DMV Practice Test: 50 Questions With Answers (2026)

Here is a free DMV practice test with 50 questions, each with the answer explained. It covers what every state's permit test asks about: road signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, right of way, safe following, sharing the road and alcohol basics. The questions are original, written by our instructors, and they stick to rules that apply in all states, so you can use it whether your test is in Ohio or Oregon.

How to take this 50-question DMV practice test

Set aside 30 to 40 minutes with no phone and no driver manual open.
Answer every question before you check it. Guessing is fine, but mark the guesses.
Read the explanation for every question you missed or guessed. That is where the learning happens.
Write the rules you missed on one sheet of paper and reread your state manual's section for each.
Retake the test in two or three days and compare scores.

What your score means

Score	What it means
45 to 50	Strong. Move on to your state's practice tests for the state numbers.
40 to 44	Close. Review the topics behind your misses, then retest.
Below 40	Go back to your state's driver manual, especially signs and right of way.

Most states set the pass mark at 70% to 80%, and the number of questions ranges from under 20 to 50. Our guide lists the count and pass mark for every state.

DMV practice test: 50 questions

A red, eight-sided sign means:
1. Stop
2. Yield
3. Do not enter
4. Railroad crossing
Show answer
A. Stop The octagon is used only for STOP signs. Come to a complete stop.
A downward-pointing triangle sign means:
1. Stop
2. Yield
3. Merge
4. No passing
Show answer
B. Yield The triangle means YIELD: slow down and let traffic and pedestrians with the right of way go first.
A five-sided (pentagon) sign warns of:
1. A work zone
2. A hospital
3. A school zone or school crossing
4. A railroad crossing
Show answer
C. A school zone or school crossing The pentagon shape is reserved for school signs.
A yellow diamond-shaped sign is a:
1. Guide sign
2. Regulatory sign
3. Service sign
4. Warning sign
Show answer
D. Warning sign Yellow diamonds warn of hazards or changes ahead, like curves and merges.
Orange signs are used for:
1. Work zones
2. Hospitals
3. Scenic areas
4. Bike routes
Show answer
A. Work zones Orange marks temporary traffic control, such as construction and maintenance zones.
A round yellow sign with an X and two Rs means:
1. A rest area is ahead
2. A railroad crossing is ahead
3. Road closed
4. Reduce speed
Show answer
B. A railroad crossing is ahead The round sign is the advance warning for a railroad crossing.
Green signs with white letters usually give:
1. Speed limits
2. Warnings
3. Directions and distances
4. Parking rules
Show answer
C. Directions and distances Green signs are guide signs: destinations, exits and distances.
Blue signs usually show:
1. Speed limits
2. Construction
3. School zones
4. Motorist services such as gas, food and lodging
Show answer
D. Motorist services such as gas, food and lodging Blue signs point to services.
Brown signs usually point to:
1. Recreation and cultural sites, such as parks
2. Hospitals
3. Truck routes
4. Toll roads
Show answer
A. Recreation and cultural sites, such as parks Brown signs mark recreation and cultural points of interest.
A white rectangular sign with black letters is usually a:
1. Warning sign
2. Regulatory sign, such as a speed limit
3. Guide sign
4. Work zone sign
Show answer
B. Regulatory sign, such as a speed limit White rectangles state the rules you must obey.
A steady yellow traffic light means:
1. Speed up to clear the intersection
2. Go, but watch for pedestrians
3. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do so safely
4. Stop and wait for a green arrow
Show answer
C. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do so safely Yellow is a warning. Stop if you safely can, but do not slam on the brakes in the intersection.
A flashing red traffic light means:
1. Slow down and proceed
2. Yield only to trucks
3. The signal is broken, so ignore it
4. Stop completely, then go when it is safe
Show answer
D. Stop completely, then go when it is safe Treat a flashing red light like a STOP sign.
A flashing yellow traffic light means:
1. Proceed with caution
2. Stop
3. Turn right only
4. Pedestrians only
Show answer
A. Proceed with caution Slow down, look carefully and continue with caution.
A steady green arrow means:
1. Yield to oncoming traffic before turning
2. You may turn in the direction of the arrow; oncoming traffic should be stopped
3. You may not turn
4. Turn only after stopping
Show answer
B. You may turn in the direction of the arrow; oncoming traffic should be stopped A green arrow gives a protected turn in that direction. Still watch for pedestrians.
The traffic signals at an intersection are completely dark. You should:
1. Drive through at normal speed
2. Honk and go
3. Treat it as an all-way stop
4. Wait for police
Show answer
C. Treat it as an all-way stop When signals are out, stop as you would at an all-way stop and take turns.
A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:
1. You may pass when clear
2. Parking is allowed
3. The lane is for buses
4. You may not pass
