AR Permit Practice Test 21

All 20 questions in test 21

Every question below comes from the Arkansas 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. When does a green light allow you to proceed through an Arkansas intersection?

   1. Only after every side street in the area is empty
   2. Only if you are the first vehicle in line
   3. At any time, even if traffic blocks the middle
   4. When there is no opposing traffic in your way
   Show answer

   When there is no opposing traffic in your way. A green light allows a driver to proceed through an intersection if there is no opposing traffic blocking the movement. The driver still needs a clear path, so green is not permission to drive into a jammed intersection. Waiting for every side street in the area to empty goes beyond what the signal requires. Being first in line does not create a special right to enter when opposing traffic is present. Check the intersection, confirm the way is clear, and then proceed.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic Lights and Arrows

2. 2. An Arkansas driver parks to run a quick errand with a child and a dog inside the vehicle. What does the guide say about leaving them there?

   1. It is fine if a window is cracked open
   2. It is fine if the trip inside lasts under five minutes
   3. Never leave children and pets unattended in a vehicle
   4. It is fine if the air conditioner ran earlier
   Show answer

   Never leave children and pets unattended in a vehicle. A parked vehicle is not a safe waiting room for a child or a pet. Arkansas gives a flat rule with no errand exception: children and pets stay with you, not alone in the vehicle. Heat builds fast inside, and a child can also move controls or become trapped. Cracking a window or planning a quick return does not make the situation safe. Take them along, or arrange care before you park and walk away from the vehicle.

   Study this in the handbook: Seat Belts, Child Seats and Littering

3. 3. You are overtaking a cyclist on a two-lane road when a car comes toward you. What should you do?

   1. Speed up and squeeze through the gap between the cyclist and the car
   2. Pass at once and hope the cyclist stays on the edge
   3. Slow down and let the car pass first, then pass the cyclist
   4. Honk to make the cyclist stop so you can pass
   Show answer

   Slow down and let the car pass first, then pass the cyclist. When you are overtaking a bicycle and an oncoming car is approaching, the guide says to slow down and let the vehicle pass before you pass the bicycle. A driver should never try to pass between a bicyclist and oncoming vehicles on a two-lane road. Taking the hazards one at a time leaves room for the cyclist and keeps you out of the oncoming lane.

   Study this in the handbook: Trucks, Motorcycles and Bicycles

4. 4. You need to cross traffic from a side street. What kind of gap should you wait for?

   1. Any gap that opens up in front of the nearest car
   2. A gap just long enough to start moving
   3. A gap that closes as you reach it
   4. A large gap that lets you clear the road
   Show answer

   A large gap that lets you clear the road. The guide says that when crossing traffic you need a large gap to get across the road, and that when entering traffic you should allow enough space to turn and get up to speed. A small gap can quickly become smaller, so a gap that is only just big enough can leave you stuck in the path of a car. Wait for a gap that gives you a cushion on both sides.

   Study this in the handbook: Stopping Distance and Following

5. 5. How close may you park to a pedestrian safety zone in Arkansas?

   1. No closer than 15 feet
   2. No closer than 20 feet
   3. No closer than 30 feet
   4. No closer than 50 feet
   Show answer

   No closer than 30 feet. Keep at least thirty feet from a pedestrian safety zone. That open space helps drivers see people near the street and helps people see approaching cars. Fifteen feet belongs to fire hydrants, twenty feet to crosswalks at intersections, and fifty feet to railroad crossings. Matching each distance to its landmark prevents a mix-up at test time and at the curb.

   Study this in the handbook: Parking Rules and Accessible Parking

6. 6. You must swerve to avoid a hazard ahead. Where does the guide say to place your hands on the wheel?

   1. At 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock with both hands
   2. At 12 o'clock with one hand
   3. At 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock with one hand only
   4. At 6 o'clock with both hands
   Show answer

   At 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock with both hands. The guide says that when you must turn to avoid a collision, you should grip the steering wheel with both hands, and that the best way to grip it is at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. That grip gives you control for a quick turn and for correcting afterward. Once you have turned away or changed lanes, you must be ready to keep the vehicle under control.

   Study this in the handbook: Vehicle Emergencies and Crashes

7. 7. Your engine fails while you are driving and traffic is close behind. What should you expect from the controls?

   1. The brakes stop working at once
   2. The brakes still work but may need a very hard push
   3. The steering locks and cannot be turned
   4. The brakes work just as normally as before with no extra effort
   Show answer

   The brakes still work but may need a very hard push. The guide says that if your engine fails you should keep a strong grip on the steering wheel and be aware that the steering may be difficult to turn, but you can turn it. Pull off the roadway. The brakes will still work, but you may have to push very hard on the brake pedal. Knowing this keeps you from panicking when the controls feel heavy.

