Pennsylvania Driver License: Seat Belts, Child Seats and Other Laws

22 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Seat Belts, Child Seats and Other Laws. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver moves to a new address within Pennsylvania. Within how many days must PennDOT be notified?

15 days
30 days
60 days
10 days

Answer: A — 15 days

A change of name or address must be reported to PennDOT within 15 days, even if moving out of state.

2. A driver legally changes their name and needs to update their license record. Which form is used to notify PennDOT?

DL-32
DL-180
DL-1
DL-80

Answer: D — DL-80

A name change is reported using form DL-80.

3. In a car traveling on a Pennsylvania road, who is legally required to wear a seat belt?

The driver, all front-seat passengers, and any passenger aged 8 to 17 wherever they sit
All occupants, regardless of age or where they sit
Only the driver
Only passengers under 18

Answer: A — The driver, all front-seat passengers, and any passenger aged 8 to 17 wherever they sit

The law covers all drivers and front-seat passengers in cars, light trucks and motor homes, plus passengers aged 8 to 17 wherever they sit. It does not reach an adult in a back seat, so C is too broad.

4. A 15-year-old is riding in the back seat of a car. Must they wear a seat belt?

Only if the driver is also under 18
No, back-seat passengers are exempt from the belt law
Yes, passengers aged 8 to 17 must be belted wherever they sit
Only when riding on a highway

Answer: C — Yes, passengers aged 8 to 17 must be belted wherever they sit

Passengers aged 8 to 17 must be belted no matter where in the vehicle they sit, including the back seat.

5. An unbelted passenger is thrown from a vehicle during a crash. Roughly how much more likely is that passenger to be killed compared with staying inside the car?

About 25 times more likely
About 10 times more likely
About 2 times more likely
About 50 times more likely

Answer: A — About 25 times more likely

Being ejected from a vehicle makes death almost 25 times more likely than staying inside.

6. A parent is buckling their 3-year-old into a car. What is required for this child?

Any seat, as long as it is in the back
A regular seat belt only
A federally approved child safety seat secured by the seat belt or LATCH
A federally approved booster seat with lap and shoulder belt

Answer: C — A federally approved child safety seat secured by the seat belt or LATCH

Children under 4 must ride in a federally approved child safety seat secured by the seat belt or LATCH system.

7. A parent is buckling their 5-year-old into a car. What is required for this child?

A regular seat belt only
A federally approved booster seat with lap and shoulder belt
A forward-facing harness seat with a five-point harness
A rear-facing infant seat

Answer: B — A federally approved booster seat with lap and shoulder belt

Children 4 through 7 must ride in a federally approved booster seat using the lap and shoulder belt.

8. It is a summer afternoon with the outside temperature in the low 80s, and a child is briefly left alone in a parked car with a window cracked two inches. About how long until the inside of the car reaches deadly temperatures?

30 minutes
1 hour
2 minutes
10 minutes

Answer: D — 10 minutes

Even with a window cracked, a car's interior can reach deadly heat levels in just 10 minutes when it is in the low 80s outside.

9. A driver is adjusting their seating position in a vehicle equipped with a steering wheel air bag. At minimum, how far back from the steering wheel should they sit while still reaching the pedals and controls?

5 inches
20 inches
10 inches
15 inches

Answer: C — 10 inches

Drivers should sit as far back as practical, at least 10 inches from the steering wheel, to reduce injury from a deploying air bag.

10. A family's car has a passenger-side air bag. Where should a 10-year-old child ride?

In the front seat, but only in a booster seat
In the back seat
In the front seat, properly belted
Anywhere, since air bags only affect adults

Answer: B — In the back seat

Children 12 and under belong in the back seat because most collisions are frontal and children tend to drift too close to a front air bag.

11. A person who is deaf wants a sign language interpreter for their knowledge test appointment. How far in advance should they call to arrange this?

At least 48 hours ahead
At least two weeks ahead
At least one week ahead
At least one month ahead

Answer: B — At least two weeks ahead

An interpreter must be requested at least two weeks in advance, with three possible dates offered.

12. A person who has trouble reading wants to take the knowledge test without needing to read the questions themselves. What option is available at every license center?

