20 questions from the Delaware driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to the handbook, what is the recommended action when driving faster than the surrounding traffic?
Answer: Slow down and keep pace with other traffic. The handbook advises drivers going faster than traffic to slow down to match the speed of other vehicles to reduce collision risks.
Delaware driver handbook, page 124: “Slow down and keep pace with other traffic.”
2. Under what specific condition is a left turn on red permissible after a full stop?
Answer: Turning from a one-way street to another one-way street. The handbook limits left turns on red to scenarios involving one-way streets transitioning to other one-way streets.
Delaware driver handbook, page 69: “Left turns on red are permissible after full stop from a one-way street to another one-way street unless prohibited by a posted sign or a steady red arrow is displayed.”
3. In Delaware, when a travel lane is too narrow for a vehicle and bicycle to travel side by side safely, what does the law require a driver to do to pass the bicycle?
Answer: Completely change lanes, including crossing a double-yellow center line. The handbook mandates a complete lane change, even across double-yellow lines, when the lane is too narrow for safe side-by-side travel.
Delaware driver handbook, page 97: “In order to pass a bicycle safely, the law in Delaware requires that you completely change lanes, including crossing a double-yellow center line, if the travel lane you are traveling in is too narrow for the vehicle you are driving and the bicycle you want to pass to travel safely side by side within the lane.”
4. How should a driver treat a stop sign at an intersection with a minor road if there is no stopped vehicle at the sign?
Answer: Treat it as a yield sign after slowing and yielding right-of-way. The handbook allows treating stop signs on minor roads as yield signs if no other vehicle is stopped at the intersection.
Delaware driver handbook, page 99: “At stop signs controlling the intersection with minor roads and if there is no stopped vehicle at the sign you are approaching, however, you may treat the stop sign as a yield sign: After slowingand yielding the right-of-way to any vehicle at or approaching the intersection – you may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.”
5. How long is a commercial motor vehicle driver disqualified if they refuse chemical testing or have a BAC of .04 or more?
Answer: One year. The handbook states that commercial drivers meeting these criteria are disqualified for one year, with lifetime disqualification possible only for a second conviction.
Delaware driver handbook, page 50: “Any driver operating a commercial motor vehicle who refuses to submit to a breath or blood test to determine their BAC, or whose BAC is .04 or more, will be disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle for one year”
6. When approaching a steady red arrow, what action is required?
Answer: Make a full stop and proceed only in the direction indicated by the arrow. The handbook specifies that arrows apply only to the indicated direction and require a full stop, unlike round lenses which apply to all directions.
Delaware driver handbook, page 71: “A full stop is required when a steady red arrow is displayed. You may not proceed in the direction of a steady red.”
7. What distance ahead must you be able to see to safely pass on hills or curves?
Answer: At least one-third of a mile or about 10 seconds ahead. The handbook defines the necessary sight distance for passing on hills and curves as one-third of a mile or approximately 10 seconds.
Delaware driver handbook, page 131: “You have to be able to see at least one-third of a mile or about 10 seconds ahead.”
8. When backing up a vehicle, what does the handbook recommend regarding the use of mirrors?
Answer: Do not depend on your rearview or side mirrors as you cannot see directly behind your vehicle. The handbook instructs drivers to turn around and look through the rear window rather than relying on mirrors, which do not show the area directly behind the vehicle.
Delaware driver handbook, page 119: “Place your right arm on the back of the seat and turn around so that you can look directly through the rear window. Do not depend on your rearview or side mirrors as you cannot see directly behind your vehicle.”
9. What is the primary function of an Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS)?
Answer: To communicate signal information in non-visual formats for blind or visually impaired pedestrians. The handbook defines APS as a tool using non-visual formats to assist blind or visually impaired pedestrians in knowing when to cross.
Delaware driver handbook, page 73: “An Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) is a device that is used in conjunction with pedestrian signals that communicate pedestrian signal information in non-visual formats such as audible tones, verbal messages, and/or vibrating surfaces.”
10. What does a flashing yellow light indicate to a driver?
Answer: Slow down, be more aware, and proceed with caution. The handbook defines flashing yellow lights as a signal to slow down and proceed with caution, distinct from the complete stop required by flashing red lights.
