CO Permit Practice Test 18

All 20 questions in test 18

Every question below comes from the Colorado 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 is a train's speed hard to judge at a crossing?

   1. Its large size makes it look slower than it really is
   2. Trains slow down at every crossing that they pass through
   3. Crossing lights hide the true speed of the train
   4. Freight trains always travel at less than 30 mph
   Show answer

   Its large size makes it look slower than it really is. The handbook says that because of its large size, a train appears to be moving more slowly than it actually is. Do not try to beat a train based on how fast it looks. A train usually moves faster and needs far more distance to stop than it seems, so the safest choice is always to wait. When in doubt, wait. Giving up a few moments at a crossing is far better than risking a collision.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail

2. 2. A light rail vehicle just passed your crossing. Why must you still wait at the gates?

   1. Another vehicle might be coming from the other direction
   2. The gates stay down for a full minute after the vehicle passes
   3. The vehicle that passed may back up in a moment
   4. Road rules require a honk before you start moving
   Show answer

   Another vehicle might be coming from the other direction. The handbook says never to drive around traffic gates, even if an LRV has just passed, because another vehicle might be coming from the other direction. Wait until the gates lift and the lights stop. Never assume a crossing is clear because one vehicle has passed. Wait for the gates to rise and the lights to stop before you cross.

   Study this in the handbook: Bicyclists, motorcycles, trucks and pedestrians

3. 3. You drive a bus and another large vehicle enters the roundabout beside you at the same moment. Neither has priority by arrival. Who yields?

   1. The driver on the left must yield to the one on the right
   2. The smaller of the two vehicles has the right to go
   3. Both drivers must stop until police direct traffic
   4. The right-hand driver yields to the one on the left
   Show answer

   The right-hand driver yields to the one on the left. The handbook says that when two drivers of large vehicles enter, exit or drive in a roundabout at the same time, the driver on the right must yield the right-of-way to the driver on the left. Because the two large vehicles reach the circle together, the handbook gives the right of way to the driver on the left, so the driver on the right waits and lets the other vehicle go first.

   Study this in the handbook: Lines, crosswalks and special lanes

4. 4. What problem can driving much slower than the posted speed cause in normal conditions?

   1. It doubles the fine for any driver who is in a work zone
   2. It can disrupt traffic flow and create unsafe situations
   3. It makes the minimum speed limit disappear for slower drivers
   4. It gives the slower driver the right of way over faster traffic
   Show answer

   It can disrupt traffic flow and create unsafe situations. The handbook warns that driving much slower than the posted speed in normal conditions can affect the flow of traffic and create unpredictable, potentially unsafe situations. Other drivers have to brake or go around, which raises the risk of a crash. Staying close to the flow of traffic, within the limit, helps everyone predict what you will do, and the handbook adds that conditions can justify going slower.

   Study this in the handbook: Emergency vehicles, school buses and work zones

5. 5. At a railroad crossing, what should a driver always expect?

   1. Trains follow a posted schedule at each crossing
   2. Crossings without gates never have trains on them
   3. A train can arrive at any time, day or night
   4. Warning lights give about ten minutes of notice first
   Show answer

   A train can arrive at any time, day or night. The handbook says to be cautious when approaching a railroad crossing because a train can arrive at any time, day or night. Never assume that one has just passed or that none is coming. No schedule or sign makes a crossing certain to be safe, so look and listen every time and keep checking until you are all the way across. A railroad crossing is a place for extra caution every time.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail

6. 6. A school bus stopped ahead flashes red lights, with no median dividing your road. How close may you stop?

   1. Stop at least 20 feet before the school bus
   2. Stop within 5 feet of the back bumper of the bus
   3. Stop 20 feet past the door of the bus
   4. Stop only if you can see children standing outside
   Show answer

   Stop at least 20 feet before the school bus. The handbook says you must stop your vehicle at least 20 feet before reaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing. This leaves room for children to cross safely. Staying back at least 20 feet gives children room to cross in front of the bus, and the driver of the bus a clear view of the area where they walk.

   Study this in the handbook: Right of way at intersections, roundabouts and mountain roads

7. 7. Ahead, several plows work in a staggered diagonal line clearing the highway. What does the law say about passing them?

   1. Passing is allowed on the left side of the formation
   2. It is illegal to pass plows working in that staggered formation
   3. Passing is allowed only when you are below 25 mph
   4. Passing is legal once their warning lights have stopped flashing
   Show answer

   It is illegal to pass plows working in that staggered formation. The handbook says it is illegal to pass an authorized snow plow when it is working in a formation in which the plows are staggered diagonally. Stay behind them until they finish. The plows work side by side in a diagonal line to clear the highway, and passing between or around them is dangerous because of blowing snow and the equipment's wide path. Be patient and stay back until they finish.

