Pennsylvania Driver License: Special Circumstances and Emergencies

28 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Special Circumstances and Emergencies. Free, no account needed.

1. Approaching a highway work zone, you see cones and barrels channeling traffic into a narrower lane. What color are these devices?

Orange
Yellow
White
Red

Answer: A — Orange

Work zones are marked with orange channelizing devices.

2. In a work zone, a flagger signals you to stop even though the traffic light at the same spot shows green. Which do you obey?

The traffic light, since it is automatic
You may pick either, since both are valid
The flagger
Whichever one you saw first

Answer: C — The flagger

Flagger authority overrides conventional traffic controls in a work zone.

3. Traffic is backed up ahead of you in a highway work zone. How should your following distance compare to normal driving?

Increase it only if there's a flagger present
Cut it in half so you don't block traffic
Double your normal following distance
Keep the same distance you'd use elsewhere

Answer: C — Double your normal following distance

Rear-end collisions are the most common work-zone crash, so following distance should be doubled.

4. You approach an active railroad crossing and its signals are not flashing. What should you do before crossing?

Cross immediately, since the lack of flashing signals means no train is coming
Proceed at normal speed without stopping to look
Look left, right, and left again anyway, since the signals could be broken
Wait for a train whistle before proceeding

Answer: C — Look left, right, and left again anyway, since the signals could be broken

Active-crossing signals can fail, so drivers should always look both ways before crossing regardless of the signal.

5. Your car stalls on railroad tracks and you see a train coming. What should you do first?

Stay inside and try repeatedly to restart the engine
Try to push the car off the tracks yourself
Get out of the car immediately and move well away from the tracks
Put on the hazard lights and wait for help

Answer: C — Get out of the car immediately and move well away from the tracks

A stalled vehicle should be abandoned at once if a train is approaching.

6. You are stopped at a red light, wanting to turn right, and a pedestrian is standing at the corner. What should you do before turning?

Proceed with the turn, since a right on red gives you the right of way over pedestrians
Stop, look in all directions, and let the pedestrian clear the crosswalk
Only check for pedestrians on the side you're turning away from
Honk to alert the pedestrian, then turn

Answer: B — Stop, look in all directions, and let the pedestrian clear the crosswalk

A right turn on red requires stopping, checking all directions, and letting pedestrians finish crossing.

7. A blind pedestrian with a cane is waiting to cross at a corner where you have the right of way. What should you do?

Yield to the pedestrian
Proceed, since you technically have the right of way
Only yield if the pedestrian also has a guide dog
Honk before proceeding to alert them

Answer: A — Yield to the pedestrian

Drivers must yield to blind pedestrians using a cane, guide dog, or guide, regardless of who technically has the right of way.

8. A motorcyclist ahead of you is riding in the center of the lane instead of to one side. Is this permitted?

Only if there's no shoulder available
No, they must ride along the edge to allow cars to share the lane
Yes, motorcyclists are entitled to a full lane
Only on multi-lane highways

Answer: C — Yes, motorcyclists are entitled to a full lane

Motorcyclists and moped riders are legally entitled to a full lane.

9. You plan to pass a truck on level ground. About how much longer will it take than passing a car?

3 to 5 seconds longer
Nearly a minute longer
Half as long
About the same amount of time

Answer: A — 3 to 5 seconds longer

Passing a truck takes 3 to 5 seconds longer than passing a car on level ground.

10. You are following a large truck and cannot see either of its side mirrors from your position. What does this tell you?

You are at a safe following distance
It means you are too far behind
The truck driver cannot see your vehicle either
The truck driver can still see you through the rearview mirror

Answer: C — The truck driver cannot see your vehicle either

If you cannot see a truck's mirrors, you are in its blind spot and the driver cannot see you.

11. A truck ahead of you appears to be drifting left as if going straight through an intersection. Why might it actually be about to turn right?

It's illegal, so you should assume it's a mistake
Trucks always turn from the inside lane, never the outside
The driver is likely distracted or the turn signal is broken
Trucks swing wide and can look as if they are going straight or turning left

Answer: D — Trucks swing wide and can look as if they are going straight or turning left

Trucks make wide turns and can appear to be going straight or turning left just before turning right.

12. A loaded truck traveling at 65 mph needs roughly how much distance to stop, compared with a car at the same speed?

About 400 feet, the same as a car
About 200 feet, less than a car due to air brakes
About 1,000 feet, more than twice a car's distance
About 600 feet, versus about 400 feet for a car

Answer: D — About 600 feet, versus about 400 feet for a car

A loaded truck at 65 mph needs at least 600 feet to stop, versus 400 feet for a car.

13. You see a school bus ahead with amber lights flashing. What does this mean?

The bus is disabled and should be passed carefully
The bus has already finished stopping and is pulling away
The bus is about to stop
The bus is turning at the next intersection

Answer: C — The bus is about to stop

Amber flashing lights warn that a school bus is about to stop.

14. You're driving on a divided highway separated from the oncoming lanes by a grass median, and a school bus on the other side stops with red lights flashing. What must you do?

You must always stop regardless of any median
Slow down and continue with caution, since a median separates you from the bus
Stop only if the bus's stop arm is visible from your side
Stop at least 10 feet away, just like traffic on the bus's side

Answer: B — Slow down and continue with caution, since a median separates you from the bus

The only exception to stopping for a school bus is being on the opposite side of a divided highway with a physical barrier or median.

