CO Permit Practice Test 23

All 20 questions in test 23

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. Inside a work zone, how should you position your vehicle around crews?

   1. Move closer to the workers so that they can see you sooner
   2. Hold the center of the work area at full speed
   3. Shift away from workers and slow for obstacles or changes
   4. Stop in the travel lane to watch the crews work
   Show answer

   Shift away from workers and slow for obstacles or changes. The handbook says that in a work or construction zone you keep crews and fellow road users safe by adjusting your lane position away from workers and slowing down to deal with obstacles or changes in the flow of traffic with caution. These two habits together give crews more room, and give you more time to react if traffic ahead slows or the lane shifts.

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

2. 2. What are blind spots beside and behind a vehicle?

   1. Areas to the rear and side that mirrors cannot show
   2. Spaces directly in front of the front bumper of your car
   3. Areas that are visible only at night when high beams are on
   4. Gaps between the vehicles in the next lane over from you
   Show answer

   Areas to the rear and side that mirrors cannot show. The handbook says to be aware of blind spots, which are areas you cannot see in your rear view or side view mirrors and are located slightly to the sides and rear of your vehicle. A quick head check shows what the mirrors miss. Because mirrors cannot show these areas, turning your head to check before a lane change or merge is the only way to be certain they are clear.

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

3. 3. What freeway driving ban protects the median area?

   1. Do not signal before you change lanes anywhere in that area
   2. Do not drive across, over, or within any median or island
   3. Do not look behind you while you are driving there
   4. Do not slow down before you reach the exit ramp
   Show answer

   Do not drive across, over, or within any median or island. Among the freeway rules, the handbook says not to drive across, over or within any median or island. Medians and islands separate traffic flows and are not meant to be used as travel space. Driving on a median or island risks crossing into opposing traffic or striking the objects that are placed there for safety. Keep to the regular travel lanes and use marked exits and entrances only. Doing so keeps opposing traffic separated and protects you and other drivers on the freeway.

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

4. 4. A Colorado officer lawfully demands a chemical test after an impaired driving stop. By driving in the state, what have you already agreed to?

   1. Submitting to a search of the vehicle at any time
   2. Paying any fines before there is a court hearing
   3. Installing an interlock device on every vehicle you drive
   4. Taking a chemical test for alcohol or drugs when required
   Show answer

   Taking a chemical test for alcohol or drugs when required. Colorado's express consent law means that when you operate a motor vehicle in the state, you agree to take a chemical test to determine the presence of alcohol and/or drugs in your blood. The agreement is automatic with the privilege of driving here. Refusing a test can lead to a license revocation, so the law treats the test as part of the privilege of driving in the state.

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

5. 5. You finish parallel parking about two feet from the curb on a busy street. What does Colorado require instead?

   1. Within 12 inches of the curb, or as close as possible
   2. Within 18 inches of the curb when traffic is light
   3. Within 24 inches, as long as your car is inside the lane line
   4. Any distance, as long as other cars can still squeeze past
   Show answer

   Within 12 inches of the curb, or as close as possible. The handbook says that where parallel parking is permitted, your vehicle must be within 12 inches of the curb or as close as possible to the outside edge of the shoulder, so traffic will not be blocked or slowed. Two feet is farther than that limit. The handbook also says not to park on a crosswalk or sidewalk, within 30 feet of a traffic signal or stop sign, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

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

6. 6. You merge onto an urban interstate in Colorado where no limit is posted for your stretch. What default applies?

   1. 45 mph
   2. 65 mph
   3. 75 mph
   4. 55 mph
   Show answer

   55 mph. The handbook lists 55 mph as the unposted limit on urban interstate and highways. Other figures apply elsewhere in the same list: 45 mph for vehicles in the business of hauling trash and 65 to 75 mph on designated rural interstate and highways. Cities or towns may by ordinance adopt lower speed limits in their jurisdictions, so the type of road you are on decides which unposted figure applies.

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

7. 7. No painted stop line exists at a crossing while a train passes. How far from the tracks must you wait?

