AK Permit Practice Test 3

All 20 questions in test 3

Every question below comes from the Alaska question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. Why are good windshield wipers important during rainy nighttime driving?

   1. They make bald tires safe on wet pavement
   2. They allow a driver to ignore standing water
   3. They eliminate the need for headlights
   4. Streaking and skipping wipers are especially hazardous
   Show answer

   Streaking and skipping wipers are especially hazardous. The manual warns that windshield wipers which streak and skip are especially hazardous on a rainy night. Clear wiping helps preserve the driver's view, but it does not remove the need to manage speed, lights, traction, or tire condition. Wipers cannot make standing water harmless, replace headlights, or compensate for bald tires. A practical cue is to inspect blades and washer fluid before a trip when rain and darkness are likely.

2. 2. What court penalty applies in Alaska when a minor is convicted of operating after consuming alcohol?

   1. Mandatory jail
   2. The court must order community service and/or a fine up to $1,000
   3. No court penalty, only DMV action
   4. A $5,000 fine
   Show answer

   The court must order community service and/or a fine up to $1,000. A minor operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol, or a minor refusing chemical testing, is an infraction. Upon conviction the court must order community service and/or a fine up to $1,000. Mandatory jail and a $5,000 fine are not listed. The court penalty is separate from, and in addition to, the DMV administrative revocation, which starts at 30 days for a first offense.

3. 3. After a crash in Alaska, an officer with probable cause asks you to blow into a portable preliminary breath tester and you refuse. What is that refusal?

   1. A felony
   2. Not an offense
   3. An infraction
   4. A misdemeanor with jail
   Show answer

   An infraction. Alaska's implied consent law lets an officer require a preliminary breath test at the scene if you were in a crash or committed a moving violation and the officer has probable cause to believe alcohol impairs your driving. Refusing the preliminary breath test is an infraction. That is different from refusing the chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest, which can be a misdemeanor or felony. Refusing is still an offense, so the no offense choice is wrong.

4. 4. What do dashed yellow pavement markings indicate on a two lane, two way roadway?

   1. Passing is permitted when it is otherwise safe
   2. Passing is prohibited in both directions
   3. Traffic travels in the same direction only
   4. The center lane is reserved for left turns
   Show answer

   Passing is permitted when it is otherwise safe. Dashed yellow lines separate opposing traffic and indicate where passing is permitted on a two lane, two way roadway. Permission to pass still depends on visibility, traffic, and the other safety rules governing a pass. Solid yellow center lines prohibit passing, while white lines separate lanes traveling in the same direction. The reserved center lane choice describes a different marking and roadway arrangement. Identify both the color and the pattern before interpreting a pavement line, because changing either changes its meaning.

5. 5. Before passing another vehicle on an Alaska two-lane road, what should the driver check ahead?

   1. A hill crest that hides approaching traffic
   2. Only the rearview mirror, because the opposing lane is presumed clear
   3. A solid yellow line already in the passing vehicle's lane
   4. A clear path with no no-passing zone or oncoming vehicle
   Show answer

   A clear path with no no-passing zone or oncoming vehicle. Safe passing begins with a view far enough ahead to confirm there is no no-passing zone and no oncoming vehicle. Looking only behind misses the primary conflict, while a solid yellow line or a blind hill crest signals that the maneuver should not begin. The driver must also complete the pass without interfering with approaching traffic. Stay back for sight distance, inspect the centerline and opposing lane, and abandon the attempt whenever the view cannot support a complete return to the right lane.

6. 6. What must a driver do if moving to another lane away from an approaching emergency vehicle is not possible?

   1. Stop in the lane and wait for the emergency vehicle to leave
   2. Slow to a reasonable speed and drive safely around the scene
   3. Pass the emergency vehicle at the posted maximum speed
   4. Drive onto the sidewalk to create more room
   Show answer

   Slow to a reasonable speed and drive safely around the scene. When a lane change is impossible, or only one lane travels in that direction, the driver must slow to a reasonable speed and pass the scene safely. Waiting in the lane is not the stated default, and the posted maximum may be too fast for the conditions around responders. A sidewalk is not a lawful escape route. First look for a safe lane away from the emergency vehicle. If that cannot be done, reduce speed substantially and leave adequate space while proceeding past the scene.

7. 7. What do orange flags and signs indicate in Alaska?

