20 questions from the Mississippi driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to the handbook, who always has the right of way when crossing the street?
Answer: Pedestrians walking across the street within a crosswalk. The handbook mandates that pedestrians in crosswalks always have priority over vehicles.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 59: “A person walking across the street within a crosswalk, whether or not the crosswalk is marked, ALWAYS HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY.”
2. When is it appropriate to move back into your lane after passing a large vehicle?
Answer: Only when you can see the front wheels of the truck meeting the pavement in your rearview mirror. The handbook specifies that seeing the truck's front wheels on the pavement in the rearview mirror is the required condition for safely returning to the lane.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 72: “Before returning to the lane of the vehicle you have passed, be sure to move back only when you can see the front wheels of the truck meeting the pavement in your rearview mirror.”
3. What must a driver ensure before moving back into the right lane after passing another vehicle?
Answer: That the vehicle passed is visible in the rearview mirror. The handbook requires checking the rearview mirror to confirm the passed vehicle is visible before returning to the right lane.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 47: “Before moving back into the right lane, make sure that you can see the vehicle you passed in your rearview mirror.”
4. What is the correct action when a large vehicle is passing you?
Answer: Keep to the far side of your lane. The handbook advises keeping to the far side of your lane to assist the passing driver, while noting not to speed up.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 72: “When a large vehicle passes you, help the driver by keeping to the far side of your lane.”
5. What is the correct procedure if your vehicle becomes stranded on railroad tracks and the warning lights begin to flash?
Answer: Get out of the vehicle, run at a 45-degree angle away from the tracks in the direction the train is coming, and dial 911. The handbook instructs drivers to exit the vehicle and run at a specific angle in the direction of the oncoming train to maximize safety.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 36: “Once outside, run in a 45-degree angle away from the tracks in the direction that the train is coming, then immediately dial 911.”
6. Which of the following is true regarding the color of auxiliary lights on a vehicle?
Answer: It is against the law for auxiliary lights to be either red or blue. The handbook states that auxiliary lights cannot be red or blue, making option D the correct rule.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 19: “It is against the law for any of these lights to be either red or blue.”
7. What is the recommended hand position on the steering wheel for maintaining control of the vehicle?
Answer: At the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. The handbook recommends the 3 and 9 o'clock positions for proper vehicle control.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 22: “Both hands should be placed on the outside of the steering wheel on opposite sides, at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions, to maintain control of the vehicle.”
8. What must a driver do when encountering a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign?
Answer: Come to a complete stop at least ten feet away from the bus. Drivers are required to stop completely and maintain a distance of at least ten feet from the stopped school bus.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 58: “COME TO A COMPLETE STOP at least ten feet away from the bus.”
9. For a driver under 21 with a Blood Alcohol Content of .02% but less than .08%, how long is the license suspension for a second Zero Tolerance DUI offense within five years?
Answer: Two years or until the person reaches the age of 21, whichever is longer. The rule specifies the longer of the two periods: two years or until age 21.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 79: “2 years or until the person reaches the age of 21, whichever is longer.”
10. What is the required speed limit when passing a school zone during recess or opening/closing hours?
Answer: Fifteen miles per hour. The handbook specifies a speed limit of fifteen miles per hour for school zones during specific times.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 31: “SCHOOL ZONE: Fifteen miles per hour when passing a school during recess or while children are arriving at or leaving school during opening/closing hours.”
11. Who must accompany a holder of a Regular Learner’s Permit while driving?
Answer: Any licensed driver aged twenty-one years or older. The rule requires the accompanying driver to be licensed, at least twenty-one years old, and physically present in the adjacent seat.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 13: “It entitles you to drive a motor vehicle when accompanied by a licensed driver aged twenty-one years or older who is physically occupying the seat next to you.”
12. What is the correct arm signal for making a LEFT TURN?
Answer: Extend your arm and hand straight out. The handbook instructs drivers to extend their arm and hand straight out to signal a left turn.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 42: “LEFT TURN: Extend your arm and hand straight out.”
13. Under what condition may you travel straight through an intersection when facing a solid green light?
Answer: If it is safe to do so, after yielding to pedestrians and traffic already in the intersection. The handbook clarifies that a solid green light permits movement only if safe, contingent upon yielding to pedestrians and existing traffic in the intersection.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 37: “A SOLID GREEN LIGHT means you may go if it is safe to do so. You must yield to any pedestrians and to any traffic already in the intersection.”
14. What is the recommended procedure for turning from a lane on a one-way street?
Answer: Always turn from the lane nearest the curb. The handbook advises using the lane closest to the curb for turns on one-way streets unless markings permit otherwise.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 54: “A good rule to remember when traveling on a one-way street is to always turn from the lane nearest the curb.”
15. What is the required action when approaching an oncoming vehicle within five hundred feet at night?
Answer: Use low beams. The handbook mandates the use of low beams when within 500 feet of another vehicle to prevent blinding the other driver.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 63: “You are required by law to use your low beams when you approach within five hundred feet of an oncoming vehicle or when you are following within five hundred feet of another vehicle.”
16. When following another vehicle at 30 mph, how many car lengths of distance should you maintain?
Answer: Three car lengths. The handbook specifies that at 30 mph, drivers should leave at least three car lengths between vehicles.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 43: “@ 30 MPH leave at least THREE car lengths”
17. What is the minimum following distance required when driving at 40 MPH?
Answer: Four car lengths. The handbook directly states that a driver must leave at least four car lengths of space when traveling at 40 MPH.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 43: “@ 40 MPH leave at least FOUR car lengths”
18. When driving on a divided highway with four or more lanes, what is the correct procedure if you are traveling in the opposite direction of a stopped school bus?
Answer: You may continue to travel on your side of the divided highway without stopping. The handbook states that drivers on the opposite side of a divided highway do not need to stop for a school bus.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 58: “If you are traveling in the OPPOSITE direction as the stopped school bus, you may continue to travel on your side of the divided highway without stopping.”
19. When approaching a double solid yellow line separating opposite directions of traffic, what is the rule for passing?
Answer: Passing is prohibited. The handbook clearly states that passing is prohibited from either side of a double yellow line.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 25: “Passing from either side of a double yellow line is PROHIBITED.”
20. According to the Governor's message, what is identified as one of the leading causes of accidents?
Answer: Distracted driving. The handbook states that distracted driving is a primary cause of accidents, distinguishing it from other safe-driving practices mentioned.
Mississippi driver handbook, page 4: “Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents.”