   1. At least 10 feet from the tracks
   2. At least 3 feet away from the nearest rail
   3. At least 20 feet away from the crossing sign
   4. Directly behind the line of the crossbuck post
   Show answer

   At least 10 feet from the tracks. The handbook says that if no stop line is visible at a crossing, you must be at least 10 feet from the tracks. Trains overhang the tracks by about 3 feet, so waiting farther back keeps you clear. Because trains overhang the tracks by about 3 feet, waiting at least 10 feet back keeps a vehicle out of the path of the train as it passes.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail

8. 8. During the first year after a minor's Colorado license is issued, when is driving generally prohibited?

   1. Between midnight and 5 a.m., unless an exception applies
   2. Between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. in every circumstance
   3. Between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., with no exceptions
   4. Only during daylight hours on school days
   Show answer

   Between midnight and 5 a.m., unless an exception applies. The first-year curfew covers midnight through 5 a.m., but it is not absolute. A supervising instructor, parent, or legal guardian may accompany the minor, and the handbook also lists signed school or work travel, medical emergencies, and emancipated minors as exceptions. The other time windows change the stated hours or invent a broader rule. A newly licensed minor should plan late-night trips around the documented exceptions and carry any required signed statement.

   Study this in the handbook: Passenger limits and curfew for young drivers

9. 9. Which in-vehicle tasks should a driver avoid while the vehicle is moving?

   1. Only the tasks that take both of your hands off the wheel at once
   2. Checking your mirrors and scanning the intersections ahead of you
   3. Adjusting the seat before the trip has begun at all
   4. Eating, drinking, reading, vaping, applying makeup, or changing the music
   Show answer

   Eating, drinking, reading, vaping, applying makeup, or changing the music. The handbook says not to attempt to eat or drink, read, smoke or vape, apply makeup, or adjust the music while you are driving. Each takes your attention from the road. Handle these tasks before you start the trip or after you stop, since each of them takes your eyes, hands, or mind away from driving. Pull over in a safe place if you need to do any of these things during a trip.

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

10. 10. Where should a turn end on the new roadway?

    1. Across two lanes so the vehicle stays straight
    2. In the farthest lane on the other side of the new road
    3. In the center of the correct lane, usually the closest
    4. On the shoulder until your speed builds again
    Show answer

    In the center of the correct lane, usually the closest. The handbook tells drivers to complete a turn in the center of the correct lane on the new roadway. That is usually the lane closest to you. Ending in the center of a lane keeps you clear of neighbors and avoids straddling two lanes. Aim for the lane that is closest to you and stay centered in it, which also keeps you from cutting a corner or ending up in a lane beside another vehicle.

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

11. 11. Three vehicles stop at a four-way in sequence, seconds apart. Which one moves first?

    1. The vehicle that is on the widest of the streets
    2. The vehicle that stopped last in the line of cars
    3. The vehicle that reached the intersection first
    4. The largest vehicle among those at the stop
    Show answer

    The vehicle that reached the intersection first. The handbook says you must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle that reached the intersection first. At a four-way stop, the order of arrival decides who proceeds, and the vehicle on the right goes first if two arrive together. If two vehicles arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right, which keeps traffic moving in order.

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

12. 12. Your vehicle has four-wheel drive and you are on an icy road. Which statement is correct?

    1. It stops in a shorter distance than conventional cars on ice
    2. It adds traction but cannot stop any sooner than other cars
    3. It makes good tire tread less important in winter weather
    4. It lets you drive at your normal speed on slick ice
    Show answer

    It adds traction but cannot stop any sooner than other cars. The handbook says vehicles with four-wheel drive have increased traction, but they cannot stop any sooner than a conventional car. On ice, you still need to slow down and keep extra space ahead. The same list says to take your foot off both the brake and the accelerator pedal whenever your car starts to skid, and to make sure your tires have good tread for adequate traction.

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

13. 13. You must stop quickly on a dry highway in a car with anti-lock brakes. How should you brake?

    1. Pump the pedal rapidly up and down several times
    2. Press lightly so that the pedal never pushes back
    3. Apply hard, firm pressure and keep the pedal down
    4. Brake hard, then release the pedal fully each second
    Show answer

    Apply hard, firm pressure and keep the pedal down. With ABS, the handbook says to apply the brakes with hard, firm pressure. You might feel the brake pedal pushing back when the ABS is working. Do not let up on the brake pedal. Do not pump the pedal in an ABS car, since the system pulses the brakes for you. Keep steady firm pressure on the pedal and steer around the hazard if you need to.

