Alabama Driver License: Speed, Stopping, School Buses, Right-of-Way, Passing and Insurance

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Speed, Stopping, School Buses, Right-of-Way, Passing and Insurance. Free, no account needed.

1. Road conditions are poor due to heavy rain, though the posted limit is 55 mph. What speed is legal to drive?

Any speed at least 10 mph below the posted limit
45 mph, the standard reduced-weather limit
55 mph, since that is the posted maximum
Whatever speed is reasonable and safe for the current conditions, even if lower than 55

Answer: D — Whatever speed is reasonable and safe for the current conditions, even if lower than 55

The basic speed law forbids driving faster than is reasonable for the existing road, weather, vehicle and personal conditions, regardless of the posted maximum.

2. No speed limit signs are posted in an urban district. What is the maximum lawful speed?

25 mph
35 mph
45 mph
30 mph

Answer: D — 30 mph

Absent posted signs, the statutory limit in an urban district is 30 mph.

3. A driver is on an unpaved county road with no posted speed limit. What is the maximum lawful speed?

30 mph
45 mph
55 mph
35 mph

Answer: D — 35 mph

The statutory limit on an unpaved road with no posted signs is 35 mph.

4. A driver stops at a red light in the proper lane and there is no sign prohibiting the turn. What may the driver do?

Wait for a green light before making any turn
Proceed straight through once the way looks clear
Turn left if no oncoming traffic is visible
Turn right after yielding to traffic and pedestrians

Answer: D — Turn right after yielding to traffic and pedestrians

A driver may turn right on red after stopping from the proper lane, yielding to traffic and pedestrians, unless a sign prohibits it.

5. A driver stopped at a red light is on a one-way street that intersects another one-way street where traffic moves from right to left. When is a left turn on red allowed here?

Only if the cross street is two-way with traffic moving right to left
Never, left turns on red are always prohibited
Only if a police officer waves the driver through
After stopping, yielding to traffic and pedestrians, and only if no sign prohibits it

Answer: D — After stopping, yielding to traffic and pedestrians, and only if no sign prohibits it

A left turn on red is permitted from a one-way street onto a one-way street with traffic moving right to left, after stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits the turn.

6. A traffic light at an intersection is completely dark due to a power outage. How should drivers treat the intersection?

Only the driver on the left must stop
As a four-way stop
Proceed with caution, no stop required
As a yield sign, slowing but not stopping

Answer: B — As a four-way stop

An inoperative signal is treated as a four-way stop.

7. A school bus is stopped with its lights flashing and stop arm out on the opposite roadway of a divided highway that has two lanes in each direction. Must an oncoming driver on the other roadway stop?

No, no stop is required when the bus is on the opposite roadway of a divided highway with at least two lanes each direction
Yes, all drivers approaching from either direction must always stop
Only if the highway has fewer than four total lanes
Only during school arrival and dismissal hours

Answer: A — No, no stop is required when the bus is on the opposite roadway of a divided highway with at least two lanes each direction

No stop is required on a divided highway of four or more lanes with at least two lanes each direction when the bus is stopped on the opposite roadway.

8. A school bus in a rural area is about to stop to load children and flashes amber warning lights first. How far before the stop must these amber lights appear?

At least 500 feet
At least 100 feet
At least 300 feet
At least 200 feet

Answer: C — At least 300 feet

In rural areas, amber warning lights must appear at least 300 feet before the stop (100 feet in municipalities).

9. A school bus ahead has stopped with red lights flashing and its stop arm extended. How far away must an approaching driver stop?

At least 10 feet
At least 50 feet
At least 30 feet
At least 20 feet

Answer: D — At least 20 feet

Drivers coming from either direction must stop at least 20 feet from a stopped bus.

10. Where are most children hurt or killed by motorists near school buses actually struck?

Inside the bus during boarding
While riding bicycles alongside the bus
At crosswalks unrelated to the bus
Outside the bus, by drivers who fail to stop for the red lights and stop arm

Answer: D — Outside the bus, by drivers who fail to stop for the red lights and stop arm

Most pupil transportation deaths and injuries happen to children struck outside the bus by drivers who fail to stop, the area called the death zone.

