CO Permit Practice Test 20

All 20 questions in test 20

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. You cross a road where yellow lines are painted down the middle. What do those lines separate?

   1. Lanes in which traffic moves in the same direction
   2. Parking areas that are set apart from the travel lanes
   3. Traffic moving in opposite directions
   4. Bicycle lanes that run beside the vehicle lanes
   Show answer

   Traffic moving in opposite directions. The handbook says yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, and a broken yellow line means that passing is permitted when it is safe. A broken yellow line along with this separation means you may pass when it is safe, while a solid line on your side means you may not pass at all. Check which kind of line is on your side before you think about passing.

   Study this in the handbook: Warning, guide, work zone and special signs

2. 2. You enter a bend posted with a yellow curve-right warning sign. When may acceleration start?

   1. Before entering the curve, to hold your speed steady
   2. Only after you reach the middle of the curve
   3. At the first sight of the warning sign ahead
   4. Immediately as you enter the start of the curve
   Show answer

   Only after you reach the middle of the curve. The handbook says to begin your acceleration only after reaching the middle of the curve. Slow down before the curve, then speed up gradually once you are past the middle. This helps keep the vehicle stable around the bend, since slowing first and then speeding up in the middle of the curve lets your tires grip without sliding. Following this approach keeps your car stable throughout the curve.

   Study this in the handbook: Freeways, lane changes and passing

3. 3. Overhead light rail wires hang above the tracks. How should a driver treat a hanging wire?

   1. Move it aside using a dry wooden stick
   2. Touch it only while you are wearing thick gloves
   3. Drive over it slowly with the windows rolled up
   4. Assume it is electrified and never touch it or anything it touches
   Show answer

   Assume it is electrified and never touch it or anything it touches. The handbook says to always assume a wire hanging from the overhead catenary is electrified, so never touch the wire or anything it is touching. A downed wire can still carry deadly current, and so can a vehicle or object that touches it, so stay away and report it. If you see a wire on the ground or hanging low, stay well back and keep others away, and call for help. Do not try to move it or drive over it, because it may still carry deadly electric current that could injure you or anyone near it.

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

4. 4. A Colorado driver's blood shows 5 nanograms of THC per milliliter. What may a court infer from that result?

   1. A permissible inference that the driver was DUI
   2. Proof that impairment is not possible at that level
   3. A level that fully clears the driver of any charge
   4. The same inference that is used in DWAI cases
   Show answer

   A permissible inference that the driver was DUI. The handbook says there is a permissible inference that a driver was DUI if the driver's blood contained 5 nanograms of THC per milliliter. It is an inference a court may draw, based on the blood result, and not an automatic conviction. A court may weigh that result together with other evidence, but a result below that level can also be evidence of impairment, depending on the circumstances.

   Study this in the handbook: Drugs, penalties and express consent

5. 5. What does the handbook say about driving with only parking lights on?

   1. Never drive with only your parking lights on
   2. It is allowed on streets that have working streetlights
   3. It is allowed when following another vehicle closely at night
   4. It is allowed at dawn when the sky already looks bright
   Show answer

   Never drive with only your parking lights on. The handbook states plainly not to drive with only your parking lights on. Parking lights are meant for a parked vehicle and do not give enough light or visibility to drive safely. Use headlights whenever you are driving in the dark or when visibility is poor, and leave parking lights for a vehicle that is stopped. Make it a habit to turn on your headlights every time you drive, even in the early morning or evening, and not just your parking lights. Doing so keeps you easy to see.

   Study this in the handbook: Freeways, lane changes and passing

6. 6. A pedestrian steps into an unmarked crosswalk at a Colorado intersection. What must you do?

   1. Slow slightly and steer around behind the pedestrian
   2. Honk once and then continue at a low speed
   3. Proceed through if your own light is showing green
   4. Yield and stop completely so the pedestrian can pass
   Show answer

   Yield and stop completely so the pedestrian can pass. The handbook says pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and crosswalks. You must come to a complete stop and let the person pass safely, even when the crosswalk is not marked with paint. Waiting until the person has finished crossing, and not edging forward, keeps the crosswalk clear for people who may walk slowly. A pedestrian in a crosswalk always has the right of way, and the crosswalk may be unmarked at an intersection, so stop whenever a person is about to cross or is crossing in your path.

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

7. 7. If convicted under Colorado's reckless driving statute, how many points can be assessed against your record?

