20 questions from the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What action is required when approaching a STOP sign if you cannot see traffic?
Answer: Stop before the line, yield to pedestrians, pull forward until visible, then proceed when clear. The handbook provides a specific procedure for limited visibility at a stop: stop, yield to pedestrians, advance cautiously to gain visibility, and proceed only when safe.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 14: “If you cannot see traffic, yield to any pedestrians and then carefully pull forward past the line until you can see clearly. Check for traffic and pedestrians and then go ahead when the intersection is clear.”
2. When approaching a 'LOW SHOULDER' sign, how far below the road level might the shoulder be?
Answer: Up to three inches. The handbook specifies that this particular sign denotes a shoulder drop-off of up to three inches.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 20: “The LOW SHOULDER sign is used where the shoulder is as much as three (3) inches below the level of the road.”
3. Why is it important to clear snow from the hood, trunk, and roof of a vehicle before driving?
Answer: To prevent snow from blowing onto your windshield or other drivers' windshields. The handbook explains that clearing snow prevents it from blowing onto the driver's own windshield or the windshields of following vehicles, which blocks visibility.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 46: “If you don’t, snow will blow off of your vehicle and onto your windshield, blocking your view, or could blow off and onto the windshield of a driver who is following you.”
4. How far behind an emergency vehicle must a driver remain after pulling over and waiting for it to pass?
Answer: At least 500 feet away. Drivers are required to maintain a distance of at least 500 feet behind the emergency vehicle after it passes.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 63: “Start driving again after the emergency vehicle passes you, keeping at least 500 feet away from it.”
5. Where is the DO NOT ENTER sign typically placed?
Answer: At the beginning of one-way streets and ramps. The handbook specifies that the DO NOT ENTER sign is located at the start of one-way streets and ramps to direct traffic flow correctly.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 15: “The DO NOT ENTER sign is put at the beginning of one-way streets and ramps.”
6. According to the handbook, what is the minimum safe following distance at highway speeds on a dry road?
Answer: 3 seconds of following distance from the car ahead of you. The handbook states that a safe following distance at highway speeds on a dry road is at least 3 seconds.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 79: “AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ON A DRY ROAD, A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE IS AT LEAST: A. 3 seconds of following distance from the car ahead of you”
7. When approaching an intersection with a two-way stop sign, what is the correct sequence for checking traffic before proceeding?
Answer: Look left, then right, then left again. The handbook specifies a specific left-right-left scanning pattern to ensure safety when crossing a two-way stop.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 53: “At the stop sign, first look to the left, then look to your right for a safe gap, and then quickly check to your left again before proceeding.”
8. What shape is characteristic of YIELD signs?
Answer: Triangular (3-sided). The handbook states that YIELD signs are triangular, which helps distinguish them from the octagonal STOP sign and rectangular regulatory signs.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 14: “YIELD signs are triangular (3-sided) in shape.”
9. What is the specific consequence mentioned for being pulled over by police in a work zone with your headlights off?
Answer: You will be fined an additional $25. The handbook specifies a monetary penalty of $25 added to the violation fine for failing to use headlights in a work zone.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 22: “If you are pulled over by police for a traffic violation in a work zone and your vehicle’s headlights are not turned on, you will be fined an additional $25.”
10. What is the maximum time frame allowed for a vehicle to be inspected before its next expiration date?
Answer: Up to 90 days before expiration. The handbook states that inspections can be completed up to 90 days prior to the expiration date on the inspection sticker.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 96: “A vehicle may be inspected up to 90 days before its next expiration date.”
11. What is the most frequent cause of crashes at roundabouts?
Answer: Drivers failing to yield before entering. The handbook identifies failing to yield upon entry as the primary cause of accidents in roundabouts.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 54: “The most frequent cause of crashes at roundabouts is drivers who fail to yield before they enter.”
12. What type of belt system must be used in conjunction with a booster seat for children ages four to seven?
Answer: Lap and shoulder belts. The handbook specifies that booster seats require the use of both lap and shoulder belts for proper security.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 94: “Booster seats must be used in conjunction with lap and shoulder belts.”
13. What visual cue indicates you are heading in the correct direction when entering a highway?
Answer: A white line on your right and a yellow line on the left. The handbook states that seeing a white line on the right and a yellow line on the left confirms the correct direction of travel.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 56: “If you see a white line on your right and a yellow line on the left, you are headed in the right direction.”
14. According to the penny test described in the handbook, what indicates that your tire tread is safe?
Answer: If any part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread. The handbook states that if the tread covers any part of Lincoln's head, the tread depth is sufficient for safe driving.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 35: “If any part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the safe amount of tread.”
15. What does the 'ADDED LANE' sign indicate about merging requirements?
Answer: Merging is not necessary because the entering traffic uses a new lane. The sign informs drivers that an additional lane is being created, so entering vehicles do not need to merge into existing traffic lanes.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 18: “It means merging is not necessary because the entering traffic uses a new lane that has been added to the roadway.”
16. When approaching a curve, when should you slow down?
Answer: Before you enter the curve. The handbook instructs drivers to reduce speed prior to entering the curve to maintain control.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 55: “TO MAINTAIN CONTROL ON CURVES, YOU MUST SLOW DOWN. DO IT BEFORE YOU ENTER THE CURVE.”
17. When driving on wet roads, how should you adjust your following distance?
Answer: Increase following distance to 5 or 6 seconds. The handbook advises increasing following distance to 5 or 6 seconds when driving on wet roads to ensure safety.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 80: “WHEN DRIVING ON WET ROADS, YOU SHOULD: A. Increase following distance to 5 or 6 seconds”
18. When checking blind spots before changing lanes, what is the maximum time a driver should take their eyes off the road ahead?
Answer: One second. The handbook states that drivers should not look away from the road ahead for more than one second when checking blind spots.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 42: “Do not take your eyes off of the road ahead for more than a second.”
19. According to Pennsylvania law, what type of restraint is required for a child who is exactly five years old?
Answer: A federally-approved child booster seat. The handbook specifies that children between ages four and eight must use a federally-approved booster seat.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 94: “Children ages four (4) and older, but under the age of eight (8) must be buckled into a federally-approved child booster seat, which must be secured to the vehicle by the seat belt system, no matter where they ride in a vehicle (front or back seat).”
20. According to the handbook, what is the correct driving behavior when encountering 'SLIPPERY WHEN WET' conditions?
Answer: Reduce speed and increase following distance. The handbook specifically advises reducing speed and increasing following distance to handle slippery conditions safely.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 19: “In wet weather, reduce your speed and increase your following distance.”