AZ Permit Practice Test 23

All 20 questions in test 23

Every question below comes from the Arizona 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. A car ahead is slowing, and the shoulder to your right is unpaved. May you pass by driving onto it?

   1. Yes, if no vehicle is on the shoulder
   2. Yes, if you stay under 20 mph
   3. Yes, if you signal and return quickly
   4. No, never pass by leaving the paved roadway
   Show answer

   No, never pass by leaving the paved roadway. You must never pass on the right by driving off the paved or main portion of the roadway. The shoulder may be soft or uneven, can hide debris or people, and is not built for passing. This applies even at low speed, even with a signal, and even when it looks empty. If you need to pass, use a lawful lane or wait until you can do so safely.

   Study this in the handbook: Signaling, passing and U turns

2. 2. After an Arizona crash, which items must you give the other driver?

   1. Your name and employer address with your Social Security number
   2. Driver license number, name and address, and insurance company and policy number
   3. Your license number and a written statement admitting fault
   4. Only your name and phone number, without insurance details
   Show answer

   Driver license number, name and address, and insurance company and policy number. The manual says that after a crash you should provide your driver license number, your name and address, and your insurance company name and policy number. This exchange lets each driver and the insurers identify one another and handle the claim. Admitting fault, a Social Security number, or an employer address are not part of the required exchange, and leaving out insurance details does not meet it.

   Study this in the handbook: Crashes, wrong way drivers and traffic stops

3. 3. An animal stands on an Arizona road ahead. What driving response is required?

   1. Slow down fully and steer clear with control
   2. Speed up to pass before it moves
   3. Honk steadily while aiming at it
   4. Swerve sharply across both lanes
   Show answer

   Slow down fully and steer clear with control. Livestock and wildlife can bolt in any direction, so speed must fall as much as conditions allow while steering stays controlled. A direct crash avoided by losing control trades one wreck for another, possibly with oncoming traffic or a rollover. Honking at an animal already in the road and violent swerving add panic to both sides. Gentle slowing with a measured path around the animal keeps escape options open. If the animal remains a traffic hazard afterward, reporting it protects the next driver.

   Study this in the handbook: Stopping distance, bad weather and night driving

4. 4. A bicyclist and a driver reach the same Arizona intersection together. Which rule applies?

   1. The bicyclist must always yield to every driver nearby
   2. The driver always yields to the bicyclist
   3. Both follow the same traffic laws and right-of-way rules
   4. Bicyclists follow rules written only for pedestrians
   Show answer

   Both follow the same traffic laws and right-of-way rules. Bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as drivers of vehicles, and they have the right-of-way under the same conditions as motorists. At an intersection, that means the usual rules decide who goes first, such as yielding to traffic already in the intersection or to the vehicle on the right. Neither road user has automatic priority simply because of the vehicle type.

   Study this in the handbook: Bicycles, motorcycles, trucks and light rail

5. 5. The lights at an Arizona railroad crossing stop flashing, but the barricade is still coming up. May you cross now?

   1. Yes, once the lights have stopped flashing at the crossing
   2. Yes, if you first look both ways
   3. No, wait until the barricade is up all the way
   4. Yes, if the vehicle ahead of you crosses
   Show answer

   No, wait until the barricade is up all the way. Do not cross the tracks until all signals have stopped and the crossing barricade is up all the way. If the lights stop but the barricade is still rising, the crossing is not yet open. A second train may be approaching on another track, and the barricade is the signal that the crossing is clear. Wait for both conditions rather than following the car ahead.

   Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and work zones

6. 6. Why should you not pass an Arizona truck on the right when it might turn right?

   1. Trucks always speed up when passed on the right
   2. The right side is reserved for trucks and buses
   3. Truck drivers must hold the lane until passed on the left
   4. The truck may turn right across your path
   Show answer

   The truck may turn right across your path. Large trucks need extra room to turn and can swing wide before a right turn. A vehicle passing on the right can be caught in the space the truck is turning into. The manual says not to pass a truck on the right if there is any possibility that it might make a right turn. Stay behind, watch the signals, and pass only when you are sure the truck is not turning.

   Study this in the handbook: Freeway and highway driving

7. 7. Where must an Arizona driver stop for a red signal?

   1. Halfway into the crosswalk for a clearer side view
   2. Before reaching the intersection, stop line, or crosswalk
   3. Past the stop line, close to cross traffic lanes
   4. Directly behind the vehicle ahead at any point
   Show answer

   Before reaching the intersection, stop line, or crosswalk. Red requires a complete stop before the intersection, the stop line, or the crosswalk, whichever point comes first. That placement keeps the vehicle out of crossing paths for people walking and for traffic moving on green. Creeping into the crosswalk may improve view but steals pedestrian space. Stopping past the line also raises the risk of blocking a turning truck. If the view is poor after a lawful stop, the driver waits rather than rolling into the crossing area.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and red light running

8. 8. What danger comes from driving too slowly in Arizona traffic?

