Indiana BMV Permit Practice Test 12

  • Questions50
  • Correct to pass40
  • Passing score80%
  • Minimum age15 years

Minimum age: 15 years with proof of enrollment in a BMV licensed driver education program; 16 years otherwise

50 questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why; you need 40 correct answers to pass.

  1. 1. Under Indiana's Move Over law, what must you do if you cannot change lanes away from an emergency vehicle with flashing lights?

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    Answer A: Reduce speed to 10 miles per hour below the posted limit and proceed with caution

    Indiana requires drivers to change lanes away from an emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights, and when that is not possible to slow to 10 miles per hour under the posted limit and proceed with caution.

  2. 2. Why is heavy braking a poor idea while two wheels are still on a soft shoulder?

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    Answer B: The two sides have different grip, so the vehicle can pull sharply

    With one pair of wheels on pavement and the other on loose material, hard braking slows one side more than the other and swings the vehicle around.

  3. 3. You are traveling beside a solid white lane line. What does it tell you?

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    Answer B: Crossing it is discouraged or prohibited, so stay in your lane

    A solid white line separates lanes going the same direction where lane changing is discouraged or prohibited, such as where a through lane meets a mandatory turn lane.

  4. 4. How much following distance should you keep behind a motorcycle?

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    Answer C: At least three to four seconds

    A motorcycle can slow or stop very quickly and is easily upset by a surprise, so allow three to four seconds instead of the usual car gap.

  5. 5. A hands free phone conversation is which kind of distraction?

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    Answer C: Cognitive, because your mind leaves the road

    Hands free equipment removes the manual and visual parts of a call but not the mental load, and it is the mental load that makes a driver miss hazards.

  6. 6. Why is being thrown out of a vehicle in a crash so dangerous?

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    Answer C: Because you strike the road or other objects at high speed, and rarely survive

    Ejection is one of the deadliest outcomes of a crash, and a fastened belt is what keeps a person inside the vehicle.

  7. 7. At a railroad crossing with no gates and no flashing lights, the crossbuck is normally combined with which sign?

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    Answer C: A yield sign, or a stop sign where an engineering study calls for one

    At a passive crossing the crossbuck forms an assembly with a yield sign, or with a stop sign when an engineering study or engineering judgment supports it, so the driver knows who must give way to the train.

  8. 8. The vehicle in front of you has stopped and is waiting to turn left, and there is a paved shoulder to the right. May you use it to get by?

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    Answer D: No, in most states a pass may not be made by leaving the paved travel lanes

    Passing on the right is normally lawful only inside the marked travel lanes, and most states prohibit driving onto the shoulder to get around a turning vehicle; the few states that allow it attach strict conditions.

  9. 9. You are in the open lane where another lane is merging into yours. What is your part in the merge?

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    Answer A: Keep a steady speed and leave a gap for one vehicle to come in

    A merge works when each driver in the through lane lets one vehicle in, which keeps both lines moving instead of stopping them both.

  10. 10. You are about to make a three-point turn on a narrow two-way street. What is the first step?

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    Answer B: Pull close to the right edge, signal left and check traffic both ways

    A three-point turn starts from a stop at the right edge with a left signal, and you only move once you have checked that both directions are clear.

  11. 11. You are leaving a freeway at an exit that has a deceleration lane. Where should you slow down?

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    Answer C: After you have moved fully into the exit lane

    Braking in a through lane surprises the traffic behind you, so you move into the exit lane at highway speed and then slow down inside it.

  12. 12. You are waiting to enter a two-lane roundabout and traffic is circulating in both lanes. What must you do?

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    Answer A: Yield to traffic in both circulating lanes before you enter

    Every entry to a roundabout is a yield point, and at a two-lane roundabout that means giving way to vehicles in either circulating lane.

  13. 13. Why is a sign reading BRIDGE ICES BEFORE ROAD worth heeding even when the road itself is merely wet?

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    Answer C: Cold air passes under a bridge as well as over it

    A bridge deck loses heat from below as well as above, so it can be frozen while the road on either side of it is only wet.

  14. 14. An oncoming vehicle at night has its high beams on and you are being dazzled. Where should you look?

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    Answer A: Toward the right edge of your lane

    Looking toward the right edge line keeps you on course while sparing your eyes the worst of the glare. Slow down and do not retaliate with your own high beams.

  15. 15. The route marker used for an Interstate highway is a shield with

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    Answer A: white numerals on a blue field under a red band carrying the word INTERSTATE

    The Interstate route marker is a cutout shield with a white border, the word INTERSTATE in white on red across the top and the route number in white on blue.

  16. 16. There is a driveway and a side street between you and the corner where you will turn right. When should you signal?

