20 questions from the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When facing multiple simultaneous hazards, such as a bicyclist to the right and an oncoming vehicle, how should a driver manage their lane position?
Answer: Slow down to let the oncoming vehicle pass first, then move left to pass the cyclist. The handbook instructs drivers to address one hazard at a time by slowing for the oncoming vehicle first, then moving left to safely pass the cyclist.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 47: “You should handle this situation by facing only one (1) traffic condition at a time. Slow down to let the oncoming vehicle pass and then move left to pass the cyclist, leaving a sufficient amount of space for safety.”
2. What type of route is indicated if the first digit of a three-digit interstate number is odd?
Answer: A spur route connecting with another interstate at only one end. The handbook defines three-digit interstates starting with an odd number as spur routes that connect at only one end.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 24: “When the first of the three (3) digits is an odd number, the highway is usually a “spur” route connecting with another interstate at only one (1) end, sometimes going into a city center such as I-180 in Williamsport.”
3. Under what condition must a driver stop at a railroad crossing?
Answer: When there is a signal of an approaching train. The rule requires stopping whenever there is any signal indicating an approaching train, such as lights, gates, or audible warnings.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 13: “You are required to stop at all railroad crossings when there is a signal of an approaching train.”
4. How long does a driver have to fix faulty equipment noticed by a police officer to avoid a citation?
Answer: Within five (5) days. The handbook specifies a five-day window for repairing faulty equipment after an officer notices it.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 96: “Also, if a police officer notices faulty equipment on your vehicle, you may be required to fix it within five (5) days to avoid a citation.”
5. Why should a driver allow extra space when following a large vehicle that blocks their view?
Answer: To provide extra room to see around the vehicle. The handbook advises increasing following distance behind large vehicles specifically to gain better visibility around the obstruction.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 40: “You are following a large vehicle blocking your view ahead - you need extra room to see around the vehicle.”
6. What action should you take if another vehicle is approaching head-on in your lane?
Answer: Honk your horn to attract attention. The first step when facing a head-on approach is to honk the horn to alert the other driver.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 68: “First, honk your horn to attract attention.”
7. Which of the following is identified as a very important responsibility for drivers?
Answer: Never mixing drinking and driving. The handbook highlights that never mixing drinking and driving is a very important responsibility.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 3: “One very important responsibility is that you never mix drinking and driving.”
8. When turning left from a minor street onto a major street, what is the recommended gap size between you and vehicles approaching from the right?
Answer: About a 9-second gap. The handbook advises allowing a nine-second gap when turning left from a minor road onto a major road to safely cross traffic.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 53: “If you are turning from a minor onto a major street, allow a 9-second gap between you and any vehicle approaching from the right.”
9. In Pennsylvania, how do mile marker numbers change as you travel north on a north-south roadway?
Answer: The numbers increase. The handbook specifies that mile markers increase when traveling north or east.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 24: “The numbers increase as you travel east or north and decrease as you travel west or south.”
10. When entering a circular intersection (roundabout), who has the right-of-way?
Answer: Drivers already in the circle. Traffic already circulating within the roundabout has priority over vehicles attempting to enter.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 52: “Drivers entering a circular intersection (or roundabout) must yield the right-of-way to drivers already in the circle.”
11. What is the consequence of failing to respond to an out-of-state citation under the Driver’s License Compact?
Answer: Indefinite suspension of the Pennsylvania driving privilege. The handbook states that non-response leads to an indefinite suspension of driving privileges until the citation is addressed.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 89: “Not responding to an out-of-state citation will result in the indefinite suspension of your Pennsylvania driving privilege until a response is made to the location indicated on the citation.”
12. What shape is the School sign described in the handbook?
Answer: Pentagon shaped. The handbook identifies the School sign as the only pentagon-shaped sign on the roadway.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 21: “This is the only pentagon-shaped sign used on the roadway.”
13. According to the handbook, what is the recommended minimum following distance on dry pavement to allow safe steering or braking?
Answer: Four seconds. The handbook states that a 4-second following distance is required for safe reaction on dry pavement.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 39: “A 4-second following distance, as shown above in Area 1 of the space management diagram, will allow you to steer or brake to avoid a hazard safely on the highway, if the pavement is dry.”
14. Why is it important to be aware of your stopping distance when experiencing partial brake failure?
Answer: Because the brake pedal goes down farther than usual. Partial brake failure causes the pedal to travel further before engaging, requiring more effort and increasing stopping distance.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 66: “You will feel the brake pedal go down farther than usual before the vehicle begins to slow, and you will need to push harder on the pedal.”
15. What is the recommended action for a driver who encounters a snow squall while traveling?
Answer: Gradually slow down and activate hazard lights. The handbook advises drivers to gradually slow down and turn on hazard lights to increase visibility during a snow squall.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 47: “If you encounter a snow squall, exercise extreme caution by gradually slowing and activating your hazard lights for increased visibility.”
16. What does a steady green arrow indicate regarding oncoming traffic?
Answer: Oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light. A steady green arrow provides a protected turn because opposing traffic is held by a red signal.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 11: “When you turn during the green arrow phase, your turn is “protected” because oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light.”
17. If a driver refuses to take a chemical test of breath or blood after being arrested for driving under the influence, how long is their driving privilege automatically suspended?
Answer: One year. Refusing a chemical test results in an automatic one-year suspension of driving privileges, regardless of the DUI conviction outcome.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 86: “If the police arrest you for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and you refuse to take one (1) or more chemical tests of breath or blood, your driving privilege will be automatically suspended for one (1) year.”
18. According to the introduction, which three types of vehicles are recognized by Pennsylvania law for the purpose of applying rules of the road?
Answer: Bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles, and motor vehicles. The handbook lists bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles, and motor vehicles as the three recognized types for these rules.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 3: “However, the rules of the road and traffic operation principles presented in this manual apply to the three types of vehicles recognized by Pennsylvania law: bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles and motor vehicles.”
19. According to the handbook, what action must entering traffic take when merging onto a major roadway?
Answer: Yield to traffic already on the major roadway. The handbook states that vehicles entering from a ramp or another roadway are required to yield to vehicles already established on the main road.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 18: “Entering traffic must yield to traffic already on the major roadway.”
20. According to the handbook, what is the recommended maximum frequency for consuming alcoholic drinks to manage blood alcohol levels responsibly?
Answer: One drink per hour. The handbook states that one should not drink more than one drink per hour to manage blood alcohol levels responsibly.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 38: “To manage your drinking responsibly, do not drink more than one (1) drink per hour, if you are of legal drinking age.”