Show answer
D. You may not pass A solid yellow line on your side marks a no-passing zone.
A broken yellow center line means:
1. Passing is allowed when it is safe
2. No passing in either direction
3. The road is one way
4. The lane is ending
Show answer
A. Passing is allowed when it is safe You may pass on a broken yellow line when the way ahead is clear.
White lane lines separate:
1. Traffic moving in opposite directions
2. Lanes of traffic moving in the same direction
3. Bike lanes from sidewalks
4. Parking from travel lanes only
Show answer
B. Lanes of traffic moving in the same direction White lines separate lanes going the same way. Yellow lines separate opposite directions.
A center lane marked with solid and broken yellow lines on both sides and left-turn arrows is for:
1. Passing
2. Emergency vehicles
3. Left turns in both directions
4. Buses
Show answer
C. Left turns in both directions A two-way left-turn lane is only for making left turns, not for passing or traveling.
Two cars reach a four-way stop at the same time. Who goes first?
1. The car on the left
2. Whoever honks
3. The faster car
4. The car on the right
Show answer
D. The car on the right When you arrive together, yield to the driver on your right.
You are turning left at an intersection on a green light (no arrow). You must:
1. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
2. Go first because you have a green light
3. Honk before turning
4. Turn only from the right lane
Show answer
A. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians A plain green light lets you turn left only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
A pedestrian is crossing in a crosswalk ahead. You should:
1. Honk so they hurry
2. Yield and let them finish crossing
3. Drive around them
4. Speed up to pass first
Show answer
B. Yield and let them finish crossing Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
An ambulance with lights and siren is coming from behind. You should:
1. Speed up to stay ahead
2. Stop where you are in the lane
3. Pull to the right edge of the road and stop
4. Pull to the left
Show answer
C. Pull to the right edge of the road and stop Pull over to the right and stop until it passes, unless you are in an intersection. Clear it first.
You are pulling out of a driveway onto a street. You must:
1. Go first because you are turning
2. Expect traffic to stop for you
3. Honk and go
4. Yield to traffic and pedestrians on the street and sidewalk
Show answer
D. Yield to traffic and pedestrians on the street and sidewalk Vehicles entering a road from a driveway or private road yield to everyone already on it.
When you enter a roundabout, you should:
1. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
2. Expect traffic in the roundabout to yield to you
3. Turn left to enter
4. Stop in the circle to let others in
Show answer
A. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout Enter when there is a gap, yield to traffic already circulating, and drive counterclockwise.
You meet a school bus with red lights flashing on a two-lane road. You should:
1. Pass slowly
2. Stop, no matter which direction you are traveling
3. Stop only if you are behind it
4. Honk and pass
Show answer
B. Stop, no matter which direction you are traveling On an undivided two-lane road, traffic in both directions stops for a school bus with flashing red lights.
A stopped police car or tow truck has its lights flashing on the shoulder. You should:
1. Keep your speed and lane
2. Stop next to it
3. Move over a lane if it is safe, or slow down
4. Flash your high beams
Show answer
C. Move over a lane if it is safe, or slow down Every state has a move over law: change lanes away from the stopped vehicle if you can, or slow down.
The best way to check your following distance is to:
1. Count car lengths
2. Use your mirrors
3. Watch your speedometer
4. Count seconds after the car ahead passes a fixed point
Show answer
D. Count seconds after the car ahead passes a fixed point Pick a sign or pole. When the car ahead passes it, count seconds until you reach it.
In rain, snow or fog, your following distance should:
1. Get longer
2. Get shorter
3. Stay the same
4. Not matter
Show answer
A. Get longer Stopping takes longer on wet or icy roads, so leave more space.
Your car starts to hydroplane on a wet road. You should:
1. Brake hard
2. Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight
3. Speed up
4. Turn sharply
Show answer
B. Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight Let the car slow down on its own until the tires grip again. Hard braking or steering can cause a skid.
Your rear wheels begin to skid. You should:
1. Slam on the brakes
2. Steer the opposite way hard
3. Steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
4. Take your hands off the wheel
Show answer
C. Steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go Ease off the gas and steer where you want to go, gently.
A front tire blows out. You should:
1. Brake hard right away
2. Swerve to the shoulder at once
3. Speed up
4. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and slow down gradually
Show answer
D. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and slow down gradually Keep control first. Slow gradually, then pull off when it is safe.
