20 questions from the Louisiana driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When parking facing downhill next to a curb, how should the wheels be turned?
Answer: Toward the curb. The handbook specifies that when facing downhill with a curb present, the wheels must be turned toward the curb to ensure safety if the brakes fail.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 73: “Facing downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb and shift into reverse or park.”
2. Within how many days after moving must a Louisiana resident correct the address on their driver's license?
Answer: Within 10 days. The handbook mandates that address corrections must be made within 10 days of moving.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 15: “Louisiana law requires you to correct the address on your license within 10 days after a move.”
3. What action must a driver take when encountering a flashing yellow traffic light?
Answer: Slow down, look for traffic entering the intersection, and proceed with caution. The handbook defines the flashing yellow light as a warning to slow down, check for entering traffic, and proceed cautiously, rather than requiring a full stop or immediate entry.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 38: “Flashing YELLOW Traffic Light – This warning means slow down, look for any traffic entering the intersection and proceed with caution.”
4. What is the primary purpose of a two-way left turn lane?
Answer: To be used by vehicles traveling in either direction for left turn maneuvers ONLY. The handbook clarifies that this lane is exclusively for left turns and must never be used for general travel or passing.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 41: “The designated center lane may be used by vehicles traveling in either direction. For left turn maneuvers ONLY.”
5. What is the recommended time gap you should aim for when merging into interstate traffic?
Answer: Four seconds. The handbook specifies that a four-second gap is necessary to ensure safe merging distances for both vehicles.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 106: “When you merge into traffic, you need a gap of four seconds.”
6. Where should drivers avoid attempting to turn around?
Answer: On a hill or in a curve where visibility is limited to less than 500 feet. Drivers are instructed to avoid turning around on hills or curves if other drivers cannot see them from at least 500 feet away.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 95: “Do not attempt to turn around while on a hill or in a curve where your vehicle cannot be seen by other drivers approaching from either direction within 500 feet.”
7. How does the handbook define a 'Limited Access Highway'?
Answer: A highway where access is limited to signed exits. The handbook provides a specific definition for Limited Access Highways, noting that entry and exit are restricted to designated signed locations.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 25: “Limited Access Highway: A highway where access is limited to signed exits.”
8. If you are stopped at an intersection and the light turns green, what must you do before proceeding?
Answer: Allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection. The rule states that even when the light turns green, drivers must wait for crossing traffic to clear the intersection before moving forward.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 38: “If you are stopped at the intersection and the light turns green, you must allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection before you go ahead.”
9. According to the rules, how far must you park from a fire hydrant?
Answer: Within 15 feet. The handbook specifies that it is against the law to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 75: “Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or within 50 feet of a railroad crossing”
10. If you intend to turn left while driving through a traffic circle, when should you signal right?
Answer: Once you have traveled three quarters of the way around. The instructions specify that for a left turn, you signal left on approach and then signal right after traveling three-quarters of the way around to indicate your exit.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 97: “Once you have traveled three quarters of the way around the traffic circle or roundabout, signal “right” to take the exit.”
11. Under Louisiana law described in the handbook, which lane should a vehicle traveling slower than the normal speed of traffic use?
Answer: The right lane only. The handbook specifies that vehicles moving slower than the normal speed of traffic are required to stay in the right lane.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 40: “Any vehicle traveling at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic shall travel in the right lane only.”
12. According to Louisiana law, what is the correct procedure when approached by an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible or visual signals?
Answer: Drive to a position parallel to the right-hand edge or curb and remain stopped until the vehicle has passed. The handbook instructs drivers to pull over to the right-hand edge or curb and stop completely when an emergency vehicle approaches with signals.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 126: “If you are approached by an authorized emergency vehicle (police car, ambulance, fire truck, etc.) making use of audible or visual signals, you will always yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to a position parallel to the right-hand edge or curb and remain stopped until that vehicle has passed.”
13. Under what condition is a roadway with one lane in each direction and a dedicated two-way left turn lane NOT considered a divided highway?
Answer: When it is not separated by a barrier. The handbook specifies that if such a roadway lacks a physical barrier separating directions, it is treated as undivided, requiring drivers to stop for school buses.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 94: “Drivers must stop on a four lane roadway when it is not separated by a barrier. A roadway with one lane in each direction and with a dedicated two-way left turn lane is not considered a divided highway and drivers must stop for the school bus.”
14. What should you do before backing your vehicle to ensure safety?
Answer: Check behind your vehicle and turn your head to see where you are backing. The handbook advises drivers to physically check behind the vehicle and turn their head rather than relying only on mirrors.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 78: “Check behind your vehicle before backing. Do not depend on your mirrors. Turn your head and body so you can see where you are backing.”
15. What does a white painted curb indicate regarding parking restrictions?
Answer: Only short stops are permitted. The handbook defines a white painted curb as indicating that only short stops are allowed.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 75: “White - indicates that only short stops are permitted”
16. According to the handbook, how does an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) function when the brakes are pressed hard?
Answer: It pumps the brakes up to 30 times per second. The handbook states that ABS automatically pumps the brakes up to 30 times per second when pressed hard, distinguishing it from manual pumping or simple locking.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 118: “If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), when the brakes are pressed hard, the ABS pumps the brakes up to 30 times/sec.”
17. When a bicyclist is passing parked cars, how should a driver handle the lane?
Answer: Give bicyclists the entire lane. The handbook instructs drivers to yield the full lane width to bicyclists navigating around parked cars to avoid opening doors.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 85: “Give bicyclists the entire lane when they are passing parked cars.”
18. When approaching a visually impaired pedestrian using a white cane at a crosswalk, how far from the crosswalk should you stop your vehicle?
Answer: Less than five feet from the crosswalk. The handbook instructs drivers to stop no more than five feet away so the pedestrian can hear the engine, implying the stop should be close (less than or equal to five feet), making 'Less than five feet' the best fit among the choices for being close enough, though technically 'no more than' allows exactly five, option C is the intended positive action of driving up close, whereas A is forbidden.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 82: “Don't stop your car more than five feet from the crosswalk. The pedestrian uses the sound of your engine as a guide, so drive up to the crosswalk to allow the person to hear you.”
19. What is the recommended action if you encounter an oncoming car in your lane?
Answer: Steer off the road to the right shoulder or ditch. The handbook instructs drivers to steer to the right shoulder or ditch if a crash is probable, advising against driving into the left lane.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 118: “If the other driver keeps coming and a crash is probable, steer off the road to the right shoulder or ditch. Do not drive into the left lane.”
20. If your vehicle stalls or becomes pinned between vehicles while crossing railroad tracks, what is the correct action to take?
Answer: Get out and move in the direction toward the approaching train away from the tracks. The handbook instructs drivers to move toward the train but away from the tracks to ensure visibility and safety from other hazards.
Louisiana driver handbook, page 99: “If your vehicle becomes pinned between two vehicles or stalls in the path of an oncoming train, get out and move in the direction toward the approaching train away from the tracks.”