CO Permit Practice Test 21

All 20 questions in test 21

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. How can the shape of a route sign help a Colorado driver?

   1. It tells drivers which lane is closed ahead
   2. It shows the posted speed for the next work zone
   3. It marks where a driver must stop before a crosswalk
   4. It identifies whether the route is Interstate, U.S., State, or County
   Show answer

   It identifies whether the route is Interstate, U.S., State, or County. Route marker shape is a quick classification cue, not a speed order or stop location. Colorado uses the sign shape to show the type of roadway, such as Interstate, U.S., State, or County highway. A driver can use that cue with route numbers and direction signs to stay on the intended road, especially where several highways overlap or split. Use shape before reading smaller route details.

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

2. 2. Your light turns steady yellow as you near the intersection, still short of entering it. What should you do?

   1. Stop, since a red light is about to appear
   2. Speed up so you can beat the red light
   3. Go ahead, because yellow gives you full priority
   4. Stop only if pedestrians are crossing the street
   Show answer

   Stop, since a red light is about to appear. The handbook says a steady yellow light means a red light is about to appear. Stop unless you are already in the intersection. A yellow light is a warning, not a permission to speed up. Slow and stop smoothly if you can do so safely, and continue only if you are already in the intersection. Look in your mirror before braking so that the driver behind you has time to stop as well.

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

3. 3. You clip a parked car on a quiet street and the owner is nowhere around. What does Colorado require?

   1. Drive away if the damage looks to be minor
   2. Call law enforcement and leave a note where the owner will see it
   3. Leave only your license plate number on the car
   4. Wait for one hour, then simply leave the scene
   Show answer

   Call law enforcement and leave a note where the owner will see it. The handbook says that if a crash involves a parked car and you cannot find the owner, you should call law enforcement and leave a note in a place where the owner of the car can find it. Do not simply drive away. Calling law enforcement and leaving a note with your information lets the owner learn what happened and how to contact you.

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

4. 4. A bicyclist extends the left arm straight out to the left. What does that signal mean?

   1. It signals that the rider will turn right at the next corner
   2. It signals that the rider will turn left
   3. It signals that the rider is slowing down or stopping soon
   4. It tells drivers that they may pass the rider closely
   Show answer

   It signals that the rider will turn left. The handbook says that for a left turn, a bicyclist extends the left arm directly out to the left. Drivers should give the rider room to make the turn. Other bicyclist signals include the right arm straight out or the left arm up for a right turn, and the left arm down at the elbow for slowing or stopping. Watch for other signals as well, and expect a rider to move out to avoid hazards.

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

5. 5. After a crash, where must proof of insurance be provided?

   1. To law enforcement at the scene or at the station
   2. Only by mail, and within thirty days of the crash
   3. Only to your own insurance agent, never to police
   4. At your next license renewal visit at the DMV office
   Show answer

   To law enforcement at the scene or at the station. After a crash, the handbook says you must provide proof of insurance to law enforcement at the scene of the crash, or at the police station. Be ready to show proof of insurance whenever you are in a crash, because the requirement applies at the scene or at the station, and no later delay is allowed. Keeping your insurance card in the vehicle makes it easy to provide the information whenever it is needed.

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

6. 6. What makes mental distraction as risky as looking away from the road?

   1. Only physical tasks are able to distract a driver
   2. Mental activities that take your mind off driving are as dangerous
   3. Thinking about the route never affects your driving
   4. Mental distraction matters only when traffic is heavy
   Show answer

   Mental activities that take your mind off driving are as dangerous. The handbook says mental activities that take your mind away from driving are just as dangerous as visual or physical distractions. Keep your attention on the road, even when your eyes and hands are in the right place. Even when you are looking at the road, thinking about something else takes attention away from driving, so keep your mind on the task as well as your eyes.

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

7. 7. After finishing a turn, when should acceleration begin?

   1. Accelerate hard before the turn is even halfway done
   2. Accelerate out of the turn up to the speed limit or traffic flow
   3. Wait until the next intersection before gaining speed
   4. Stay at turning speed for a full block before you speed up again
   Show answer

   Accelerate out of the turn up to the speed limit or traffic flow. The handbook says to accelerate out of turns until you reach the speed limit or the flow of traffic. After the turn is done, bring your speed up smoothly to match the vehicles around you so that you do not hold up or surprise drivers behind you. Staying slow after a turn holds up other drivers, while accelerating too hard too soon can unsettle the vehicle before the turn is complete.

