20 questions from the New Hampshire driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. How should a driver respond if a tire blows out while driving?
Answer: Grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle going straight. The handbook states that during a blowout, the driver must hold the wheel firmly and maintain a straight path.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 41: “If a tire blows out or suddenly goes flat, a driver should: • Grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle going straight.”
2. What action should a driver take when encountering an emergency vehicle inside a multi-lane roundabout?
Answer: Move through and exit the roundabout, then pull over to the right. Drivers are instructed to clear the roundabout by exiting and pulling over, rather than stopping within the circle itself.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 33: “Never stop while inside the roundabout. Instead, move through and exit the roundabout, pull over to the right and allow emergency vehicles to pass.”
3. Under New Hampshire’s “Sherrill’s Law,” what action should a driver take when approaching a stopped vehicle displaying warning signals, if traffic conditions allow?
Answer: Provide a wide space or change into a lane not adjacent to the situation. The law requires drivers to give a wide berth or change lanes away from the incident to ensure safety, provided it can be done safely.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 46: “New Hampshire’s “Sherrill’s Law” law (RSA 265:37-a) requires drivers to provide a wide space or change into a lane not adjacent to certain situations if traffic conditions allow to do so safely.”
4. When entering a curve, what should a driver do regarding speed?
Answer: Reduce speed prior to entering the curve to a safe speed. The handbook advises reducing speed before entering the curve rather than braking or accelerating during the turn.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 23: “Always reduce speed prior to entering the curve to a safe speed (a speed that allows the driver to apply slight and constant acceleration through the curve).”
5. What should a driver do when a large truck or bus is making a right turn?
Answer: Wait until the truck or bus has completed its turn before proceeding. The handbook advises waiting for the large vehicle to finish its maneuver to avoid being squeezed between the vehicle and the curb.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 45: “To avoid a crash, do not turn until the truck or bus has completed its turn.”
6. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure for using the brakes on a vehicle equipped with ABS?
Answer: Press on the brake pedal and keep applying pressure. The handbook states that drivers must maintain continuous pressure on the brake pedal for the ABS to function correctly.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 40: “Drivers should press on the brake pedal and keep applying pressure. ABS will work only if the driver keeps the pressure on the brake pedal.”
7. How does doubling a vehicle's speed affect its stopping distance according to the handbook?
Answer: The stopping distance increases 4 times. The handbook states that stopping distance quadruples when speed is doubled, highlighting the non-linear relationship between speed and stopping distance.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 22: “The stopping distance of a vehicle increases 4 times when the speed of the vehicle is doubled.”
8. What is the maximum speed limit in any business or urban residence district in New Hampshire?
Answer: 30 miles per hour. The handbook states that the maximum speed limit for business or urban residence districts is 30 mph.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 21: “The maximum speed limits in New Hampshire are: • 30 miles per hour in any business or urban residence district as defined in RSA 259:118;”
9. What does a down-pointed triangle sign indicate?
Answer: Yield. The down-pointed triangle is the universal symbol for a Yield sign.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 49: “A down pointed triangle sign means ____________________.”
10. Where should pedestrians walk if there is no sidewalk available?
Answer: On the left side of the roadway facing oncoming traffic. The handbook specifies that pedestrians without sidewalks should walk on the left side facing traffic to see oncoming vehicles.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 42: “Walk on the left side of the roadway facing oncoming traffic when walking on the side of the road where there is no sidewalk.”
11. Under New Hampshire law, which riders are required to wear helmets approved by the United States Department of Transportation?
Answer: All riders and passengers under the age of 18. The handbook states that the helmet requirement applies specifically to riders and passengers who are under 18 years old.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 18: “New Hampshire law requires all riders and passengers under the age of 18 to wear helmets approved by the United States Department of Transportation.”
12. What is the primary function of a forward collision warning system as described in the handbook?
Answer: It alerts drivers of an impending collision so they can brake or swerve. The handbook clarifies that this system alerts the driver to allow them to react, noting specifically that the warning alone does not automatically brake.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 25: “Alerts drivers of an impending collision with a slower moving or stationary vehicle or object to the front so a driver can brake or swerve in time.”
13. When parking a vehicle with an automatic transmission on a hill, what action must the driver take regarding the wheels?
Answer: Turn the wheels toward the curb. The handbook instructs drivers to turn wheels into the curb when parked on a hill to secure the vehicle.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 34: “Set the parking brake and turn the wheels into the curb if the vehicle is parked on a hill.”
14. When making a right turn, how should a driver position their vehicle?
Answer: Always turn right from the right-most portion of the lane. The handbook advises turning from the right-most portion of the lane and avoiding swinging wide to the left.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 31: “Always turn right from the right-most portion of the lane.”
15. According to the handbook, what does a green arrow on a traffic light mean?
Answer: You may proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow. The handbook implies that a green arrow allows movement in the indicated direction, distinguishing it from a standard green light or red light.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 49: “A green arrow on a traffic light means ______________________________.”
16. How far does the blind spot directly behind a large vehicle extend?
Answer: Up to 200 feet. The handbook specifies that the rear blind spot of a large vehicle extends up to 200 feet.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 45: “Unlike cars, large vehicles have huge blind spots directly behind them that extend up to 200 feet.”
17. How should the shoulder harness of a safety belt be worn?
Answer: Across the shoulder and chest with minimal, if any slack. The handbook instructs that the shoulder harness must go across the shoulder and chest with little slack, rejecting wearing it under the arm or behind the back.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 17: “The shoulder harness is worn across the shoulder and chest with minimal, if any slack.”
18. What is the required action for a driver leaving a vehicle unattended according to the law?
Answer: Turn off the engine and remove the key. The handbook states that the law mandates turning off the engine and removing the key when leaving a vehicle unattended.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 34: “The law requires drivers to turn off the engine and remove the key when leaving a vehicle unattended.”
19. According to the handbook, how should a driver position their head restraint to prevent whiplash?
Answer: The head rest should come in contact with the back of the driver’s head, but not below the ears. The handbook states that the head rest must contact the back of the head and must not be positioned below the ears.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 17: “Head rests should be adjusted so the head rest comes in contact with the back of the driver’s head, but not below the ears.”
20. When approaching a school bus stopped with flashing red lights on a roadway that is NOT separated by a physical barrier, how far must a driver stop?
Answer: At least 25 feet. The rule mandates a minimum stopping distance of 25 feet for school buses with active warning lights on undivided roads.
New Hampshire driver handbook, page 33: “Drivers must stop at least 25-feet in any direction for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and/or the stop arm extended at all times unless the roadway is separated by a physical barrier.”