20 questions from the Arkansas driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to the handbook, what is the required action when approaching a yield sign?
Answer: Slow down or yield the right of way to traffic in the intersection, stopping when necessary. The handbook states that drivers must slow down or yield right-of-way and stop when necessary when approaching a yield sign.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 32: “The yield sign means the driver must slow down or yield the right of way to traffic in the intersection, where the driver may be crossing or entering. When approaching a yield sign you must yield to other vehicles and stop when necessary.”
2. When is it appropriate to return to the driving lane after passing another vehicle at night?
Answer: When you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rear-view mirror. The handbook specifies that seeing both headlights in the rear-view mirror is the indicator that it is safe to merge back.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 69: “At night, when you can see both headlights of the vehicle you passed in your rear-view mirror, it is safe to return to the driving lane.”
3. What is the recommended method for checking behind your vehicle when backing up?
Answer: Place your right arm over the back of the seat and turn your body to look through the windows. The handbook instructs drivers to physically turn their body to look through the windows rather than relying exclusively on mirrors.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 56: “Place your right arm over the back of the seat and turn your body, so you can look directly through the rear and side windows.”
4. Which of the following is a valid exception for driving in the left lane of a multilane highway?
Answer: When preparing to exit the multilane highway on the left. The handbook lists preparing to exit on the left as one of the specific exceptions for using the left lane.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 69: “(4) When a vehicle is preparing to exit the multilane highway on the left”
5. What does a regulation sign with a red circle and a red slash over a symbol indicate?
Answer: The driver is prohibited from executing a particular maneuver, such as a specific turn or U-turn. The handbook defines this specific symbol combination as indicating a prohibition against a particular maneuver.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 33: “Some of the signs have a red circle with a red slash over the symbol. This regulation sign indicates a driver is prohibited (not allowed) from executing a particular maneuver such as a turn toward a particular direction or no U-Turn.”
6. Who must accompany a driver holding an Instruction Permit while they are operating a vehicle?
Answer: A licensed driver who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age. The handbook specifies that the accompanying driver must be licensed and at least 21 years old, sitting beside the driver.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 15: “The applicant with an instruction permit may drive with a licensed driver twenty-one (21) years of age or older, who is occupying a seat beside the driver.”
7. What does a flashing yellow arrow indicate for a driver making a left turn?
Answer: Left turns are permitted but must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The handbook clarifies that a flashing yellow arrow allows left turns provided the driver yields to opposing traffic and pedestrians.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 30: “A flashing yellow arrow means left turns are permitted. Drivers may turn left but must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then proceed with caution.”
8. According to Arkansas law, what must a driver do when passing a law enforcement vehicle stopped on the side of the road?
Answer: Move to the farthest lane away from the vehicle. The handbook states that drivers are legally required to move to the farthest lane away from the stopped vehicle to ensure safety.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 4: “Arkansas Law (A.C.A. § 27-51-310) requires that you move to the farthest lane or position away from the authorized vehicle as you pass.”
9. How should a driver use the 'Four Second Sight Distance Rule' to determine if they are driving too fast?
Answer: Count four seconds and ensure you reach the chosen stationary object after finishing the count. To be driving safely, you should reach the stationary object only after completing the four-second count; reaching it sooner means you are going too fast.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 64: “If you reach the object before you finish saying “four-one-thousand (4-1000)”, you need to slow down, you are going too fast.”
10. When should you dim your high-beam headlights according to the handbook?
Answer: Whenever you come within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. The handbook specifies a distance of 500 feet as the threshold for dimming high beams when approaching another vehicle.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 57: “Dim your high beams whenever you come within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.”
11. What is the recommended action when driving slowly on a roadway with other traffic?
Answer: Pull to the side of the road and let the vehicles pass. Drivers should pull over to allow faster traffic to pass safely rather than impeding the flow of traffic.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 66: “Driving Slowly- If you drive slower than other vehicles, pull to the side of the road and let the vehicles pass.”
12. Why must a driver look over their shoulder when changing lanes, in addition to checking mirrors?
Answer: Because rearview and side mirrors do not allow you to see vehicles in your blind spots. Mirrors have blind spots, so looking over the shoulder is necessary to see vehicles that are not visible in the mirrors.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 55: “Your rearview and side mirrors will not allow you to see vehicles in your blind spots.”
13. When passing a vehicle traveling in the same direction, who must yield?
Answer: The passing vehicle must yield to the vehicle being passed. The rule requires the driver doing the passing to yield to the vehicle ahead, regardless of whether the front vehicle is slowing down.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 46: “Drivers passing a vehicle traveling in the same direction must yield to the vehicle being passed, even if the vehicle is slowing or coming to a stop because the vehicle may be attempting to turn left or may be approaching a hazard the overtaking vehicle does not see.”
14. What is the correct procedure for handing over documents to an officer during a traffic stop?
Answer: Inform the officer where documents are located and ask before reaching. The guidelines specify that drivers should communicate the location of their documents and ask permission before reaching for them.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 3: “Inform the officer where the documents are located and ask before reaching to retrieve them.”
15. Why is pavement particularly slippery for the first few minutes when rain starts on a hot day?
Answer: Heat causes the oil in the asphalt to surface on the roadway. The handbook explains that heat brings oil to the surface, creating a slippery layer until rain washes it away.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 61: “Heat causes the oil in the asphalt to surface on the roadway. The oil makes conditions more slippery until the rain washes it from the roadway.”
16. According to the handbook, what is an excellent rule for motorists to determine if a tractor-trailer driver can see them?
Answer: If you can see the truck driver in the tractor side mirror. The handbook states that visibility in the side mirror is the key indicator of whether the driver sees the motorist.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 72: “An excellent rule for motorists sharing the road with a tractor-trailer is, “if you can’t see the truck driver in the tractor side mirror, the driver can’t see you.””
17. Which of the following vehicle types is listed as requiring a license or certificate to operate on public highways in Arkansas?
Answer: Motorized bicycle. The handbook lists motorized bicycles alongside motor vehicles, motorcycles, and motor-driven cycles as requiring a license.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 14: “Anyone who operates a motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle on public highways in Arkansas is required to have a license or certificate.”
18. When driving beside another vehicle on a multi-lane highway, what action should you take?
Answer: Move ahead of or drop behind the vehicle next to you. The handbook advises against lingering beside another vehicle, instructing drivers to either pass them or fall back.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 40: “On multi-lane highways, when driving beside another vehicle, you should move ahead of the vehicle next to you or drop behind the vehicle next to you.”
19. How long must a nonresident be physically present in Arkansas before they are required to obtain an Arkansas driver's license?
Answer: Six (6) months. The handbook specifies that nonresidents must obtain a license after being physically present in the state for a period of six months.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 14: “Any nonresident who has been physically present in this state for a period of six (6) months shall obtain an Arkansas driver’s license in order to drive upon the streets and highways of this state.”
20. What does an EXEMPT sign with a yellow background and black letters indicate when placed below an advanced warning sign?
Answer: The crossing has been abandoned or its use discontinued. The handbook defines the EXEMPT sign as indicating that the crossing is abandoned or discontinued.
Arkansas driver handbook, page 35: “An EXEMPT sign means that the crossing has been abandoned or its use discontinued.”