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

8. 8. While waiting to turn left, where should you wait?

   1. Well inside the intersection with the wheels turned left
   2. Past the crosswalk so oncoming drivers must go around you
   3. In the crosswalk until the light changes to yellow
   4. At the stop line or crosswalk until a gap opens
   Show answer

   At the stop line or crosswalk until a gap opens. The handbook says that when turning left you should wait at the stop line or crosswalk until there is a gap in oncoming traffic large enough to complete the turn safely. Waiting there keeps the crosswalk clear and leaves room for other vehicles. Entering the intersection early and sitting with your wheels turned can leave you stranded in front of oncoming traffic if you are struck from behind.

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

9. 9. No parent rides along, and a child passenger needs securing. Who bears that duty?

   1. The oldest passenger riding in the vehicle at the time
   2. The child, as long as the child is older than five years of age
   3. The driver must make sure each child is properly restrained
   4. No one at all, if the parent is not riding along
   Show answer

   The driver must make sure each child is properly restrained. The handbook says that if a parent is not in the motor vehicle, it is the driver's responsibility to ensure that each child is properly fastened into the correct restraint for the child's age and size. Check that each child is buckled in the correct restraint for the child's age and size before you start the vehicle, since the driver is responsible.

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

10. 10. When passing an emergency vehicle stopped along the road, what speed applies if the posted limit is 45 mph or less?

    1. Slow to 15 mph in every such location
    2. Continue at the posted limit if you move one lane away
    3. Slow to 25 mph unless emergency personnel or conditions direct otherwise
    4. Stop and wait until the emergency vehicle leaves
    Show answer

    Slow to 25 mph unless emergency personnel or conditions direct otherwise. When an emergency vehicle is stopped roadside, Colorado says drivers should leave at least one lane between vehicles when possible. If a lane change cannot be made, the driver must slow to a safe speed and use care. Unless directed otherwise or prevented by conditions, the handbook specifies 25 mph when the posted limit is 45 mph or less. Moving over does not cancel the duty to pass carefully, and the 15 mph or full-stop options are not the stated threshold.

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

11. 11. At night you close to within 150 feet of the vehicle ahead. What lighting setup is required?

    1. High beams until you are about 100 feet behind it
    2. Low beams used together with your fog lights
    3. Parking lights alone while you follow it closely
    4. Low beams with fog lights off, within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead
    Show answer

    Low beams with fog lights off, within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead. The handbook says that when following another vehicle you must use your low beam lights, with your fog lights off, if you are within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead of you. Using low beams keeps your lights from shining in the mirrors of the driver ahead and blinding that driver, and turning the fog lights off for the same reason.

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

12. 12. Traffic ahead brakes without warning on a road you drive daily. What looking habit most reduces that last-minute braking?

    1. Watch the bumper directly ahead of you at all times in traffic
    2. Look down the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle
    3. Check your mirrors twice as often as you look at the road ahead
    4. Look far ahead only when traffic is moving at highway speeds
    Show answer

    Look down the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle. The handbook says you should look down the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle. Looking far ahead lets you see slowing traffic early, so you can brake smoothly. That habit gives you time to ease off the gas or brake smoothly when traffic ahead slows, rather than reacting suddenly at the last moment. Looking far ahead shows brake lights and hazards early, so you can ease off smoothly, keep a steady following distance, and avoid the sudden braking that leads to rear-end crashes in traffic.

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

13. 13. Diamond-marked lane signs list who may use the lane. What do those posted signs identify?

    1. The speed limit that applies inside that lane only
    2. The toll price charged for each vehicle entering the lane
    3. The distance remaining until that special lane ends
    4. The types of vehicles and the number of riders required
    Show answer

    The types of vehicles and the number of riders required. The handbook says HOV lanes are identified by a white diamond painted on the roadway, and that signs will identify the types of vehicles and the number of occupants required per vehicle to use the lane. Read the posted sign carefully, because it tells you which vehicles may use the lane and how many people must be in them, and drivers who do not qualify must stay out.

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

14. 14. You see a pedestrian at a corner tapping a white cane while a guide dog waits beside her. What should you expect and do?

    1. Expect she may not see or hear you, then yield and stop
    2. Expect she will hear your engine and wait for you to pass
    3. Honk twice to tell her that you are yielding
    4. Proceed slowly, since guide dogs move people out of traffic
    Show answer

    Expect she may not see or hear you, then yield and stop. A white cane or guide dog identifies a blind or deaf-blind pedestrian. The handbook says not to assume that pedestrians can hear or see your vehicle or any crossing signals, since some may be deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or blind. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections and crosswalks, and you must come to a complete stop and let the person pass safely.

