18 questions from the Colorado driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the first precaution you should take upon entering a designated animal crossing?
Answer: Slow down and look for animals. The handbook specifies that slowing down and looking for animals is the immediate action required when entering these zones.
Colorado driver handbook, page 29: “Upon entering a designated animal crossing, the first precaution should be to slow down and look for animals.”
2. What is the correct procedure if you encounter a jammed gas pedal while driving?
Answer: Keep your eyes on the road, shift to neutral, and pull off safely. The instructions specify shifting to neutral and pulling off safely while maintaining focus on the road.
Colorado driver handbook, page 29: “Keep your eyes on the road. Quickly shift to neutral. Pull off the road when safe to do so.”
3. Where is a three-point turnabout permitted according to the handbook?
Answer: Only on a two-lane roadway. The handbook restricts the use of three-point turnabouts specifically to two-lane roadways.
Colorado driver handbook, page 16: “Only use a threepoint turnabout on a two-lane roadway.”
4. When encountering a flashing red light, what is the required action?
Answer: Stop completely, then proceed only after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic. The handbook states that a flashing red light acts like a STOP sign, requiring a complete stop followed by yielding before proceeding.
Colorado driver handbook, page 10: “Flashing red light: A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign. Stop; then go only after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic.”
5. When approaching an emergency vehicle stopped along the side of the road, what speed should you slow down to if the posted speed limit is above 45 MPH?
Answer: 20 MPH under the posted speed limit. The handbook specifies that when the posted speed limit is above 45 MPH, drivers must reduce their speed by 20 MPH below the posted limit.
Colorado driver handbook, page 14: “Unless directed otherwise by emergency personnel or conditions prohibit the lane change, you should slow down to: ● 25 MPH if the posted speed limit is 45 MPH or less Or ● 20 MPH under the posted speed limit if the posted speed limit is above 45 MPH”
6. What is the correct procedure for the final step of a parallel parking maneuver?
Answer: Turn the wheel sharply right and pull towards the curb in the center of the parking space. The instructions for parallel parking conclude with turning the wheel right to center the vehicle in the space.
Colorado driver handbook, page 16: “Turn the wheel sharply right and pull towards the curb in the center of the parking space.”
7. What does a solid white line on the roadway require a driver to do?
Answer: Stay within the lane and recognize it marks the shoulder. The handbook defines the function of a solid white line as keeping drivers within their lane and marking the shoulder boundary.
Colorado driver handbook, page 12: “Solid white line: Requires you to stay within the lane and also marks the shoulder of the roadway.”
8. Why should drivers avoid sounding their horn close to bicyclists unless there is an immediate risk of a crash?
Answer: It may startle the bicyclist and cause them to crash. The handbook advises against unnecessary honing because it can startle bicyclists, potentially leading to a crash.
Colorado driver handbook, page 26: “Avoid sounding your horn close to bicyclists unless there is an immediate risk of a crash. Using your horn may startle a bicyclist and cause them to crash.”
9. In an urban area, how far before making a turn or lane change must you signal continuously?
Answer: 100 feet. The handbook states that the required signaling distance in urban areas is 100 feet.
Colorado driver handbook, page 15: “In urban areas, you must signal continuously for 100 feet before making a turn or lane change.”
10. What is the recommended method for opening a vehicle door when parked on the street to check for bicyclists?
Answer: Use the hand closest to the center of the vehicle. The handbook specifies using the hand closest to the center of the vehicle, known as the Dutch Reach, to ensure the driver checks for bicyclists.
Colorado driver handbook, page 26: “Use your hand closest to the center of the vehicle to open your door, a behavior commonly known as the “Dutch Reach.””
11. When passing another vehicle, what is the minimum distance required between your vehicle's outermost part and a bicyclist?
Answer: Three feet. The handbook states that a minimum of three feet of space is required when passing a bicyclist.
Colorado driver handbook, page 18: “If passing a bicyclist, you must have a minimum of three feet of space between the outermost part of your vehicle, including any projections such as mirrors or trailers, and the bicyclist.”
12. What is the minimum following distance recommended under normal conditions using the three-second rule?
Answer: Three seconds. The handbook defines the standard following distance under normal conditions as the time it takes to count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.'
Colorado driver handbook, page 21: “Under normal conditions, use the three-second rule to gauge how much space you should leave between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.”
13. When driving through fog at night, which lighting configuration is recommended for better visibility?
Answer: Use your low beam lights and/or fog lights. The handbook advises using low beam lights and/or fog lights in foggy night conditions, noting that high beams act like shining lights on a mirror.
Colorado driver handbook, page 19: “Use your low beam lights and/or fog lights when driving through fog at night for better visibility.”
14. How should a driver apply brakes if their vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and they need to stop quickly?
Answer: Apply the brakes with hard, firm pressure. The handbook instructs drivers with ABS to apply brakes with hard, firm pressure when stopping quickly.
Colorado driver handbook, page 28: “With ABS: Apply the brakes with hard, firm pressure.”
15. If you are a passenger in a vehicle involved in a crash where the driver is physically incapable of reporting it, what is your responsibility?
Answer: Report the crash and remain at the scene until law enforcement arrives. Passengers must report the crash and stay at the scene if the driver cannot do so.
Colorado driver handbook, page 29: “If you are a passenger in a vehicle involved in a crash where the driver is physically incapable of reporting the crash you are required to report the crash and, if directed by law enforcement, to remain at the scene of the collision until the law enforcement arrives.”
16. What action should a driver take if the warning label on a prescription or over-the-counter medication is missing or unclear?
Answer: Check with your doctor or pharmacist about any possible side effects. The handbook advises consulting a medical professional when medication labels lack clear warnings about driving effects.
Colorado driver handbook, page 7: “If the label is missing or unclear, check with your doctor or pharmacist about any possible side effects.”
17. What action should a driver take if they cannot provide the required minimum passing distance to a bicyclist?
Answer: Slow down and remain behind the bicyclist until it is safe to pass. Drivers are instructed to wait behind the bicyclist rather than attempting an unsafe pass if the minimum distance cannot be maintained.
Colorado driver handbook, page 25: “If you are unable to give three feet, slow down and remain behind the bicyclist until it is safe to pass.”
18. Under what condition is passing permitted when encountering a solid yellow line?
Answer: When the oncoming travel lane is clear and you are passing a bicyclist with a minimum of three feet of space. The handbook specifies that passing a bicyclist with adequate space when the lane is clear is the specific exception to the no-passing rule for solid yellow lines.
Colorado driver handbook, page 12: “Solid yellow lines: No passing is permitted, unless to pass a bicyclist with a minimum of three feet of space when the oncoming travel lane is clear.”