20 questions from the Colorado driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to Colorado law, which of the following is an exception to the requirement of wearing a fastened seat belt?
Answer: The driver of a delivery van while on the job. The handbook lists the driver of delivery vans while on the job as one of the specific exceptions to the seat belt law.
Colorado driver handbook, page 6: “The only exceptions are: ● Emergency personnel ● Passenger buses and school buses ● Farm equipment ● The driver of delivery vans while on the job ● Anyone carrying a written medical statement from a physician stating they are not physically or psychologically required to wear seat belts”
2. When entering a freeway from an acceleration ramp, when should you merge into traffic?
Answer: After the solid white line has ended. The handbook states that merging should not occur until the solid white line marking the acceleration lane has ended.
Colorado driver handbook, page 17: “Do not merge into traffic until the solid white line has ended.”
3. Under what condition may a driver turn left on a steady red light?
Answer: When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless prohibited by a sign. The handbook specifies that left turns on red are permitted specifically when moving from one one-way street to another one-way street.
Colorado driver handbook, page 10: “Also, you may turn left on a red light if you are turning from a oneway street onto another one-way street, unless prohibited by a sign.”
4. Why might a bicyclist choose to ride in the center of the travel lane?
Answer: To increase their visibility and safety. Bicyclists are permitted to occupy the center of the lane to enhance their visibility and overall safety.
Colorado driver handbook, page 25: “Be aware that bicyclists may ride in the center of the travel lane to increase their visibility and safety.”
5. How should a driver behave when approaching a roundabout if no large trucks are present?
Answer: Yield to approaching traffic on the left. The handbook specifies that in the absence of large trucks, drivers must yield to traffic approaching from the left.
Colorado driver handbook, page 13: “As you approach a roundabout, if no large trucks are present, you must yield to approaching traffic on the left.”
6. According to the handbook, under what condition is a U-turn permitted?
Answer: When it can be made without endangering other motorists and their passengers. The handbook states that U-turns are allowed only if they do not endanger others and are not prohibited by signs.
Colorado driver handbook, page 16: “U-turns are forbidden unless they can be made without endangering other motorists and their passengers, and are not allowed in locations marked by No U-turn signs.”
7. What should a driver do immediately upon seeing emergency lights behind their vehicle?
Answer: Activate your turn signal and pull off or to the right side of the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so. The handbook specifies that the driver must signal and pull to the right side of the road safely when emergency lights are observed.
Colorado driver handbook, page 22: “Activate your turn signal and pull off or to the right side of the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so.”
8. Under what condition may bicyclists ages 15 and older treat stop signs as yield signs according to the 2022 law mentioned?
Answer: When the intersection is clear and they already have the right-of-way. The handbook states this specific legal allowance applies only when the intersection is clear and the bicyclist already possesses the right-of-way.
Colorado driver handbook, page 26: “A new law was passed in 2022 which states when an intersection is clear and a bicyclist already has the right-of-way, bicyclists ages 15 and older may now treat stop signs as yield signs and treat stop lights as stop signs.”
9. What is the minimum distance a motorist must leave when passing a bicyclist, including those in a bike lane?
Answer: Three feet. The handbook mandates a minimum passing distance of three feet from the outermost part of the vehicle.
Colorado driver handbook, page 25: “When passing bicyclists, including those in a bike lane, motorists are required to give a minimum of three feet from the outermost part of their vehicle or any attachments.”
10. What is the purpose of a sharrow painted on the roadway?
Answer: To inform drivers that the lane may be too narrow for side-by-side travel. The handbook explains that sharrows indicate the lane width is insufficient for simultaneous side-by-side travel by cars and bikes.
Colorado driver handbook, page 12: “Sharrows: Some streets have shared lane markings or “sharrows” painted on them letting road users know that the lane may be too narrow for drivers and bicyclists to travel side-by-side.”