   Study this in the handbook: Vehicle Emergencies and Crashes

8. 8. How far ahead should an Arkansas driver look when driving in the city?

   1. Only to the next parked car
   2. At least one-quarter mile ahead
   3. Only at the vehicle directly ahead
   4. At least one city block down the road
   Show answer

   At least one city block down the road. City driving calls for scanning at least one block ahead, which reveals brake lights, turning cars, pedestrians, and blocked lanes early enough for smooth responses. The quarter-mile distance belongs to highway and interstate driving, where speeds are higher. Staring only at the nearest parked car or the bumper ahead hides developing trouble. Lift your view down the street and keep updating that picture as you move.

   Study this in the handbook: Stopping Distance and Following

9. 9. You drive beside a tractor-trailer and cannot see the driver in the tractor's side mirror. What does that tell you?

   1. The driver cannot see you
   2. The driver sees you from the cab window
   3. The driver sees you in the rear mirror
   4. The driver sees you if you sound the horn
   Show answer

   The driver cannot see you. The guide gives an excellent rule for sharing the road with a tractor-trailer: if you cannot see the truck driver in the tractor side mirror, the driver cannot see you. Motorists who stay in the blind spots along the sides and rear of a truck hinder the driver's ability to take evasive action. If you cannot see the mirror, move out of that position.

   Study this in the handbook: Trucks, Motorcycles and Bicycles

10. 10. Work zone signs in Arkansas show a reduced speed. When should a driver begin to slow down?

    1. When the driver sees those signs
    2. Only after passing the workers
    3. At the next posted speed limit sign
    4. Only if traffic ahead slows
    Show answer

    When the driver sees those signs. Reduced speed signs in a work zone call for slowing as soon as the driver sees them. Waiting until after the workers leaves the vehicle fast through the area where people and equipment are closest. The next posted speed limit sign marks where the reduced speed ends, not where it starts. Traffic ahead may keep moving fast and still be breaking the work zone rule. Begin slowing at the sign so the vehicle is at the lower speed before reaching the work.

    Study this in the handbook: Work Zones

11. 11. When passing a tractor-trailer on a road in Arkansas, how should you complete the pass?

    1. Stay beside the trailer until traffic behind you clears
    2. Pass completely on the left side without lingering alongside
    3. Pass on the right side and linger near the cab
    4. Pull beside the truck and match its speed for a while
    Show answer

    Pass completely on the left side without lingering alongside. Lingering beside a rig keeps your car where the truck driver may not see it and cannot move in an emergency. Complete the pass on the left and clear the whole truck and trailer. Do not drift beside the cab while deciding what to do next. Steady progress through the pass shortens time in the blind area. Clear space ahead should be ready before you start moving past.

    Study this in the handbook: Trucks, Motorcycles and Bicycles

12. 12. Your brake pedal fails and you reach for the parking brake. How should you apply it?

    1. Yank it hard to stop the car as fast as possible
    2. Apply it slowly so the rear wheels do not lock
    3. Hold it halfway up until the car stops
    4. Use it only after you have shifted to park
    Show answer

    Apply it slowly so the rear wheels do not lock. The guide says that if your brakes stop working you should first pump the brake pedal several times, and if that does not work, use the parking brake. Pull on the parking brake handle slowly, or slowly press the emergency brake pedal, so you will not lock the rear wheels and cause a skid. Be ready to release the brake if the vehicle does start to skid.

    Study this in the handbook: Vehicle Emergencies and Crashes

13. 13. On the road at night, you need a quick way to alert another driver that you are there. What does the guide suggest?

    1. Lean on the horn for several seconds
    2. Turn on your hazard lights and keep them on
    3. Flick your headlights
    4. Switch to your parking lights for a moment
    Show answer

    Flick your headlights. The Arkansas guide notes that headlights help you see at night and help others see you, and it says that to alert other drivers you can flick your headlight if needed. A quick flick draws attention without the alarm of a long horn blast. Hazard lights are meant for an emergency or broken-down vehicle, and parking lights are meant for parked cars, so neither is the right way to signal your presence while driving.

    Study this in the handbook: Headlights, Horn and Signals

14. 14. You see flashing green lights on a road work vehicle in Arkansas. What do those lights tell you?

