Indiana BMV Permit Practice Test 19

  • 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. Where may a low speed vehicle not be operated in Indiana?

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    Answer D: On a highway with a speed limit above 35 miles per hour

    A person may not operate a low speed vehicle on a highway that has a speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour.

  2. 2. What must an Indiana driver do in the leftmost lane of a road with two or more lanes in each direction?

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    Answer C: Leave that lane when another vehicle is overtaking from the rear

    A driver who knows or should reasonably know that another vehicle is overtaking from the rear may not continue to operate in the leftmost lane, subject to listed exceptions.

  3. 3. You come upon a crash that has just happened and decide to help. Where should you stop your vehicle?

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    Answer A: Well beyond the scene, completely off the road, with the hazard lights on

    Stopping past the crash and off the pavement keeps you from becoming another victim and leaves the approach clear for emergency vehicles.

  4. 4. On an unlit road, about how far ahead do high beams normally let you see?

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    Answer D: About 350 to 500 feet ahead of the vehicle

    High beams light roughly 350 to 500 feet of road and low beams far less, which is why night speeds have to be chosen around the beam, not the limit.

  5. 5. You are in the middle lane of a one-way street with three lanes when a police car approaches from behind with lights and siren. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Pull to the nearest curb and stop clear of the lanes

    On a one-way street you clear to whichever curb is closest, so the emergency vehicle gets a clear path down the open lanes.

  6. 6. A traffic signal is displaying a flashing red light. How must you treat it?

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    Answer D: Stop completely, then proceed when the way is clear

    A flashing red carries the same meaning as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then go only when it is safe.

  7. 7. At what alcohol concentration must an Indiana ignition interlock device stop a vehicle from starting?

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    Answer D: 0.02

    An ignition interlock device must be set to render the vehicle inoperable when it detects an alcohol concentration of at least 0.02.

  8. 8. Which sequence describes a well-made turn?

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    Answer A: Signal, move into the correct lane, slow down, check, then turn

    Tell others first, take your position, lose the speed before the corner, take a final look, and only then steer through the turn.

  9. 9. Approaching the point this sign refers to, which hazard is most likely?

    A yellow diamond showing a vertical black line with a shorter line joining it from the right
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    Answer A: A vehicle pulling out from the entering road into the driver's path

    The main risk is a driver on the entering road who misjudges the gap and pulls out, so covering the brake and being ready to slow is the sensible response.

  10. 10. Well before an intersection, an overhead sign shows a diagram of the lanes with an arrow above each one. What is its purpose?

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    Answer C: To let drivers pick the correct lane in good time

    Advance intersection lane control signs display the lane assignment far enough back that drivers can move over calmly instead of at the last moment.

  11. 11. About how far does a vehicle travel in one second at 60 mph?

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    Answer A: About 88 feet

    At 60 mph you cover about 88 feet every second, which is why a glance of only two or three seconds means driving the length of several vehicles blind.

  12. 12. On a clear day with light traffic, a driver stays far below the maximum this sign sets. What can that cause?

    A white vertical rectangle with a black border and black legend
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    Answer B: Obstruction of the normal flow of traffic, which is prohibited in itself

    Driving so slowly that other traffic is impeded is an offense in its own right when nothing about safety, weather or the road calls for it.

  13. 13. You come around a bend and find loose sand spread across your lane. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Ease off the gas, avoid sudden braking or steering, and keep straight

    Loose material acts like ball bearings under the tires; smooth inputs preserve what little grip remains, while sudden braking or steering breaks it.

  14. 14. You have finished a distracting task and your eyes are back on the road. What is true?

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    Answer A: Your full attention takes a while to come back

    Studies of drivers show attention lags behind the eyes for many seconds after a phone or a screen task, so the danger continues after the task is over.

  15. 15. When should you move into the lane you need for a turn?

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    Answer D: Well before the intersection, as soon as you know your route

    Getting into the correct lane early lets other drivers read your intentions and keeps you from making a sudden lane change at the corner.

  16. 16. May you park in front of a public or private driveway?

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    Answer A: No, blocking a driveway is prohibited even for a short time

    Parking in front of a driveway blocks the property owner from entering or leaving, and the prohibition does not depend on how long you stay.

  17. 17. Your vehicle is stuck in deep snow and you run the engine for heat while waiting for help. What must you check?

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    Answer C: That the exhaust pipe is clear of snow

    Snow packed around the tailpipe pushes exhaust back into the cabin, and carbon monoxide can kill without warning. Clear the pipe and crack a window open.