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    Answer C: After passing the openings, so nobody pulls out in front of you

    A signal switched on before an opening tells drivers waiting there that you are turning in, and they may pull out into your path.

  17. 17. A steady downward green arrow is displayed over a lane. What does it indicate?

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    Answer C: The lane is open to traffic in your direction

    A steady downward green arrow means the lane it points to is open to traffic traveling in your direction.

  18. 18. You have just merged onto a freeway from an entrance ramp. What should you do next?

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    Answer C: Settle into the right lane and build up speed before changing lanes

    Crossing lanes while you are still below the speed of the traffic forces other drivers to brake, so the speed comes first and the lane change second.

  19. 19. A strong wind is blowing across an open stretch of road. Besides the gusts, what else should you watch for?

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    Answer A: Branches, dust and loose objects blown into your path

    High wind strips branches, litter and dust onto the roadway and can push other vehicles out of their lane, so scan much further ahead than usual.

  20. 20. You have passed a large truck and want to move back into its lane. What should you see first?

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    Answer B: Both of its headlights in your rear-view mirror

    Seeing both headlights in your mirror means you are far enough ahead to be out of the truck's front no-zone before you move over.

  21. 21. Someone appears seriously injured after a crash. What should you generally do?

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    Answer C: Call for emergency help and avoid moving the person unless there is an immediate danger such as fire

    Moving an injured person can worsen spinal or internal injuries, so summon trained help and leave the person in place unless staying there is more dangerous than moving.

  22. 22. A driver who is passing you cannot complete the pass because a vehicle is coming. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Ease off the accelerator and make room for them to drop back in

    The only place for the passing vehicle to go is the gap behind you, and easing off opens that gap immediately.

  23. 23. On a long, straight highway you feel your attention fading. What helps you stay alert?

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    Answer A: Keep your eyes moving, scan mirrors and signs, and take regular breaks

    Staring at one point brings on highway hypnosis. Active scanning keeps the mind engaged, and a break every couple of hours restores alertness.

  24. 24. What is a designated driver?

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    Answer A: Someone who agrees to drink nothing at all

    A designated driver drinks no alcohol whatsoever, because any amount begins to affect judgment and the whole point is a sober driver.

  25. 25. You are involved in a collision, even a minor one. What is your first legal duty?

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    Answer A: Stop at or near the scene without blocking traffic more than necessary

    Every driver involved in a crash must stop at the scene, and leaving before meeting that duty is a serious offense. Move the vehicles only as far as needed to clear the traffic lanes.

  26. 26. A lane along the right edge is set off by a solid white line and marked with a bicycle symbol. How should a driver treat it?

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    Answer B: Stay out of it except for the short distance needed to turn or cross where that is allowed

    A marked bicycle lane is set aside for bicycle traffic, and motor vehicles may enter it only briefly where turning or crossing is permitted.

  27. 27. You are approaching a marked school crossing and children have started to cross the roadway. What is required?

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    Answer A: Stop and let the children finish crossing the roadway

    Drivers give way to people in a marked crossing, stopping if that is what it takes, and children in particular may change direction without warning.

  28. 28. A flagger in a work zone turns a paddle so that the red octagonal face reading STOP is toward you. What must you do?

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    Answer A: Stop completely and wait for the flagger to signal you forward

    The STOP face of a flagger paddle requires a complete stop, and you may move again only when the flagger directs you to.

  29. 29. Where is the best place in the car for a child safety seat?

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    Answer A: In the rear seat, secured either with the belt or with the lower anchors

    The rear seat is furthest from most impacts and from the front airbags, and the seat must be locked in with the belt or the anchors.

  30. 30. A line of short dashes set closer together than an ordinary lane line runs beside your lane where a ramp leaves the highway. What does a dotted line of that kind convey?

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    Answer A: A warning that the lane is about to change function

    Dotted lines give guidance or warning about a downstream change, such as a lane that becomes an exit only lane or a lane line carried across an intersection.

  31. 31. When should you turn on your signal before a turn or a lane change?

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    Answer C: Well before the maneuver, so other drivers have time to react

    A signal is a warning to others, so it has to be given far enough ahead of the maneuver that drivers and pedestrians can adjust.

  32. 32. On a highway with mileage-based exit numbering, you have just passed exit 42 and are looking for exit 55. About how far is it?

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    Answer B: Thirteen miles

    With mileage-based numbering each exit takes the number of the nearest milepost, so subtracting one exit number from another gives the distance in miles.

  33. 33. What should you check on the hitch before towing a trailer?

