The Alaska permit test has 20 questions, and you need 16 correct (80%) to pass. Official source. Page updated 2026-10-19.
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Key Alaska DMV rules and numbers
These are key rules and numbers from the Alaska handbook, a few per topic so they fit on one printed page. We favor rules that state a specific number. Every fact below comes from our free Alaska DMV practice test question bank, which has 500 questions across 9 topics, checked against the Alaska handbook (last verified 2026-09-07).
Speed limits
- The Alaska default-speed table assigns 55 mph to any other roadway when no different limit is posted. (Handbook, p. 29)
- Alaska permits selected highways to be posted at 65 mph. (Handbook, p. 29)
- Alaska lists 25 mph as the default speed for a residential district when no sign establishes another limit. (Handbook, p. 29)
- Alaska's speeding points are 2 for 3 to 9 mph over the limit, 4 for 10 to 19 mph over, and 6 for 20 mph or more over. (Handbook, p. 12)
- The manual introduces its listed speed limits as maximums for highways that are not otherwise posted and for favorable conditions. (Handbook, p. 29)
Right of way
- The manual says most roundabouts are designed for speeds of about 15 to 20 mph. (Handbook, p. 34)
- Failing to stop for a school bus while it is loading or unloading carries 6 points, the same as driving without insurance, negligent driving, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. (Handbook, p. 12)
- When two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection at a position and time that creates a danger of collision, Alaska puts the duty to yield on the driver of the vehicle on the left. (Handbook, p. 33)
- Traffic already circulating in the roundabout has priority over a vehicle waiting to enter. (Handbook, p. 34)
- An exit from a roundabout can place a vehicle directly across a marked crosswalk, so the driver must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists using that crossing. (Handbook, p. 34)
Alcohol and DUI
- Alaska states that a breath or blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more creates a legal presumption that the person was driving under the influence. (Handbook, p. 16)
- The Alaska revocation list uses a lower threshold for a person operating a commercial motor vehicle: .04 or higher after an arrest for driving under the influence. (Handbook, p. 13)
- Alaska prohibits a person under 21 from operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol in any amount. (Handbook, p. 16)
- A first under 21 offense involving operating after consuming alcohol or refusing the chemical test brings a 30 day administrative revocation. (Handbook, p. 16)
- Impaired drivers continue to kill someone every 51 minutes, nearly 28 people a day and almost 10,000 citizens a year, and about 97 percent of Americans see drinking and driving as a threat to themselves and their families. (Handbook, p. 15)
Signals and markings
- Alaska requires a hand and arm or directional signal continuously during the last 100 feet traveled before turning or moving the vehicle right or left. (Handbook, p. 30)
- A right turn on red is permitted only after a full stop, when the turn can be made safely, and when no No Turn on Red sign restricts it. (Handbook, p. 50)
- A flashing yellow ball calls for reduced speed and caution, with yielding to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection. (Handbook, p. 51)
- Dashed yellow lines separate opposing traffic and indicate where passing is permitted on a two lane, two way roadway. (Handbook, p. 56)
- Alaska lists STOP AHEAD, SCHOOL, and R X R as special pavement legends that indicate special conditions to the driver. (Handbook, p. 56)
Parking
- Alaska's parking list prohibits parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. (Handbook, p. 62)
- The parking distances in the Alaska manual include 20 feet from a crosswalk or intersection, the same figure used for a fire station entrance. (Handbook, p. 62)
- For downhill parking beside a curb, Alaska directs the driver to turn the front wheels toward the curb. (Handbook, p. 62)
- A driver looking for parking in a city or town should read both the signs and the curb paint. (Handbook, p. 62)
- Parking distances keep sight lines open where drivers must read controls and judge cross traffic, and a stop sign needs the longest urban clearance in this group. (Handbook, p. 62)
Safe driving
- Alaska requires headlights during the day when fog, rain, snow, smoke, or dust reduces visibility to 1,000 feet or less. (Handbook, p. 55)
- Alaska's general point rule requires mandatory suspension or revocation after accumulating 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months. (Handbook, p. 11)
- Applicants who are 16 or 17 must hold a valid instruction permit for at least six months before the DMV can issue a provisional Class D license. (Handbook, p. 4)
- More than 80 percent of all collisions occur at speeds less than 40 miles per hour, and three out of four collisions causing death occur within 25 miles of home. (Handbook, p. 20)
- A 15 pound infant will suddenly weigh 450 pounds because of the forces unleashed in just a 30 mph collision, far more than any adult can hold. (Handbook, p. 21)
Road signs
- The chart caption for this black on orange sign reads: adjust driving for construction area 500 feet ahead. (Handbook, p. 41)
- The Alaska sign chart shows a school crosswalk sign with the instruction to reduce speed to 20 as marked, and a related sign tells drivers to slow to 20 for school children. (Handbook, p. 40)
- Alaska requires the slow-moving vehicle emblem on all vehicles that travel 25 mph or less. (Handbook, p. 49)
- Regulatory signs communicate an instruction backed by statute, regulation, or local ordinance, so the driver must understand and obey it. (Handbook, p. 38)
- The Alaska sign chart says to make a left turn when you are in a lane below or facing this sign. (Handbook, p. 40)
Laws and paperwork
- For an administrative revocation calculation, Alaska may use qualifying DWI, DUI, or refusal convictions from Alaska or another state when they occurred within the preceding 15 years. (Handbook, p. 16)
- Alaska allows a person who is 14 years of age or older to obtain a non-commercial instruction permit. (Handbook, p. 4)
- The supervising person must be licensed, at least 21 years old, and have at least one year of driving experience with the same type or class of vehicle. (Handbook, p. 4)
- The ordinary restricted period is from 1:00 am through 5:00 am unless a parent, legal guardian, or licensed adult at least 21 accompanies the driver. (Handbook, p. 6)
- For a first license before age 18, the parent, guardian, or employer must certify at least 40 hours of driving, including at least 10 hours in progressively challenging conditions. (Handbook, p. 5)
Emergencies
- A vehicle may not follow an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency closer than 500 feet. (Handbook, p. 64)
- A driver may not park within 500 feet where fire apparatus has stopped and displays flashing red or blue lights. (Handbook, p. 64)
- The manual says to report a crash to the Division of Motor Vehicles within 10 days, but the report is not required if a police officer investigated the crash. (Handbook, p. 11)
- If there is an injury, or total property damage is $2,000 or more, and the crash occurred within a municipality, immediately contact the local police department by dialing 911. (Handbook, p. 11)
- A certificate of insurance is required on all crashes with property damage of $501 or more and must be submitted to the DMV within 15 days, even if you submitted proof of insurance during the law enforcement investigation. (Handbook, p. 11)
Want the reasoning behind these rules? Study the handbook, chapter by chapter, in 18 short lessons quoted from the Alaska manual.
Signs
Sign shape and color carry meaning before you even read the words. A red octagon always means stop, a red-bordered triangle pointing down means yield, and yellow diamonds warn of a hazard ahead. For every sign image used in our practice test, with the exact meaning and explanation, see the full road sign glossary.
Keep studying
This cheat sheet is a summary, not a substitute for practice. Test yourself with the free Alaska DMV practice test, which explains the reasoning behind every answer, or see Alaska DMV facts and fees before test day.