20 questions from the Utah driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. When performing a lane change, how long must you signal before moving?
Answer: At least two seconds. The handbook states that drivers must signal for at least two seconds before changing lanes.
Utah driver handbook, page 40: “Signal for at least two seconds in the direction you intend to move.”
2. How should you adjust your following distance when driving at night?
Answer: Increase your following distance by at least two seconds. The handbook mandates increasing the following time gap by a minimum of two seconds during night driving.
Utah driver handbook, page 70: “Increase your following distance at night by at least two seconds.”
3. Which of the following is defined as a vulnerable user of the highway in Utah?
Answer: A person riding a bicycle. The list of vulnerable users includes bicycles, whereas standard motor vehicles like sedans, trucks, and buses are not listed in this specific definition.
Utah driver handbook, page 83: “Utah law defines a vulnerable user of the highway as a pedestrian, including a person engaged in work upon a highway or utilities facilities along a highway or providing emergency services within the right-of-way of a highway, a person riding an animal, and a person operating any of the following on a highway: farm tractor or implement of husbandry without an enclosed shell, skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates, bicycle, electric-assisted bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, moped, motor-driven cycle, motorized scooter, motorcycle, and wheelchairs.”
4. Which of the following vehicle types is listed as exempt from the motor vehicle safety belt usage act?
Answer: School buses. The handbook lists school buses among the specific vehicle types exempt from the safety belt usage act.
Utah driver handbook, page 38: “Authorized emergency vehicles, mopeds, motorcycles, school buses, and vehicles not equipped with safety belts by the manufacturer are exempt from the motor vehicle safety belt usage act.”
5. When stopping at a railroad crossing, what is the required distance range from the nearest rail?
Answer: Between 15 and 50 feet. The handbook states the mandatory stopping distance range is between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.
Utah driver handbook, page 95: “When you stop at a railroad crossing, you must be between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.”
6. What action must a driver take when approaching a railroad crossing where the lights are flashing?
Answer: Come to a complete stop and wait until lights stop flashing. Drivers are required to come to a complete stop when flashing lights are active and remain stopped until the lights cease flashing.
Utah driver handbook, page 96: “Always STOP when lights begin to flash, or bells begin to ring, which means a train is coming.”
7. How does a Thru-Uturn intersection improve traffic flow according to the handbook?
Answer: By eliminating left turn movements at the intersection. The handbook states that this intersection type improves flow specifically by eliminating left turn movements at the intersection itself.
Utah driver handbook, page 53: “It helps to alleviate traffic congestion and improve traffic flow by eliminating left turn movements at the intersection.”
8. If there are no sidewalks available, on which side of the roadway should pedestrians walk or jog?
Answer: The left side of the shoulder. Pedestrians are instructed to walk facing traffic on the left side of the shoulder or roadway when sidewalks are unavailable.
Utah driver handbook, page 91: “Always walk or jog facing traffic on the left side of the shoulder or roadway.”
9. At what height are children aged eight and under no longer required to use an approved child safety seat?
Answer: 57 inches tall. The handbook specifies that children under eight must use a safety seat unless they reach a height of 57 inches.
Utah driver handbook, page 38: “All children aged eight and under must be properly secured in an approved child safety seat unless they are 57 inches tall.”
10. For individuals aged 18 to 20, what restriction applies to Class A commercial licenses regarding intrastate driving?
Answer: They are subject to an intrastate restriction. The handbook lists an intrastate restriction specifically for individuals aged 18 to 20 holding a Class A license.
Utah driver handbook, page 21: “Intrastate restriction for individuals 18-20 years of age”
11. What is the maximum distance your vehicle should be from the curb when parallel parking?
Answer: 12 inches. The handbook states that the back wheel must be no further than 12 inches away from the curb.
Utah driver handbook, page 42: “If parking next to a curb, the back wheel of your car must be no further than 12 inches away from the curb.”
12. Under what condition may a bicyclist proceed through a stop sign without coming to a complete stop?
Answer: If the bicyclist slows to a reasonable speed and yields right-of-way. A bicyclist can roll through a stop sign only if they slow down reasonably and yield to pedestrians.
Utah driver handbook, page 85: “Bicyclists approaching a stop sign may proceed through the intersection without stopping at the stop sign if the bicyclist slows to a reasonable speed and yields the right-of-way to any pedestrian within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.”
13. Which of the following vehicles is listed as eligible to use the express lane free of charge?
Answer: A motorcycle. Motorcycles are specifically named in the list of vehicles allowed to use the express lane without paying a toll.
Utah driver handbook, page 50: “Motorcycles, buses, and vehicles with registered clean fuel vehicle decal (C decal) may also use the express lane free of charge.”
14. When passing horse-drawn vehicles or horseback riders, what action should you take to avoid startling the animal?
Answer: Do not use your horn or rev the engine. The handbook advises against using horns or revving engines because these noises can scare horses and lead to accidents.
Utah driver handbook, page 93: “Do not use your horn or “rev” the engine. This may scare the horse and cause a crash.”
15. When approaching or overtaking a bicyclist at night, within what distance should a driver dim their headlights?
Answer: Within 500 feet. The handbook specifies that headlights must be dimmed within 500 feet when approaching bicyclists during nighttime conditions.
Utah driver handbook, page 84: “Dim your headlights within 500 feet when approaching or overtaking bicyclists at night.”
16. Under what condition is a three-point turn recommended according to the handbook?
Answer: Use this only if the road is too narrow for a U-turn. The handbook advises using a three-point turn specifically when the road width prevents a standard U-turn.
Utah driver handbook, page 47: “Use this only if the road is too narrow for a U-turn.”
17. When driving behind a large tractor-trailer, how can you determine if the truck driver has a clear view of your vehicle?
Answer: If you can see the truck driver's rear view mirrors. The handbook advises that visibility of the driver's mirrors indicates whether the driver can see you, ensuring a safe following distance.
Utah driver handbook, page 88: “When following behind a truck, if you can’t see the truck driver’s rear view mirrors, there is no way the truck driver can see you.”
18. What should a driver do if their vehicle stalls on a railroad crossing?
Answer: Immediately get everyone out of the car and off the tracks. The handbook instructs drivers to evacuate the vehicle and move off the tracks immediately if the car stalls.
Utah driver handbook, page 97: “If your vehicle stalls on a crossing, immediately get everyone out of the car and off the tracks.”
19. According to the 2024 statistics provided by the Utah Department of Public Safety, what is the leading cause of crashes on Utah highways for teenagers aged 15-19?
Answer: Failed to Keep in Proper Lane. The handbook lists 'Failed to Keep in Proper Lane' as the number one cause for teenagers, surpassing other factors like disregarding signals or reckless driving.
Utah driver handbook, page 7: “THE TOP FIVE LEADING CAUSE OF CRASHES ON UTAH HIGHWAYS (TEENAGERS 15-19) 1. Failed to Keep in Proper Lane 23%”
20. How should a driver handle a power outage at a single-point urban interchange?
Answer: Proceed with extreme caution and courtesy, noting that most interchanges have battery backup. The handbook states that these intersections are not treated as four-way stops during power outages and instructs drivers to proceed with caution.
Utah driver handbook, page 51: “If a power outage occurs, the single-point urban interchange is not handled like a four-way stop. It is important to proceed with extreme caution and courtesy. Most single-point urban interchanges will be supported by battery backup.”