   1. Up to two points
   2. Up to eight points
   3. Exactly twelve points
   4. No points, only a fine
   Show answer

   Up to eight points. Reckless driving means operating a vehicle in a way that puts people or property in danger, whether intentional or not. If an officer notes actions that endanger another person or property, you can be charged under the reckless driving statute and, if convicted, up to eight points can be assessed. Two points understates it, twelve is not the figure, and points do apply. Acts like displaying a weapon or ramming a vehicle can bring criminal charges beyond reckless driving.

   Study this in the handbook: Distracted, reckless and aggressive driving

8. 8. Besides rules and hazards, what else can Colorado traffic signs tell a driver?

   1. Which lanes will close for repairs next week
   2. Where you are, which way to go, and where services are
   3. How fast the other drivers nearby are traveling
   4. Where police officers are stationed on the road
   Show answer

   Where you are, which way to go, and where services are. The handbook says traffic signs tell you about traffic rules, hazards, and your current location. They can also give directions and help you locate services. It adds that the shapes and colors of these signs indicate the type of information they provide. For example, Do Not Enter and Wrong Way signs warn and redirect drivers who are heading the wrong way on streets or freeway ramps.

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

9. 9. Your brakes feel hot and weak partway down a long mountain descent. What gear habit should already be helping?

   1. The highest gear, so the engine rests while the brakes do the work
   2. Neutral, which lets gravity set a natural pace downhill
   3. Lower gears engaged to control speed on steep hills and mountains
   4. First gear only after the brakes begin to smoke on the way
   Show answer

   Lower gears engaged to control speed on steep hills and mountains. The handbook says to shift to lower gears to control speeds when driving down steep hills or mountains. Using lower gears from the start keeps the brakes from overheating. Do this before the descent becomes steep, because brakes that overheat can fade, and lower gears let the engine share the work of holding the speed down. Remember to choose the lower gear before you begin the descent, since shifting while the vehicle is already going fast can be hard to do, and use the brakes lightly rather than constantly.

   Study this in the handbook: Hills, curves, snow, ice and mountain roads

10. 10. What does stopping distance mean for a Colorado driver?

    1. Only the distance covered while the brakes are pressed hard
    2. Only the distance covered during the first second of braking
    3. Distance from noticing the need to stop until you stop
    4. The gap a driver keeps behind a school bus when it is stopped
    Show answer

    Distance from noticing the need to stop until you stop. The handbook defines stopping distance as the distance a vehicle travels from the time the driver realizes a stop is needed until the vehicle actually comes to a stop. That means the reaction period before the brakes are applied counts, along with the braking itself. Because every part counts, a driver who notices a hazard late, reacts slowly, or travels fast needs far more room to stop than expected.

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

11. 11. While waiting for a left turn gap, how should the front wheels point?

    1. Turned left so that the turn can start faster
    2. Turned right toward the curb for extra safety
    3. Turned a little each way to stay ready to go
    4. Straight ahead, never turned toward the left
    Show answer

    Straight ahead, never turned toward the left. The handbook says never to turn the front wheels toward the left while you are waiting to turn. Keeping them pointed straight ahead means that if another vehicle strikes you from behind, you are not pushed into oncoming traffic. The wheels should point straight until you actually begin the turn, which is when it is safe and clear to steer left.

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

12. 12. At a metered freeway entrance ramp, when may you enter the freeway?

    1. On a yellow light, after you have slowed down just a little
    2. Whenever the ramp ahead of you looks to be empty
    3. After the driver behind you honks the horn once
    4. After stopping and waiting to be released on a green light
    Show answer

    After stopping and waiting to be released on a green light. On metered ramps, the handbook says you must stop and wait to be released on a green light before entering the freeway. The meter spaces out entering vehicles, so go only when the green light tells you to. A meter light is there to space vehicles apart as they join the freeway, so entering before it releases you defeats its purpose.

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

13. 13. How does having anti-lock brakes change an evasive turn?

    1. The driver can turn while braking without skidding
    2. The driver must release the brake entirely in order to steer
    3. Steering locks up until the vehicle comes to a full stop
    4. The brakes turn the vehicle automatically for the driver
    Show answer

    The driver can turn while braking without skidding. The handbook says one aspect of having ABS is that you can turn your vehicle while braking without skidding. That makes steering around a hazard possible while still slowing. Without the system, a driver must brake and then release before turning, so ABS gives drivers more options in an emergency, but you still need to look where you want to steer.

    Study this in the handbook: Distracted, reckless and aggressive driving

14. 14. Your tires start riding on water and steering feels light. What response restores grip?