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    Answer B: That the coupler is locked and the safety chains are crossed underneath

    The coupler must be latched and pinned, and the chains crossed under the tongue so they cradle it if the coupling lets go.

  34. 34. A parking space is marked with the international symbol of access. Who may use it?

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    Answer A: Only a vehicle displaying the required placard or plate

    Accessible spaces may be used only by a vehicle that displays a valid disability placard or plate, no matter how short the stop would be.

  35. 35. You are crossing a divided highway with a wide median. How should you treat the two roadways?

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    Answer D: As two intersections, waiting in the median only when your vehicle fits

    Each roadway of a divided highway is a separate intersection, and you should wait in the median only if it is long enough to hold your vehicle clear of both roadways.

  36. 36. What happens to your field of vision as your speed increases?

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    Answer C: It narrows, so you notice less at the sides of the road

    The faster you travel, the more your useful field of view narrows toward the center, so a hazard coming from the side is seen late or missed altogether.

  37. 37. What happens to an Indiana minor's permit or license if the adult who signed for financial liability withdraws?

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    Answer C: It is cancelled, and the minor must reapply with a new person to sign

    A written request to cancel financial liability cancels the minor's learner's permit or driver's license, so the minor must apply for an amended credential with a new signer.

  38. 38. May you park at the curb immediately next to a railroad crossing?

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    Answer A: No, you must leave the crossing and its approach clear

    Parking beside a crossing hides the tracks and the signals from approaching drivers and leaves no room for a vehicle that has to clear the rails.

  39. 39. You are turning onto a street that has two lanes going your way. Which lane should you enter?

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    Answer B: The lane closest to you, changing lanes later if you need to

    Turn into the nearest lane going your direction and make any lane change afterwards, when you have signaled and checked that it is clear.

  40. 40. What is the safest way to pass a bicyclist on a road with two lanes going your way?

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    Answer D: Change lanes completely, as you would for a car

    A bicycle is entitled to the room a vehicle needs, and moving into the next lane gives the rider space to swerve around a drain or a pothole.

  41. 41. The curb ahead is signed as a bus stop. May you wait there with your vehicle?

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    Answer C: No, the space must stay clear for buses

    A bus stop must stay open so that a bus can reach the curb and let passengers on and off safely, so no other vehicle may occupy it.

  42. 42. An officer directing traffic faces you and holds one hand up with the open palm toward your vehicle. What does the gesture mean?

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    Answer D: Stop before reaching the officer

    A raised open palm shown toward a driver is the standard signal to stop.

  43. 43. The car ahead drifts across the lane line and back again several times. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Assume that the driver is distracted or impaired, and keep well back

    Drifting is a classic sign of a distracted, drowsy or impaired driver, and distance is your protection from all three.

  44. 44. What must an Indiana applicant under 18 submit as proof of the required supervised driving practice?

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    Answer A: A completed practice driving log signed by a parent or legal guardian

    The applicant files the log of supervised driving practice, and a parent or legal guardian must sign it when the applicant is under 18.

  45. 45. What does the implied consent law mean for drivers?

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    Answer D: By driving, you have agreed to a chemical test if lawfully arrested for impaired driving

    Holding a license and driving on public roads is treated as consent to breath, blood or urine testing when an officer has grounds to arrest you. Refusing normally brings its own license penalties.

  46. 46. You are about to leave a roundabout when a pedestrian steps into the crosswalk on your exit. What should you do?

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    Answer B: Yield to the pedestrian and wait for the crosswalk to clear

    Roundabout crosswalks sit on the entries and exits, and drivers must yield to pedestrians using them.

  47. 47. Lights set into the pavement along both edges of a crosswalk start to flash yellow as you approach. What do they tell you?

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    Answer D: Someone is crossing and has to be given way

    In-roadway warning lights flash only when a pedestrian activates the crossing, so a flashing pattern means somebody is in or entering the crosswalk.

  48. 48. A piece of farm machinery ahead of you is wider than its own lane. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Hold back until you can see far enough to pass safely

    Wide equipment leaves no gap inside the lane and may use part of the other side, so a pass needs a long clear view of the road ahead.

  49. 49. Which clue tells you that a parked vehicle is about to pull into traffic?

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    Answer D: Exhaust smoke, brake lights, front wheels turned out or a driver in the seat

    A running engine, lit brake lights, turned wheels or a person behind the wheel all mean the vehicle may move. Slow down and give it room.

  50. 50. You are driving on the through road of a T-intersection and want to turn left into the side road. Oncoming traffic is approaching on the through road. What must you do?

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    Answer C: Yield to the oncoming traffic before you turn

    The vehicle waiting in the stem of the T yields to both of you, but you still owe the right of way to oncoming through traffic before turning across it.