   Study this in the handbook: Right of way at intersections, roundabouts and mountain roads

8. 8. An ambulance enters your intersection against its light as you cross. What should you do?

   1. Stop where you are inside the intersection right away
   2. Drive through the intersection, then pull over
   3. Turn left quickly to get out of its path
   4. Back up to the stop line that is behind you
   Show answer

   Drive through the intersection, then pull over. The handbook says that if you are in an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches, you should drive through the intersection and then pull over. Stopping inside would block the emergency vehicle. Clear the intersection first so the emergency vehicle can pass, and then pull over to the right and stop until it has gone by, as you would on any road.

   Study this in the handbook: Right of way at intersections, roundabouts and mountain roads

9. 9. No train is visible as you near a crossing marked only by a crossbuck. How must you treat that sign?

   1. As a stop sign that applies in all conditions
   2. As information only, with no duties attached to it
   3. The same way as a yield sign
   4. As a sign meant for use by trucks only
   Show answer

   The same way as a yield sign. The handbook says crossbuck signs should be treated the same as a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen, and stop if a train is coming. A crossbuck marks a crossing that has no signal. The handbook gives the same yielding meaning as a yield sign, so slow, look both ways, and stop if a train approaches. Treating it as a yield sign means you may need to stop, which depends on whether a train is approaching.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail

10. 10. Two lanes squeeze into one at a closure, and traffic crawls in both lanes. In a zipper merge, when do drivers take turns?

    1. As early as possible after you see the warning
    2. Only after the lane has fully closed off
    3. After stopping at the merge point for a moment
    4. Just before the lane ends, one car at a time
    Show answer

    Just before the lane ends, one car at a time. The handbook says that in a zipper merge, cars should take turns filling in the open lane carefully just before the lane ends, and then resume full speed. Keep both lanes filled until near the merge point, and alternate, which lets traffic move more steadily and reduces long backups. Zipper merging makes full use of both lanes before the lane ends, shortens backups, and keeps traffic moving more evenly, but drivers need to be courteous to those who wait to merge until the last moment.

    Study this in the handbook: Scanning, following distance, phones and traffic stops

11. 11. Your manual-shift car reaches a quiet crossing with a clear view both ways. How should you handle the gears on the rails?

    1. Shift to neutral in the middle of the crossing to roll quietly
    2. Do not shift gears on the tracks, in case the vehicle stalls
    3. Shift down once you are centered on the tracks for more power
    4. Stop on the tracks and select first gear before going on
    Show answer

    Do not shift gears on the tracks, in case the vehicle stalls. The handbook says not to shift gears when crossing the railroad tracks in case your vehicle stalls. Choose the gear before the crossing, and keep a steady pace over the tracks. A driver who shifts while on the tracks can stall the vehicle, so choose the proper gear in advance and drive straight across without stopping. Doing this before you reach the crossing keeps you from stalling on the rails, and you can then drive straight across at a steady speed without having to stop or change gears.

    Study this in the handbook: Regulatory signs: stop, yield and speed

12. 12. You wait mid-block to turn left across traffic, foot on the brake. A car approaches fast behind you. Why keep the wheels straight?

    1. Turned-left wheels shorten the turn once a gap opens up
    2. Straight wheels make your brake lights look brighter
    3. Straight wheels keep a rear-end hit from pushing you into oncoming cars
    4. Wheel direction matters only when waiting on a hill
    Show answer

    Straight wheels keep a rear-end hit from pushing you into oncoming cars. The handbook says never to turn the front wheels toward the left while you are waiting to turn. If you are hit from behind, wheels turned left would push you into oncoming traffic, but straight wheels keep you in your lane. If your wheels are straight, a hit from behind pushes you forward in your lane, but if they are turned left the car can be driven across the center line into oncoming traffic.

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

13. 13. Another vehicle is about to hit you from the side or behind, and space lies ahead. What may help?

    1. Brake hard so that the impact happens at a slower speed
    2. Speed up to get out of danger, then slow down afterward
    3. Turn sharply toward the other vehicle to avoid it
    4. Stop and simply wait for the impact to pass by you
    Show answer

    Speed up to get out of danger, then slow down afterward. The handbook says that sometimes it is necessary to speed up to avoid a collision, such as when you are about to be struck from the side or from behind and there is room in front of you. Be sure to slow down again as soon as the danger has passed. Speeding up works only when there is room ahead of you to get out of the way.

    Study this in the handbook: Avoiding collisions, animals and vehicle failures

14. 14. When is sounding the horn close to a bicyclist the wrong move?

