20 questions from the Delaware driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and you are unsure whether a train is coming, what should you do?
Answer: Get out and move away from your vehicle. The handbook states that if the car won't start or visibility is uncertain, the driver should exit the vehicle and move away from the tracks.
Delaware driver handbook, page 138: “If it does not start, or you are not sure whether a train is coming, get out and move away from your vehicle.”
2. What should a driver do if vehicles are piled up behind them because they are driving much slower than other traffic?
Answer: Pull over when safe to do so and let them pass. The handbook instructs slow drivers to pull over safely when traffic backs up behind them to facilitate flow.
Delaware driver handbook, page 124: “If vehicles are piled up behind you, pull over when safe to do so and let them pass.”
3. When crossing several lanes, what is the safest method described in the handbook?
Answer: Take them one lane at a time. The handbook advises taking lanes one at a time, similar to stairs, as it is safer and easier than trying to determine if all lanes are free at once.
Delaware driver handbook, page 130: “If you want to cross several lanes, take them one at a time.”
4. What is the recommended action when approaching a roundabout sign?
Answer: Reduce speed and yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the circle. The handbook instructs drivers to slow down and yield to existing traffic and pedestrians when approaching a roundabout.
Delaware driver handbook, page 77: “Roundabout sign; reduce speed and yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the circle.”
5. Which locations are specifically mentioned as places where a driver should look to the sides due to potential activity?
Answer: Shopping centers, parking lots, construction areas, busy sidewalks, playgrounds, and school yards. The handbook lists these specific areas as places with high activity where drivers must check their sides.
Delaware driver handbook, page 117: “Therefore, it is very important to look to the sides when you are near shopping centers and parking lots, construction areas, busy sidewalks, and playgrounds and school yards.”
6. Under what specific condition is a driver NOT required to stop before reaching a stopped school bus loading or unloading children?
Answer: When the driver is on the opposite side of a divided highway having four or more lanes. The rule requires stopping for school buses unless the driver is separated by a divided highway with four or more lanes, which is the specific exception listed.
Delaware driver handbook, page 95: “You must always stop before reaching a school bus when it is stopped to load or unload school children, except when you are on the opposite side of a divided highway having four or more lanes.”
7. What is the correct procedure for a pedestrian walking on a road where no sidewalk is provided?
Answer: Walk on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic as far away from the road as possible. The handbook mandates that pedestrians without sidewalks must face oncoming traffic and maintain maximum distance from the roadway for safety.
Delaware driver handbook, page 95: “When there is no sidewalk, walk on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic as far away from the road as possible.”
8. If you are being tailgated and there is no right lane available, what should you do?
Answer: Wait until the road ahead is clear then reduce speed slowly. The instructions state that if no right lane exists, the driver should wait for clear roads and then reduce speed slowly to encourage the tailgater to pass.
Delaware driver handbook, page 129: “If there is no right lane, wait until the road ahead is clear then reduce speed slowly.”
9. When should a driver look left and right at an intersection, even if other traffic has a red light?
Answer: Just after the light has turned green. The handbook specifies that checking left and right is crucial just after the light turns green because others may hurry through before their light changes.
Delaware driver handbook, page 117: “At an intersection, look left and right, even if other traffic has a red light or a stop sign. This is especially important just after the light has turned green.”
10. When approaching a roundabout, what is the recommended speed limit?
Answer: 10-15 mph. The handbook specifies slowing down to 10-15 mph upon approaching the roundabout.
Delaware driver handbook, page 86: “Upon approaching the roundabout, stay to the right of the splitter island and slow down to 10-15 mph .”
11. After the first six months of valid driving authority, during which hours may a Level One Learner's Permit holder drive unsupervised?
Answer: Between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The rules specify that unsupervised driving is permitted specifically between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. after the initial six-month period.
Delaware driver handbook, page 30: “After the first six months of valid Level One Learner's Permit driving authority: a. The permit holder may drive unsupervised between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.”
12. What action must a driver take when encountering an overhead lane signal displaying the word "ONLY"?
Answer: Go in the direction the arrow points; there is no option. The handbook mandates that when 'ONLY' is displayed, the driver must follow the arrow's direction without deviation.
Delaware driver handbook, page 75: “When the word “ONLY” is used, you must go in the direction the arrow points; there is no option.”
13. What should a driver do if they are too close to stop safely when a steady yellow arrow appears?
Answer: Continue through the intersection with care. The handbook instructs drivers who cannot stop safely to proceed through the intersection carefully rather than stopping abruptly.
Delaware driver handbook, page 71: “If you are too close to stop safely, continue thru the intersection with care.”
14. What is the minimum distance required when stopping near a flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic signal?
Answer: Within 30 feet. The handbook specifies that vehicles must not stop within 30 feet of these specific traffic control devices.
Delaware driver handbook, page 93: “Within 30 feet of any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic signal.”
15. When is it appropriate to cross a solid yellow line separating opposing lanes of traffic?
Answer: When turning into a driveway, if it is safe to do so. The handbook specifies that crossing a solid yellow line is permitted specifically for turning into a driveway when safe.
Delaware driver handbook, page 85: “You may cross a solid yellow line to turn into a driveway, if it is safe to do so.”
16. Under what specific condition does Delaware law permit a driver to pass a bicycle without changing lanes?
Answer: When the travel lane is very wide enough for both the vehicle and bicycle to travel safely side by side. Passing without changing lanes is only permitted if the lane is sufficiently wide to accommodate both vehicles safely side-by-side.
Delaware driver handbook, page 97: “In the unusual case of very wide travel lanes (wide enough for both your vehicle and a bicycle), the law permits you to pass a bicycle without changing lanes but 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.”
17. When is it required to turn on parking lights (or 4-way flashers) while parked on the shoulder of a highway?
Answer: From sunset to sunrise or when visibility is insufficient to see objects 1000 feet away. Parking lights are mandated during low-light conditions defined by the time of day or specific visibility distance.
Delaware driver handbook, page 91: “When you park a vehicle on the shoulder or side of any highway from sunset to sunrise or when light is insufficient to see persons or objects 1000 feet away, you must turn on your parking lights (or 4-way flashers when vehicle is so equipped).”
18. According to the handbook, what is the minimum clearance a motorist must leave when passing a cyclist?
Answer: Three feet. The handbook states that a minimum of three feet of clearance is required when passing a cyclist.
Delaware driver handbook, page 130: “Motorists are required to leave a minimum of three feet of clearance at all times when passing a cyclist”
19. What is the recommended gap size when merging with other traffic or changing lanes?
Answer: Four-second gap. The handbook specifies that a gap of about four seconds is needed to merge safely, ensuring a three-second following distance for both vehicles.
Delaware driver handbook, page 130: “Anytime you want to merge with other traffic, you need a gap of about four seconds.”
20. What is the required action when approaching a highway-rail intersection marked by a white, X-shaped crossbuck sign?
Answer: Yield to crossing trains. The handbook states that the crossbuck sign functions like a Yield sign, requiring drivers to yield to trains.
Delaware driver handbook, page 84: “A white, X-shaped sign or “crossbuck” with Railroad Crossing on it is located at the railroad crossing. This sign has the same meaning as a Yield sign. You must yield to crossing trains.”