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

15. 15. Near which road users or features should a Colorado driver be ready to slow down even when the posted limit looks fine?

    1. Railroad tracks, pedestrians, bicyclists, animals, and school buses
    2. Only vehicles that display a slow moving vehicle triangle on the rear
    3. Any vehicle that is painted yellow or orange to stand out from traffic
    4. Only trucks that are traveling toward you in the opposite direction
    Show answer

    Railroad tracks, pedestrians, bicyclists, animals, and school buses. The handbook says it is important to slow down in certain conditions, such as poor weather, or near railroad tracks, pedestrians or bicyclists, animals, and school buses. A posted limit does not mean that speed is safe near these hazards. In each of these places a person, animal, or vehicle can appear suddenly, so slowing early gives you more time to react safely.

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

16. 16. A county snow plow is clearing a Colorado highway with its yellow lights flashing, driving in tandem with another plow. What is illegal?

    1. Following the plows at a safe distance behind the last one
    2. Slowing down well before you reach the snow removal equipment
    3. Passing the plows while they work with yellow lights flashing
    4. Staying in your lane until the plows have left the roadway
    Show answer

    Passing the plows while they work with yellow lights flashing. The handbook tells drivers to be extra careful when approaching or passing a snowplow or other snow removal equipment that has flashing yellow lights and is clearing snow. It is illegal to pass a city, county or state-operated snow plow while it is working with its yellow lights flashing and is driving in tandem with one or more other snow plows. The handbook also warns that overpasses, bridges, shaded areas and snow packed portions of the road can be icy even when other pavement is not.

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

17. 17. What risk comes from traveling much faster than surrounding traffic?

    1. A ticket waiting for you at the next traffic signal
    2. Loss of your right of way at every stop you reach
    3. Frequent passing that raises the chance of a crash
    4. Damage to the cruise control system of the vehicle
    Show answer

    Frequent passing that raises the chance of a crash. The handbook says that traveling much faster than other traffic results in frequent passing, which increases the opportunity for a crash. Moving with the flow of traffic, within the limit, lowers that risk. A driver who is much faster than the flow forces other drivers to react, and every pass is another chance for something to go wrong. Keeping up with traffic safely, within the speed limit, is the better choice.

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

18. 18. An officer observes a driver impaired to the slightest degree, short of being substantially incapable. Which Colorado term fits?

    1. DUI, which is driving under the influence of alcohol
    2. DUI per se, which applies at any level of alcohol
    3. Express consent refusal, which is a separate matter
    4. DWAI, driving while ability is impaired
    Show answer

    DWAI, driving while ability is impaired. The handbook says DWAI means the driver is impaired to the slightest degree, while DUI means the driver is substantially incapable of safe driving. The difference between the two charges is the level of impairment, with DWAI at the lower level and DUI at the higher level. Note that DWAI is the lesser of the two alcohol-related driving offenses, but it is still a serious offense that can lead to penalties for the driver who commits it.

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

19. 19. You want to check whether your following gap meets the three-second rule. How is it measured?

    1. Count while you are passing the vehicle yourself
    2. Measure three car lengths, whatever your speed may be
    3. Count one-thousand-one to one-thousand-three after it passes a fixed point
    4. Count from the first moment that you see its brake lights
    Show answer

    Count one-thousand-one to one-thousand-three after it passes a fixed point. The handbook says to watch the vehicle ahead, and when it passes a reference point such as a mile marker, sign or telephone pole, count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three. If you pass the point before finishing the count, you are too close. The three-second rule gives a basic gap that works at any speed, since the time stays the same while the distance grows as you go faster. Add more time in poor conditions.

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

20. 20. You approach an intersection where another vehicle is already inside it. Who proceeds?

    1. The vehicle already in the intersection, so you yield
    2. You, if you happen to arrive traveling faster
    3. Whoever is facing a green signal arrow first
    4. The driver who is on the wider of the two streets involved
    Show answer

    The vehicle already in the intersection, so you yield. The handbook says you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers who are already in an intersection you are approaching. Wait until it is clear before you enter. Even if your light is green, you must wait for people and vehicles already in the intersection, since they entered before you. Take your time at the intersection and look around before you enter, because a driver who started before you has the right of way even if your signal has just turned green.

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