Delaware driver handbook, page 70: “Flashing yellow light means slow down, be more aware, and proceed with caution.”
11. Who is eligible to serve as the supervising driver for a Level One Learner's Permit holder?
Answer: A properly licensed parent, guardian, or licensed driver at least 25 years old who has held a Class D license for at least 5 years. The handbook defines specific criteria for supervisors, requiring them to be at least 25 years old with a minimum of five years holding a Class D license.
Delaware driver handbook, page 29: “When the permit holder is under mandatory supervision, the supervisor must be a properly licensed parent, guardian or licensed driver (approved by the sponsor) who is at least 25 years of age and has held a Class D license for at least 5 years.”
12. What should you do when approaching a railroad crossing with more than one track?
Answer: Wait until the passing train is well down the track before starting to cross. The handbook advises waiting until the first train is well down the track because another train might be hidden behind it.
Delaware driver handbook, page 118: “At crossings with more than one track, wait until the passing train is well down the track before starting to cross. Another train may be hidden by the one that just passed.”
13. What is the consequence of exceeding an advisory speed sign if a crash occurs?
Answer: It may be concluded that you violated the general speed restriction. The handbook explains that exceeding an advisory speed during a crash can lead to a conclusion that the general speed restriction was violated.
Delaware driver handbook, page 94: “Although an advisory speed is not a specific speed limit, if you exceed it and have a crash, it may be concluded that you violated the general speed restriction and you could be subject to arrest.”
14. What should you do if your turn signal does not automatically click off after making a small turn?
Answer: Turn it off manually. The handbook states that if the signal does not turn off automatically, you must manually turn it off to avoid confusing other drivers.
Delaware driver handbook, page 122: “Turn the signal off if it does not click off by itself.”
15. According to the handbook, what does a steady yellow "X" indicate on a reversible lane signal?
Answer: The use of the lane is changing and you should move out of it as soon as it is safe to do so. The handbook defines the steady yellow X as a signal to exit the lane when safe because the direction is changing.
Delaware driver handbook, page 85: “A steady yellow “X” means that the use of the lane is changing and you should move out of it as soon as it is safe to do so.”
16. How should a driver respond if a police officer gives instructions that contradict standard traffic signs or signals?
Answer: Obey the instructions of the police officer. Drivers are required to follow a police officer's directions even if they conflict with existing signs or signals, as officers may need to manage traffic flow dynamically.
Delaware driver handbook, page 83: “You must obey the instructions of a police officer even though they may be contrary to laws, signs, signals, and markings; such instructions are occasionally necessary to keep traffic moving safely.”
17. What is the minimum clearance a driver must maintain from a bicycle when passing in a wide lane without changing lanes?
Answer: Three feet. The handbook specifies a minimum clearance requirement of three feet when passing a bicycle in a wide lane.
Delaware driver handbook, page 97: “requires that you (a) slow down when doing so and (b) leave a minimum of three feet of clearance at all times between your vehicle and the bicycle.”
18. When approaching a school bus that is activating its overhead alternately flashing yellow lights, what action should a driver take?
Answer: Proceed with caution and anticipate a stop. The handbook instructs drivers to approach with caution and anticipate that the bus will stop when yellow lights are flashing.
Delaware driver handbook, page 89: “Approach a bus flashing these yellow lights with caution and anticipate a stop.”
19. What is the primary purpose of the Emergency Notification System (ENS) number found at grade crossings?
Answer: To contact the railroad to report problems with the crossing or tracks. The ENS number is specifically designed to allow drivers to contact the railroad to report issues at the crossing, ensuring efficient response times.
Delaware driver handbook, page 83: “Every grade crossing has an emergency dispatch number for contacting the railroad to report problems with the crossing, tracks or train travel.”
20. According to the handbook, what speed should your vehicle be reduced to before attempting to return to the pavement after running off?
Answer: 15 mph or less. The handbook states that the driver must reduce speed to 15 mph or less before turning the wheels to return to the pavement.
Delaware driver handbook, page 136: “Don’t try to get back onto the pavement until you have your vehicle under control, your speed is reduced to 15 mph or less, and you have looked for traffic behind you.”