MD Permit Practice Test 12

All 20 questions in test 12

Every question below comes from the Maryland 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. Your signal is green and you are turning in Maryland while a person on foot crosses the street you are entering. What applies?

   1. The person must hurry because your signal is green
   2. You may turn closely in front of the person
   3. The person should wait on the curb until all turns finish
   4. You must give way to the person while turning
   Show answer

   You must give way to the person while turning. Turning on green still crosses the path of people walking across the street being entered. Their crossing movement continues while the turning vehicle waits for a clear moment behind them. Turning closely in front of them or expecting them to hurry or retreat puts a vehicle where they are already walking. Signal, approach slowly, keep the person in view throughout the turn, and keep waiting through the full crossing if their pace is slow.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school buses

2. 2. You arrive at a Maryland four-way stop just after a car on your left has already come to a stop. Who should go first?

   1. You, since you are the driver on the right side
   2. Whichever driver can move off faster
   3. The car on your left, since it arrived first
   4. Both drivers at the same time, slowly
   Show answer

   The car on your left, since it arrived first. Maryland's right-of-way list starts with yielding to the driver who is at or arrives before you at an intersection. The rule about yielding to the driver on your right applies when both of you arrive at the same time. Here the car on your left was already stopped when you arrived, so it goes first. Moving faster or going together is not how the order is set. Even when it is your turn, never assume others will give you the right-of-way.

   Study this in the handbook: Defensive driving and who goes first

3. 3. You are driving on a narrow Maryland road where small scooters share traffic. Why do they demand extra attention at intersections?

   1. Their size makes them very difficult to see
   2. They always turn without signaling
   3. They travel faster than surrounding traffic
   4. They may legally ignore stop signs
   Show answer

   Their size makes them very difficult to see. Small two-wheeled vehicles blend into traffic scenes, especially where turning and crossing paths mix at intersections. A deliberate second look for a slim profile can catch one hidden behind a pillar, a larger vehicle, or glare. These riders must follow traffic laws like anyone else, and their speed is generally lower, not higher. Give narrow roads the same patience, since limited passing room leaves little margin for a late discovery.

   Study this in the handbook: Trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds

4. 4. A Maryland road narrows so a car and a bicycle cannot safely travel side by side in one lane. How may the rider use that lane?

   1. The rider may use the full lane even if slower
   2. The rider must leave the road at once
   3. The rider must ride against traffic instead
   4. The rider may use the lane only above the speed limit
   Show answer

   The rider may use the full lane even if slower. When a lane is too tight for side-by-side travel, a rider may claim the whole lane, even while moving well below traffic speed. That position keeps the rider visible and prevents drivers from squeezing through with inches to spare. Leaving the road, riding against traffic, and chasing the speed limit would each add danger. Drivers should wait behind, then pass in another lane or when a safe gap opens ahead.

   Study this in the handbook: Trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds

5. 5. Snow and ice have built up on your car on a winter morning in Maryland. What should you do before you drive?

   1. Clear a small patch on the windshield and go
   2. Run the defroster while you drive and let it melt
   3. Remove snow from the glass and leave the roof
   4. Remove all ice and snow from the vehicle
   Show answer

   Remove all ice and snow from the vehicle. Maryland says to keep your windows and lights clear and to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving. A small cleared patch limits what you can see of the road and of other traffic. Waiting for the defroster to do the work while moving means you start out unable to see well. Clearing only the glass leaves snow that can blow loose or slide down onto the windshield. Take a few minutes to clean the whole vehicle first.

   Study this in the handbook: Bad weather, skids and hydroplaning

6. 6. A red arrow is flashing in the direction you want to turn in Maryland. What must you do first?

   1. Turn slowly through the corner without stopping first
   2. Stop fully, yield, then go that way when clear
   3. Wait in place until the flashing arrow turns green
   4. Follow the round signal mounted beside the arrow
   Show answer

   Stop fully, yield, then go that way when clear. A flashing red arrow borrows the discipline of a stop sign for one turning movement. The driver stops fully before the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection, then yields to all other traffic and pedestrians. Only when the way is clear may the driver proceed, and the movement follows the direction the arrow points. Rolling through slowly skips the required stop, and waiting for green misunderstands a flashing signal that already allows movement after stopping. The round signals nearby control other movements, not this arrow turn.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals, arrows and lane use lights

7. 7. A single broken yellow line is the center line on a two-lane, two-way Maryland road. What does it permit?

   1. Lane changes only, never passing
   2. Passing with care in either direction
   3. Travel in one direction only
   4. Parking in the center at night
   Show answer

   Passing with care in either direction. Yellow center lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, and a broken pattern opens careful passing for drivers on either side. A driver still judges oncoming speed and distance, signals, and leaves a safe gap before and after the pass. A solid yellow line on your side removes that option, and double solid yellow lines bar passing both ways while still allowing a left turn into a driveway. One-way travel and center parking have their own signs and rules, separate from what a broken center line allows.

