Texas Driver License: Your Vehicle and Insurance

20 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Your Vehicle and Insurance. Free, no account needed.

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1. How often must a registered motor vehicle in Texas undergo a safety inspection?

  1. Every 2 years
  2. Every 3 years
  3. Every 6 months
  4. Every year

Answer: D — Every year

Registered vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, must pass inspection annually.

2. A shop prints a Vehicle Inspection Report in June after a passing inspection. Up to how many days from the month of inspection can that report still be used to register the vehicle?

  1. 30 days
  2. 180 days
  3. 90 days
  4. 60 days

Answer: C — 90 days

A printed Vehicle Inspection Report remains valid for registration for 90 days from the month of inspection.

3. A car traveling at 20 mph applies its foot brake. Within how many feet must it be able to stop to meet the equipment standard?

  1. 25 feet
  2. 15 feet
  3. 30 feet
  4. 20 feet

Answer: A — 25 feet

The foot brake must stop the car within 25 feet from a speed of 20 mph.

4. A vehicle carries the two required red reflectors, one on each side. At what height above the road must they be mounted?

  1. 15 to 60 inches
  2. 6 to 12 inches
  3. 24 to 48 inches
  4. 60 to 96 inches

Answer: A — 15 to 60 inches

Reflectors must be mounted 15 to 60 inches above the road, one on each side.

5. What is the minimum tread depth a tire must have to pass inspection?

  1. 2/32 inch
  2. 1/32 inch
  3. 6/32 inch
  4. 4/32 inch

Answer: A — 2/32 inch

Tires must have a tread depth of at least 2/32 inch.

6. A load projects beyond the right side of a vehicle's body. How far past the body may it stick out and still be legal?

  1. 12 inches
  2. 9 inches
  3. 3 inches
  4. 6 inches

Answer: D — 6 inches

Cargo or fittings may not extend more than six inches beyond the right side of the body; the left-side limit is three inches.

7. A driver's headlights fail at night and they switch on a spotlight to see the road ahead. How far ahead is the spotlight allowed to light the road?

  1. 200 feet
  2. 25 feet
  3. 50 feet
  4. 100 feet

Answer: C — 50 feet

A spotlight used because the headlights failed may light the road no more than 50 feet ahead.

8. A vehicle has two backup lights installed. Under what circumstance must they be switched off?

  1. They must remain off at all times
  2. Whenever the vehicle is moving forward
  3. Whenever the vehicle is parked
  4. Only during daylight hours

Answer: B — Whenever the vehicle is moving forward

Backup lights are allowed but must be off whenever the vehicle is moving forward.

9. A resident wants to register a newly purchased car. In which county must they register it?

  1. The county where the dealership is located
  2. The county where the vehicle was inspected
  3. The county of the owner's residence
  4. Any county with a tax office

Answer: C — The county of the owner's residence

Every vehicle must be registered in the owner's county of residence.

10. A buyer drives home with temporary tags on a newly purchased vehicle. For how many days are these tags recognized?

  1. 90 days
  2. 60 days
  3. 45 days
  4. 30 days

Answer: B — 60 days

Buyer's temporary tags are recognized for 60 days.

11. A farmer temporarily drives a fertilizer trailer weighing 10,000 lbs on a highway. What must that trailer have?

  1. An annual $5 distinguishing plate
  2. A 30-day permit issued at harvest
  3. A full annual registration like a passenger vehicle
  4. Nothing, it is fully exempt from registration

Answer: A — An annual $5 distinguishing plate

Fertilizer trailers over 4,000 lbs but under 34,000 lbs need only an annual $5 distinguishing plate; full exemption applies only at 4,000 lbs or less.

12. A new Texas resident wants to apply for a driver's license. What must they do regarding their vehicle first?

  1. Apply for the license first, then register the vehicle within 30 days
  2. Register the vehicle before applying for the license
  3. Nothing, their out-of-state registration remains valid indefinitely
  4. Wait 90 days before registering

Answer: B — Register the vehicle before applying for the license

New residents must register every vehicle before applying for a license.

13. What is the minimum liability coverage required for the injury or death of one person in a crash?

  1. $30,000
  2. $25,000
  3. $60,000
  4. $50,000

Answer: A — $30,000

The minimum coverage for injury or death of one person is $30,000.

14. What is the minimum liability coverage required for property damage in a crash?

  1. $25,000
  2. $20,000
  3. $30,000
  4. $60,000

Answer: A — $25,000

The minimum coverage for property damage is $25,000.

15. A company has 40 vehicles registered in its name. Which evidence of financial responsibility becomes available to it specifically because of its fleet size?

  1. A surety bond filed with DPS
  2. A DPS self-insurance certificate
  3. A standard proof-of-insurance form
  4. An insurance binder

Answer: B — A DPS self-insurance certificate

A DPS self-insurance certificate is available only to someone with more than 25 vehicles registered in their name.

16. As an alternative to an insurance policy, what amount must a driver deposit with the comptroller or a county judge as evidence of financial responsibility?

  1. $60,000
  2. $30,000
  3. $55,000
  4. $25,000

Answer: C — $55,000

A comptroller's certificate or county judge's certificate for a $55,000 cash or securities deposit is accepted as evidence.

17. A driver is convicted for the first time of driving without evidence of financial responsibility. What fine range could they face?

  1. $500 to $1,000
  2. $100 to $175
  3. $350 to $1,000
  4. $175 to $350

Answer: D — $175 to $350

A first conviction carries a fine of $175 to $350; $350 to $1,000 applies to a second or later conviction.

18. A driver is convicted a second time of driving without evidence of financial responsibility, having owned the vehicle both at the offense and at conviction. For how long can that vehicle be impounded?

  1. 90 days
  2. 60 days
  3. 180 days
  4. 30 days

Answer: C — 180 days

On a second or later conviction, the vehicle can be impounded for 180 days if the defendant owned it at both the offense and conviction.

19. A driver fails to pay a crash judgment. After how many days can their registration, license or driving privilege be suspended?

  1. 30 days
  2. 120 days
  3. 90 days
  4. 60 days

Answer: D — 60 days

Suspension can follow when a crash judgment remains unpaid 60 days after judgment.

20. After a conviction that requires it, for how long must a driver maintain proof of financial responsibility known as an SR-22?

  1. 1 year
  2. 2 years
  3. 5 years
  4. 3 years

Answer: B — 2 years

An SR-22 must be kept for two years from the latest conviction.

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