20 questions from the Alaska driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When passing another vehicle, on which side should you pass and when should you return to your lane?
Answer: Pass on the left and return to the right lane once safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. The rules state to pass on the left and only return to the right lane after being safely clear of the vehicle being passed.
Alaska driver handbook, page 41: “Pass on left at a safe distance and do not return to right lane until safely clear of overtaken vehicle.”
2. What is the recommended practice regarding sunglasses when driving in bright sunlight versus driving in the dark?
Answer: Wear sunglasses in bright sunlight to protect night seeing ability, but do not wear them in the dark. The handbook advises wearing sunglasses in bright light to preserve night vision capabilities but instructs against wearing them in dark conditions.
Alaska driver handbook, page 66: “Wear sunglasses in bright sunlight to protect night seeing ability. Do not wear sunglasses in the dark.”
3. How long is the Administrative revocation period for a person under age 21 who refuses chemical testing or tests positive for alcohol, assuming this is their first offense?
Answer: 30 days. For a first offense involving a minor under 21, the administrative revocation period is set at 30 days.
Alaska driver handbook, page 20: “The Administrative revocation periods are: • 30 days for a first offense”
4. Under what condition can the court waive the $15 fine for adult violations of the seat belt law?
Answer: If the driver donates $15 to the EMS organization. The handbook states that donating $15 to the EMS organization allows the court to waive the fine.
Alaska driver handbook, page 27: “A provision of the law allows the court to waive the $15 fine for persons convicted under this law if that person donates $15 to the EMS organization.”
5. What is the maximum stopping distance required for a passenger vehicle's foot brake at 20 miles per hour?
Answer: 25 feet. The handbook defines the adequate foot brake performance as stopping the vehicle within 25 feet at 20 mph.
Alaska driver handbook, page 80: “Foot brake. Adequate to stop passenger vehicle within 25 feet at a speed of 20 miles per hour.”
6. When backing a vehicle, to whom must you yield the right-of-way?
Answer: Vehicles approaching on the highway or intersecting highway. The rules specify that drivers must yield to vehicles approaching on the highway or intersecting highway when backing up.
Alaska driver handbook, page 79: “When backing, you must yield the right-ofway to a vehicle approaching on the highway or intersecting highway.”
7. How does the impact and braking distance change when speed increases from 20 mph to 40 mph?
Answer: They become four times greater. The handbook specifies that doubling speed from 20 to 40 mph results in impact and braking distances that are four times greater, not just double.
Alaska driver handbook, page 33: “The impact is 4 times greater at 40 mph than at 20 mph. The braking distance is also 4 times longer.”
8. What is the administrative revocation period for a driver's license after a first offense of driving under the influence or refusing chemical testing?
Answer: 90 days. The handbook specifies that a first offense results in a 90-day revocation period.
Alaska driver handbook, page 20: “The Administrative revocation periods are: • 90 days for a first offense;”
9. When should a driver increase their following distance to six seconds or more according to the handbook?
Answer: When towing a trailer or the road surface is wet or slippery. The handbook instructs drivers to extend their following distance to at least six seconds specifically when towing a trailer or encountering wet or slippery road conditions.
Alaska driver handbook, page 32: “When towing a trailer or the road surface is wet or slippery, increase the four seconds to six or more.”
10. How does the handbook advise you to position your vehicle when passing a truck?
Answer: Ensure the whole front of the truck is visible in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front. The handbook states that you must see the entire front of the truck in your rear-view mirror before merging in front of it.
Alaska driver handbook, page 83: “When passing, look for the whole front of the truck in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front of the truck, and then don’t slow down!”
11. When is a driver permitted to make a right turn on a red light?
Answer: After making a full stop, if the turn can be made safely and is not restricted. The handbook mandates a full stop first, followed by ensuring safety and checking for restrictions before turning right on red.
Alaska driver handbook, page 55: “Right turns are permitted only after a full stop, when the turn can be made safely, and is not restricted by a “No turn on red” sign.”
12. What is the required distance for changing headlights to low beam when approaching an oncoming vehicle?
Answer: 500 feet. The handbook specifies a minimum distance of 500 feet for dimming lights when meeting oncoming traffic.
Alaska driver handbook, page 67: “Change headlights to low beam (dim) 500 feet or more from oncoming vehicle.”
13. What color flags or signs indicate a 'high hazard area' such as maintenance and construction zones?
Answer: Orange. The handbook identifies orange flags and signs as the specific indicators for high hazard areas involving maintenance or construction.
Alaska driver handbook, page 31: “Orange flags and signs indicate “high hazard area” (maintenance and construction.)”
14. When making a left turn from a one-way street onto another one-way street, into which lane should you turn?
Answer: The first lane on the left side of the one-way street. The handbook instructs drivers to turn sharply into the first lane on the left side when turning from one one-way street to another.
Alaska driver handbook, page 37: “Turn sharply into the first lane on the left side of the one-way street.”
15. What is required when driving over a fire hose at an emergency scene?
Answer: You must obtain consent from a department official. The handbook mandates that consent from a department official is required before driving over a fire hose.
Alaska driver handbook, page 77: “Do not drive over a hose of a fire department without the consent of a department official.”
16. What requirement applies to a provisional license holder who accumulates 6 or more points in a 12-month period?
Answer: They must complete a driver improvement course approved by the Division. The handbook states that provisional license holders reaching this point threshold must complete an approved driver improvement course.
Alaska driver handbook, page 15: “A provisional license holder who accumulates 6 or more points in a 12-month period or 9 or more points in a 24-month period must complete a driver improvement course approved by the Division.”
17. What does the FLASHING UPRAISED HAND signal mean for pedestrians?
Answer: Pedestrians already crossing may proceed, but new pedestrians should not enter. This signal allows those already crossing to finish but prohibits new pedestrians from starting their crossing.
Alaska driver handbook, page 57: “The FLASHING UPRAISED HAND indicates that pedestrians may not enter the roadway, however those already in roadway may proceed to the other side.”
18. What is the correct hand signal for a bicyclist making a right turn?
Answer: Right arm fully extended to right. The handbook specifies that a right turn is signaled by extending the right arm straight out to the right.
Alaska driver handbook, page 50: “Right turn - right arm fully extended to right or left arm extended and bent up at elbow”
19. What is the minimum distance a vehicle must maintain behind an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency?
Answer: 500 feet. The regulation states that vehicles must not follow closer than 500 feet.
Alaska driver handbook, page 76: “Following emergency vehicle A vehicle may not follow an emergency vehicle traveling in response to an emergency closer than 500 feet.”
20. What is the maximum fine a driver may receive for failing to restrain passengers under age 16?
Answer: $50. The handbook states that the fine for this specific violation is up to $50.
Alaska driver handbook, page 27: “A driver may be fined up to $50 and may receive two demerit points on their operator’s license for failure to restrain passengers under age 16.”