A voice, read-aloud knowledge test
A written test printed in large font
An automatic waiver of the knowledge test
A phone-only oral exam

Answer: A — A voice, read-aloud knowledge test

Voice, read-aloud knowledge tests are offered at every license center for people who have trouble reading.

13. A car displays a valid disabled person placard, but the driver is not the disabled person and is not driving for them. The car is parked in a space reserved for persons with disabilities. Is this lawful?

No, both a valid plate or placard and use by or for the disabled person are required
Yes, a valid placard alone is enough
Yes, as long as the stop is under 30 minutes
No, only disabled veteran plates ever qualify

Answer: A — No, both a valid plate or placard and use by or for the disabled person are required

Legal use of a disabled parking space requires both a valid plate or placard and that the vehicle be driven by or for the disabled person.

14. A passenger throws a fast-food bag out of the car window onto a highway. What is the maximum fine for this littering offense?

Up to $500
Up to $300
Up to $50
Up to $100

Answer: B — Up to $300

Littering from a vehicle, including by passengers, is fined up to $300.

15. A vehicle owner is scheduling their required periodic safety inspection. How often must this inspection occur?

Every 6 months
Every 12 months
Every 18 months
Every 24 months

Answer: B — Every 12 months

A safety inspection at an authorized station is required every 12 months.

16. A driver approaches a cyclist on a two-lane road marked with a double yellow center line and needs to pass. What must the driver do?

Sound the horn and pass within two feet
Pass only if the cyclist waves them through
Wait for a passing zone, since crossing a double yellow line is never allowed
Leave at least four feet of clearance and may cross the double yellow line if it is safe to do so

Answer: D — Leave at least four feet of clearance and may cross the double yellow line if it is safe to do so

Drivers must leave at least four feet of clearance when passing a bicycle and may cross the double yellow center line to do so when it is safe.

17. A cyclist riding slower than traffic is on a road with a single travel lane in each direction. Where is the cyclist permitted to ride?

Any part of the lane needed to avoid hazards and stay clear of parked cars
Hugging the right edge of the lane at all times
Stopped, waiting for all traffic to pass
Only on the paved shoulder

Answer: A — Any part of the lane needed to avoid hazards and stay clear of parked cars

In a single travel lane, a cyclist may use any part of the lane to avoid hazards and stay clear of parked cars.

18. A driver parked along a street with cyclists passing by is about to get out of the car. What technique reduces the chance of hitting a cyclist with the opening door?

Opening the door quickly so cyclists notice it sooner
Only opening rear doors near traffic
Waiting for a passenger to check behind the car
The Dutch Reach: checking mirrors and opening the door with the far hand

Answer: D — The Dutch Reach: checking mirrors and opening the door with the far hand

The Dutch Reach has the driver check mirrors and open the door with the far hand, turning the body toward oncoming cyclists and slowing the door.

19. A driver is caught reading a text message while driving. What fine applies for this offense?

$200
$50
$100
$25

Answer: B — $50

Texting while driving is a primary summary offense carrying a $50 fine.

20. A driver goes around a barricade closing a flooded road, and emergency responders end up being called out because of it. What fine does the driver face?

A flat $50 fine, the same as texting while driving
Up to $250
No fine — license suspension only
Up to $500, plus repayment of the response costs

Answer: D — Up to $500, plus repayment of the response costs

Driving around a road closure carries two points and a fine up to $250, but the fine rises to $500 plus repayment of the response costs when emergency responders are called out because of the driver.

21. A driver feels drowsy and nauseous while driving but notices no unusual smell in the car. What could this indicate?

Exhaust fumes would smell strongly first, so carbon monoxide is not the cause
Carbon monoxide exposure, since the gas is odorless
Only older vehicles emit carbon monoxide, so a modern car rules it out
Carbon monoxide is a danger only in a closed garage, never on the road

Answer: B — Carbon monoxide exposure, since the gas is odorless

Carbon monoxide is odorless, so the absence of a smell rules nothing out; drowsiness or nausea while driving can be a sign. Every gas-powered vehicle emits it, and the manual warns about idling in traffic, not just garages.

22. A driver under 18 has just received their learner's permit. How many hours of practice driving must be completed before they can take the road test?

65 hours
100 hours
35 hours
50 hours

Answer: A — 65 hours

Drivers under 18 must wait six months after getting the permit and complete 65 hours of practice before the road test.