   Study this in the handbook: Lines and pavement markings

8. 8. You are cruising in the left lane of a Maryland highway where stay right signs are posted, and you are not passing anyone. What should you do?

   1. Move right only after dark, when traffic is lighter
   2. Stay left as long as you keep to the speed limit
   3. Stay left until a driver behind you flashes lights
   4. Move to the right-hand lane when it is safe
   Show answer

   Move to the right-hand lane when it is safe. Stay right signs tell drivers to use the right-hand lane or lanes unless they are passing another vehicle. Cruising in the left lane without passing goes against that instruction, even at the speed limit. Signal, check your mirrors and blind spot, and move right when it is safe, then use the left lane again only to pass. Waiting for someone behind you to flash lights, or limiting the rule to night driving, misses that the signs apply whenever you are not passing.

   Study this in the handbook: Passing rules and parking

9. 9. Driving at night in Maryland, you see a dim reflective object ahead near your lane. What should you assume?

   1. It is a sign or marker off the side of the road
   2. It is road debris you can safely drive over
   3. It could be a bicycle in the travel lane
   4. It is a parked car with its lights off
   Show answer

   It could be a bicycle in the travel lane. Maryland warns that if you see a dim reflective object at night, you should not assume it is off the road, because it could be a bicycle in a travel lane. Bicyclists sometimes avoid shoulders at night, when tree branches, potholes, debris, and the edge of the pavement are difficult to see. Slow down, use your low beam headlights when approaching a bicycle, and be ready to pass with at least 3 feet of space when it is safe.

   Study this in the handbook: Trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds

10. 10. At Maryland street crossings with traffic signals, what right-of-way rule applies to people on foot?

    1. Drivers hold the right of way at every crossing
    2. People on foot have the right of way but must obey signals
    3. Signals replace any need to yield to people crossing
    4. People on foot may ignore signals when roads look empty
    Show answer

    People on foot have the right of way but must obey signals. People crossing at street crossings hold the right of way, paired with a duty to obey traffic control signals. That balance protects a person on foot while keeping crossings predictable for drivers. A green signal for vehicles does not erase the need to yield to someone lawfully crossing. Watching the crossing, not only your signal, helps you spot a person who still needs time or has difficulty crossing.

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school buses

11. 11. A tow truck is stopped ahead in Maryland with its lights flashing. What should you do first?

    1. Stay in your lane and pass slowly beside the truck with your hazard lights flashing
    2. Stop in your lane until the truck driver waves you past
    3. Sound your horn and continue at the posted speed limit
    4. Move to a lane that is not immediately next to the stopped vehicle
    Show answer

    Move to a lane that is not immediately next to the stopped vehicle. A stopped emergency, tow, or service vehicle with flashing lights creates a work area at the edge of traffic, and people may be outside the vehicle near moving lanes. Drivers should shift to a lane that is not right next to the stopped vehicle when that move can be made safely. If shifting over is not safe or possible, the driver should slow to a safe speed for conditions and be ready to stop. Passing at full speed beside workers leaves them almost no margin for error.

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school buses

12. 12. A row of small triangles is painted across your Maryland lane before a crosswalk where a person is starting to cross. Where should you yield?

    1. At the row of triangles, before the crosswalk
    2. Inside the crosswalk, next to the person
    3. Past the crosswalk, once the person has passed you
    4. Wherever you can see the far curb best
    Show answer

    At the row of triangles, before the crosswalk. Yield lines are rows of small triangles across the lane that show where a vehicle must yield to other vehicles or pedestrians. When they are painted before a crosswalk and someone is crossing, that row is where you slow and stop if needed, leaving the crosswalk clear. Stopping inside the crosswalk or rolling past it blocks the person. When there is no traffic signal, you must stop for pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

    Study this in the handbook: Lines and pavement markings

13. 13. On a wet Maryland road, which driver should pump the brakes to prevent skidding?

    1. A driver whose car has anti-lock brakes
    2. Every driver, whatever kind of brakes the car has
    3. No one, since pumping always causes skids
    4. A driver whose car has no anti-lock brakes
    Show answer

    A driver whose car has no anti-lock brakes. On wet roads, Maryland says to avoid slamming on your brakes, because this may cause your vehicle to skid. If your vehicle does not have an anti-lock braking system, pump the brakes to prevent skidding. A car with ABS already pumps the brakes much faster on its own whenever a wheel starts to lock, so the pumping advice is for cars without it. Check your vehicle owner's manual to learn which kind of brakes your car has.

    Study this in the handbook: Headlights, night driving and fog

14. 14. You see the pictured warning sign on a Maryland road. What does it tell you?

