20 questions from the Alabama driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Which vehicles are required to stop before crossing any railroad crossing?
Answer: School bus, church bus, or any passenger bus. The handbook lists school buses, church buses, and passenger buses as vehicles required to stop before crossing railroad tracks.
Alabama driver handbook, page 41: “The vehicles listed below are required to stop before crossing any railroad crossing: • School bus, church bus, or any passenger bus.”
2. When following a large vehicle at night, what action should you take regarding your headlights?
Answer: Dim your headlights. The handbook instructs drivers to dim headlights when following large vehicles at night to prevent blinding the driver via side mirrors.
Alabama driver handbook, page 29: “When following a large vehicle at night, always dim your headlights.”
3. When making a left turn within an intersection, to whom must you yield the right of way?
Answer: Any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. The rule specifies yielding to oncoming traffic when making a left turn if they are close enough to be a hazard.
Alabama driver handbook, page 65: “When making a left turn within an intersection or into an alley, driveway, or private road, you must yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when it is within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.”
4. What additional fee is required when reinstating a license if the suspension resulted from non-payment of child support?
Answer: $50. The handbook specifies that an additional $50 fee is required for reinstatement following suspensions due to non-payment of child support.
Alabama driver handbook, page 19: “Suspensions resulting from non-payment of child support require an additional $50 fee when reinstating the license.”
5. According to the point schedule, how many days is a driver's license suspended if they accumulate 15-17 points in a 2-year period?
Answer: 90 days. The handbook lists a 90-day suspension period for drivers who accumulate between 15 and 17 points within two years.
Alabama driver handbook, page 21: “15-17 Points in a 2-year period 90 days”
6. According to the handbook, what should a driver do if they become weary of straining their eyes due to poor visibility in fog or snow?
Answer: Pull completely off the road, leave lights on, and park. The handbook instructs drivers to pull off the road and park with lights on when visibility is too poor to continue safely.
Alabama driver handbook, page 75: “If it is impossible to see or you become weary of straining your eyes to see with such poor visibility, pull completely off the road, leave lights on and park.”
7. Why is carbon monoxide poisoning more likely during wintertime driving?
Answer: Because drivers are more apt to drive with all windows closed and warm the engine before use. The handbook links winter driving habits, specifically closed windows and warming the engine, to an increased likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Alabama driver handbook, page 75: “Carbon monoxide poisoning is much more likely to occur during wintertime driving when you are more apt to drive with all the windows closed and to warm the engine before using the car.”
8. Under what condition is stopping permitted in a parking space designated for the physically handicapped?
Answer: Only for real emergencies. The handbook specifies that stopping in these designated spaces is allowed only for real emergencies, distinct from parking rules which require a permit.
Alabama driver handbook, page 45: “Stopping permitted only for real emergencies.”
9. Which of the following locations is listed as a place where parking is NOT allowed?
Answer: Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. The handbook lists 'Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant' as a specific location where parking is prohibited.
Alabama driver handbook, page 31: “Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.”
10. According to the handbook, what is the primary purpose of a YIELD sign?
Answer: To slow down so you can yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway and to vehicles on the intersecting street or highway. The handbook defines the YIELD sign's function as slowing down to yield right of way to pedestrians and intersecting vehicles.
Alabama driver handbook, page 44: “The YIELD sign means slow down so you can yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the roadway and to vehicles on the intersecting street or highway.”
11. When a truck or bus is making a right turn, what is the recommended action for a passing vehicle?
Answer: Wait until the truck or bus has completed the maneuver before proceeding. The handbook advises waiting for the large vehicle to finish its turn to avoid being trapped in the blind spot during the wide swing required for right turns.
Alabama driver handbook, page 30: “It is best to wait until the truck or bus has completed the maneuver before proceeding.”
12. What does the handbook state about entering a one-way roadway when approaching from the wrong direction?
Answer: You must not enter the one-way at this point. The handbook instructs drivers approaching from the wrong direction on a one-way road that they must not enter at that point.
Alabama driver handbook, page 44: “Motorist is approaching one-way highway or ramp from wrong direction. This marks a one-way roadway with traffic coming against you. You must not enter the one-way at this point.”
13. What color scheme is used for warning signs, except those used in construction areas?
Answer: Black and yellow. The handbook states that standard warning signs are black and yellow, while construction area signs are black and orange.
Alabama driver handbook, page 46: “Warning signs are black and yellow, except those used in construction areas which are black and orange.”
14. What is the best action to take when experiencing total hydroplaning?
Answer: Release the accelerator and ride out the skid. The handbook advises releasing the accelerator to allow the vehicle to slow down naturally when total hydroplaning occurs.
Alabama driver handbook, page 74: “If you’re totally hydroplaning, about all you can do is release the accelerator and ride out the skid.”
15. When approaching a railroad crossing, within what distance range must a driver stop?
Answer: Within 15 to 50 feet. The handbook states that drivers must stop within the range of 15 to 50 feet when approaching a railroad crossing.
Alabama driver handbook, page 41: “When approaching a railroad crossing. You must stop within 15 to 50 ft.”
16. What is the correct procedure when a lane use control signal displays a steady red X?
Answer: Do not drive in the lane over which the signal is located. A steady red X indicates that the lane is closed to traffic and drivers must not use it.
Alabama driver handbook, page 58: ““STEADY RED X”… A driver facing this indication shall not drive in the lane over which the signal is located, and this indication shall modify accordingly all other traffic controls present.”
17. For passenger cars such as sedans and coupes, what is the minimum light transmission percentage allowed for side and rear windows?
Answer: 32 percent. The handbook states that side and rear windows on passenger cars must allow at least 32 percent light transmission.
Alabama driver handbook, page 70: “On passenger cars such as sedans, coupes and station wagons, all windows (side and rear) may have tinting that allows at least 32 percent light transmission.”
18. When performing parallel parking, what is the correct action for the driver to take in step D?
Answer: Begin straightening wheels. Step D of the parallel parking instructions directs the driver to begin straightening the wheels.
19. Under Alabama's Hands-Free Law, which specific driving behavior triggers a violation when a driver is physically holding a wireless telecommunications device?
Answer: Crossing in and out of a traffic lane without using a turn signal. The handbook links the violation of holding a device to the act of crossing lanes without signaling or other improper maneuvers.
Alabama driver handbook, page 18: “Physically holding a wireless telecommunications device* is a violation of Alabama’s Hands-Free Law when a driver is observed crossing in and out of a traffic lane without using a turn signal, swerving or otherwise operating a motor vehicle in an improper manner.”
20. Which of the following is a requirement for vehicle brakes according to Alabama law?
Answer: The vehicle must have two separate methods of applying brakes: a foot brake and a parking brake. The law requires both a regular foot brake and a parking brake for all automobiles.
Alabama driver handbook, page 81: “All automobiles must have two separate methods of applying brakes. They must have a regular foot brake and a parking brake.”