11. Two vehicles enter an uncontrolled intersection from different roads at about the same time. Which driver must yield?

Whichever driver arrived second yields
The driver on the left yields to the one on the right
The driver on the right yields to the one on the left
Neither yields; both proceed simultaneously

Answer: B — The driver on the left yields to the one on the right

At an uncontrolled intersection, the driver on the left yields to the one on the right.

12. A pedestrian is crossing at an intersection carrying a white cane tipped with red, held with the arm extended. What must drivers do?

Slow down but continue if no vehicles are crossing
Yield only if the pedestrian is also using a guide dog
Stop and give way to the pedestrian
Sound the horn to alert the pedestrian, then proceed

Answer: C — Stop and give way to the pedestrian

Drivers must stop and give way at any intersection to a person carrying a white cane tipped with red or using a guide dog.

13. A driver is pulling out of a private driveway onto a public road. Who has the right-of-way?

Whichever vehicle is moving faster
The vehicle leaving the driveway, since it is entering the flow of traffic
Traffic already on the public road; the driveway vehicle must yield
They share right-of-way equally

Answer: C — Traffic already on the public road; the driveway vehicle must yield

Vehicles entering from a private road or driveway must stop and yield to traffic on the public road.

14. A driver on a two-lane road wants to cross the center line to pass while approaching a hill. What clear passing distance must be available?

At least 200 feet
At least 1,000 feet
At least 300 feet
At least 500 feet

Answer: D — At least 500 feet

Crossing the center line to pass on a curve or hill requires a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet.

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

When the entire front of the passed vehicle can be seen in the interior mirror
After signaling right, regardless of following distance
After three seconds have elapsed since beginning the pass
As soon as the front bumper of the passed vehicle is beside the driver's door

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

A driver should not return to the lane until the entire front of the passed vehicle is visible in the interior mirror.

16. On a road marked with two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, is passing on the right ever permitted?

Only when the posted limit can be exceeded to complete the pass
Yes, it is permitted on such multi-lane roads and on one-way roads
Only on the shoulder if traffic is heavy
No, passing on the right is always illegal

Answer: B — Yes, it is permitted on such multi-lane roads and on one-way roads

Passing on the right is permitted on one-way roads and on roads marked for two or more lanes in the same direction.

17. A pedestrian wants to cross the street in the middle of the block, away from any crosswalk. Who has the right-of-way?

The pedestrian, once they make eye contact with the driver
Vehicles; the pedestrian must yield to all vehicles
Whoever reaches the point first
The pedestrian, since pedestrians always have the right-of-way

Answer: B — Vehicles; the pedestrian must yield to all vehicles

Pedestrians must yield to all vehicles when crossing anywhere other than a crosswalk.

18. An emergency vehicle is on a run with lights and siren active. Who, if anyone, may follow within 500 feet of it?

No one, following within 500 feet is always prohibited
Only other emergency vehicles responding to the same call
Any vehicle, as long as it keeps a safe following distance
Only vehicles on official business

Answer: D — Only vehicles on official business

Only vehicles on official business may follow within 500 feet of an emergency vehicle on a run.

19. A driver wants to back their vehicle up on a freeway after missing an exit. Is this allowed?

Yes, as long as hazard lights are used
Yes, but only on the shoulder
Yes, if done slowly and no other traffic is visible
No, backing is prohibited on freeways and expressways except for emergency vehicles on duty

Answer: D — No, backing is prohibited on freeways and expressways except for emergency vehicles on duty

Backing is prohibited on freeways and expressways except for emergency vehicles on duty.

20. A driver without functioning turn signals wants to hand-signal an upcoming right turn. Which arm position indicates a right turn?

Arm extended downward
Arm extended upward
Arm waved in a circular motion
Arm extended straight out

Answer: B — Arm extended upward

An arm extended upward signals a right turn (downward signals stop or slowing, straight out signals a left turn).