   1. None, slow driving is always safer
   2. It can be as dangerous as driving too fast
   3. It only affects fuel use
   4. It matters only on freeways
   Show answer

   It can be as dangerous as driving too fast. A vehicle far below the flow forces others to brake, bunch up, and pass in riskier places. That disruption can be as dangerous as excess speed, which also breaks the rhythm other drivers expect. Fuel use is a minor side issue compared with rear end and passing conflicts. The danger appears on ordinary streets as well as freeways wherever speed gaps grow. A slower driver should use the right lane and let faster traffic pass rather than blocking the left lanes and inviting frustration.

   Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and work zones

9. 9. You are turning left at an Arizona intersection and the signal shows a flashing yellow arrow. What should you do?

   1. Slow down and turn with caution if clear
   2. Turn quickly because oncoming traffic must stop
   3. Stop and wait for a solid green arrow
   4. Turn only after the oncoming lanes have cleared fully
   Show answer

   Slow down and turn with caution if clear. A flashing yellow arrow means you should slow down and turn with caution if the roadway is clear. You may complete the turn, but you must yield to oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians in the crosswalk. The arrow does not give you priority, and it does not require you to wait for a solid arrow. Judge gaps carefully and turn only when the path is clear.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and red light running

10. 10. How must Arizona drivers brake a vehicle with antilock brakes in an emergency?

    1. Pump them rapidly like older brakes
    2. Use only the parking brake
    3. Alternate brake and gas pedals
    4. Do not pump antilock brakes
    Show answer

    Do not pump antilock brakes. Antilock systems modulate wheel pressure many times per second to prevent lockup while preserving steering. Pumping the pedal fights that automation and lengthens the stop. Firm steady pressure lets the system work and allows steering around the hazard. Parking brakes and throttle inputs cannot replace service brakes. Vehicles without antilock brakes use the rapid pumping method instead, which is why knowing the vehicle equipment matters before an emergency demands the correct foot response.

    Study this in the handbook: Dust storms, blowouts, fires and brake failure

11. 11. A rear crash cannot be avoided in Arizona. How should you brace and brake?

    1. Release brakes hours before impact
    2. Turn fully around in the seat
    3. Brace, then release brakes just before hit
    4. Stand on the brakes until contact ends fully
    Show answer

    Brace, then release brakes just before hit. Bracing the body between the steering wheel and seat back limits whipping motion, while releasing the brake just before impact lets the vehicle roll slightly and soften the energy transfer. Full brake pressure makes the struck vehicle a rigid wall. Turning around strains the body into the blow. Timing matters: the release belongs to the final instant, not general driving. Seat belts remain the primary protection and should stay fastened through the event and its aftermath.

    Study this in the handbook: Dust storms, blowouts, fires and brake failure

12. 12. Even light fog is present on an Arizona road. What driving adjustment matters most?

    1. Use high beams for distance judgment
    2. Slow down, because distance judgment also suffers
    3. Follow painted lines at normal speed
    4. Open windows to hear traffic better
    Show answer

    Slow down, because distance judgment also suffers. Fog steals contrast in stages, and even a light layer degrades the ability to judge how far vehicles and curves sit ahead. Slowing restores time that the eyes lose. High beams reflect back into the driver face, and normal speed assumes a judgment the fog removed. Sound gives little range information at road speed. Low beams, edge markings as a guide, and readiness for sudden thick patches complete the fog response. When patches turn opaque, leaving the road and waiting beats probing forward.

    Study this in the handbook: Stopping distance, bad weather and night driving

13. 13. How should an Arizona driver set up for a right turn?

    1. Swing wide left before turning
    2. Turn from the center lane
    3. Stay close to the right curb or road edge, without swinging wide
    4. Cut across the bike lane early without checking
    Show answer

    Stay close to the right curb or road edge, without swinging wide. A right turn starts tight to the right curb or edge and stays tight through the turn. Swinging wide first invites a bicycle or small vehicle to fill the right gap and then be squeezed. The center lane starting point crosses other lanes unlawfully. Bike lanes must be entered with a check over the shoulder rather than an early blind cut. A compact arc lands the vehicle in the right lane of the new road and leaves the crosswalk visible throughout the turn.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and red light running

14. 14. What courtesy does Arizona ask of drivers near bicyclists at night?

