20 questions from the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What does a yellow panel with the message 'EXIT ONLY' on a highway sign indicate about the lane below it?
Answer: The lane will not continue through the interchange; instead, the lane will go off of the road to form a ramp. The handbook explains that an EXIT ONLY lane does not continue through the interchange but exits to form a ramp.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 23: “If a yellow panel with the message EXIT ONLY is on a highway sign, the lane below the sign will not continue through the interchange; instead, the lane will go off of the road to form a ramp.”
2. What is the primary function of the WRONG WAY sign?
Answer: To catch your attention if you accidentally turn onto a one-way street or ramp. The handbook explains that WRONG WAY signs are positioned to alert drivers who have inadvertently entered a one-way street or ramp in the incorrect direction.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 15: “WRONG WAY signs are placed farther down the one-way street or ramp. They are placed there to catch your attention, if you accidentally turn onto the street or ramp.”
3. In newer vehicles with a split braking system, which wheels typically retain braking capability if the brake system warning light illuminates?
Answer: One front wheel and one rear wheel. The handbook specifies that a split braking system usually maintains braking on one front and one rear wheel when the warning light activates.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 66: “If your brake system warning light comes on, you may have braking in two (2) of the four (4) wheels, probably one (1) front wheel and one (1) rear wheel.”
4. When driving on a two-lane road, under what specific condition is it permissible to pass another vehicle on the right?
Answer: When the driver ahead is making a left turn. The handbook specifies that passing on the right is allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left, distinguishing this from other scenarios.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 76: “The driver you are passing is making a left turn”
5. How often should a driver have their vision checked according to the health factors section?
Answer: Every one or two years. The handbook recommends a vision check every one to two years to monitor for deterioration due to aging or disease.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 37: “Have your vision checked every one (1) or two (2) years.”
6. What is the duration of the first suspension for a driver under the age of 18 who accumulates six or more points?
Answer: 90 days. The handbook clearly indicates that the initial suspension period for this specific scenario is 90 days.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 83: “The first suspension will be for a period of 90 days.”
7. When is it considered safe to stop halfway across a street while crossing traffic?
Answer: Only when there is a center median large enough to hold your entire vehicle. The handbook clarifies that stopping mid-crossing is permissible only if a sufficiently large center median exists to accommodate the vehicle.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 50: “Stopping halfway across a street is safe only when there is a turning lane provided in the center median large enough to hold your entire vehicle.”
8. What is the penalty for failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm?
Answer: A 60-day suspension of your driver’s license, five points on your driving record, and a fine. The handbook states that failing to stop results in a 60-day suspension, five points, and a fine.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 62: “Failure to stop for a school bus with a flashing red light and extended stop arm will result in a 60-day suspension of your driver’s license, five (5) points on your driving record and a fine.”
9. Which hand positions on the steering wheel are recommended to prevent wrist and arm injuries when an air bag deploys?
Answer: At the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. The handbook advises holding the wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions (or 8 and 4) to avoid injury from the deploying air bag.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 95: “Hold the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock positions. This will keep your wrists and arms from being injured or broken or forcibly hitting you in the face, if the air bag deploys.”
10. What is the primary function of channeling devices such as barrels, tubes, cones, and vertical panels in a work zone?
Answer: To guide drivers through changing traffic patterns and away from hazards. The handbook states these devices are used to guide drivers through changing traffic patterns and keep them away from hazards.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 23: “Barrels, tubes, cones and vertical panels are all devices used in work zones to guide you through changing traffic patterns and keep you away from hazards associated with road work.”
11. What is the purpose of escape or runaway ramps on long downgrades?
Answer: To be used only by large vehicles that are out of control or cannot stop. The handbook specifies that these ramps are exclusively for large vehicles experiencing brake failure or loss of control.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 62: “These ramps are to be used only by large vehicles that are out of control or cannot stop because of brake failure.”
12. What is the maximum fine for violating the anti-littering law by dropping waste from a vehicle?
Answer: $300. The handbook states that fines for anti-littering violations can be up to $300.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 96: “A violation of this law, including any violation resulting from the conduct of any other persons present within any vehicle of which you are the driver, may result in a fine of up to $300 upon conviction.”
13. What is the correct action when a motorcycle's turn signal is flashing?
Answer: Wait until you see the motorcycle actually turning before pulling out. Because motorcycle turn signals may not auto-cancel, drivers should verify the actual movement before proceeding.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 60: “Do not pull out in front of a motorcycle/moped until you see it actually turning.”
14. What is the minimum clear roadway distance required to safely pass a slower vehicle on a two-lane road at 45 mph?
Answer: 1/4 mile. The handbook specifies that at 45 mph, a driver needs 1/4 mile of clear road to safely complete a passing maneuver.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 51: “At 45 mph, this translates into 1/4 mile of clear roadway you need to safely pass a slower vehicle.”
15. When approaching a Hill/Downgrade sign, what is the recommended action to control speed?
Answer: Shift to a lower gear. The instructions for the Hill/Downgrade sign advise shifting to a lower gear to help control vehicle speed.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 20: “Slow down and be ready to shift to a lower gear to control your speed and to save wear and tear on your brakes.”
16. Why does the handbook recommend checking your speedometer carefully when driving in foggy conditions?
Answer: Because fog removes visual cues that help determine speed, making it easy to unintentionally speed up. The handbook explains that fog reduces visual information used to gauge speed, so drivers must rely on the speedometer to avoid unintentionally speeding.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 46: “You will need to carefully check your speedometer because fog takes away most of the visual information that lets you know how fast you are going; this makes it easy for you to speed up without being aware of it.”
17. What should a driver do with their cruise control when driving on slippery roads?
Answer: Do not use your cruise control. The handbook advises against using cruise control on slippery surfaces because it continues to apply power, which can cause wheel spin and loss of control.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 45: “Do not use your cruise control when driving on slippery roads.”
18. According to the handbook, what is the primary reason a driver should not retaliate against another driver?
Answer: Retaliation is a serious distraction that reduces your ability to respond to traffic signs and other vehicles. Focusing on a contest with another driver distracts attention from necessary driving tasks like observing signs and avoiding crashes.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 64: “It is a serious distraction to focus your attention on a “contest” with another driver. You are less able to respond to traffic signs, signals and the actions of other vehicles or pedestrians, as needed to avoid a crash.”
19. How should a head restraint be positioned to help prevent neck injuries?
Answer: So the top is at least as high as the top of your ears. Proper adjustment requires the head restraint to be high enough to support the head, specifically reaching at least the height of the top of the ears.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 36: “Adjust your head restraint so the top of the head restraint is at least as high as the top of your ears.”
20. What is the minimum distance other drivers should be from you when choosing a place to make a U-turn?
Answer: At least 500 feet away. The handbook specifies that for a safe U-turn, approaching drivers must be at least 500 feet away and able to see the vehicle clearly.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 50: “In choosing a place to make a U-turn, make sure drivers coming from all directions are at least 500 feet away from you, and they can see you clearly.”