    1. Ease off the gas and steer slowly until you regain control
    2. Accelerate to push through the water film
    3. Brake hard to force the tires down onto the road
    4. Jerk the wheel toward the center of your lane
    Show answer

    Ease off the gas and steer slowly until you regain control. For hydroplaning, the handbook says to take your foot off the gas pedal to allow the vehicle to slow down, then slowly begin steering in the direction you are hydroplaning until you have control. It explains that this helps your tires realign with your vehicle so they are both going the same direction. Steering needs to be slow, because jerking the wheel could flip your car due to overcorrecting. Do not try to stop or turn until your tires are gripping the road again.

    Study this in the handbook: Freeways, lane changes and passing

15. 15. You are stopped at a Colorado railroad crossing that has pavement markings while a train passes. Where should your vehicle stay?

    1. Just over the stop line so the gates will not hit your car
    2. Behind the painted stop line until the train has passed
    3. On the first rail so you can see further down the tracks
    4. Beside the signal post as close to the crossing as you can
    Show answer

    Behind the painted stop line until the train has passed. The handbook describes railroad pavement markings as an R X R and a stop line that may be painted on the pavement in front of a crossing. It says to always stay behind the painted stop line while waiting for a passing train. If no line is visible, you must be at least 10 feet from the tracks, and trains overhang the tracks by 3 feet. The average freight train traveling at 55 mph requires about one mile to stop.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail

16. 16. How often should you check the rearview mirror for traffic behind you?

    1. Only before you change lanes, each time
    2. About once every thirty seconds or so
    3. Every 5 to 8 seconds, as you drive
    4. Only when the traffic around you feels heavy
    Show answer

    Every 5 to 8 seconds, as you drive. The handbook says you must check traffic behind you in your rear view mirror every 5 to 8 seconds. Frequent checks keep you aware of vehicles that may be approaching or following too closely. Check the mirror often, not only before maneuvers, because traffic behind you changes quickly and a driver who is following too closely or approaching fast can be seen early.

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

17. 17. What pavement markings may appear before a railroad crossing?

    1. A white diamond painted inside the crossing lane
    2. Green paint that is spread across both of the travel lanes
    3. A yield triangle painted right on top of the tracks
    4. An R X R marking and a stop line painted before the crossing
    Show answer

    An R X R marking and a stop line painted before the crossing. The handbook says railroad pavement markings consist of an R X R and a stop line, and may be painted on the pavement in front of a crossing. Seeing these markings tells you a crossing is ahead even if you cannot yet see the signs, so slow down and get ready to stop if a train is coming. A stop line gives you the point at which to wait, and the R X R shows that a railroad crossing is coming, so be ready to stop if a train is approaching.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail

18. 18. A sharp curve appears on a Colorado road you know well. When should slowing happen?

    1. Brake firmly once you reach the middle of the curve
    2. Always slow down before entering the curve
    3. Accelerate early so that the car holds the road better
    4. Slow down only if another vehicle is present
    Show answer

    Always slow down before entering the curve. The handbook says always to slow down before entering a curve. If you go through a curve too fast, your tires will not be able to grip the road and your vehicle will skid. Slow before the curve, because braking in the middle of a bend can cause a skid, and then accelerate gently once you reach the middle of the curve as the road straightens.

    Study this in the handbook: Freeways, lane changes and passing

19. 19. Rain slicks the highway and traffic slows. What should cruise control do?

    1. Off, because the highway is wet or icy
    2. On, to hold a steady speed in the traffic
    3. On, but only while you are in the right lane
    4. On again once the rain has turned light
    Show answer

    Off, because the highway is wet or icy. The handbook says that if the highway is wet or icy, do not use cruise control. On a slick road you need direct control of your speed in case you must react to a loss of traction. Wet or icy surfaces can make a vehicle slide, and with cruise control on you might not react quickly enough to ease off the gas, so keep your foot in control of the speed.

    Study this in the handbook: Freeways, lane changes and passing

20. 20. You begin backing out of a driveway as a car approaches on the street. Who must yield?

    1. The approaching car must stop and wait for you to back out
    2. Whoever starts backing out first has the priority
    3. You must yield to all vehicles close enough to be a hazard
    4. Nobody has to yield during the daylight hours
    Show answer

    You must yield to all vehicles close enough to be a hazard. The handbook says that when reversing, you must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles close enough to be a hazard. Look carefully before and during the move, and wait for passing traffic. Backing out of a driveway or parking space means the cars on the street have the right of way, so look both ways, back slowly, and stop if a vehicle comes close enough to be a hazard.

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