  18. 18. How long does someone who becomes an Indiana resident have to obtain an Indiana driver's license?

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    Answer B: 60 days

    New Indiana residents have 60 days to obtain an Indiana driver's license, and they may not hold an Indiana credential alongside one from another state.

  19. 19. A driver stopped at a red signal wants to turn right and this sign is posted at the corner. What is permitted?

    A white square showing an arrow turning right inside a red circle with a red diagonal line through it
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    Answer A: Nothing: the turn is barred whether the signal is red or green

    The restriction works independently of the signal, so the usual permission to turn right after stopping at a red light does not exist where this sign is posted.

  20. 20. Can a driver be charged with impaired driving after taking a legal over the counter medicine?

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    Answer C: Yes, if the medicine impairs the ability to drive safely

    Impaired driving laws cover any substance that affects driving, including cold remedies, allergy pills and sleep aids sold without a prescription.

  21. 21. What is the function of a regulatory sign?

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    Answer A: To inform road users of traffic laws or regulations that apply at that location

    Regulatory signs state requirements that carry the force of law where they are posted, so disregarding one is a violation rather than a lapse of judgment.

  22. 22. What may an Indiana driver under 18 never do, at any hour and with any supervision?

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    Answer C: Operate a medical services vehicle or a vehicle transporting passengers for hire

    An individual under 18 may not at any time operate a medical services vehicle or a vehicle used to transport passengers for hire.

  23. 23. You are waiting to pull out of a driveway when a bicyclist comes along the bike lane in front of you. What must you do?

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    Answer D: Wait until the bicyclist has gone past

    A driver leaving a driveway yields to everything already on the road, and a bike lane is part of the roadway.

  24. 24. From what distance must an Indiana motor vehicle horn be audible under normal conditions?

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    Answer A: 200 feet

    A motor vehicle horn must be capable of emitting a sound audible from at least 200 feet, and it may not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound.

  25. 25. What habit prevents the hood from flying up while you are driving?

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    Answer D: Press the hood down at the front and check that the latch has caught

    Most hoods fly up because they were left on the safety catch, so check that the main latch is fully closed after any work under the hood.

  26. 26. A bicyclist is riding in the middle of a narrow travel lane ahead of you. What is the correct response?

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    Answer D: Slow down and wait until you can pass with wide clearance, changing lanes if needed

    A bicyclist has the same right to use the lane as a driver, and a narrow lane may not leave safe passing room, so wait for a gap that lets you move over and pass with a wide margin.

  27. 27. On dry pavement in good weather, what is the smallest following gap you should keep?

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    Answer A: About three seconds behind the vehicle ahead

    Three seconds is the accepted minimum on dry roads in good visibility, and the gap should be longer in poor conditions.

  28. 28. You are in the acceleration lane and the gap you were aiming for is now beside you. What is the best adjustment?

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    Answer A: Change your speed a little to line up with a gap, then merge smoothly

    The acceleration lane is for matching both the speed and the position of a gap, and small speed adjustments are what line the two up.

  29. 29. You are about to pass another vehicle at night with your high beams on. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Switch to low beams as you come up behind it and while you are alongside

    High beams shining into the mirrors of the vehicle ahead blind the very driver whose reaction you depend on during the pass.

  30. 30. You are clear of the tracks after your vehicle stalled on a crossing. Whom should you contact?

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    Answer C: The emergency number posted on the blue sign at the crossing, or 911

    Grade crossings carry an emergency notification sign with a railroad phone number and a crossing identification number so that approaching trains can be stopped, and 911 works if that sign is not visible.

  31. 31. You come back to find that your parked car has rolled out into the street. What most likely went wrong?

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    Answer C: The parking brake was not set and the wheels were not turned

    The parking brake, a gear or park, and turned front wheels are three separate safeguards, and a runaway means at least the first two were missing.

  32. 32. What is the purpose of carrying a first aid kit in your vehicle?

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    Answer D: It lets you treat cuts and bleeding while the help is on its way

    A kit is for simple first aid such as controlling bleeding until trained help arrives, not a substitute for calling for that help.

  33. 33. What is a good habit when you open the door on the traffic side of a parked car?

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    Answer C: Use the hand farther from the door, which turns you to look back

    Reaching across with the far hand rotates your body and brings the mirror and the road behind into view before the door moves.

  34. 34. Which stationary vehicle showing flashing amber lights triggers Indiana's move over duty?

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    Answer B: A solid waste hauler collecting refuse along the roadway

    The amber light move over duty covers recovery vehicles, utility service vehicles, solid waste haulers, road maintenance vehicles and survey or construction vehicles.

