CO Permit Practice Test 3

All 20 questions in test 3

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. What must a Colorado minor submit with the application for a driver license?

   1. Only proof of vehicle registration
   2. A log showing 20 total hours, all during daylight
   3. A signed log showing 100 hours, none after sunset
   4. A completed, signed driving log showing 50 hours, including 10 at night
   Show answer

   A completed, signed driving log showing 50 hours, including 10 at night. The minor licensing requirement combines a 12-month instruction permit period with a completed, signed driving log. That log must document 50 hours of experience, of which 10 hours occurred at night. The other hour totals are not the handbook figures, and vehicle registration alone does not demonstrate supervised driving practice. Keep the log current and signed before applying, because the application requirement is about documented experience rather than simply owning or accessing a vehicle.

   Study this in the handbook: Getting a license, instruction permits and the drive test

2. 2. What does a round railroad advance warning sign indicate?

   
   1. A roundabout requires a left turn
   2. A bicycle lane begins immediately
   3. A railroad crossing is ahead
   4. A school entrance is ahead
   Show answer

   A railroad crossing is ahead. The round railroad advance warning sign tells the driver that a railroad crossing is ahead. It is placed far enough away to allow a driver to stop before reaching the tracks if necessary. The circular shape does not make it a roundabout sign, and it does not identify a bicycle lane or school entrance. Begin reducing speed and scanning before reaching the crossing. Never drive onto the rails unless there is enough room on the opposite side for the entire vehicle to clear the tracks.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail

3. 3. What do Colorado work zone signs help direct?

   
   1. Drivers toward recreational areas
   2. Traffic safely through work areas
   3. Vehicles toward service facilities
   4. Pedestrians across every intersection
   Show answer

   Traffic safely through work areas. Work zone signs have an orange background with black letters or symbols. They work with other traffic control devices or flag persons to direct traffic safely through work areas and protect roadway workers. A recreational sign uses a different sign group, while service signs provide facility information rather than work-zone direction. The pedestrian choice is too broad because a work zone may involve different traffic patterns and controls. Slow down, stay alert for changing routes, and follow the signs, cones, and flaggers in the work area.

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

4. 4. After passing a vehicle, when may you change back into your previous lane?

   1. As soon as your rear bumper clears its front bumper
   2. After you have been beside it for three full seconds
   3. When its driver flashes the headlights to wave you over
   4. When you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror
   Show answer

   When you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror. Cutting back in too early is a common passing mistake that can clip the front of the vehicle you just passed. Colorado gives a simple test: when you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror, change one lane to get back into your previous lane. Barely clearing its bumper is too soon, and you should not depend on the other driver to signal you. Pass only one vehicle at a time, and return to the right before you come within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

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

5. 5. An oncoming car's headlights are glaring at you at night. Where should you look?

   1. Directly at the headlights so you can judge their distance
   2. At the center line, while flashing your high beams back
   3. Below the glare, using the painted edge lines to guide you
   4. Into your rearview mirror until the car has passed
   Show answer

   Below the glare, using the painted edge lines to guide you. Bright oncoming headlights can blind you for a moment. Colorado advises never looking straight into them. As the other vehicle gets close, lower your eyes below the glare and follow the painted edge lines to keep your lane, then lift your gaze again once the car has passed. Staring at the lights is what causes the blinding, and flashing your high beams back only creates a second blinded driver. Watching your mirror takes your eyes off the road ahead.

   Study this in the handbook: Headlights, night driving and bad weather

6. 6. Your headlights suddenly go out while you are driving at night. What should you do first?

   1. Keep driving at the same speed using only parking lights
   2. Pull off the road as soon as possible, then try the switch
   3. Stop in your lane and turn off the engine
   4. Switch to high beams and continue to your destination
   Show answer

   Pull off the road as soon as possible, then try the switch. Losing your headlights at night leaves you unable to see the road and hard for others to see. Colorado says to get off the road as soon as you can and then try the headlight switch a few times. If they still do not work, turn on your emergency flashers, turn signals, or fog lights if you have them. Driving on with only parking lights is something the handbook tells drivers not to do, and stopping in a travel lane leaves you exposed to traffic coming from behind.

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

7. 7. How are High Occupancy Vehicle lanes marked on the roadway?

   1. With a red X above every entrance
   2. With a white diamond painted in the lane
   3. With a yellow crossbuck painted before each ramp
   4. With a blue curb stripe beside the shoulder
   Show answer

   With a white diamond painted in the lane. HOV lanes use a white diamond marking on the pavement, with signs explaining who may use the lane and any occupant requirement. A red X is not the pavement mark the handbook describes for these lanes. The diamond also appears in other restricted lanes, such as transit or bicycle lanes, so read the posted sign to learn the specific use. Watch for the diamond early so you can decide whether your vehicle qualifies before entering or staying in the restricted lane. Do not enter until the restriction fits your trip.

