New York Driver License: Intersections, Turns, Passing and Parking

28 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Intersections, Turns, Passing and Parking. Free, no account needed.

1. At an intersection with a green light, a vehicle already in the intersection is finishing a left turn as another driver arrives on the green light. Who must yield?

The driver arriving on the green light
The vehicle already in the intersection
Neither; the vehicle in the intersection must clear out immediately
The driver on the right

Answer: A — The driver arriving on the green light

A driver approaching an intersection must yield to traffic already in it, even with a green light.

2. Two drivers traveling in opposite directions reach an intersection at about the same time. One wants to turn left; the other is going straight through. Who must yield?

The driver turning left
The driver going straight
Whichever driver arrives first
The driver on the right

Answer: A — The driver turning left

When opposing drivers arrive together, the one turning left yields to traffic going straight or turning right.

3. Two drivers stop at STOP signs at the same time, approaching an intersection from right angles, with no other signs or signals present. Who has the right-of-way?

The driver going straight through
The driver on the left
The driver on the right
Neither; both must wait until the other proceeds

Answer: C — The driver on the right

At an uncontrolled or all-way-stop intersection, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

4. A driver approaches a traffic circle that already has vehicles moving through it. Who must yield?

The approaching driver
Neither; drivers take turns entering one at a time
The driver on the right
The drivers already in the circle

Answer: A — The approaching driver

A driver approaching a traffic circle or rotary yields to drivers already in the circle.

5. An ambulance with flashing lights and siren is approaching in the opposite lane of a two-way road. What should the driver do?

Speed up slightly to clear the area ahead
Pull to the left shoulder and stop
Pull over to the right edge and stop until it has passed
Stay in the lane, since the ambulance is on the opposite side

Answer: C — Pull over to the right edge and stop until it has passed

An emergency vehicle approaching from any direction, including the opposite lane, requires drivers to pull to the right edge and stop until it passes.

6. On an interstate highway, a police car is parked on the shoulder with its emergency lights flashing. What must other drivers do?

Come to a complete stop until waved through
Reduce speed and move out of the lane next to it if it can be done safely
Nothing is required unless the lights are amber
Only reduce speed; changing lanes is not required

Answer: B — Reduce speed and move out of the lane next to it if it can be done safely

On parkways, interstates and other multi-lane controlled-access roads, the Move Over law requires both reducing speed and moving out of the adjacent lane when safe.

7. A car displays a flashing blue light as its driver heads toward a reported fire. What is this vehicle, and must other drivers yield to it?

A volunteer ambulance or rescue squad member's vehicle; other drivers must yield
A personal vehicle of a volunteer firefighter; other drivers are not required to yield
A hazard vehicle such as a tow truck; other drivers must yield
An authorized emergency vehicle; other drivers must yield

Answer: B — A personal vehicle of a volunteer firefighter; other drivers are not required to yield

Blue lights mark volunteer firefighters' personal vehicles, which are not authorized emergency vehicles; yielding is only a courtesy.

8. A driver plans to turn at the next corner. At what distance before the turn should signaling begin, ideally before braking?

50 feet
500 feet
200 feet
100 feet

Answer: D — 100 feet

Turns and lane changes must be signaled at least 100 feet ahead.

9. Using hand signals, a driver extends the left arm out the window and bends it upward at the elbow. What is being signaled?

Stopping or slowing
A right turn
A left turn
A U-turn

Answer: B — A right turn

An arm bent upward signals a right turn; straight out signals left, and bent down signals stop or slow.

10. Turning right at an intersection, how should a driver position the car to enter the new road?

The left lane, merging right after completing the turn
In the lane nearest the center line
As far right as possible, into the right lane, without a wide sweep
Whichever lane has less traffic

Answer: C — As far right as possible, into the right lane, without a wide sweep

A right turn must be made as far right as possible, without a wide sweeping turn, into the right lane of the new road.

11. Turning left from a one-way street onto a two-way road, which lane should the driver approach from, and where should they enter the new road?

The right lane, entering to the right of the new road's center line
The left lane, entering the new road's left lane
The left lane, entering to the right of the new road's center line
The right lane, entering the new road's left lane

Answer: C — The left lane, entering to the right of the new road's center line

From a one-way road into a two-way road, approach in the left lane and enter to the right of the new road's center line.

12. A driver wants to make a U-turn on a two-way street. From where in the lane may the turn legally begin?

Anywhere in the lane, as long as it's signaled
The right lane
The left part of the lane nearest the center line
The shoulder

Answer: C — The left part of the lane nearest the center line

A U-turn may only be started from the left part of the lane nearest the center line, never the right lane.

13. Along which of these is a U-turn always prohibited, even where a path connects the two sides of the road?

A business district outside New York City
A limited access expressway
An intersection with a working traffic light
A straight, level two-way road with clear visibility

Answer: B — A limited access expressway

U-turns are always illegal on a limited access expressway, even where connecting paths exist between the two sides.