21. A pickup truck is carrying a long pipe that sticks out beyond the truck. What is the maximum a load may extend beyond the front and rear of the vehicle combined?

3 feet
4 feet
6 feet
5 feet

Answer: D — 5 feet

A load may not extend more than 5 feet beyond the front and rear of the vehicle together.

22. A truck's load projects 4 feet behind the vehicle. What must be attached to warn other drivers, and how must it be marked at night?

A white flag by day and a white light visible 100 feet at night
A red flag at least 12 inches square by day and a red light visible 200 feet at night
No warning device is required under 6 feet of overhang
An orange triangle by day and reflective tape at night, no light required

Answer: B — A red flag at least 12 inches square by day and a red light visible 200 feet at night

A load projecting 4 feet or more behind requires a red flag at least 12 inches square by day and a red light visible 200 feet at night.

23. An officer activates lights to pull a driver over. Once stopped, what should the driver do with their hands while waiting?

Keep hands in the lap out of view
Exit the vehicle and stand by the door with hands ready to present ID
Keep both hands on the wheel
Reach into the glove box to have documents ready

Answer: C — Keep both hands on the wheel

Drivers should keep both hands on the wheel and not search for documents until told to.

24. During a traffic stop, which documents may an officer ask a driver to produce?

Vehicle registration and a photo ID only, insurance is not required
Driver license and a copy of the vehicle title only
Driver license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration
Proof of insurance and a recent inspection certificate

Answer: C — Driver license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration

The documents required at a stop are the driver license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration.

25. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required to legally operate a vehicle for death or injury to one person?

$100,000
$50,000
$10,000
$25,000

Answer: D — $25,000

The minimum required liability coverage is $25,000 for death or injury to one person, $50,000 for two or more, and $25,000 for property damage.

26. A driver is caught operating a vehicle without the required liability insurance for a second time. What penalties can this bring?

Automatic one-year license revocation with no fine
A fine up to $1,000 and/or a six-month suspension
A warning only for a second offense
A fine up to $500 only, no suspension possible

Answer: B — A fine up to $1,000 and/or a six-month suspension

A violation can cost up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for a later one, and/or a six-month suspension.

27. How much of a vehicle's windshield, if any, may legally have transparent tint applied?

None of the windshield may be tinted
Up to one-third of the windshield, measured from the top
Only the lower 6 inches
Only the upper 6 inches

Answer: D — Only the upper 6 inches

Only the upper 6 inches of the windshield may carry transparent tint.

28. A car owner wants to tint the side and rear windows. What is the minimum percentage of light those windows must still let through?

32 percent
15 percent
20 percent
50 percent

Answer: A — 32 percent

On cars, all side and rear windows must pass at least 32 percent of light.

29. A driver is approaching a tow truck stopped with flashing amber lights on a highway with four lanes total. What must the driver do under the Move-Over law?

Reduce speed by exactly 5 mph and proceed
Stop completely until the tow truck departs
Vacate the lane nearest the tow truck, or if unsafe, slow to at least 15 mph below the posted limit
Move as far from the tow truck as possible within the same lane and slow to 15 mph below the limit

Answer: C — Vacate the lane nearest the tow truck, or if unsafe, slow to at least 15 mph below the posted limit

On a road of four or more lanes, drivers must vacate the lane nearest a stopped emergency or wrecker vehicle, or slow to at least 15 mph below the posted limit if that is unsafe or impossible.

30. On a two-lane road with a posted limit of 30 mph, a driver approaches a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights. What must the driver do?

Move as far from the vehicle as possible within the lane and slow to at least 15 mph below the limit
Slow to 10 mph, since that speed applies on every two-lane road
No action is required on a two-lane road
Cross the center line if oncoming traffic allows

Answer: A — Move as far from the vehicle as possible within the lane and slow to at least 15 mph below the limit

On a two-lane road where the limit is 25 mph or more, drivers must move as far from the vehicle as possible within their lane and slow to at least 15 mph below the posted limit.