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

8. 8. While driving with a Colorado instruction permit, who must sit in the front passenger seat?

   1. A person at least 21 years old with a valid Colorado license
   2. Any passenger who is at least 18 years old
   3. A licensed driver who is at least 16 years old
   4. No passenger, because permit holders must drive alone
   Show answer

   A person at least 21 years old with a valid Colorado license. A permit holder must have an adult supervisor in the front passenger seat, and Colorado specifies both qualifications: the person must be at least 21 and must hold a valid Colorado license. An 18-year-old or a 16-year-old does not meet the stated age requirement, even if licensed. The permit creates limited driving privileges for learning, so supervision is part of the privilege rather than an optional safety suggestion. Before moving, check that the supervising passenger is seated beside you and carries the required Colorado license.

   Study this in the handbook: Getting a license, instruction permits and the drive test

9. 9. Under Colorado's penalty table for drivers 21 and older, what license action follows a first DUI?

   1. Revocation for 9 months
   2. Revocation for 2 years
   3. 8 points only
   4. Revocation for 3 months
   Show answer

   Revocation for 9 months. A first Driving Under the Influence conviction in the table carries a 9 month revocation, a $600 to $1,000 fine, 5 to 365 days in jail and 48 to 96 hours of public service. Two years is the revocation for a third or later conviction. Eight points is the first DWAI penalty, not DUI. Three months is not in the table. Colorado also does not allow plea bargaining out of an alcohol or drug related driving offense.

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

10. 10. When a stationary vehicle on a highway has flashing hazard lights, what should a driver try to do under Colorado's Move Over rule?

    1. Turn around before reaching it
    2. Pass without changing speed
    3. Stop in the travel lane
    4. Move over one lane when safe
    Show answer

    Move over one lane when safe. Colorado's Move Over Law covers any stationary vehicle on a highway with its hazard lights flashing. The driver must move over one lane when that can be done safely. If the roadway has one lane in each direction or a lane change would be unsafe, the required response is to slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit. Passing at the same speed provides no protective space. Stopping in the travel lane creates a new danger, and turning around is not the prescribed response. Check mirrors early and create separation before reaching the stopped vehicle.

    Study this in the handbook: Crash duties, the Move It Law and the Move Over Law

11. 11. For a Colorado driver younger than 21, what BAC level is listed as a basis for license revocation?

    1. 0.05%
    2. 0.04%
    3. 0.02%
    4. 0.08%
    Show answer

    0.02%. A driver younger than 21 can face revocation based on a BAC over 0.02 percent. That youth threshold is much lower than the adult DUI per se figure, so a minor cannot use the adult number as a safe target. The 0.04 percent choice belongs to CDL drivers, and 0.05 percent is the first DWAI table figure for adults. Age is the key cue: identify the under 21 rule before comparing BAC options.

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

12. 12. At a four-way stop, which vehicle normally proceeds first when it arrived before the others?

    
    1. The vehicle with more passengers
    2. The vehicle traveling fastest
    3. The vehicle turning right
    4. The vehicle that reached the intersection first
    Show answer

    The vehicle that reached the intersection first. At a four-way stop, the vehicle that reached the intersection first has priority to go first. Arrival order controls this situation, not speed, passenger count, or a blanket preference for right turns. If two vehicles arrive together, use the separate left yields to right rule. Even after identifying priority, make a full stop and check for pedestrians or another driver who has not recognized the order, since avoiding a crash remains each driver's responsibility.

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

13. 13. When must a Colorado driver reduce a speed below the maximum limit?

    1. When a police officer directs it
    2. When conditions require a slower speed
    3. When the vehicle has passengers
    4. Never, because the maximum is always safe
    Show answer

    When conditions require a slower speed. The handbook says maximum speed limits assume ideal conditions. Rain, snow, poor visibility, traffic, pedestrians, animals, railroad tracks, and other hazards can require a driver to slow below the displayed maximum. A police direction is not the only reason to reduce speed, and passengers do not determine the safe speed. The maximum is not a guarantee that the roadway is safe at that number. Check the conditions ahead and leave enough control margin to stop or respond to a hazard.

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

14. 14. What is the first precaution when entering a designated animal crossing?