    1. Only when the rider is wearing headphones at the time
    2. Whenever the road you are on has a marked bike lane
    3. Only during daylight hours on weekdays and never at night
    4. When there is no immediate risk of a crash, since it may startle the rider
    Show answer

    When there is no immediate risk of a crash, since it may startle the rider. The handbook says to avoid sounding your horn close to bicyclists unless there is an immediate risk of a crash. Using your horn may startle a bicyclist and cause them to crash. Instead, slow down, give riders room, and pass with care. Reserve the horn for the rare moment when a crash is truly about to happen. Give a bicyclist plenty of room instead, and slow down when passing.

    Study this in the handbook: Bicyclists, motorcycles, trucks and pedestrians

15. 15. On what kind of roadway should a three-point turnabout be used?

    1. Any four-lane highway with a grass median in the middle
    2. A freeway that has a wide paved shoulder on the right
    3. A two-lane road too narrow for a U-turn, with no way around the block
    4. A one-way street in a busy downtown business district
    Show answer

    A two-lane road too narrow for a U-turn, with no way around the block. The handbook says to use a three-point turnabout only on a two-lane roadway. It is meant for a place where the road is too narrow for a U-turn and you cannot go around the block. A three-point turnabout takes more room and time than a U-turn, so use it only on a two-lane road where no other option exists. Plan the maneuver before you start and check for traffic in both directions.

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

16. 16. What problems can worn or bald tires cause?

    1. Better grip on wet roads but worse fuel economy overall
    2. Shorter stopping distance on dry pavement and in the rain
    3. Only a louder ride, with no effect on safety at all
    4. Longer stops, harder turning, hydroplaning on wet roads, and flats
    Show answer

    Longer stops, harder turning, hydroplaning on wet roads, and flats. The handbook says worn or bald tires can increase your stopping distance, make turning more difficult, cause hydroplaning when the road is wet, and increase the chance of having a flat tire. It adds that unbalanced wheels and low tire pressure increase tire wear and make the vehicle harder to steer and stop, so check your tires regularly. Replace tires that are worn, and keep them properly inflated and balanced, because they are the only part of the vehicle that touches the road.

    Study this in the handbook: Fitness to drive, distractions and basic control

17. 17. A child under 2 weighs 40 pounds or more. What restraint does Colorado require?

    1. A seat belt worn alone across the child's lap
    2. A booster seat placed in the front seat of the car
    3. Any restraint at all that the child prefers to use
    4. A child restraint system, rear or forward facing, properly secured
    Show answer

    A child restraint system, rear or forward facing, properly secured. The handbook says children less than 2 years old and weighing 40 pounds or more must be properly secured in a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint system. Because the law gives this rule by age and weight, check both the child's age and weight before deciding which type of restraint to use. Rear-facing or forward-facing, the restraint must be properly secured in the vehicle. The handbook gives different rules for children who are younger, lighter, older or heavier.

    Study this in the handbook: Losing your license, seat belts and child restraints

18. 18. What proves an impaired driving case in Colorado besides a BAC number?

    1. Only the result of the driver's blood test taken at the hospital
    2. Only the opinion of the officer who made the arrest
    3. The driver's impaired behavior and the whole set of circumstances
    4. Only a failed breath test given later at the police station
    Show answer

    The driver's impaired behavior and the whole set of circumstances. The handbook says impaired driving convictions are not proven only by the driver's Blood Alcohol Concentration, but by the impaired driving behavior and a totality of circumstances. This means an officer and a court look at how the person was driving, the signs of impairment, and other evidence, not just a single test result. A BAC number can be strong evidence, but the court also considers how the driver was driving, how the driver looked and acted, and what the officer observed during the stop.

    Study this in the handbook: Losing your license, seat belts and child restraints

19. 19. You cannot safely make a U-turn where you are. What should you do?

    1. Continue to the next street or turn around area
    2. Make a quick U-turn before traffic arrives
    3. Stop in the lane and wait for a gap in both directions
    4. Back up along the road until you find a wide spot
    Show answer

    Continue to the next street or turn around area. The handbook says U-turns are forbidden unless they can be made without endangering other motorists, and it adds that if you cannot safely make one, you should continue to the next street or turn around area. It also says never to try a sudden U-turn in front of traffic traveling in either direction. Taking the next street or a legal turnaround costs a little time, but it keeps you out of the path of traffic in both directions.

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

20. 20. After stopping at a crash, what information gets exchanged?

    1. Name, address, phone number, registration, and insurance information
    2. Only the license plate numbers of both of the cars
    3. Fault admissions that are signed by both of the drivers
    4. Repair estimates collected from nearby body shops
    Show answer

    Name, address, phone number, registration, and insurance information. After a crash, the handbook says to exchange name, address, phone numbers, registration and insurance information. Give this information to the other driver and to law enforcement when asked, and also write down anything that you can about the other vehicle. Write down or photograph the other driver's details at the scene when possible, and make sure to give your own information accurately, since it is a legal duty to do so.

    Study this in the handbook: Avoiding collisions, animals and vehicle failures