    1. Flash high beams so riders spot you
    2. Honk once before passing each rider
    3. Turn headlights off beside each rider at night
    4. Dim headlights as a courtesy to riders
    Show answer

    Dim headlights as a courtesy to riders. Bright high beams can blind a bicyclist who has no windshield or visor to cut the glare. Dimming headlights near riders at night keeps them able to see pavement edges and hazards. Flashing highs makes the blindness worse in pulses. Headlights stay on for the driver own safety and legal visibility. The courtesy costs nothing because low beams still mark the vehicle. It pairs with a slow, wide pass so the rider is neither blinded nor crowded in the dark.

    Study this in the handbook: Bicycles, motorcycles, trucks and light rail

15. 15. You see a vehicle coming toward you on a divided Arizona freeway. What is the first speed action?

    1. Slow down by easing your foot off the gas
    2. Brake hard in your lane at once
    3. Speed up to pass the vehicle quickly ahead
    4. Hold speed and flash headlights only
    Show answer

    Slow down by easing your foot off the gas. Easing off the gas scrubs speed smoothly while preserving steering control for the escape move that follows. Hard braking can lock wheels or be struck from behind, and speeding toward the vehicle closes distance faster. Headlight flashing alone does not change the collision geometry. After slowing, the driver checks beside the vehicle and steers away toward safety. Reaching a safe place and calling 911 completes the response. Calm speed reduction first keeps every later option available.

    Study this in the handbook: Crashes, wrong way drivers and traffic stops

16. 16. A fire engine with flashing lights and a siren approaches from behind on an Arizona two-lane road. What must you do?

    1. Pull to the right and stop until it has passed
    2. Slow down but stay in your lane
    3. Pull to the left to clear the right side
    4. Stop where you are, even in the center of the road
    Show answer

    Pull to the right and stop until it has passed. When an emergency vehicle such as police, fire, or ambulance with flashing lights or an audible signal approaches, a driver shall yield the right-of-way, move to the right, and stop their vehicle until the emergency vehicle has passed. Moving right gives the vehicle a clear path, while stopping in your lane or pulling left can block it or lead to a collision.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and red light running

17. 17. A pedestrian is crossing at a corner with no painted lines on an Arizona street. What must you do?

    1. Proceed, since there are no crosswalk lines painted on the street
    2. Yield, because an unmarked crosswalk still counts
    3. Honk so the pedestrian can hurry across
    4. Yield only if a traffic light is at the corner
    Show answer

    Yield, because an unmarked crosswalk still counts. Arizona drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the street in any marked or unmarked crosswalk. An unmarked crosswalk exists where a sidewalk meets an intersection, even with no painted lines. Waiting for a pedestrian to finish crossing is the rule, whether or not a signal is present. Honking or hurrying the person across does not give you priority.

    Study this in the handbook: Signaling, passing and U turns

18. 18. Where must an Arizona driver not pass because the view ahead is limited?

    1. On a straight rural highway with a long clear view
    2. Beside a marked bicycle lane on a flat city street
    3. Near a curve or hilltop where the road ahead stays hidden
    4. On a multilane freeway with lanes going one way
    Show answer

    Near a curve or hilltop where the road ahead stays hidden. A pass needs enough visible road to finish and return before meeting oncoming traffic. Curves and hilltops hide vehicles until the last moment, so passing there gambles on unseen speed and distance. Straight rural highways and freeways can allow passing when markings and gaps permit. A bicycle lane calls for care and space, but the sight distance problem defines this ban. If the roadway ahead cannot be judged safe for the whole pass, the driver stays in lane, holds speed, and waits for a clear straight section.

    Study this in the handbook: Signaling, passing and U turns

19. 19. The traffic light is red, but a police officer standing in the Arizona intersection waves you forward. What should you do?

    1. Wait for the light to turn green first
    2. Follow the officer's direction and proceed
    3. Go only if no pedestrians are visible
    4. Stop until another driver goes ahead of you
    Show answer

    Follow the officer's direction and proceed. The manual says you must obey signal lights unless a police officer is directing traffic to do otherwise. An officer in the intersection may wave traffic through against a red light or stop traffic on a green light, and the officer's directions take priority. Proceed when signaled, watch for pedestrians and other vehicles, and do not wait for the light or for another driver to move first.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals and red light running

20. 20. What marking in the roadway indicates an Arizona HOV lane?

    1. A yellow X painted in the lane
    2. A blue square painted in the travel lane
    3. A white diamond painted in the lane
    4. A red stripe along the lane edge
    Show answer

    A white diamond painted in the lane. High occupancy vehicle lanes in Arizona carry a white diamond painted in the roadway. That symbol warns a solo driver before entering during restricted hours and helps carpools find the lane early. Yellow paint belongs to opposing traffic separation, and squares or edge stripes do not carry the HOV meaning. Reading the diamond together with posted hours tells the driver whether the lane is open to the vehicle. Motorcycles, buses, and qualifying carpools use the lane under the posted rules.

    Study this in the handbook: Parking rules, hills and painted curbs