20 questions from the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Under what condition does driving while license invalid become a Class B misdemeanor instead of a Class C misdemeanor?
Answer: The person has a previous conviction for the same offense, was operating a vehicle without insurance, or the license was suspended due to an intoxicated driving offense. The handbook lists these specific conditions as the criteria for escalating the penalty to a Class B misdemeanor.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 19: “The person has a previous conviction for the same offense, was operating a vehicle without insurance at the time of the offense, or the person’s license had been suspended because of an offense involving operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.”
2. What is the maximum fine amount for purchasing or furnishing alcohol to a minor?
Answer: $4,000. The handbook lists the fine for this offense as being up to $4,000.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 20: “A fine of up to $4,000 and/or confinement in jail for up to one year.”
3. When is a written report required to be filed with the TxDOT after a crash involving only property damage?
Answer: If the crash is not investigated by law enforcement and damage is under $1,000. The rule specifies that a written report is needed when there is no police investigation, no injuries, and damage is less than $1,000.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 66: “If the crash is not investigated by a law enforcement officer and the crash has not resulted in injury to or the death of a person or damage to the property of any one person to an apparent extent of $1,000 or more, you must make a written report of the crash and file it with the TxDOT no later than the 10th day after the crash.”
4. What information must you provide to any person injured or attending a vehicle involved in a collision?
Answer: Your name, address, vehicle registration number, and liability insurer name. The handbook lists exactly these four pieces of information as required to be provided to those involved in the collision.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 65: “Provide your name and address, the registration number of the vehicle you were driving, and the name of your motor vehicle liability insurer to any person injured, or to the operator or occupant of, or person attending a vehicle involved in the collision”
5. What is the maximum gross weight for farm trailers that are exempt from registration when temporarily operated on highways?
Answer: 4,000 lbs. Farm trailers weighing 4,000 lbs. or less are listed as exempt from registration requirements.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 23: “Farm trailers, farm semi-trailers, and certain fertilizer and cottonseed trailers with a gross weight of 4,000 lbs. or less”
6. According to the handbook, what is the specific definition of 'right turn on red'?
Answer: Turning right when the red signal is on, after stopping behind the intersection guides, unless specifically prohibited. The handbook defines the maneuver as turning right on a red signal after stopping behind the intersection guides, unless prohibited.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 81: “right turn on red – turning right when the red signal is on, after stopping behind the intersection guides, unless specifically prohibited to turn”
7. If a crash results only in damage to a vehicle and each vehicle can be safely driven, where must drivers move their vehicles?
Answer: To a designated crash investigation site, frontage road, nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location. The handbook specifies these particular locations as the required destinations for moving vehicles after a minor collision where cars are drivable.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 65: “drivers must move their vehicle as soon as possible to a designated crash investigation site, if available, a location on the frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street, or other suitable location.”
8. What happens to a minor's license if they are convicted of a non-driving alcohol-related offense?
Answer: The license will be suspended or privilege denied. The handbook states that for certain offenses, the minor's license will be suspended or their driving privilege denied.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 62: “license will be suspended (or privilege denied if not licensed) for 30 days.”
9. Why should you avoid passing a truck on the right if there is a possibility it might turn?
Answer: Because trucks make wide right turns and may leave space on the right. The handbook advises against passing on the right because trucks swing wide for turns, potentially occupying the space where a passing car would be.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 57: “Trucks make wide, right turns and sometimes leave an open space to the right just before the turn. To avoid a crash, don’t pass a truck on the right if there is a possibility the truck might make a right turn.”
10. Which of the following is an exception to the rule prohibiting cell phone use while driving?
Answer: Contacting law enforcement or during an emergency. The handbook allows cell phone use for contacting law enforcement or during emergencies, while other uses are restricted.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 60: “You may use a cell phone to contact law enforcement or during an emergency.”
11. According to the handbook, what effect does two feet of rushing water have on vehicles?
Answer: It carries away pick-up trucks, SUVs, and most other vehicles. The handbook states that two feet of rushing water is sufficient to carry away larger vehicles like pick-up trucks and SUVs.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 56: “Two feet of rushing water will carry away pick-up trucks, SUVs, and most other vehicles.”
12. What does a solid yellow line on your side of the road indicate?
Answer: It marks a 'no-passing zone.'. The handbook defines a solid yellow line on the driver's side as a designation for a no-passing zone.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 40: “A solid yellow line on your side of the road marks a “no-passing zone.””
13. Which action is recommended for bicycle riders when stopping, parking, or making repairs?
Answer: Move off the street. The guidelines instruct riders to move off the street for stopping, parking, or repairs.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 69: “Move off the street to stop, park, or make repairs to your bicycle.”
14. Which lane should a driver use if they are traveling faster than other traffic or passing other vehicles?
Answer: The middle or left lane. The handbook instructs drivers to utilize the middle or left lanes for passing or traveling at higher speeds, reserving the right lane for slower traffic.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 53: “Use the middle or left lane if you are traveling faster than other traffic or passing other vehicles.”
15. What should you do if you are stopped behind a truck on an upgrade?
Answer: Leave space in case the truck drifts back. The handbook recommends leaving extra space behind a stopped truck on a hill to accommodate the truck rolling backward slightly when starting.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 57: “If you are stopped behind a truck on an upgrade, leave space in case the truck drifts back when it starts to move.”
16. How must a bicyclist signal a right turn according to the handbook?
Answer: By extending either the left arm pointing up or the right arm pointed horizontally. The handbook allows two specific arm positions for signaling a right turn: left arm up or right arm horizontal.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 68: “Using either their left arm pointing up or their right arm pointed horizontally to signal a right turn.”
17. How long are buyers' temporary tags recognized for in Texas?
Answer: 60 days. The handbook states that buyers' temporary tags have a validity period of 60 days.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 22: “Buyers’ temporary tags are recognized for 60 days”
18. When is the speed limit shown on a School Zone sign in effect?
Answer: When the yellow light is flashing. The handbook specifies that the reduced speed limit applies specifically when the associated yellow light is flashing.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 37: “School Zone: The speed shown is in effect when the yellow light is flashing. Be extremely careful for school children.”
19. What is the maximum confinement period in jail for a Class B misdemeanor under these regulations?
Answer: 180 days. The handbook specifies that confinement for a Class B misdemeanor can be up to 180 days.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 66: “Class B misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail for up to 180 days, or both.”
20. Which of the following is a valid exception allowing a slower-moving bicyclist to ride away from the right curb?
Answer: The person is preparing for a left turn at an intersection. Preparing for a left turn is listed as an exception to the rule of riding near the right curb.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 68: “The person is preparing for a left turn at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway”