20 questions from the Oregon driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What action must you take if you must leave your vehicle unattended?
Answer: Turn off the engine, remove the key, set the brakes, and turn on hazard lights. The handbook lists specific steps for securing an unattended vehicle, including turning off the engine and activating hazard lights.
Oregon driver handbook, page 79: “If you must leave your vehicle unattended, turn off the engine, remove the key, set the brakes, and turn on your hazard lights.”
2. When driving slower than the normal speed of traffic, where must you position your vehicle?
Answer: In the right lane or as closely as possible to the right curb or edge of the road. The handbook mandates that slow-moving drivers keep to the right lane or curb to facilitate traffic flow, unless preparing for a left turn.
Oregon driver handbook, page 29: “If you drive slower than the normal speed of traffic, you must use the right lane or drive as closely as possible to the right curb or edge of the road, unless you are preparing to make a left turn.”
3. According to the handbook, what is the recommended headlight setting when driving into fog, dust, smoke, or any area of low visibility?
Answer: Use headlights on low beam. The handbook instructs drivers to use low beams in low visibility conditions to avoid glare caused by high beams reflecting back.
Oregon driver handbook, page 85: “If you drive into fog, dust, smoke, or any area of low visibility, use headlights on low beam.”
4. What action should you take when approaching an automated flagger device with a red light on and the stop arm down?
Answer: Stop. The instructions for automated flagger devices specify that drivers must stop when the red light is illuminated and the arm is lowered.
Oregon driver handbook, page 67: “Stop when the red light is on and the arm is down.”
5. What is the correct procedure for checking visibility while backing up a vehicle?
Answer: Turn your body and head to the right and look out through the rear window. The handbook states that mirrors are insufficient for a full view, requiring the driver to physically turn their head to look through the rear window.
Oregon driver handbook, page 37: “Mirrors do not give you a full view. To see as much as possible, turn your body and head to the right and look out through the rear window.”
6. According to the handbook, what is the minimum safe following distance for speeds greater than 30 mph?
Answer: 4 seconds or more. The handbook states that for speeds exceeding 30 mph, the driver must maintain a following distance of at least 4 seconds.
Oregon driver handbook, page 34: “For speeds greater than 30 mph, a safe following distance should be 4 seconds or more to allow you time to make a decision and take action.”
7. When encountering a 'Right Turn Permitted Without Stopping' sign below a stop sign, which vehicles are allowed to turn without stopping?
Answer: Traffic turning right. The handbook specifies that this permission applies specifically to traffic making a right turn, while other traffic must stop.
Oregon driver handbook, page 16: “Traffic turning right may turn without stopping.”
8. What does a dotted white line placed closer together than a broken line indicate when used prior to an exit ramp?
Answer: The lane you are traveling in will not continue on the same route. The handbook defines this specific marking as a warning that the current lane is ending or becoming exclusive (like an exit-only lane), requiring the driver to be aware that the lane will not continue straight.
Oregon driver handbook, page 32: “When used prior to an exit ramp or intersection, it informs you that the lane you are traveling in will not continue on the same route, such as a right-turn only lane or an exit only lane on the freeway.”
9. What action is required when approaching a 'Low Clearance' sign?
Answer: Do not proceed if your vehicle is too tall to pass under it. The instruction for Low Clearance signs is specifically to avoid proceeding if the vehicle's height exceeds the clearance limit.
Oregon driver handbook, page 20: “Do not proceed if your vehicle is too tall to pass under it.”
10. When is it permissible to pass another vehicle on the right according to the handbook?
Answer: When the vehicle ahead is making or has signaled for a left turn. The handbook lists specific conditions for passing on the right, including when the vehicle ahead is making or signaling for a left turn, provided there is sufficient space.
Oregon driver handbook, page 41: “You may pass on the right only under one of the following conditions: • The vehicle you are passing is making or has signaled for a left turn.”
11. When making a left turn on a two-way road, where should the driver position their vehicle before entering the intersection?
Answer: In the lane just to the right of the center line. The instructions for left turns specify positioning the vehicle in the lane immediately adjacent to the center line on the right side.
Oregon driver handbook, page 47: “Left Turns: On a two-way road, approach the turn with your vehicle in the lane just to the right of the center line.”
12. According to the handbook, how does the stopping distance of a large vehicle compare to that of a smaller vehicle traveling at the same speed?
Answer: It takes about three times the distance to stop. The handbook states that large vehicles require approximately three times the stopping distance compared to smaller vehicles at equal speeds.
Oregon driver handbook, page 61: “These vehicles take about three times the distance to stop than smaller vehicles traveling at the same speed.”
13. What is the minimum distance you must maintain behind an emergency vehicle after it has passed?
Answer: 500 feet. The handbook specifies a minimum following distance of 500 feet behind emergency vehicles once they have passed.
Oregon driver handbook, page 66: “After the emergency vehicle passes, you must stay at least 500 feet behind the vehicle.”
14. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for an instruction permit for a Class C non-commercial driving privilege?
Answer: At least 15 years of age. The handbook states that applicants must be at least 15 years old to apply for an instruction permit.
Oregon driver handbook, page 97: “Be at least 15 years of age to apply for an instruction permit.”
15. When entering a one-way road from a steady circular red signal, which turns are allowed after coming to a complete stop?
Answer: Right turn or left turn in the direction of the one-way road. The handbook clarifies that when entering a one-way road, drivers may turn right or left in the direction of that one-way road after stopping.
Oregon driver handbook, page 23: “When entering a one-way road, you may turn right or left in the direction of the one-way road.”
16. When stopping behind another vehicle, what specific visual cue indicates you have left adequate space?
Answer: You can see the rear tires of the vehicle in front meet the road. The handbook specifies that seeing where the rear tires meet the road is the correct indicator for proper stopping distance behind another vehicle.
Oregon driver handbook, page 35: “When stopping behind another vehicle, make sure you can see where the rear tires of the vehicle in front meet the road.”
17. When parking parallel to a curb, what is the maximum distance your vehicle should be from the curb?
Answer: 12 inches. The handbook states that vehicles must be parked no more than 12 inches away from the curb.
Oregon driver handbook, page 76: “Park parallel to and no more than 12 inches from the curb.”
18. When making a left turn from a one-way road onto another one-way road, which lane should you enter?
Answer: The nearest left lane for traffic on the road you are entering. The handbook states that when turning left from one one-way road to another, you must enter the nearest left lane.
Oregon driver handbook, page 48: “Turn into the nearest left lane for traffic on the road you are entering.”
19. When leaving a parked or stopped position, what action must you take regarding other traffic?
Answer: Yield to all other traffic. The handbook mandates that drivers yield to all other traffic when merging from a parked position.
Oregon driver handbook, page 76: “When leaving a parked or stopped position, check your blind spots and mirrors, and yield to all other traffic.”
20. If an applicant takes the vision test while wearing corrective lenses, how is this recorded on their driving privilege?
Answer: The privilege will indicate that corrective lenses are required. The handbook specifies that using corrective lenses during the vision test results in a requirement notation on the license.
Oregon driver handbook, page 9: “If you take the test while wearing glasses or contact lenses, your driving privilege will indicate that corrective lenses are required.”