20 questions from the Massachusetts driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What should you do if you are being passed by another vehicle?
Answer: Slow down and stay to the right. Drivers being passed are instructed to slow down and keep right to facilitate a safe pass, rather than maintaining speed or accelerating.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 111: “If you are being passed by another vehicle, you must slow down and stay to the right. Allow the other driver to pass safely. Do not speed up.”
2. Why are stimulants like pep pills and cocaine considered dangerous for drivers according to the handbook?
Answer: They cause fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, and lack of concentration after an initial period of alertness. The handbook explains that while stimulants initially make drivers feel awake, this is followed by negative side effects like fatigue and lack of concentration.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 83: “However, this is always followed by fatigue, nervousness, dizziness, and a lack of concentration. They can also affect your vision.”
3. What is the rule for bicyclists regarding lane usage on public ways?
Answer: They can use the full lane anywhere, anytime, and on any street. The handbook states bicyclists have the right to use the full lane regardless of bike lane availability, with specific highway exceptions.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 120: “You can use the full lane anywhere, anytime, and on any street (except limited access or express state highways where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles have been posted), even if there is a bike lane.”
4. What is the primary purpose of Shared Lane Markings (Sharrows) for bicyclists?
Answer: To help bicyclists position themselves to avoid parked car doors and squeezing. The handbook explains that sharrows help bicyclists position themselves safely to avoid hazards like open doors and narrow lane squeezes.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 99: “By following these markings, bicyclists can avoid being hit by the open door of a parked vehicle or getting squeezed next to a motor vehicle in a narrow lane.”
5. What action should a driver take if they miss their exit while driving on a highway?
Answer: Continue driving to the next exit and look for signs to rejoin the road. The handbook instructs drivers not to stop or back up, but rather to proceed to the next exit to safely rejoin the road.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 103: “If you miss your exit, do not stop . Never back up on the highway . Get off the highway at the next exit and look for signs showing you how to rejoin the road in the other direction.”
6. When operating a bicycle, how many bicycles are permitted to ride side-by-side?
Answer: No more than two bicycles. The handbook specifies a limit of two bicycles when riding side-by-side, making options allowing three or unlimited bicycles incorrect.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 121: “No more than two bicycles can be operated side-by-side.”
7. When leaving your vehicle by itself, what specific actions does state law require you to take?
Answer: Stop the motor, set the parking brake, lock the ignition, remove the key, and lock the door. The handbook lists these five specific steps as the legal requirement when leaving a vehicle unattended.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 117: “When you leave your vehicle by itself, state law requires you to stop the motor, set the parking brake, make sure the ignition is locked, remove your key, and lock the door.”
8. How should a driver react if their vehicle begins to hydroplane?
Answer: Slowly step off the gas pedal. The instructions specify easing off the gas pedal while avoiding sudden braking or turning to maintain control during hydroplaning.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 55: “If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, you’re driving too fast. Slowly step off the gas pedal. Never hit the brakes or turn suddenly.”
9. What is the maximum distance your vehicle should be from the curb when parking in a business or residential district?
Answer: No more than 12 inches. The handbook specifies a maximum limit of 12 inches from the curb for standard parking in these districts.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 117: “If you park in a business or residential district, your vehicle must be no more than 12 inches from the curb.”
10. What is the correct procedure when approaching a four-way stop intersection?
Answer: Vehicles proceed in the order they stopped, with the first to stop going next. The handbook states that vehicles must proceed in the order they stopped, meaning the first vehicle to arrive and stop is the first to proceed.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 108: “At a four-way stop, vehicles must go in the order they stopped . The first to stop is the next to go .”
11. Under what specific condition is a left turn on a red light permitted?
Answer: When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. Left turns on red are restricted to situations where both the starting and ending streets are one-way.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 106: “You may turn left on red only if you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street.”
12. When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a highway with at least four lanes, what is the required action according to the move-over law?
Answer: Yield the right-of-way by safely moving over to a lane that is not next to the lane the emergency vehicle is in. The handbook states that on multi-lane highways, drivers must move over to leave an open lane between their vehicle and the stopped emergency vehicle.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 128: “On a highway with at least four lanes (at least two in the same direction you are heading), yield the right-of way by safely “moving over” to a lane that is not next to the lane the emergency vehicle is in.”
13. What is the correct procedure when the lights begin to flash at a railroad crossing?
Answer: Stop at least 15 feet before the light post or gate. The handbook specifies a minimum stopping distance of 15 feet from the signal or gate when lights are flashing.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 95: “If the lights begin to flash, you must stop at least 15 feet before the light post or gate.”
14. Under what specific condition may a driver turn left on a red light in Massachusetts?
Answer: When turning left from a one-way street onto another one-way street. The handbook specifies that left turns on red are permitted only when moving from one one-way street to another.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 89: “You can turn left on a red light when driving on a one-way street and turning left onto another one-way street.”
15. What is the recommended braking technique if your vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes?
Answer: Never pump the brakes. The handbook instructs drivers with antilock brakes to never pump the brakes.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 53: “If your vehicle has antilock brakes, never pump the brakes.”
16. How should a driver position their vehicle when approaching a curve where visibility ahead is limited?
Answer: Keep to the right and slow down. The handbook advises keeping to the right and reducing speed when visibility is restricted by a curve.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 102: “If you come to a curve in the road and cannot see ahead, keep to the right and slow down.”
17. In which of the following situations is passing on the right allowed?
Answer: When the vehicle ahead is making a left turn. The handbook lists specific conditions for passing on the right, including when the vehicle ahead is turning left, while other options are not listed as valid exceptions.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 111: “You can pass on the right in the following circumstances: • The vehicle you are passing is making, or is about to make, a left turn.”
18. What action must a driver take when encountering a blind pedestrian crossing a street?
Answer: Come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the person has safely crossed. The handbook requires drivers to remain stopped until the blind pedestrian has safely crossed and advises against honking or waving them on.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 108: “You must remain stopped until the person has safely crossed. Do not honk or wave the person on.”
19. If your vehicle has antilock brakes and they fail to respond when fully pressing the pedal, what should you do first?
Answer: Downshift to a lower gear. For vehicles with antilock brakes, the first step listed for brake failure is downshifting, whereas pumping is reserved for non-antilock brakes.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 132: “Downshift to a lower gear, and work your way down to the lowest gear, if necessary.”
20. What should a driver do if their headlights suddenly go out while driving?
Answer: Turn on your parking lights, emergency flashers, or turn signal. The handbook advises activating alternative lights such as parking lights or flashers to maintain visibility when headlights fail.
Massachusetts driver handbook, page 133: “Turn on your parking lights, emergency flashers, or turn signal.”