15. An ambulance with siren and lights approaches from behind on a two-way street. What should you do?

Stop immediately in your travel lane
Speed up to clear the next intersection first
Pull to the curb, stop, and once it passes, follow no closer than 500 feet behind
Move left of center to give it the right side of the road

Answer: C — Pull to the curb, stop, and once it passes, follow no closer than 500 feet behind

Drivers must pull to the roadside and stop, then keep at least 500 feet behind an emergency vehicle after it passes.

16. You approach a disabled vehicle marked with flares on the shoulder, but traffic prevents you from moving into a non-adjacent lane. What must you do instead?

Maintain the speed limit but honk as a warning
Slow to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit
Slow to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit
Come to a complete stop until traffic clears

Answer: C — Slow to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit

If you cannot move over, you must slow to at least 20 mph below the speed limit.

17. What is the maximum fine for a first-offense failure to move over or slow down for an emergency response area?

$5,000
$500
$2,000
$1,000

Answer: B — $500

A first Move Over offense carries a fine of up to $500 (doubling for later offenses).

18. You are driving behind a horse-drawn buggy that has just come to a stop. Why should you leave plenty of room?

The buggy might suddenly accelerate away
The buggy can roll back after stopping, and the driver cannot see you when you are close
Horse-drawn vehicles are required by law to have 500 feet of clearance
Horses are startled by any vehicle within 100 feet, regardless of distance

Answer: B — The buggy can roll back after stopping, and the driver cannot see you when you are close

Horse-drawn vehicles roll back after stopping, and the driver cannot see a vehicle that is close behind.

19. A pickup truck has passengers riding in the open bed. What is the maximum speed it may legally travel?

25 mph
45 mph
55 mph
35 mph

Answer: D — 35 mph

A vehicle with anyone riding in an open bed may not exceed 35 mph.

20. Another driver is tailgating you closely and making angry gestures. What is the recommended response?

Get out of the way, avoid eye contact, and ignore the gestures
Slow down further to make your point
Match their speed so they can't pass
Make eye contact to show you won't be intimidated

Answer: A — Get out of the way, avoid eye contact, and ignore the gestures

The recommended response to an aggressive driver is to avoid engaging: get out of the way, avoid eye contact, and ignore gestures.

21. You need to swerve suddenly around a hazard at highway speed. Where should your hands be on the wheel?

9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock
10 and 2 o'clock
12 and 6 o'clock
One hand at 12, the other resting on your lap

Answer: A — 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock

Hands at 9-and-3 or 8-and-4 prevent overcorrecting and keep the air bag from throwing your arms into your face; 10-and-2 is legal but riskier.

22. Your car has anti-lock brakes, and you need to stop suddenly. What should you do?

Apply firm, continuous pressure and ignore the noise and pulsing
Pump the brake pedal rapidly
Shift to neutral before braking
Tap the brakes lightly several times

Answer: A — Apply firm, continuous pressure and ignore the noise and pulsing

With ABS, drivers should apply firm continuous pressure and never pump the brakes.

23. Your rear wheels begin sliding to the right while driving on a slick road. Which way should you steer?

Right
Left
Straight ahead while braking firmly
Left, then immediately brake hard

Answer: A — Right

In a skid, you steer in the direction the rear of the car is sliding, so a rightward slide calls for steering right.

24. You come to a flooded roadway with roughly two feet of moving water crossing it. What should you do?

Cross slowly in a low gear, since larger vehicles can handle it
Follow another vehicle through if it makes it across safely
Drive through quickly to limit water exposure
Turn around and find another route

Answer: D — Turn around and find another route

Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups, so the road should never be crossed.

25. Your accelerator pedal sticks and tapping it with your foot does not free it. What should you do next?

Shift into neutral and brake
Pump the accelerator pedal repeatedly
Shift into park while still moving
Turn the ignition to LOCK immediately

Answer: A — Shift into neutral and brake

If the pedal stays stuck, shifting to neutral and braking lets the engine race harmlessly while you slow the car.

26. Your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor with no braking power in an older car. Besides shifting to a lower gear, what should you try?

Turn the ignition to LOCK to engage the steering lock
Pump the pedal quickly and use the parking brake, holding the release in case the rear wheels lock
Shift into park to force the wheels to stop
Accelerate briefly to build hydraulic pressure

Answer: B — Pump the pedal quickly and use the parking brake, holding the release in case the rear wheels lock

With total brake failure, pumping the pedal can build pressure, and the parking brake can be used carefully, releasing it if the rear wheels lock.

27. You experience a tire blowout while driving on the highway. What should you avoid doing?

Holding the steering wheel firmly
Steering smoothly toward a safe spot
Easing off the gas pedal gradually
Slamming on the brakes

Answer: D — Slamming on the brakes

After a blowout, drivers should stay off the brake and ease off the gas, steering smoothly instead of braking hard.

28. Your right-side wheels drift off the edge of the pavement onto the shoulder. What should you avoid doing to get back on the road safely?

Steering sharply back onto the pavement or braking suddenly
Signaling before steering back onto the road
Gripping the wheel firmly
Easing off the gas pedal

Answer: A — Steering sharply back onto the pavement or braking suddenly

Steering sharply or braking suddenly when wheels drop off the pavement can send the car into oncoming traffic or into a skid.