11. When crossing railroad tracks, what action does the handbook advise against to prevent stalling?
Answer: Shifting gears. The instructions state that drivers should not shift gears while crossing tracks to avoid the risk of the vehicle stalling.
Colorado driver handbook, page 11: “Do not shift gears when crossing the railroad tracks in case your vehicle stalls.”
12. When approaching a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk on a multi-lane roadway, what is the required action for the driver behind it?
Answer: Stop behind the stopped vehicle or behind the crosswalk in the adjacent lane. The handbook states that drivers must stop behind the stopped vehicle or behind the crosswalk in the adjacent lane rather than passing.
Colorado driver handbook, page 12: “Whenever you approach a vehicle from the rear that is stopped at a crosswalk, you must not pass and must stop behind the vehicle or behind the crosswalk in the adjacent lane if a multi-lane roadway.”
13. According to the handbook, what does a flashing yellow light indicate to a driver?
Answer: It is a warning of a hazard; slow down and proceed with caution. The handbook defines a flashing yellow light as a hazard warning requiring drivers to slow down and proceed with caution.
Colorado driver handbook, page 10: “Flashing yellow light: A flashing yellow light is a warning of a hazard. Slow down and proceed with caution.”
14. On a four-lane highway with a posted speed limit faster than 40 mph, how far before making a turn or lane change must you signal?
Answer: 200 feet. The handbook specifies a 200-foot signaling requirement for highways with speed limits exceeding 40 mph.
Colorado driver handbook, page 15: “On four lane highways where the posted speed limit is faster than 40 mph, you must signal for 200 feet before making a turn or lane change.”
15. When is it illegal to pass an authorized snow plow?
Answer: When it is working in a formation in which the plows are staggered diagonally. The handbook specifically prohibits passing snow plows when they are operating in a staggered diagonal formation.
Colorado driver handbook, page 14: “It is illegal to pass an authorized snow plow when it is working in a formation in which the plows are staggered diagonally.”
16. When a school bus has its red STOP lights activated and the stop arm extended, how far from the bus bumper must a vehicle stop?
Answer: No less than 20 feet from the front or rear bumper. The handbook mandates a minimum stopping distance of 20 feet from the bus bumper when the stop signals are active.
Colorado driver handbook, page 23: “Vehicles must stop no less than 20 feet from the front or rear bumper of the school bus.”
17. How many hours of night driving experience must be included in the total driving log for a minor applying for a driver license in Colorado?
Answer: 10 hours. The handbook specifies that out of the required 50 total hours, exactly 10 hours must be completed during nighttime conditions.
Colorado driver handbook, page 5: “submit a completed and signed driving log showing 50 hours of driving experience (10 of which must have been at night).”
18. Unless otherwise posted, what is the default speed limit in a Colorado residence district?
Answer: 30 mph. The handbook lists 30 mph as the specific speed limit for residence districts when no other signs are present.
Colorado driver handbook, page 15: “Unless otherwise posted, Colorado speed limits are as follows: ● 20 mph on narrow, winding mountain highways and blind curves ● 25 mph in any business district ● 30 mph in any residence district”
19. Which vehicle is required to yield the right-of-way when two vehicles meet on a steep, narrow mountain road?
Answer: The vehicle going downhill. The rule states that the vehicle traveling downhill must yield to the vehicle traveling uphill by backing up or stopping.
Colorado driver handbook, page 14: “When vehicles meet on a steep, narrow road that is not wide enough for two vehicles, the vehicle going downhill must yield the right-of-way by backing up to a wider place or by stopping, then leaving enough space for the vehicle going uphill”
20. How must a child less than 2 years old and weighing less than 40 pounds be secured in a vehicle?
Answer: Properly secured in the rear seat in a rear-facing child restraint system. The handbook specifies that children under two weighing less than 40 pounds require a rear-facing restraint in the rear seat.
Colorado driver handbook, page 6: “Children less than 2 years old and weighing less than 40 pounds: must be properly secured in the rear seat of the vehicle in a rear-facing child restraint system.”