answer: D — It can cut output by up to 75 percent

Dirt on lenses can cut output by up to 75 percent.

3. Which color of lights may only be used by snowplows, road maintenance equipment and emergency vehicles?

Red
Blue
White
Amber

Answer: B — Blue

Only snowplows, road maintenance equipment and emergency vehicles may use blue lights.

4. A car's horn stops working. Which other equipment could legally substitute for warning purposes on a passenger car?

Nothing else may be substituted; horns are not interchangeable with those devices
Flashing hazard lights alone
A bell or whistle
A siren

Answer: A — Nothing else may be substituted; horns are not interchangeable with those devices

Bells, sirens and whistles are reserved for emergency vehicles only, not substitutes for a horn.

5. A driver checks their tire tread using a penny placed head-down in the shallowest groove. Lincoln's entire head is visible, uncovered. What does this indicate?

The tread is legal
The test is inconclusive without a tread gauge
The tire is fine only if it's a rear tire
The tread is illegal

Answer: D — The tread is illegal

The penny test passes only if some part of Lincoln's head is covered; with the whole head visible the tread is not legal.

6. When is the best time to check tire pressure for an accurate reading?

Immediately after a long highway drive
Any time, since pressure doesn't change with driving
Once a month, regardless of when the vehicle was last driven
Before driving, or at least three hours after driving

Answer: D — Before driving, or at least three hours after driving

Pressure should be checked before driving or at least three hours afterward, against the door sticker.

7. Window tint transmitting under 50 percent of light is allowed on which of the following?

Nowhere, tint below 50 percent transmission is illegal on every vehicle
Any window of any vehicle, as long as the tint shows its light transmission and reflection
On the rear and side windows of a van, limousine or funeral vehicle
The windshield, but not the side or rear windows

Answer: C — On the rear and side windows of a van, limousine or funeral vehicle

Tint transmitting under 50 percent is allowed only on a pickup's rear window or the rear and side windows of a van, limousine or funeral vehicle.

8. On a two-lane highway posted at 55 mph, a driver is lawfully passing another vehicle. How much over the posted limit may they legally drive during the pass?

10 mph
15 mph
They may never exceed the posted limit
5 mph

Answer: A — 10 mph

On a two-lane highway posted 55 mph or higher, a 10 mph allowance applies while lawfully passing.

9. A driver is convicted of driving 105 mph. What is the minimum period their driving privileges will be revoked?

90 days
One year
Six months
30 days

Answer: C — Six months

A conviction for over 100 mph revokes privileges for at least six months.

10. Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in an alley?

20 mph
55 mph
30 mph
10 mph

Answer: D — 10 mph

Alleys default to 10 mph unless otherwise posted.

11. A driver passes a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights without slowing and is ticketed for speeding. What additional charge is added?

A mandatory court appearance only
A surcharge of at least $25 added to the speeding fine
Doubling of the base fine
Automatic license revocation

Answer: B — A surcharge of at least $25 added to the speeding fine

A surcharge of at least $25 is added to the speeding fine in that situation.

12. A driver approaches an intersection faster than conditions allow and cannot stop in time, causing a collision with a vehicle that had the right-of-way. What happens to their right-of-way claim?

Right-of-way is unaffected by speed
They retain the right-of-way if they arrived first
Right-of-way is forfeited only when exceeding the limit by 20 mph or more
They forfeit the right-of-way by approaching at an unlawful speed

Answer: D — They forfeit the right-of-way by approaching at an unlawful speed

Approaching an intersection at an unlawful speed forfeits the right-of-way.

13. How far before turning or changing lanes must a driver signal?

At least 500 feet
At least 200 feet
At least 100 feet
At least 50 feet

Answer: C — At least 100 feet

Signaling must begin at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change.

14. A driver wants to use a hand signal instead of a turn signal while driving at night. Is this allowed?

Yes, if the vehicle's turn signals are not working
Yes, but only for a right turn
No, hand and arm signals may not be used at night or when the vehicle hides them
Yes, hand signals work at any time of day

Answer: C — No, hand and arm signals may not be used at night or when the vehicle hides them

Hand and arm signals are for daylight use only, not at night or when hidden by the vehicle.

15. While waiting to turn left on a green light with oncoming traffic present, how should a driver position their vehicle in the intersection?

Position with the body even with the curb line
Stay behind the crosswalk until oncoming traffic clears
Pull fully into the oncoming lane
Stop at the center line and wait outside the intersection

Answer: A — Position with the body even with the curb line

The vehicle should be positioned in the intersection with the body even with the curb line while waiting.

16. Preparing to make a left turn, where should a driver position the vehicle before the turn?

In the rightmost lane
Anywhere in your direction's lanes, as long as you finish in the correct lane
As far left as possible, even crossing into oncoming lanes
In the lane nearest the center line, or just right of center if unmarked

Answer: D — In the lane nearest the center line, or just right of center if unmarked

For a left turn, move into the lane nearest the center line, or just right of center with no markings.

