20 questions from the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Why might a thick winter coat reduce the safety of a child's car seat harness?
Answer: It can compress enough to create significant slack in the harness. The handbook explains that bulky coats compress during a crash, creating slack that compromises the harness's ability to keep the child secure.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 94: “However, thick winter coats can reduce the safety of the child's car seat. All coats and clothing will compress in a crash, but thicker winter coats can compress enough to create significant slack in the harness.”
2. How many points are removed from a driving record for every 12 consecutive months in which a person is not under suspension or revocation or has not committed any violation?
Answer: Three points. The handbook specifies that three points are removed after 12 consecutive months of safe driving without violations.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 83: “Three (3) points are removed from a driving record for every 12 consecutive months in which a person is not under suspension or revocation or has not committed any violation, which results in the assignment of points or the suspension or revocation of the driving privilege.”
3. Who is authorized to supervise a driver holding a junior learner's permit if the supervising driver is not at least 21 years old?
Answer: A parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older and holds a driver’s license. The handbook specifies that if the supervisor is under 21, they must be a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is at least 18 and licensed.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 7: “You may only drive under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older and holds a driver’s license.”
4. According to the handbook, what is the recommended action regarding speed when driving on wet roads?
Answer: Reduce your speed by 5 to 10 mph. The handbook instructs drivers to reduce speed by a specific margin on wet roads to maintain safety.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 45: “Reduce your speed by 5 to 10 mph on wet roads and increase your following distance to five (5) or six (6) seconds.”
5. When a tire blows out, what is the recommended action regarding the brake pedal?
Answer: Stay off of your brake. The handbook instructs drivers to stay off the brake after a blowout to prevent skidding and loss of control.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 67: “Stay off of your brake! Braking after a blowout will cause you to skid and lose control of your vehicle.”
6. If a driver cannot move over for an emergency response area due to traffic conditions, what speed requirement must they follow?
Answer: Reduce speed to at least 20 miles per hour below the posted limit. When moving over is not possible, the law mandates slowing down by at least 20 mph below the posted limit.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 63: “If drivers cannot move over because of traffic or other conditions, they must reduce their speed to at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.”
7. According to Pennsylvania law, what is the minimum distance a driver must stop behind a school bus that has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended?
Answer: At least 10 feet away. The handbook states that drivers must stop at least 10 feet away from a stopped school bus with active signals.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 62: “When the bus stops with its red lights flashing and its stop arm extended, you must stop at least 10 feet away from the bus whether you are behind it or coming toward it on the same roadway or approaching an intersection at which the school bus is stopped.”
8. What penalty applies to a driver who violates the law by driving around signs closing a road due to hazardous conditions?
Answer: 2 points added to the driving record and a fine of up to $250. The handbook specifies that violating the hazardous conditions law results in 2 points and a fine up to $250, with higher fines only if emergency responders are involved.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 97: “A conviction for violation of this law results in 2 points added to your driving record and a fine of up to $250.”
9. When turning left at an intersection with opposing traffic also turning left, where should you aim to turn to avoid a 'tangle turn'?
Answer: Into the lane closest to the centerline. Turning into the lane closest to the centerline prevents conflicts with opposing drivers who are also turning or going straight.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 53: “By always turning into the lane closest to the centerline, you also avoid interfering with traffic coming from the opposite direction making a right turn onto the same street.”
10. According to the handbook, what is the maximum legal speed indicated by a SPEED LIMIT sign?
Answer: The maximum legal speed under ideal conditions. The handbook defines the SPEED LIMIT sign as indicating the maximum legal speed specifically under ideal conditions.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 16: “A SPEED LIMIT sign indicates the maximum legal speed under ideal conditions for the stretch of highway where it is posted.”
11. When approaching an intersection, why should a driver look to the left first according to the 'left-right-left' rule?
Answer: Because vehicles coming from the left are closer to you. The handbook explains that the left is checked first specifically because vehicles approaching from that direction are physically closer to the driver.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 42: “Look to the left first, because vehicles coming from the left are closer to you.”
12. What is the specific fine amount for violating the anti-texting law?
Answer: $50. The handbook states that the penalty for violating the anti-texting law is a fixed fine of $50.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 97: “violating the law is a primary, summary offense with convictions carrying a $50 fine.”
13. Which of the following is cited as a major type of crash involving new drivers in Pennsylvania?
Answer: Head-on collisions. Head-on collisions are listed as one of the four major crash types for new drivers in the handbook.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 39: “The major types of crashes in which new drivers (16 and 17-year olds) in Pennsylvania are involved include: 1) Hitting a stationary object; 2) Crashes where roads intersect, like driveways, entrance ramps, and in intersections; 3) Rear-end collisions; and 4) Head on collisions.”
14. Which of the following is stated as the only effective method to reduce your blood alcohol concentration level?
Answer: Allowing time to pass. The handbook specifies that only time will sober you up, noting that coffee and cold showers do not reduce blood alcohol concentration.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 38: “Only time will “sober you up.” You cannot reduce your blood alcohol concentration level by drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages, or by taking a cold shower.”
15. In the Pennsylvania interstate numbering system, what does it mean if the first digit of a three-digit interstate number is even?
Answer: The highway usually connects to interstate highways at both ends. Even-numbered first digits in three-digit interstates typically indicate loops or beltways that connect at both ends.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 24: “If the first of the three (3) digits is an even number, the highway usually connects to interstate highways at both ends, such as I-276 in Philadelphia.”
16. According to Pennsylvania law, what is the minimum distance a driver must allow between their vehicle and a bicycle when passing?
Answer: Four feet. The handbook states that a minimum clearance of four feet is required when passing a bicyclist.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 96: “When passing, you must allow at least four (4) feet between your vehicle and a bicycle in order to pass safely.”
17. According to Pennsylvania law, within what distance must you use low beams when following another vehicle?
Answer: Within 300 feet. The handbook states that low beams are required when following a vehicle within 300 feet.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 44: “Pennsylvania law requires you use low beams whenever you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when you are following a vehicle within 300 feet.”
18. What is the correct action if you cannot see cross-street traffic clearly from behind the stop line at an intersection?
Answer: Pull forward slowly, check for traffic and pedestrians, and proceed when clear. The handbook instructs drivers to pull forward slowly to gain a better view if the initial stop position does not allow them to see cross traffic.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 33: “Pull forward slowly, check for traffic and pedestrians, and proceed when clear”
19. What does the 'KEEP RIGHT' sign direct drivers to do?
Answer: Keep to the right of the traffic island or divider. The handbook specifies that KEEP RIGHT signs instruct drivers to stay to the right of islands or dividers.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 16: “These signs direct drivers to keep to the right of the traffic island or divider.”
20. According to the handbook, what is the effect of locking your doors and wearing a seat belt in a crash?
Answer: It ensures you will not be thrown from your vehicle. The handbook states that these actions help ensure the driver is not ejected from the vehicle during a collision.
Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), page 36: “Locking your doors and wearing your seat belt will help to ensure you will not be thrown from your vehicle in a crash.”