    
    1. A yield sign is ahead
    2. A railroad crossing is ahead
    3. A no-passing zone begins here
    4. A school zone is ahead
    Show answer

    A yield sign is ahead. Warning signs give notice of situations that might not be readily apparent. The Yield Ahead sign shows a yield symbol, telling you that a yield sign is coming up, possibly where you cannot see it yet. Slow down and get ready to look left and right and give the right-of-way to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians when you reach the yield sign. Railroad crossings use a round warning sign, and a pennant marks the start of a no-passing zone.

    Study this in the handbook: Regulatory, warning and guide signs

15. 15. Two people drink the same amount. Why might only one be unsafe to drive in Maryland?

    1. Food, rest, mood, body traits, and medicines can change the effect
    2. The heavier person is the one who can be affected
    3. The person who drank faster is always unaffected
    4. Medicines cancel out alcohol in every case
    Show answer

    Food, rest, mood, body traits, and medicines can change the effect. Identical drink totals do not produce identical results. Weight and body fat shape how alcohol spreads through the body. When and how much each person ate also matters. Tiredness and mood can deepen the effect, and medications can interact with alcohol in ways that further reduce driving ability. Comparing one drinker to another therefore gives no useful safety signal. Each person who has been drinking should judge the situation by a simple rule: someone else drives.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, drugs and driving

16. 16. Before you make a turn in Maryland, where should you look to be sure the turn is safe?

    1. At the lane you plan to enter
    2. In front, behind, and to both sides of your vehicle
    3. Only at the mirror on the side you are turning toward
    4. Only at the traffic signal facing you
    Show answer

    In front, behind, and to both sides of your vehicle. Maryland tells drivers to look in front, behind, and to both sides of the vehicle to make sure it is safe to turn, and to adjust their speed for the turn. Checking only the lane you will enter, one mirror, or the signal leaves gaps where a bicyclist, pedestrian, or another vehicle could be. A full look around before and during the turn catches people you might otherwise miss.

    Study this in the handbook: Following distance, stopping distance and turns

17. 17. Fog thickens on a Maryland road and you spot taillights glowing ahead. What should you do with your speed?

    1. Hold your pace until the vehicle ahead is close
    2. Speed up to get through the foggy stretch sooner
    3. Slow down even more and be ready to stop quickly
    4. Follow the taillights closely so you do not get lost
    Show answer

    Slow down even more and be ready to stop quickly. Lights appearing out of fog mean another vehicle is nearer than the murk suggests, and it may be slowing or stopped. Cutting speed further restores time to react and keeps a sudden stop ahead from becoming a collision. Low beams help others see you without the glare that high beams throw back. Gentle inputs and a generous gap suit conditions where surprises arrive late. A light touch on the wheel suits a surface where grip can vanish without warning.

    Study this in the handbook: Headlights, night driving and fog

18. 18. At night in Maryland you close in behind another vehicle. At what point must you dim your high beams?

    1. Only when the driver ahead flashes the brake lights
    2. When you can read the license plate ahead
    3. When it is within 300 feet ahead
    4. Only after you enter a lit business district
    Show answer

    When it is within 300 feet ahead. Bright light in the mirrors of the driver ahead can blind that driver and hide hazards from both of you. A set distance removes guesswork about when to switch down. Brake light flashes and license plate legibility depend on conditions and eyesight, so they arrive too late or too unevenly. A lit district alone does not decide the duty. Watch your closing distance on dark roads and dim early enough that the driver ahead keeps a clear view of the road and mirrors.

    Study this in the handbook: Lines and pavement markings

19. 19. You see the pictured warning sign on a Maryland road. What should you prepare to do?

    
    1. Merge with traffic entering from the right
    2. Stop at a stop sign coming up ahead
    3. Watch for a flagger directing traffic
    4. Yield to a train at a crossing
    Show answer

    Stop at a stop sign coming up ahead. The Stop Ahead warning sign tells you that a stop sign is coming up, in a spot where it might not be readily apparent from a distance. Begin slowing early so you can make a complete stop at the stop line, or before the crosswalk or intersection if there is no line. At the stop, yield to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection and stay stopped until it is safe to continue. The sign does not warn of merging traffic, flaggers, or trains.

    Study this in the handbook: Regulatory, warning and guide signs

20. 20. Traffic is flowing smoothly on a dry, clear day in Maryland. How large a gap should you keep from the vehicle ahead?

    1. About one second behind the vehicle ahead
    2. Just enough room to see its rear bumper
    3. A gap of three to four seconds
    4. At least eight seconds at all speeds
    Show answer

    A gap of three to four seconds. On a dry, clear day with smooth traffic flow, a gap measured in time gives you room to perceive a hazard and respond without crowding the vehicle ahead. One second leaves almost no margin for reaction. Judging by bumper visibility changes with vehicle size and speed, so it is unreliable. Eight seconds is more than the recommended minimum for ideal conditions, though extra room is wise when conditions worsen. A time based gap stays useful because it grows naturally as speed rises during ordinary driving.

    Study this in the handbook: Following distance, stopping distance and turns