14. At an intersection where no sign prohibits U-turns, the signal shows a green left-turn arrow. May a driver make a U-turn there?

No, U-turns are only legal from a driveway or parking lot
Yes, but only outside city limits
Yes, after yielding to other traffic
No, U-turns require a dedicated U-turn signal

Answer: C — Yes, after yielding to other traffic

A green left-turn arrow permits a U-turn, unless a sign forbids it, as long as the driver yields to other traffic.

15. Overtaking a bicyclist from behind, how must a driver pass?

On the left, at a safe distance
On the left, but only where the bicyclist is in a marked bicycle lane
On the right, staying close to the curb
On either side, whichever has more room

Answer: A — On the left, at a safe distance

The law requires passing a bicycle on the left at a safe distance until it is cleared.

16. A driver's side of the road is marked with a solid yellow center line. May they cross it to pass a slower vehicle ahead?

Yes, if no oncoming traffic is visible
No
Yes, for no more than a few seconds
Yes, if traveling below the speed limit

Answer: B — No

Passing on the left is prohibited when the driver's own lane has a solid yellow center line.

17. On a two-way road, how close to a railroad crossing must a driver be before passing on the left becomes illegal?

200 feet
500 feet
50 feet
100 feet

Answer: D — 100 feet

Passing on the left is prohibited within 100 feet of a railroad crossing on a two-way road.

18. Before pulling back into the right lane after passing, what should a driver confirm using the interior rear-view mirror?

That the passed vehicle is at least 200 feet behind
That the passed vehicle has slowed down
That the passed vehicle's turn signal is off
That the passed vehicle's front bumper is visible in the mirror

Answer: D — That the passed vehicle's front bumper is visible in the mirror

Before returning, the driver should check that the front bumper of the passed vehicle is visible in the interior rear-view mirror.

19. A vehicle ahead is turning left, and there isn't a safe gap to pass it on the left. May the driver behind pass it on the right instead, if it can be done safely?

No, passing on the right is never allowed
Only on a one-way road
Yes
Only if the speed limit is below 30 mph

Answer: C — Yes

Passing on the right is allowed, when safe, if the vehicle ahead is turning left.

20. A school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing on the opposite side of a divided highway from an approaching driver. Must that driver stop?

Only if there is no barrier between the roadways
Yes
No, divided-highway traffic may pass with caution
No, only traffic on the bus's own side must stop

Answer: B — Yes

Drivers on the opposite side of a divided highway must still stop for a school bus with flashing red lights.

21. A school bus ahead has flashing yellow lights near its roof but hasn't stopped yet. What should an approaching driver do?

Stop immediately, wherever they are
Slow down and prepare to stop
Proceed normally, since yellow means the bus is not stopping
Pass quickly before the bus comes to a stop

Answer: B — Slow down and prepare to stop

Flashing yellow lights near the roof of a school bus mean it is about to stop, so a driver should slow down and prepare to stop.

22. A stop-arm camera captures a driver's first violation for passing a stopped school bus. What fine does the vehicle owner face?

$1,000
$300
$250
$275

Answer: C — $250

Stop-arm cameras fine the vehicle owner $250 for a first violation, rising to $275 for a second and $300 for a third or later.

23. While backing into a parallel parking space, how should a driver judge the car's position relative to the curb and the vehicle behind?

Using the interior rear-view mirror
Using a back-up camera exclusively
By looking through the rear window
Using the side mirrors only

Answer: C — By looking through the rear window

While backing in, the driver should look through the rear window rather than relying on mirrors.

24. After completing a parallel park, how far may the car's wheels be from the curb at most?

One foot
Two feet
Six inches
They must touch the curb

Answer: A — One foot

The wheels must end no more than one foot from the curb after parallel parking.

25. Parking a manual-transmission car on a hill, what should the driver do besides setting the parking brake and turning the wheels toward the curb?

Leave the transmission in first gear
Leave the transmission in neutral
Leave the transmission in reverse
Leave the transmission in second gear

Answer: A — Leave the transmission in first gear

On a manual transmission, the car should be left in first gear (Park on an automatic) when parked on a hill.

26. A driver stops briefly in front of a NO STANDING sign only to let a passenger out, without leaving the vehicle. Is this allowed?

Yes, and the driver may step out to assist
Only if merchandise is also being unloaded
No, NO STANDING prohibits any stop
Yes

Answer: D — Yes

NO STANDING allows a temporary stop to load or unload passengers, as long as the driver stays with the vehicle.

27. With no licensed driver remaining in the vehicle to move it, how close to a fire hydrant may a car be parked?

Not within 20 feet
Not within 15 feet
Not within 30 feet
Not within 10 feet

Answer: B — Not within 15 feet

Parking is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless a licensed driver stays in the car to move it.

28. A shopping center has six stores and 25 public parking spaces. Does New York's reserved parking rule for people with disabilities cover its parking spaces by state law?

No, the threshold is 10 stores and 50 spaces
Only if the municipality separately passes an ordinance
Yes
No, state law only applies to malls with anchor stores