    1. The vehicle is clearing the lane so you may speed up
    2. The work vehicle is turning around and needs the road
    3. The crew has finished and the zone has ended
    4. An active work zone, so slow down and use caution
    Show answer

    An active work zone, so slow down and use caution. The Arkansas Legislature authorized flashing green lights on roadway construction and maintenance vehicles, in addition to yellow or white lights. The guide says the presence of these lights indicates an active work zone, either standard or mobile, and drivers should exercise caution and slow down when they are seen. Green lights here are a warning that workers are present, not a signal to speed up, and not a sign that work has ended.

    Study this in the handbook: Work Zones

15. 15. You approach a cyclist riding near parked cars on a city street. What should you expect from the rider?

    1. A steady line with no change in its path as you pass
    2. A stop at once to let you go by
    3. A turn only after a clear hand signal
    4. A sudden move, so leave room and stay ready
    Show answer

    A sudden move, so leave room and stay ready. The guide says that when you are sharing the road with bicycles, you should always expect the rider to make sudden moves. Trash, a pothole, a barking dog, a parked car, or a car door opening can force a rider to swerve suddenly in front of you. Near parked cars, riders may move toward the center of the lane to avoid people getting out of vehicles. Leave room and be ready to slow down.

    Study this in the handbook: Trucks, Motorcycles and Bicycles

16. 16. You enter a tightening curve faster than the road can handle. What is likely to happen?

    1. The tires grip harder and the car turns tighter
    2. Your tires lose grip and the vehicle can skid
    3. The car slows by itself and stays in the lane
    4. The brakes work better and stop the car sooner
    Show answer

    Your tires lose grip and the vehicle can skid. The guide explains that a vehicle can travel much faster in a straight line than in a curve, and that traveling too fast around a curve will not allow your tires to grip the road, causing the vehicle to skid. Slow down before the curve so you do not have to brake in it, because braking in a curve can also cause a skid. Speed choice is made before the bend, not in it.

    Study this in the handbook: Slippery Roads and Hydroplaning

17. 17. When stopped on a hill in Arkansas, why should you leave extra space ahead of your vehicle?

    1. Vehicles ahead could roll back when starting off on an incline
    2. Hill stops require drivers to exit the vehicle
    3. Extra space lets you roll forward without braking
    4. It is only needed for vehicles with automatic transmissions
    Show answer

    Vehicles ahead could roll back when starting off on an incline. A car starting on a slope may drift backward a short distance before moving forward, especially with a manual gearbox or a hesitant driver. Leaving a cushion keeps that small rollback from becoming a bumper tap. The gap also helps when your own start needs a moment of patience on the grade. Transmission type does not remove the risk, since any vehicle can hesitate on a hill. Watching brake lights and wheels ahead gives early warning.

    Study this in the handbook: Emergency Vehicles and the Move Over Law

18. 18. On a multi-lane road, why does the guide tell you to avoid driving beside other vehicles for long?

    1. It lowers your fuel use on long roads
    2. Another driver may crowd your lane or pull into it
    3. It makes the other driver's turn signals harder to see
    4. It lets you stay in the other driver's mirror
    Show answer

    Another driver may crowd your lane or pull into it. The guide says to avoid driving next to other vehicles on multi-lane roads, because other drivers may crowd your lane, try to change lanes, or even pull into your lane. The way to avoid the risk is to move ahead of the other vehicle or drop behind it. Driving alongside also places you in the other driver's blind spot, so staying there longer only raises the chance of a crash.

19. 19. In Arkansas, what should you avoid doing next to a tractor-trailer or bus?

    1. Staying alongside the large vehicle for a long stretch
    2. Checking your mirrors before changing lanes
    3. Passing only when you can complete the move
    4. Leaving extra room when the truck turns wide
    Show answer

    Staying alongside the large vehicle for a long stretch. Large vehicles have wide hidden areas along their sides, and a car can stay unseen there for a long time. Lingering beside a tractor-trailer or bus raises the risk if the big vehicle drifts or changes lanes. Either finish a pass with care or drop back into open view. Giving trucks and buses room also helps when they swing wide, stop slowly, or block sight lines at intersections.

20. 20. Your wiper blades leave streaks and you see less in the rain. What does the Arkansas guide say about replacing them?

    1. Keep them until the rubber tears off the arm
    2. Replace them only when an inspector asks
    3. Replace them every six months to a year, or sooner if visibility drops
    4. Wipe the glass clean and keep them for several years
    Show answer

    Replace them every six months to a year, or sooner if visibility drops. The guide's vehicle inspection section says wiper blades should be replaced every six months to a year, or as soon as you notice a difference in driving visibility. It also says to keep your windshield clean, and to replace or repair a damaged windshield as soon as possible. Streaks and reduced visibility in rain are exactly the kind of change that calls for new blades, since seeing the road well is part of safe driving.