Alabama Driver License: Turns, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Trucks, Parking and Belts

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Turns, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Trucks, Parking and Belts. Free, no account needed.

1. Before starting a car with a manual transmission, what should you do?

Push in the clutch
Set the parking brake and press the accelerator
Turn the key first, then push in the clutch
Shift into neutral without touching the clutch

Answer: A — Push in the clutch

A manual transmission requires the clutch to be depressed before starting the engine.

2. How should a driver grip the steering wheel, and when may a hand leave it?

Grip the inside spokes with one hand resting on the leg
Keep one hand on the wheel and one on the gear shift at all times
Grip the wheel loosely with fingertips only
Grip the outside rim with both hands, removing one only to signal or operate a control

Answer: D — Grip the outside rim with both hands, removing one only to signal or operate a control

Drivers should sit erect and grip the outside rim with both hands, taking one off only to signal or work a control.

3. A driver is about to pull out of a parallel parking space. What is the correct sequence of actions?

Look over the shoulder and in the mirrors, wait until clear, signal, then enter the nearest lane
Honk to alert traffic, then pull directly into the through lane
Start the engine, straighten the wheels, then check only the rearview mirror
Signal first, then check mirrors, then pull out into any open lane

Answer: A — Look over the shoulder and in the mirrors, wait until clear, signal, then enter the nearest lane

The proper procedure is to check over the shoulder and mirrors, wait for a clear gap, signal, and enter the nearest lane.

4. On a road with no painted lane lines, must a driver still stay within a single lane?

Only on multi-lane highways, not two-lane roads
No, lane discipline only applies where lines are painted
Yes, a lane exists whether or not it is marked
Only at night when lines are hard to see

Answer: C — Yes, a lane exists whether or not it is marked

A lane is considered to exist regardless of markings, so drivers must not weave or straddle it.

5. How far before a turn must a driver begin signaling?

200 feet
100 feet
500 feet
50 feet

Answer: B — 100 feet

Signals must begin at least 100 feet before the turn and continue until the turn is made.

6. Why might a driver add hand and arm signals to the turn signal during the day?

Because bright sunlight can hide a flashing signal light
Because hand signals are legally required during daylight hours
Because daytime running lights disable the turn signal
Because pedestrians cannot see brake lights in daylight

Answer: A — Because bright sunlight can hide a flashing signal light

Bright sun can wash out a flashing signal light, so hand and arm signals help make intentions clear.

7. Turning right from a four-lane divided highway, which lane should a driver use to enter and exit the turn?

From the right lane, into the right lane of the cross street, with a tight turn
From either lane, into whichever lane is open
From the right lane into the left lane of the cross street
From the lane nearest the center line, swinging wide into the right lane

Answer: A — From the right lane, into the right lane of the cross street, with a tight turn

Right turns from a four-lane highway should be made from the right lane into the right lane of the cross street with a tight turn.

8. Turning left from a four-lane divided highway, where should a driver enter the cross street?

Just right of the center line, from the lane nearest the center line or divider, without a wide swing
Into the far lane of the cross street, matching the highway's outer lane
Just left of the center line, using a wide swinging turn
From the right lane, cutting across all lanes at the last moment

Answer: A — Just right of the center line, from the lane nearest the center line or divider, without a wide swing

Left turns are made from the lane nearest the center line, entering the cross street just right of its center line without a wide swing.

9. A driver wants to reverse direction on a two-lane road near the crest of a hill where oncoming drivers cannot see the car within 500 feet. Is a three-point turn allowed here?

No, it is not permitted where drivers approaching from either direction cannot see the car within 500 feet
No, three-point turns are banned everywhere in Alabama
Yes, three-point turns are always allowed outside interstate freeways
Yes, as long as no warning sign is posted

Answer: A — No, it is not permitted where drivers approaching from either direction cannot see the car within 500 feet

Three-point turns are prohibited on curves or near hilltops where drivers cannot see the car within 500 feet.

10. Where should a bicyclist normally ride on the roadway?

As close as practicable to the center line to stay visible
On the sidewalk wherever one is available
In the center of the right-hand lane at all times
As close as practicable to the right curb or edge, except when passing, turning left, or avoiding hazards

Answer: D — As close as practicable to the right curb or edge, except when passing, turning left, or avoiding hazards

Bicyclists ride close to the right curb or edge except when passing, preparing to turn left, or avoiding hazards.

11. May two bicyclists legally ride side by side in the same lane?

Yes, riding two abreast is allowed at all times
Only when a bicycle lane is present
No, bicyclists must always ride single file
Only on bike paths, never on roads

Answer: A — Yes, riding two abreast is allowed at all times

Bicyclists may ride two abreast at all times.

12. A 14-year-old rides a bicycle on a public street. What does the law require?

A rear reflector only, no helmet needed
A helmet only when riding on sidewalks
A fastened helmet only when riding after dark
A fastened helmet

Answer: D — A fastened helmet

Riders under 16 must wear a fastened helmet on public roads, paths, and parks.

13. How much clearance must a driver give when passing a bicyclist?

At least five feet
At least one foot
Enough to stay within the same lane
At least three feet

Answer: D — At least three feet

Drivers must leave at least three feet between the vehicle and the cyclist when passing.

14. When may a driver legally drive within a marked bicycle lane?

To park where permitted, to enter or leave the highway, or to prepare for a turn
At any time, since bicycle lanes are shared lanes
Whenever traffic in the regular lane is heavy
To pass a slower vehicle ahead

Answer: A — To park where permitted, to enter or leave the highway, or to prepare for a turn

Drivers may only enter a bicycle lane to park where permitted, to enter or leave the highway, or to prepare for a turn.