  35. 35. A row of solid white triangles points toward you across your lane. What does it mark?

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    Answer A: The place to yield to traffic or people ahead

    A yield line of triangles shows drivers exactly where to give way, and it is used at roundabouts and at midblock crosswalks.

  36. 36. Two left-turn lanes are available and you must turn right again a short distance after the turn. Which of the two should you use?

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    Answer D: The right one, so you finish nearer the right side of the new street

    Each turn lane feeds the matching lane of the new street, so choosing the right-hand of the two left-turn lanes leaves you closer to the side you will need.

  37. 37. You are waiting in a left-turn lane at a green light when a fire engine with lights and siren comes toward you in the oncoming lanes. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Hold your position and let the fire engine pass

    Turning across the path of an approaching emergency vehicle is exactly what you must not do; stay put until it has gone by.

  38. 38. You are very angry after an argument and about to drive. What should you know?

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    Answer A: Strong emotions can impair judgment and attention much like alcohol

    Anger, grief and stress pull attention inward and encourage risk taking. Give yourself time to settle down before getting behind the wheel.

  39. 39. You are approaching the entry of a modern roundabout. Who must you yield to?

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    Answer C: Traffic already circulating in the roundabout, which approaches from your left

    Traffic in a United States roundabout circulates counterclockwise, so drivers entering must look left and yield to vehicles already in the circulating roadway.

  40. 40. How long should a glance at a mirror or an instrument take?

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    Answer A: A brief glance of about a second, returning your eyes to the road at once

    Checks should be quick flicks of the eyes. At highway speed, a few seconds with your eyes off the road covers a distance long enough for a hazard to appear.

  41. 41. Why should you dim the instrument panel and keep interior lights off when driving at night?

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    Answer C: Bright light inside the vehicle reduces your ability to see the dark road ahead

    Your eyes adapt to the brightest light they see. A bright cabin keeps them from adjusting to the darkness outside and creates reflections on the windshield.

  42. 42. How does higher speed affect the outcome of a crash?

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    Answer A: It leaves less time to react and greatly increases the force of impact

    Speed shortens the time available to avoid a hazard and raises the energy released in an impact, so both the likelihood and the severity of a crash increase.

  43. 43. A warning sign showing two children on a see-saw is posted beside a residential street. What does it mean?

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    Answer D: A play area lies beside the road and children may run out

    The playground sign warns that children are present next to the roadway and may enter it without looking, so drivers should cover the brake and slow down.

  44. 44. A driver passes this sign on an entrance ramp while merging onto a freeway. Who has priority?

    A downward pointing white triangle with a wide red border
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    Answer B: The traffic already traveling on the freeway

    The sign places the duty on the entering driver, who must adjust speed and fit into a gap without forcing through traffic to brake or swerve.

  45. 45. You are approaching a sharp curve. When should you reduce your speed?

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    Answer D: Before you enter the curve, so you can accelerate gently through it

    Braking hard inside a curve uses up the traction that is already being demanded for cornering, so the slowing must be finished before you enter.

  46. 46. Which event can prompt the Indiana BMV to ask a driver to verify financial responsibility?

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    Answer A: A pointable moving violation within a year of two other such violations

    The BMV may request verification after a crash, a serious traffic violation, a pointable moving violation within a year of two others, or any pointable violation by a previously suspended driver.

  47. 47. You come up behind a group of cyclists riding two abreast on a narrow rural road. What should you do?

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    Answer A: Wait for a clear stretch and pass them as one group

    Passing a group as a single unit when the way ahead is clear is safer than several rushed passes, and cutting through the group leaves nobody any escape room.

  48. 48. In Indiana, what changes when a driver's alcohol concentration reaches 0.15 rather than 0.08?

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    Answer A: The offense rises from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor

    Operating with an alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 but under 0.15 is a Class C misdemeanor, while 0.15 or more is a Class A misdemeanor.

  49. 49. What does this sign warn a driver about?

    A yellow diamond showing two black lines joining into one as they go up
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    Answer A: Traffic from another roadway will enter the same lane ahead

    Two traffic streams come together into one lane beyond this point, so drivers on both roadways have to adjust speed and spacing to fit together.

  50. 50. In a vehicle with automatic transmission, which foot should operate the brake and accelerator?

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    Answer D: The right foot for both pedals

    Using only the right foot prevents pressing both pedals at once and keeps the response the same in every vehicle you drive. The left foot rests on the floor or the footrest.