At night, when an oncoming vehicle approaches, you should:
1. Dim to low beams
2. Switch to high beams
3. Turn off your headlights
4. Flash your lights
Show answer
A. Dim to low beams Dim your high beams so you do not blind the other driver.
In fog, you should drive with:
1. High beams
2. Low beams
3. Parking lights only
4. No lights
Show answer
B. Low beams High beams reflect off fog and make it harder to see. Use low beams.
Before changing lanes, you should:
1. Speed up
2. Honk
3. Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder at your blind spot
4. Only check the rearview mirror
Show answer
C. Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder at your blind spot Mirrors do not show everything. A quick shoulder check covers the blind spot.
The hand signal for a left turn is:
1. Waving the left arm
2. Left arm bent up
3. Left arm bent down
4. Left arm straight out the window
Show answer
D. Left arm straight out the window Left arm straight out means a left turn.
The hand signal for a right turn is:
1. Left arm bent upward at the elbow
2. Left arm straight out
3. Left arm bent downward
4. Right arm out the passenger window
Show answer
A. Left arm bent upward at the elbow Left arm bent up means a right turn.
The hand signal for slowing down or stopping is:
1. Left arm straight out
2. Left arm bent downward
3. Left arm bent upward
4. Both hands on the wheel
Show answer
B. Left arm bent downward Left arm bent down, palm back, means slowing or stopping.
You park downhill next to a curb. Turn your front wheels:
1. Straight ahead
2. Away from the curb
3. Toward the curb
4. It does not matter
Show answer
C. Toward the curb If the car rolls, the tire hits the curb instead of rolling into traffic.
You park uphill next to a curb. Turn your front wheels:
1. Toward the curb
2. It does not matter
3. Straight ahead
4. Away from the curb
Show answer
D. Away from the curb Turn away from the curb and let the car roll back so the tire rests against it.
If you cannot see a truck driver's mirrors, then:
1. The truck driver probably cannot see you
2. The truck driver can see you
3. You are at a safe distance
4. You should honk
Show answer
A. The truck driver probably cannot see you Trucks have large blind spots. If you cannot see the mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
A motorcycle is in the lane ahead. It is entitled to:
1. Half a lane
2. The full width of the lane
3. The shoulder only
4. Whatever space is left
Show answer
B. The full width of the lane Never share a lane with a motorcycle. Give it a full lane, just like a car.
When you pass a bicycle rider, you should:
1. Honk as you pass
2. Pass as close as possible to get by quickly
3. Slow down and leave plenty of space
4. Follow closely until they move over
Show answer
C. Slow down and leave plenty of space Give bicyclists room and pass only when it is safe. Many states set a minimum distance.
What is the only thing that lowers your blood alcohol content?
1. Coffee
2. A cold shower
3. Exercise
4. Time
Show answer
D. Time Only time lets your body remove alcohol. Coffee and showers do not change your BAC.
Which drinks contain about the same amount of alcohol?
1. 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of liquor
2. 12 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of wine
3. One shot of liquor and a pint of wine
4. None of these
Show answer
A. 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of liquor A regular beer, a glass of wine and a shot of liquor each hold about the same alcohol.
Under implied consent laws, when you drive you have agreed to:
1. Let police search your phone
2. Take a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked
3. Carry a spare tire
4. Drive under the speed limit
Show answer
B. Take a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked Refusing a chemical test brings its own penalties, often a license suspension.
You feel very sleepy while driving. The safest thing to do is:
1. Open the window
2. Turn up the radio
3. Pull over somewhere safe and rest
4. Drive faster to get home sooner
Show answer
C. Pull over somewhere safe and rest Only sleep fixes drowsiness. Windows and music do not.
When you enter a highway from an on-ramp, you should:
1. Stop at the end of the ramp
2. Expect highway traffic to stop
3. Merge at a slow speed
4. Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of traffic and merge into a gap
Show answer
D. Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of traffic and merge into a gap Match the speed of traffic, signal and merge into a safe gap.
You miss your exit on a highway. You should:
1. Go to the next exit
2. Make a U-turn in the median
3. Back up on the shoulder
4. Stop and wait
Show answer
A. Go to the next exit Never back up or turn around on a highway. Take the next exit.
Warning lights are flashing at a railroad crossing, but you do not see a train. You should:
1. Cross quickly
2. Stop and wait until the lights stop and it is safe
3. Go around the gates
4. Honk and cross
Show answer
B. Stop and wait until the lights stop and it is safe Flashing lights mean a train is coming. Never go around gates or cross until the signals stop.