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

14. 14. Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks with no train in sight. What comes first?

    1. Push the vehicle clear of the tracks by yourself
    2. Stay inside the vehicle and keep trying to restart the engine
    3. Call for a tow truck from inside the car
    4. Get everyone out and move far from the tracks right away
    Show answer

    Get everyone out and move far from the tracks right away. The handbook says that if your vehicle stalls on a crossing, you should get everyone out and immediately move as far away as possible, even if you do not see a train approaching. Do not wait for a train to appear before leaving the vehicle. Once everyone is out, move far away from the tracks and call the number on the blue sign to report the problem.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail

15. 15. You stopped for a school bus and children have boarded. When may you proceed?

    1. Once the bus doors have closed tightly
    2. As soon as the amber lights begin flashing again
    3. After the stop arm is retracted and the red lights are off
    4. After the children have gone out of your sight
    Show answer

    After the stop arm is retracted and the red lights are off. The handbook says to stop and remain stopped until the bus driver retracts the stop arm and deactivates the red warning lights. Do not move on just because children appear to have boarded. Watch the bus and wait for the stop arm to fold in and the red lights to go dark before you drive on. Wait until the bus has fully cleared before you resume your normal speed.

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

16. 16. A blue sign at a railroad crossing shows a telephone number. What is it for?

    1. Learning when the next train is due
    2. Reporting problems or emergencies at the crossing
    3. Asking permission to cross the tracks
    4. Reporting crashes only after they occur
    Show answer

    Reporting problems or emergencies at the crossing. The handbook lists these as railroad emergency notification system (ENS) signs and says these blue signs are at every highway-rail grade crossing and provide the public with a telephone number to report problems or emergencies at these railroad locations. Directly below the dispatch number on the ENS sign is a Department of Transportation number that identifies the exact location of the crossing in question.

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

17. 17. You wonder why the stop bar sits so far back from the corner. What explains many of those placements?

    1. They mark the spots where long vehicles must park
    2. Many are measured to give trucks room to turn
    3. They show the legal distance for passing at a stop
    4. They were painted there for bicycle storage
    Show answer

    Many are measured to give trucks room to turn. The handbook says to stay behind white painted stop bars at stop signs and traffic lights because many are carefully measured to give trucks the room they need for turns. Stopping behind the bar leaves room for a truck to complete its turn without hitting your vehicle, so do not creep over the line at the intersection. Stay behind it every time, even if the intersection looks empty.

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

18. 18. A traffic signal flashes red at your approach. How do you handle the intersection?

    1. Treat it like a stop sign, then go after yielding
    2. Roll through slowly without coming to a stop
    3. Stop only when pedestrians are present at the crossing
    4. Treat it the same as you would a flashing yellow
    Show answer

    Treat it like a stop sign, then go after yielding. The handbook says a flashing red light means the same as a stop sign. Stop, and then go only after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic. Treat the signal as a stop sign every time. Stop completely, look for people and traffic, and proceed only when it is clear, since the flashing light does not give you priority. Treat it exactly as you would a stop sign at that spot.

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

19. 19. You stop fully at a red light with no prohibiting sign posted. When may you turn right?

    1. Immediately, since red lights allow right turns at any time
    2. After yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a sign prohibits it
    3. Only after the light has turned green again
    4. After honking to warn anyone in the crosswalk
    Show answer

    After yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a sign prohibits it. The handbook says that after stopping and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic, and if not prohibited by a traffic sign, you may turn right while the light is red. Stop first, look for pedestrians and cross traffic, and turn only when it is clear. If a sign prohibits the turn on red, you must wait for the green light instead.

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

20. 20. Your vehicle loses traction on snow and starts sliding. What should your feet do first?

    1. Press the brake firmly and hold it down hard
    2. Tap the accelerator to try to regain some of the lost grip
    3. Hold both of the pedals down at the same time
    4. Take both feet off the brake and the accelerator
    Show answer

    Take both feet off the brake and the accelerator. The handbook says that if you lose traction, take your foot off both the brake and the accelerator pedal, and then turn the front wheels in the direction you want the car to go. Easing off both pedals lets the tires regain traction, after which you can steer in the direction you want the car to go, as the handbook describes.

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