20 questions from the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the correct procedure when a law enforcement officer is directing traffic?
Answer: Obey the officer even if their instructions contradict standard traffic signals. The handbook mandates that drivers must obey law enforcement officers directing traffic, overriding standard signal rules.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 31: “You must obey a law enforcement officer at all times when they are directing traffic even if he/she is telling you to do something which is ordinarily considered against the law.”
2. What is the recommended action if you cannot get into the proper lane within one-half block before turning?
Answer: Do not turn, and continue straight ahead. The handbook advises continuing straight ahead if the driver fails to enter the correct lane within the specified distance before the turn.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 45: “If you cannot get into the proper lane within one-half block before turning, do not turn, and continue straight ahead.”
3. What should a driver do if they encounter a railroad crossing signal problem?
Answer: Call the Texas Department of Public Safety Communications Center. The handbook directs drivers to call the Texas Department of Public Safety Communications Center or local authorities when encountering signal problems.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 28: “If you encounter a railroad grade crossing signal problem, call the Texas Department of Public Safety Communications Center at (800) 772-7677 or call your local police department or county sheriff’s office.”
4. Which of the following is NOT a required characteristic of the connection used when towing another vehicle?
Answer: It must be made of metal chain. The handbook lists drawbars, ropes, and cables as acceptable connections, so requiring specifically a metal chain is incorrect.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 74: “the drawbar, chain, rope, cable, or other connection must: 1. Not be longer than 15 feet from one vehicle to another 2. Be strong enough to pull all weight drawn”
5. What is the correct procedure for steering out of a skid?
Answer: Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. The handbook instructs drivers to steer in the direction of the skid to regain control.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 54: “Turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid. As you recover control, gently straighten the wheels.”
6. Which of the following is a valid defense to prosecution for not wearing a safety belt?
Answer: Having a medical reason with a physician’s note. The handbook lists medical reasons with a physician's note as a specific defense against citations for not wearing a safety belt.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 70: “However, there are some defenses to prosecution for postal workers, individuals who deliver the newspaper, utility workers, solid waste truck workers, certain commercial farm vehicle operators, or medical reasons with a physician’s note.”
7. Under Texas Zero Tolerance laws, what constitutes a violation for a minor operating a vehicle?
Answer: Having any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. The handbook defines the violation for minors as having any detectable amount of alcohol, regardless of whether they meet the standard intoxication definition.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 62: “Even if a minor is not intoxicated as defined under the DWI statute, but has any detectable amount of alcohol in his/her system while operating a motor vehicle in a public place or while operating a water- craft, the minor committed the criminal offense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor”
8. What is a required condition for a person operating a bicycle regarding seating?
Answer: They must ride on or astride a permanent and regular seat. The rules state that bicyclists must use a permanent and regular seat while riding.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 68: “Only ride on or astride a permanent and regular seat.”
9. What does a flashing yellow arrow indicate for a driver making a left turn?
Answer: The driver may turn left but must yield to oncoming traffic. The handbook states that a flashing yellow arrow permits a left turn provided the driver yields to oncoming traffic.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 31: “A flashing yellow arrow allows a driver to turn left, but the driver must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.”
10. What effect does heavy amphetamine use have on drivers according to the handbook?
Answer: It makes drivers less coordinated and edgy. The handbook states that heavy amphetamine use leads to decreased coordination and edginess, increasing crash likelihood.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 61: “Heavy amphetamine use may keep drivers awake and active for long periods of time. It also makes them less coordinated, edgy, and more likely to be involved in a car crash.”
11. Which of the following is a required practice to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when a vehicle is parked?
Answer: Ensure you are getting plenty of fresh air. The handbook advises drivers to ensure adequate fresh air circulation to avoid carbon monoxide buildup, contrasting this with the prohibited practices of running the engine in enclosed spaces.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 74: “Make sure you are getting plenty of fresh air.”
12. What is the maximum fine for possessing an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public highway?
Answer: $500. The handbook states that the penalty for this specific offense is capped at $500.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 62: “Conviction of this offense is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.”
13. Why is taking more than one drug at the same time considered dangerous for driving?
Answer: Drugs may have a different overall cumulative effect, especially when alcohol is involved. The handbook explains that combining drugs can lead to unpredictable cumulative effects, particularly when mixed with alcohol, which impairs driving ability.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 61: “Taking more than one drug at the same time is even more dangerous since drugs may have a different overall cumulative effect, especially when alcohol is involved.”
14. What action should a driver take when seeing a green arrow on a lane-use control signal?
Answer: Drive in the lane over which the arrow signal is located. The handbook defines the green arrow signal as permission for the driver to use the lane beneath it.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 38: “A steady downward green arrow means a driver is permitted to drive in the lane over which the arrow signal is located.”
15. How should a driver handle a road surface covered with loose gravel?
Answer: Go slow enough to keep complete control of your vehicle. The handbook instructs drivers to slow down to maintain control on loose gravel, while advising against sudden braking or sharp turns.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 34: “Go slow enough to keep complete control of your vehicle.”
16. What is the maximum fine for disobeying instructions or driving around a barricade in a standard construction zone?
Answer: $1 to $200. The handbook states the fine range for this specific offense is between $1 and $200.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 43: “The offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1 to $200.”
17. According to the handbook, what is the minimum distance from which a bicycle's front lamp must be visible?
Answer: 500 feet. The handbook states that the front lamp must be visible from at least 500 feet.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 69: “A lamp on the front emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in front of the bicycle”
18. When being passed by another vehicle on the left in lanes that are not marked, what action should you take?
Answer: Safely move as far to the right as you can. The handbook instructs drivers to move safely to the right when being passed on the left in unmarked lanes to facilitate the passing maneuver.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 45: “Safely move as far to the right as you can when being passed on the left and the lanes are not marked.”
19. Who should drive if a person has been drinking?
Answer: Someone who has not been drinking. The handbook advises that a sober individual should drive when another person has consumed alcohol.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 62: “If a person has been drinking, someone who has not been drinking should drive.”
20. How should a driver navigate a modern roundabout?
Answer: Yield to traffic already in the circle and travel counter-clockwise. The handbook states that drivers must yield to existing traffic and move counter-clockwise, while noting that lane changes inside the circle are discouraged and emergency vehicles should be cleared first.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 56: “To drive in a modern roundabout, follow these simple steps: slow down as you approach the intersection, yield to traffic already in the circle, enter the circle and follow the loop in a counter clockwise direction”