20 questions from the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the suspension period for failing to comply with a railroad crossing gate or barrier?
Answer: 30-day suspension. The handbook lists a 30-day suspension as the penalty for failing to comply with railroad crossing gates or barriers.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 83: “Failure to comply with a railroad crossing gate or barrier (30-day suspension).”
2. What action should you take if your vehicle breaks down on the highway?
Answer: Signal, pull off the road, use hazard flashers, and lift your hood. The handbook outlines a specific sequence of actions: signaling, exiting the roadway, activating hazard lights, and lifting the hood to indicate disability.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 48: “Signal, then carefully exit the roadway, and put on your hazard (four-way) flashers to warn other drivers. Get as far off of the road as possible, and park in a place where other drivers can see you easily. Lift your hood to let other drivers know your vehicle is disabled.”
3. Which group of drivers is noted as being covered by the penalties in Table 2 (High Rate) in addition to drivers with a BAC of .10 to .159?
Answer: Commercial vehicle drivers with a BAC of .04 or more. The note under Table 2 specifically lists commercial vehicle drivers with a BAC of .04 or more as being subject to these penalties.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 87: “TABLE 2 - HIGH RATE: .10 TO .159 BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION (Note: This table also applies to drivers under age 21 with a BAC of .02 or more; commercial vehicle drivers with a BAC of .04 or more; school bus drivers with a BAC of .02 or more; and drivers with BAC of .08 to .099 and who are involved in a crash resulting in serious bodily injury, death or vehicle or property damage.)”
4. What is the minimum penalty for underage drinking for a person under age 21?
Answer: A fine of up to $500 plus court costs. The handbook specifies that the minimum penalty for underage drinking is a fine of up to $500 plus court costs, distinct from DUI penalties.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 88: “The minimum penalty for underage drinking is a fine of up to $500 plus court costs.”
5. If you are in a crash and need to report it because someone was injured, who is responsible for calling the police if the drivers cannot?
Answer: Witnesses at or near the crash scene. The handbook specifies that witnesses at or near the scene must call for help if the involved drivers are unable to do so.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 85: “If the drivers of the vehicles are hurt and cannot call the police, then witnesses at or near the crash scene must call for help.”
6. What action should a driver take when encountering a flashing yellow light?
Answer: Slow down and proceed with care. The handbook states that a flashing yellow light requires drivers to slow down and proceed carefully.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 30: “Slow down and proceed with care”
7. According to the handbook, what is the recommended action when driving on multi-lane streets alongside other vehicles?
Answer: Avoid driving alongside other vehicles because they block your view and close your escape route. The handbook advises avoiding driving alongside other vehicles because it restricts visibility and escape routes.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 40: “Avoid driving alongside other vehicles on multi-lane streets. They block your view and close your escape route, and you are probably in their blind spot.”
8. Why is it important to enter a center turn lane completely rather than leaving part of the vehicle in the travel lane?
Answer: To avoid blocking traffic in the normal travel lane. The handbook states that leaving part of the vehicle in the travel lane blocks traffic, which is the specific reason for entering the lane completely.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 49: “Do not leave the back end of your vehicle sticking into the normal travel lane, blocking traffic.”
9. What should you do with the lug nuts immediately after removing them from the wheel?
Answer: Place them in a safe area, such as inside the wheel cover. The handbook advises placing removed lug nuts in a safe area, specifically suggesting the inside of the wheel cover or hub cap as a good location.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 67: “Completely remove the lug nuts and place them in a safe area (inside the wheel cover or hub cap works well).”
10. How far from a crosswalk at an intersection are you prohibited from parking?
Answer: Within 20 feet. The handbook lists 'Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection' as a prohibited parking location.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 57: “Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.”
11. According to the handbook, what is the recommended hand position on the steering wheel for optimal control and safety?
Answer: At the 9 and 3 o'clock position or the 8 and 4 o'clock position. The handbook recommends the 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 positions to prevent overcorrection and airbag injury, noting that 10 and 2 is acceptable but less ideal.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 65: “your hands should hold the wheel at either the 9 and 3 o’clock position or the 8 and 4 o’clock position, whichever is the most comfortable.”
12. What is the maximum fine for a third and subsequent offense of failing to move over or slow down for an emergency response area?
Answer: $2,000. The handbook specifies that the fine increases to $2,000 for a third and subsequent offense.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 63: “Failure to move over or slow down can result in a summary offense that carries a fine of up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense and $2,000 for a third and subsequent offense.”
13. According to the handbook, how far before turning must you signal if you are driving less than 35 mph?
Answer: At least 100 feet. The handbook states that for speeds under 35 mph, the required signaling distance is at least 100 feet.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 48: “Under Pennsylvania law, you must always use your turn signals at least 100 feet before turning, if you are driving less than 35 mph.”
14. What action is prohibited when encountering a sign that indicates right turns are prohibited?
Answer: Make a right turn at the intersection. The handbook specifies that when this sign is posted, drivers must not make a right turn at the intersection.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 15: “This sign indicates right turns are prohibited. Do not make a right turn at this intersection.”
15. According to the handbook, what is the minimum amount of space required on at least one side of your vehicle to serve as an escape path?
Answer: Eight feet. The handbook states that eight feet is the minimum space required on one side to avoid needing to increase following distance.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 40: “If you do not have at least eight (8) feet of space on at least one side of your vehicle to use as an escape path, you will need to allow more space to the front by increasing your following distance.”
16. If a driver under age 21 is convicted of DUI for the first time, what is the duration of their license suspension?
Answer: 1 year. The handbook specifies that a first-time DUI conviction for a driver under age 21 results in a license suspension for a full year.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 88: “If you are under 21 and are convicted of DUI for the first time, you will go to jail for a term ranging from two (2) days to six (6) months, your license will be suspended for a full year, and you will pay a fine of $500 to $5,000.”
17. When handing documents to a police officer during a stop, what is the recommended practice?
Answer: Hand over only the requested license, registration, and insurance cards. Drivers should provide only the specific documents requested rather than handing over their entire wallet.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 84: “Wait until the officer asks you to retrieve your driver’s license, registration and insurance cards. Do not hand the officer your wallet - just the requested items.”
18. When checking tire pressure, under what condition should the tires be measured?
Answer: Before driving or at least three hours after driving. The handbook specifies that tires must be checked cold, defined as before driving or after sitting for at least three hours.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 35: “Check your tires “cold” - before you’ve driven or at least three hours after you’ve driven.”
19. What is the minimum recommended distance a driver should be positioned from their air bag?
Answer: At least ten inches away. The handbook specifies a minimum distance of ten inches from the air bag to minimize injury risk during deployment.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 65: “being positioned at least ten (10) inches away from your air bag.”
20. According to the handbook, what is the definition of an active work zone?
Answer: The portion of a work zone where construction, maintenance or utility workers are on the roadway, or on the shoulder of the highway next to an open travel lane. The handbook defines an active work zone based on the presence of workers on the roadway or shoulder next to an open lane.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 22: “An active work zone is the portion of a work zone where construction, maintenance or utility workers are on the roadway, or on the shoulder of the highway next to an open travel lane.”