   1. A railroad crossing that is always closed
   2. A hospital entrance
   3. A high hazard area involving maintenance or construction
   4. A permanent speed increase
   Show answer

   A high hazard area involving maintenance or construction. Orange flags and signs identify a high hazard area, specifically one associated with maintenance and construction. They are a warning to increase attention and prepare for changed paths, workers, equipment, or unusual traffic movement. The hospital, railroad, and speed choices assign unrelated meanings. When orange is present near a work area, expect guidance devices or a flag person and be ready to slow or stop.

8. 8. How should a driver approach an Alaska flashing red ball?

   1. Stop before the crosswalk or line, look in all directions, then proceed when safe
   2. Slow down and continue without stopping if the crosswalk is empty
   3. Wait for a green ball before moving in any direction
   4. Stop after entering the intersection so the signal is visible
   Show answer

   Stop before the crosswalk or line, look in all directions, then proceed when safe. A flashing red ball requires a stop behind the crosswalk, stop line, or, if neither exists, before entering the intersection. After stopping, the driver looks in all directions for approaching traffic and pedestrians and proceeds only when it is safe. Treating it like a flashing yellow allows movement without the required stop, while waiting for a green ball describes a different signal operation. Stop at the proper reference point, scan the full intersection, and then continue only after the path is clear.

9. 9. If moving to the opposite lane is unsafe near a stationary emergency vehicle, how should an Alaska driver pass?

   
   1. Slow to a reasonable and prudent speed while passing
   2. Stop beside the emergency vehicle
   3. Maintain the posted speed without adjustment
   4. Use the shoulder regardless of traffic
   Show answer

   Slow to a reasonable and prudent speed while passing. When changing lanes is unsafe, or when the road has only one lane in that direction, the manual requires a reasonable and prudent speed while passing the emergency scene. The driver should not stop beside responders or assume the posted limit is always suitable near people and equipment. The shoulder is not an automatic travel path. Reduce speed early, watch for workers and traffic, and pass with enough control to react to sudden movement. The lane change is preferred when safe, but careful speed is the fallback when it is not.

10. 10. What does the five-sided school sign warn drivers to expect?

    
    1. A five-lane divided highway beginning ahead
    2. A hospital entrance where parking is prohibited
    3. A school area or school crosswalk requiring reduced speed
    4. A pedestrian-free zone near a sports facility
    Show answer

    A school area or school crosswalk requiring reduced speed. The five-sided school sign identifies a school area or school crosswalk. The manual associates that setting with reduced speed and tells drivers to prepare to stop for pedestrians. It does not mark a hospital, describe the number of highway lanes, or exclude pedestrians. Children may enter the roadway unexpectedly, so scan beyond the sign and cover the brake. A driver who waits until the crosswalk is occupied may not leave enough room to stop smoothly.

11. 11. At what minimum age may a person obtain an Alaska non-commercial instruction permit?

    1. 16 years
    2. 15 years
    3. 14 years
    4. 18 years
    Show answer

    14 years. Alaska allows a person who is 14 years of age or older to obtain a non-commercial instruction permit. The permit is for learning to drive, and the learner must be accompanied by a qualified licensed driver while practicing. Sixteen is associated with other licensing milestones, including the possible issue of a provisional Class D license after permit time, but it is not the starting age for this permit. Keep the permit age and the later license stages separate when reviewing the progression.

12. 12. How close must a train be for an Alaska driver to be prepared to stop at a crossbuck crossing?

    1. Within 100 feet
    2. Within one mile
    3. Only when the train is at the crossing
    4. Within 1,500 feet of the crossing
    Show answer

    Within 1,500 feet of the crossing. At a railroad crossbuck and warning sign, be prepared to stop if a train is within 1,500 feet of the crossing, because a train's speed and distance are easy to misjudge. If you are stuck on the tracks, get out of the vehicle, run in the direction the train is coming from so debris flies away from you, and call 911 or the blue Emergency Notification System number.

13. 13. If a WRONG WAY sign faces you, what does it indicate?

    
    1. A turn is required at the next legal opening
    2. A construction crew is directing traffic around a lane closure
    3. The road is temporarily limited to commercial vehicles
    4. The driver has entered the prohibited direction of a roadway or ramp
    Show answer

    The driver has entered the prohibited direction of a roadway or ramp. A WRONG WAY sign confirms that the vehicle is traveling in a direction prohibited for that roadway or ramp. The driver should stop the unsafe movement and correct course only when it can be done safely. A lane closure, commercial restriction, or required turn would communicate a different condition. The useful cue is the combination of the sign and the vehicle's direction, not the presence of construction or a nearby turn. Do not continue farther into the roadway while looking for a convenient place to reverse direction.

