20 questions from the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7). Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When turning left at an intersection, whom must you yield to?
Answer: Any vehicle coming straight through from the other direction. Left-turning drivers must yield to oncoming traffic that is proceeding straight through the intersection.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 26: “When turning left, always yield the right-of-way to any vehicle coming straight through from the other direction.”
2. When is it permissible to leave the engine running while standing a vehicle unattended?
Answer: When using a remote starter or similar device. The exception to the rule requiring the engine to be off applies specifically when a remote starter is used to start the engine without the key present.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 49: “The requirements regarding turning off the engine, locking the ignition, and removing the key do not apply to a driver who starts the engine by using a remote starter or other similar device that remotely starts the engine without the key in the ignition.”
3. What is the maximum imprisonment term for a first offense of failing to stop after a crash resulting in the death of a person?
Answer: 20 years. The handbook states that a second-degree felony for a fatal crash involves imprisonment ranging from 2 to 20 years.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 65: “Second degree felony punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 and imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for 2 to 20 years.”
4. How should a driver manage their position relative to another driver's blind spot while passing?
Answer: Either pass the other driver or slow down so you are not in their blind spot. Drivers are instructed to avoid lingering in blind spots by either completing the pass or slowing down to exit the blind spot area.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 45: “Either pass the other driver or slow down so you are not in another driver’s blind spot.”
5. When driving at speeds above 30 mph under good road conditions, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
Answer: 4 seconds. The handbook states that a 4-second gap is required for speeds exceeding 30 mph in good conditions.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 51: “For speeds above 30 mph, maintain a 4 second gap between cars during good road conditions.”
6. What is the primary function of in-roadway lights?
Answer: To warn roadway users they are approaching a condition on or near the road they may not see. The handbook defines in-roadway lights as devices installed in the surface to warn drivers of unseen conditions requiring caution or stopping.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 30: “In-roadway lights are special types of lights installed in the roadway surface to warn roadway users they are approaching a condition on or near the road they may not see, which might require them to slow down or come to a complete stop.”
7. What is the required mounting height range for additional driving lights on the front of a motor vehicle?
Answer: Not less than 12 inches but not more than 42 inches from the road surface. The handbook specifies that additional driving lights must be mounted between 12 and 42 inches from the road surface.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 22: “Any motor vehicle may have up to three additional driving lights mounted on the front, not less than 12 inches but not more than 42 inches from the road surface.”
8. Under what condition may a manufacturer's metal registration plate be used on a vehicle?
Answer: For vehicle testing purposes only. The handbook specifies that manufacturer plates are restricted solely to vehicle testing scenarios.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 22: “A manufacturer’s metal registration plate may be used for vehicle testing purposes only; a vehicle inspection is required.”
9. When turning left onto a one-way street, which lane should you enter?
Answer: The lane in which you will interfere the least with other traffic. The handbook specifies choosing the lane that causes the least interference rather than a fixed left or right position.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 47: “If you are turning left onto a one-way street, enter the street in the lane in which you will interfere the least with other traffic.”
10. Why is it important to increase following distance during winter driving conditions?
Answer: Because snow tires slide on ice or packed snow, requiring space to stop. The handbook links increased following distance directly to the sliding nature of tires on ice and snow, ensuring enough space to stop safely.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 55: “Many rear-end collisions occur on icy streets because drivers don’t leave space to stop. Snow tires will slide on ice or packed snow. To keep safe, you must keep your distance.”
11. What action should a driver take if their vehicle stalls in floodwater?
Answer: Get out quickly and move to higher ground. The handbook instructs drivers to exit the vehicle promptly and seek higher ground if the car stalls in floodwater.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 56: “National Weather Service and Texas Division of Emergency Management officials say if your vehicle stalls in floodwater, get out quickly and move to higher ground.”
12. What action is required of a driver when changing lanes according to the safe-driving tips?
Answer: Properly signal intentions and turn the signal off after completing the lane change. The handbook instructs drivers to signal before changing lanes and specifically notes that the signal should be turned off only after the lane change is complete.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 72: “Properly signal your intentions to change lanes and change lanes when it is safe to do so. Turn your turn signal off after you complete your lane change.”
13. How long is a Driver License for individuals registered under Chapter 62, CCP valid?
Answer: It expires one year after the previous expiration date. The handbook indicates that licenses for individuals registered under Chapter 62, CCP expire one year after their previous expiration date.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 88: “Expires one year after previous expiration date”
14. What is the minimum following distance recommended when driving on a highway in bad weather?
Answer: Four seconds. The handbook specifies that while the standard following distance is two seconds, it must be increased to at least four seconds during bad weather.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 54: “Stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you. In bad weather, increase the time to at least four seconds.”
15. What does a delayed green light indicate at an intersection?
Answer: One side of the intersection has a green light while the light for oncoming traffic remains red. The handbook defines this signal specifically as a situation where one direction has green while opposing traffic still faces a red light.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 78: “delayed green light – indicates one side of the intersection has a green light while the light for oncoming traffic remains red”
16. What is the required action for a driver when approached by an authorized emergency vehicle?
Answer: Immediately stop the vehicle. The handbook states that immediate stopping is a legal requirement, and failure to do so may result in arrest.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 71: “State law requires a driver to immediately stop when approached by an authorized emergency vehicle and you may be arrested if you do not stop immediately.”
17. What should a driver do upon seeing a flag on the back of a bicycle?
Answer: Slow down, as the bicycle operator may be hearing impaired. The handbook instructs drivers to slow down when encountering this specific flag to accommodate potentially hearing-impaired cyclists.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 41: “If you see this flag on the back of a bicycle, slow down, as the bicycle operator may be hearing impaired.”
18. What is the minimum visibility requirement for a vehicle parked on the paved part of a highway outside of a business or residential district?
Answer: 200 feet. When parking on the paved part of a highway outside urban areas, the vehicle must be visible for at least 200 feet from each direction.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 48: “Be sure your vehicle can be seen for at least 200 feet from each direction”
19. What is the minimum jail confinement period for a minor convicted of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) with an open container of alcohol?
Answer: Six days. The handbook specifies that having an open container raises the minimum jail time to six days, distinguishing it from the standard 72-hour minimum.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 63: “Possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage increases the minimum confinement to six days.”
20. What does a green arrow showing with a red light mean?
Answer: You may proceed in the direction of the arrow. A green arrow indicates protected movement, allowing drivers to proceed in the indicated direction.
Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), page 85: “What does a green arrow showing with a red light mean?”