    1. Slow down and look for animals
    2. Sound the horn continuously while accelerating
    3. Move to the shoulder and stop for ten minutes
    4. Turn off headlights so animals are not startled
    Show answer

    Slow down and look for animals. Colorado treats animal crossings as places where a driver should reduce speed and actively search before a hazard appears. Honking while accelerating gives less time to react, and stopping on the shoulder is not the normal first step. The sign or crossing area is your cue to scan both sides of the road, especially near rural or mountain habitat. Early speed reduction gives animals time to move.

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

15. 15. What is the recommended first response when the gas pedal is jammed?

    1. Turn the steering wheel sharply toward oncoming traffic
    2. Pump the accelerator until it releases
    3. Shift quickly to neutral while keeping your eyes on the road
    4. Turn off the engine before controlling the vehicle
    Show answer

    Shift quickly to neutral while keeping your eyes on the road. A jammed accelerator can keep the vehicle moving faster than intended, so the first priority is to stop the engine from driving the wheels while maintaining visual control. The handbook directs the driver to keep eyes on the road and quickly shift to neutral, then pull off when safe and turn off the engine. Pumping the stuck pedal may worsen the problem. A sharp move toward oncoming traffic creates a new hazard, and switching off the engine before stabilizing the car can reduce control unexpectedly.

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

16. 16. What do double solid yellow lines generally tell drivers?

    
    1. Both directions may pass whenever visibility is good
    2. Neither side may pass
    3. Only the lane nearest the shoulder may pass
    4. The roadway is reserved for bicycles
    Show answer

    Neither side may pass. Double solid yellow lines separate opposing traffic and generally prohibit passing from either direction. The handbook includes a limited exception for passing a bicyclist with at least three feet of space when the oncoming lane is clear, so ordinary visibility alone does not make passing permissible. The shoulder side has no special passing privilege, and these markings do not identify a bicycle-only roadway. Read the complete marking and the surrounding traffic before considering any lawful crossing, especially where opposing vehicles may appear.

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

17. 17. What do Colorado regulatory signs tell drivers?

    1. The safe speed around a curve in ideal conditions
    2. The distance to recreational attractions
    3. The laws and regulations that apply at a location
    4. The presence of a changing weather pattern
    Show answer

    The laws and regulations that apply at a location. Regulatory signs communicate enforceable laws and regulations for the place where they are posted. Ignoring one can be a traffic violation, so a driver should read the instruction and comply rather than treat it as a suggestion. Recreation and cultural destinations use guide or service sign categories, while advisory speed signs address curves under ideal conditions. A weather warning may require caution, but it is not the definition of a regulatory sign.

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

18. 18. At a railroad crossing with more than one track, what does the sign below the crossbuck indicate?

    1. The number of tracks at that crossing
    2. How many trains use the crossing each day
    3. The speed limit for vehicles crossing the tracks
    4. The distance to the nearest train station
    Show answer

    The number of tracks at that crossing. When a crossing has more than one set of rails, Colorado places a sign below the crossbuck showing how many tracks there are. That matters because a second train can be hidden behind the first, so after one train passes you still need to look and listen before moving. The sign does not show train schedules, a speed limit, or station distances. Treat the crossbuck itself like a yield sign, and do not start across until you have room to clear every track.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail

19. 19. A white sign with black letters and symbols reads BICYCLES MAY USE FULL LANE. What does it remind drivers?

    1. Bicyclists may ride in the center of the lane when the right side is unsafe
    2. Bicyclists must ride on the shoulder whenever one is available
    3. Drivers may pass bicyclists in that lane without leaving extra space
    4. The lane is closed to motor vehicles during daylight hours
    Show answer

    Bicyclists may ride in the center of the lane when the right side is unsafe. This sign tells drivers that a person on a bicycle has a right to ride in the middle of the travel lane when hazards or poor visibility would make riding on the right side unsafe. Expect the rider to be directly ahead of you rather than at the edge. The shoulder choice reverses the message, because the sign exists for cases where edge riding is not safe. Nothing on it removes the duty to give at least three feet when passing, and the lane stays open to cars. Slow down, stay behind the rider, and pass only when there is room.

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

20. 20. About how far does an average freight train at 55 mph need to stop?

    1. About 200 feet
    2. About 500 feet
    3. About a quarter mile
    4. About one mile
    Show answer

    About one mile. Colorado's handbook warns that a train appears to move slower than it really does because of its size, and that the average freight train traveling at 55 mph requires about one mile to stop. Two hundred feet is the stopping distance for a lightweight car at the same speed. Five hundred feet and a quarter mile both badly understate a train's stopping distance. Never try to beat a train to a crossing.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings and light rail