17. Under what circumstance is a left turn on a red light permitted?

Left turns on red are never permitted
Only if a police officer is directing traffic
From a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a complete stop
From any one-way street onto a two-way street

Answer: C — From a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a complete stop

A left on red is allowed only from one one-way street onto another, after stopping completely.

18. Approaching a multi-lane roundabout, from which direction must traffic clear before a driver may enter?

Either direction, as long as gaps exist
The right
The left
Traffic already circulating must fully exit first

Answer: C — The left

Drivers must not enter until traffic from the left has cleared.

19. In which direction does traffic travel through a roundabout?

Counterclockwise
Clockwise
Either direction depending on the exit
Straight through the center

Answer: A — Counterclockwise

Drivers travel counterclockwise to their exit in a roundabout.

20. Two large vehicles pass through a multi-lane roundabout side by side. Which one must yield?

Neither yields; both proceed at the same pace
The one on the left yields to the one on the right
Whichever entered the roundabout later yields
The one on the right yields to the one on the left

Answer: D — The one on the right yields to the one on the left

When two large vehicles go through together, the one on the right yields to the one on the left.

21. Performing a J-turn from a side street onto a four-lane divided highway, what is the first maneuver?

Enter the median directly without stopping
Turn left directly across all lanes
Stop completely, then turn right onto the highway
Turn right without stopping, since traffic must yield

Answer: C — Stop completely, then turn right onto the highway

A J-turn begins with a complete stop, then turning right onto the highway.

22. Near a curve where a driver cannot be seen from 1,000 feet, is a U-turn legal?

Yes, if hazard lights are used
Yes, but only during daylight
No, U-turns are illegal there regardless of signage
Yes, as long as no sign bans it

Answer: C — No, U-turns are illegal there regardless of signage

U-turns are illegal near curves or hilltops where a driver cannot be seen from 1,000 feet.

23. On a multi-lane highway, when should a driver stay out of the left lane?

Only when driving under the speed limit
Only when a traffic control device or officer directs it
Only during rush hour
Whenever it is available and they are not passing, turning left, or otherwise directed

Answer: D — Whenever it is available and they are not passing, turning left, or otherwise directed

Drivers should stay in the right lane when available, leaving the left lane free except for passing or specific maneuvers.

24. While passing another vehicle on a two-lane road, when is it safe to return to the right lane?

When the entire passed vehicle can be seen in the mirror
Only after reaching the next intersection
As soon as the front bumper clears the passed vehicle
After signaling for 3 seconds, regardless of position

Answer: A — When the entire passed vehicle can be seen in the mirror

A driver should return to the right lane once they can see the entire passed vehicle in their mirror.

25. A driver wants to pass on a hill but the clear sight distance ahead is only 500 feet. Is this a safe, legal pass?

It depends only on the posted speed limit
Yes, as long as no oncoming vehicle is visible at all
Yes, 500 feet is sufficient for passing
No, at least 700 feet of clear view is required to pass on a hill

Answer: D — No, at least 700 feet of clear view is required to pass on a hill

Passing on a curve or hill requires a clear view of at least 700 feet.

26. Under what condition is passing on the right permitted?

When the vehicle ahead is turning left, on a road wide enough for two or more lanes each way
In a bike lane if it is empty
On the shoulder when traffic is heavy
Anywhere, as long as the driver signals first

Answer: A — When the vehicle ahead is turning left, on a road wide enough for two or more lanes each way

Passing on the right is allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left, on a sufficiently wide road, among other listed conditions, but never on a shoulder or in a bike lane.

27. While backing out of a driveway, what should a driver do once in the roadway?

Continue backing across all lanes to reach a parking spot
Keep backing along the road until reaching an intersection where you can turn around
Back into the nearest lane and drive forward
Rely on the backup camera exclusively

Answer: C — Back into the nearest lane and drive forward

When backing out of a driveway, back into the nearest lane and then drive forward.

28. How close to a fire hydrant is parking prohibited?

30 feet
5 feet
10 feet
20 feet

Answer: C — 10 feet

Parking is banned within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.

29. Parking on a hill facing downhill next to a curb, which direction should the front wheels be turned?

Toward the shoulder
Away from the curb
Straight ahead
Toward the curb

Answer: D — Toward the curb

Facing downhill with a curb, wheels turn toward the curb.

30. A vehicle breaks down and is parked on a highway at night. What lighting must it display, and from what distance must it be visible?

Hazard lights only, visible from 100 feet
A single red light visible from 1,000 feet
A white or amber front light and a red taillight visible from 500 feet
High beams left on continuously

Answer: C — A white or amber front light and a red taillight visible from 500 feet

A disabled vehicle parked on a highway at night must show a white or amber front light and a red taillight visible from 500 feet.