14. 14. What must an Alaska driver with a concealed deadly weapon do during a traffic stop?

    1. Nothing unless asked
    2. Place the weapon on the dashboard
    3. Notify the officer immediately
    4. Leave the vehicle to show it
    Show answer

    Notify the officer immediately. Under AS 28.35.182, if you are contacted by an officer and you have a deadly weapon concealed on your person, you must notify the officer immediately. Drivers must also have their license, proof of insurance and current registration in their possession and show them on request. Keep hands visible and tell the officer before reaching for documents, so nothing is mistaken for a threat.

15. 15. What does the sharp right-turn warning tell a driver to expect?

    
    1. A sharp turn to the right in front of the sign
    2. A right lane that continues straight while the road turns left
    3. A one-way street beginning after the next signal
    4. A T-intersection where the driver must yield to a bus
    Show answer

    A sharp turn to the right in front of the sign. The right-angle arrow warns of a sharp right turn immediately ahead. The driver should reduce speed early, stay in the lane, and follow the roadway rather than interpreting the symbol as a one-way announcement or a T-intersection rule. A sharp turn demands more preparation than a gentle bend, especially on a slippery or unfamiliar surface. Scan past the sign for the turn, check the lane boundary, and avoid entering faster than control conditions allow.

16. 16. How often may an Alaska driver take a defensive driving course (DDC) for a point reduction?

    1. Once every 3 years
    2. Once every 12 months
    3. Once in a lifetime
    4. As often as desired
    Show answer

    Once every 12 months. Credits may be earned for violation free driving and/or completing a defensive driving course, and a DDC may be taken once every 12 months for a point reduction. The three year, lifetime, and unlimited choices do not match the rule. Separately, a provisional license holder with 6 or more points in 12 months or 9 or more in 24 months must complete a driver improvement course approved by the Division.

17. 17. An at-fault Alaska driver may be found liable in civil court after a crash. How long can the driving privilege be suspended under the Financial Responsibility law, and how can it end early?

    1. Up to 30 days; by paying a fine
    2. Up to three years; by making a financial settlement with the other parties
    3. Permanently; no way to end it
    4. One year; by retaking the road test
    Show answer

    Up to three years; by making a financial settlement with the other parties. Under Alaska's Financial Responsibility law, if there is a reasonable possibility you may be found liable in civil court, your privilege to drive will be suspended for up to three years. You can end the suspension at any time during that period by making a financial settlement with the other parties in the crash. Paying a fine, retaking a road test, or waiting 30 days do not end it, and the suspension is not permanent.

18. 18. How many points does Alaska assign for failing to stop for a school bus while it is loading or unloading?

    1. 2
    2. 4
    3. 9
    4. 6
    Show answer

    6. 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. Two points is for other moving violations, 4 for following too close or failure to stop or yield, and 9 for leaving the scene of a crash. Two 6 point convictions within 12 months reach the 12 point suspension threshold, and a driver gets a warning letter at the halfway mark.

19. 19. How do impact and braking distance at 80 mph compare with 20 mph, according to the Alaska manual?

    1. Four times greater
    2. They are 16 times greater
    3. Twice as great
    4. About the same
    Show answer

    They are 16 times greater. Increase the speed to 80 mph and the impact and braking distance are 16 times greater than at 20 miles per hour, because both grow with the square of speed. Quadrupling speed does not quadruple the danger; it multiplies it sixteen fold. Speed limits are maximums for favorable conditions, and the basic speed law requires slowing whenever conditions are worse.

20. 20. What should a driver do after seeing an Alaska construction and maintenance sign?

    1. Adjust speed and prepare for special conditions
    2. Ignore it unless workers are standing in the lane
    3. Use the sign as permission to pass on the shoulder
    4. Stop immediately wherever the sign is posted
    Show answer

    Adjust speed and prepare for special conditions. Construction and maintenance signs identify work in the road or temporary conditions that require special alertness. The manual directs drivers to adjust speed and prepare for those conditions. Waiting until a worker is visibly in the lane can leave too little time to respond to cones, lane shifts, equipment, or a flag person. The sign does not by itself require an immediate stop, and it never authorizes shoulder passing. Reduce speed early, scan beyond the sign, and follow the temporary traffic control.