20 questions from the Montana driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. If you are driving a smaller vehicle behind a large truck inside a single-lane roundabout, what should you do as the truck completes its travel?
Answer: Drop back behind the larger truck. The handbook instructs smaller vehicles to yield space and drop back behind large vehicles navigating the roundabout curve.
Montana driver handbook, page 42: “The driver of the smaller vehicle should drop back behind the larger truck as it completes its travel through the roundabout.”
2. During an enforcement stop, where should a driver position their hands while remaining inside the vehicle?
Answer: On the steering wheel or top of their lap. The handbook specifies that hands must be visible, such as on the steering wheel or lap, to ensure officer safety and clear communication.
Montana driver handbook, page 91: “Driver and passengers should place their hands in clear view, for example, on the steering wheel, on top of your lap, etc.”
3. What is the recommended hand position on the steering wheel for newer vehicles equipped with airbags when turning quickly?
Answer: 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions. The handbook specifies that for newer vehicles with airbags, the optimal hand positions are adjusted to 8 and 4 o'clock, distinct from the standard 9 and 3 o'clock recommendation.
Montana driver handbook, page 88: “It is best to have your hands at about 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions (8 o’clock and 4 o’clock in newer vehicles equipped with airbags on the steering wheel).”
4. What is the recommended action when driving away from the rising or setting sun?
Answer: Turn on your headlights. The handbook advises turning on headlights in this specific lighting condition to help oncoming drivers see your vehicle.
Montana driver handbook, page 66: “When driving away from the rising or setting sun, turn on your headlights.”
5. When passing a vehicle at 55 mph, approximately how much sight distance is needed?
Answer: About one-third of a mile. The handbook calculates that at 55 mph, a driver needs about one-third of a mile of clear distance to safely complete a pass.
Montana driver handbook, page 77: “That means you need over 1600 feet or about one-third of a mile to pass safely.”
6. What action should you take if your turn signal does not automatically cancel after making a small turn?
Answer: Turn it off manually if it has not clicked off by itself. The handbook instructs drivers to manually switch off the signal if it fails to cancel automatically to avoid confusing other drivers.
Montana driver handbook, page 68: “After small turns, the signals may not turn off by themselves. Turn it off if it has not clicked off by itself.”
7. Which warning sign is described as round?
Answer: Railroad crossing ahead. The handbook identifies the railroad crossing ahead sign as the sole exception to the diamond shape for warning signs.
Montana driver handbook, page 35: “However, the “railroad crossing ahead” sign is round. It is the only round warning traffic sign.”
8. What does a 'Transit' or 'Bus' marking on a lane signify?
Answer: The lane is for bus use only. The handbook clearly states that lanes marked 'Transit' or 'Bus' are restricted to bus usage exclusively.
Montana driver handbook, page 45: “■ “Transit” or “Bus” means the lane is for bus use only.”
9. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure for stopping quickly in a vehicle equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)?
Answer: Press the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing it down, even if you feel it pushing back. The handbook instructs drivers with ABS to maintain constant pressure on the brake pedal, even if they feel the pedal pushing back, rather than pumping or releasing it.
Montana driver handbook, page 88: “Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep pressing on it. ■ You might feel the brake pedal pushing back when the ABS is working. Do not let up on the brake pedal.”
10. When parking facing downhill, how should you position your wheels?
Answer: Turn your wheels toward the curb. The handbook instructs drivers to turn wheels toward the curb when parked facing downhill to ensure the car rolls away from traffic if it moves.
Montana driver handbook, page 55: “When you park facing downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb (Figure A).”
11. Why is it important to check your speed and slow down near schools at all hours?
Answer: Because children are difficult to see due to their size and tend toward unpredictable behavior. The handbook highlights that children's small size and unpredictable nature make them hard to see, necessitating reduced speeds.
Montana driver handbook, page 39: “Mixing speeding or distracted driving with child pedestrians and bicyclists is dangerous because children are difficult to see due to their size and tendency toward unpredictable behavior.”
12. In which situation does the handbook suggest it may be best or necessary to speed up to avoid a collision?
Answer: When another vehicle is about to hit you from behind or the side and there is room ahead. The handbook identifies speeding up as a viable option specifically when a rear or side collision is imminent and there is open space ahead to escape the danger.
Montana driver handbook, page 89: “Sometimes it is best or necessary to speed up to avoid a collision. This may occur when another vehicle is about to hit you from behind or the side and there is room in front of you to get out of danger.”
13. When approaching a school crossing where a guard is directing children across the roadway, what action must a driver take?
Answer: Stop and stay stopped while the guard holds the sign in the stop position. Drivers are required to stop and remain stopped when a crossing guard is actively directing traffic with their sign in the stop position.
Montana driver handbook, page 39: “Drivers can’t drive through a column of school children crossing a roadway, or past a school crossing guard while the crossing guard is directing the movement of children across a roadway and while the crossing guard is holding an official sign in the stop position.”
14. What action does the handbook recommend if you are being followed closely (tailgated) and there is no right lane available?
Answer: Wait until the way is clear then reduce speed slowly. The handbook advises reducing speed slowly only when the way is clear to encourage the tailgater to pass safely.
Montana driver handbook, page 75: “If there is no right lane, wait until the way is clear then reduce speed slowly.”
15. Under what condition may you cross a solid yellow centerline?
Answer: As part of a left turn maneuver. The handbook specifies that crossing a solid centerline is allowed solely for making a left turn, not for general passing or lane changes.
Montana driver handbook, page 44: “Crossing a solid centerline is permitted only as part of a left turn maneuver.”
16. When approaching a railroad crossing with multiple tracks, what is the correct procedure after one train has passed?
Answer: Wait until the passing train is well down the track before starting to cross. The handbook instructs drivers to wait until the first train is well down the track to ensure no other train is hidden behind it.
Montana driver handbook, page 63: “At crossings with more than one track, wait until the passing train is well down the track before starting to cross.”
17. Why is it necessary to leave extra space when stopped on a hill?
Answer: To allow room for the vehicle ahead to roll back when it starts up. Extra space is required to accommodate the possibility that the vehicle in front might roll backward upon starting.
Montana driver handbook, page 75: “Leave extra space when stopped on a hill. The vehicle ahead may roll back when it starts up.”
18. When pulling over for a law enforcement officer, which area should you avoid stopping in?
Answer: The center median. The handbook instructs drivers to stop on the right shoulder and advises against stopping in the center median to avoid danger from oncoming traffic.
Montana driver handbook, page 91: “Do not move onto the center median. Do not stop in the center median of the interstate or on the opposite side of a two-lane road.”
19. What is the safest method for crossing multiple lanes when merging?
Answer: Take them one lane at a time. The handbook advises crossing lanes one step at a time, similar to stairs, as it is safer and easier than trying to determine if all lanes are clear simultaneously.
Montana driver handbook, page 76: “If you want to cross several lanes, take them one at a time.”
20. What is the correct action for a driver already inside a roundabout when approached by an emergency vehicle?
Answer: Continue and exit as normal, then pull to the right. Drivers inside the roundabout should not stop but should exit normally and then pull over to let the emergency vehicle pass.
Montana driver handbook, page 42: “Do not pull over or stop in the roundabout when approached by an emergency vehicle. Continue and exit as normal, then pull to the right where there is room for the emergency vehicle to pass.”