What this test covers, and what it does not

These questions follow national standards. Sign shapes and colors come from the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which every state uses, so a stop sign or a school sign means the same thing everywhere. Right of way, hand signals and safe driving habits are also close to identical across states.

What changes by state is the numbers: parking distances, following time, school zone speeds, how far to signal before a turn and alcohol limits. Utah, for example, sets its adult limit at 0.05 instead of the 0.08 used elsewhere. Those state-specific numbers show up on every permit test, so pair this general test with your state's practice test and driver manual.

Why a 50-question DMV practice test helps

A short quiz tells you whether you know a fact. A full 50-question test tells you whether you can stay sharp to the end. Students often answer early questions carefully and then rush the last 15. Practicing at full length builds the focus you need on test day, and it gives you enough questions to spot a pattern in your mistakes, such as signs, right of way or numbers.

DMV practice test 2026: what to do next

Download or open your state's current driver manual from the official agency website. Manuals are updated, so make sure yours is the 2026 edition or the newest one posted.
Take your state's DMV practice test for permit questions with your state's numbers.
Check what to bring: most states want proof of identity, Social Security number and residency, and a parent signature for teens.

FAQ

Is this DMV practice test 50 questions long?

Yes. It has 50 multiple-choice questions with an explanation for each answer.

Are these real DMV test questions?

No. They are original practice questions written by DMVZone instructors and based on rules found in state driver manuals. No agency publishes its real test questions.

Is this DMV practice test up to date for 2026?

Yes. The questions cover rules that apply in every state in 2026. Always check your state's current manual for state numbers like fines and distances.

Does this DMV practice test work for the permit test?

Yes. It covers the general knowledge every permit test asks about. Add your state's practice test for state laws and numbers.

How many questions do I need right to pass?

That depends on your state. Most require 70% to 80%. Aim for 45 or more out of 50 here before your test.

Rules and fees change. Always confirm the details with the official DMV or motor vehicle agency before you act. DMVZone practice questions are written to teach the rules and are not copies of the real test.