15. About how wide is a typical motorcycle compared with a car?

About two feet, versus five or six feet for a car
About the same width as a car
About one foot, narrower than a bicycle
About four feet, roughly half a car's width

Answer: A — About two feet, versus five or six feet for a car

Motorcycles are only about two feet wide compared with a car's five or six feet, making them hard to pick out of traffic.

16. A driver waiting to turn left sees an oncoming motorcycle. What is the safest approach?

Turn as soon as there is a gap, since motorcycles can stop faster than cars
Look, look again, and be sure of the motorcycle's speed before turning
Proceed if the motorcycle's turn signal is on, since motorcycle signals self-cancel
Wait only if the motorcycle is louder than normal traffic noise

Answer: B — Look, look again, and be sure of the motorcycle's speed before turning

Left turns in front of oncoming motorcycles cause many injury crashes, so a driver should look twice and confirm the motorcycle's speed before turning.

17. How closely should a driver follow a motorcycle?

As close as for a bicycle, about three feet
A shorter distance, since motorcycles need less stopping room
The same two-second following distance used for any vehicle
At least four seconds, double the normal following distance

Answer: C — The same two-second following distance used for any vehicle

Motorcycles should be followed using the same two-second rule as any other vehicle.

18. A driver sees a motorcyclist riding in a wide lane. Is it legal to move the car alongside the motorcycle within that same lane?

Yes, but only during daylight
Yes, if the lane is wide enough for both vehicles side by side
Yes, as long as the driver signals first
No, this is illegal and hazardous even if the lane is wide enough

Answer: D — No, this is illegal and hazardous even if the lane is wide enough

It is illegal and hazardous to move alongside a motorcycle in the same lane even if the lane appears wide.

19. A driver cannot see a truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror. What does this indicate?

The truck's mirror is broken and no danger exists
The truck driver cannot see the car, so the car is in a blind spot
The truck driver has already seen the car through another mirror
The car is far enough back to be safe

Answer: B — The truck driver cannot see the car, so the car is in a blind spot

If you cannot see the truck driver's face in the side mirror, the driver cannot see you, meaning you are in a blind spot.

20. How far behind a truck or bus can the rear no-zone (blind spot) extend?

500 feet
50 feet
20 feet
200 feet

Answer: D — 200 feet

Rear no-zones can reach as far as 200 feet behind a large vehicle.

21. At 55 mph, roughly how much more stopping distance does a loaded truck need compared with a car?

Both need about the same distance, near 200 feet
A car needs about 100 feet while a truck needs about 200 feet
A car needs about 193 feet while a loaded truck needs about 430 feet
A car needs about 430 feet while a truck needs about 193 feet

Answer: C — A car needs about 193 feet while a loaded truck needs about 430 feet

At 55 mph a car needs about 193 feet to stop while a loaded truck needs about 430 feet.

22. A truck is backing up in a parking lot. What should a driver do?

Never cross behind the truck, since the driver cannot see directly behind it
Cross quickly behind it before it moves further
Honk and proceed once the horn is heard
Cross behind only if the truck's back-up lights are off

Answer: A — Never cross behind the truck, since the driver cannot see directly behind it

Drivers should never cross behind a backing truck or bus because the driver cannot see directly behind.

23. A truck ahead has its right turn signal blinking and is swinging left before turning right. What should a following driver do?

Pass quickly on the right before the truck completes the turn
Pass on the left immediately
Wait until the turn is complete rather than passing on the right
Pull directly behind the truck and stop

Answer: C — Wait until the turn is complete rather than passing on the right

Trucks swing wide left to make a right turn, so a following driver should wait rather than pass on the right and get trapped.

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

Toward the curb
Straight ahead
Away from the curb
Toward the center of the road

Answer: A — Toward the curb

Facing downhill with a curb present, the wheels should be turned toward the curb.

25. Parking on a hill facing uphill next to a curb, which way should the front wheels be turned, and what gear should be used?

Away from the curb, in reverse
Straight ahead, in neutral
Away from the curb, in low gear or park
Toward the curb, in reverse

Answer: C — Away from the curb, in low gear or park

Facing uphill with a curb, the wheels should turn away from the curb and the car left in low gear or park.

26. How close to a crosswalk at an uncontrolled intersection may a vehicle be parked?

No closer than 50 feet
No closer than 30 feet
No closer than 15 feet
No closer than 20 feet

Answer: D — No closer than 20 feet

Parking is banned within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an uncontrolled intersection.

27. How close to a fire hydrant may a vehicle be legally parked?

No closer than 15 feet
No closer than 20 feet
No closer than 30 feet
No closer than 50 feet

Answer: A — No closer than 15 feet

Parking is banned within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

28. Who does Alabama's seat belt law require to be restrained in a vehicle?

Only children under 15
Every occupant, regardless of age
Only the driver and front-seat passengers
Only occupants over age 15

Answer: B — Every occupant, regardless of age

Alabama's belt law requires every occupant, regardless of age, to be restrained.

29. Until what point must a child ride in a rear-facing car seat?

At least 1 year old or 20 pounds
At least 2 years old or 30 pounds
At least 5 years old or 40 pounds
At least 6 months old or 15 pounds

Answer: A — At least 1 year old or 20 pounds

A rear-facing seat is required until the child is at least 1 year old or weighs 20 pounds.

30. Until what age must a child generally use a booster seat before moving to a regular seat belt alone?

Age 6
Age 9
Age 4
Age 15

Answer: A — Age 6

A booster seat is required until age 6, after which a seat belt is used until age 15.