MI Permit Practice Test 23

All 20 questions in test 23

Every question below comes from the Michigan 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. At higher speeds or in poor conditions, how far should following distance increase when needed?

   1. Up to two seconds or more if necessary
   2. Up to six seconds or more if necessary
   3. It should stay at one second at all speeds
   4. It should shrink so others cannot cut in
   Show answer

   Up to six seconds or more if necessary. The basic three-to-four-second gap should grow to six seconds or more when speed rises or weather worsens. That cushion covers longer stopping distances and slower reactions on wet or icy pavement. Counting as the vehicle ahead passes a sign shows whether your gap truly grew or only felt bigger. On slippery roads, even six seconds can prove short, so add room whenever spray or ice hides the surface.

   Study this in the handbook: Bad weather, stopping distance and night driving

2. 2. An unlicensed teen wants a Michigan moped license. What is the youngest age, and what else is required?

   1. Age 14 with a parent signature alone
   2. Age 16 with a road test on a freeway
   3. Age 15 or older, with approval and testing
   4. Age 18 with no testing required at all
   Show answer

   Age 15 or older, with approval and testing. An unlicensed teen may apply for a Michigan moped license at age 15 or older with parental approval. The application also includes vision, written knowledge, and traffic sign tests, so a parent's approval by itself is not enough. A freeway road test is not the requirement described here, and the applicant does not have to wait until age 18 or skip testing. The key distinction is between being old enough to apply with approval and completing the required tests.

3. 3. When passing a bicyclist, what should a large vehicle or a vehicle towing an oversized load allow?

   1. More space and time than a smaller passing vehicle
   2. Less space because the larger vehicle is easier to see
   3. Only enough space for the bicycle's front wheel
   4. The bicyclist to leave the roadway before passing
   Show answer

   More space and time than a smaller passing vehicle. Large vehicles and vehicles towing oversized loads should allow more space and time when passing a bicyclist. Their size and load can make the pass take longer and can create a stronger airflow around the rider. Being easy to see does not make a large vehicle safer at close range, and one wheel's width is not a sufficient passing margin. The bicyclist also does not have to leave the roadway simply because a larger vehicle is approaching to pass.

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

4. 4. Which group of situations does Michigan name for being especially watchful for autocycles?

   1. At parking spaces, freeway shoulders, and school-bus stops
   2. At intersections, in busy traffic, and when turning
   3. On rural roads, at gas stations, and in driveways
   4. At railroad crossings, toll booths, and rest areas
   Show answer

   At intersections, in busy traffic, and when turning. Because an autocycle has a smaller profile, Michigan tells drivers to be especially watchful at intersections, in busy traffic, and when turning. “At parking spaces, freeway shoulders, and school-bus stops” substitutes locations that are not the named group. “On rural roads, at gas stations, and in driveways” makes the same substitution, as does “At railroad crossings, toll booths, and rest areas.” The guidance identifies three traffic situations where an autocycle may be harder to notice.

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

5. 5. When parking uphill next to a curb in Michigan, how should the front wheels be positioned?

   1. Turned parallel to the curb
   2. Turned toward the curb
   3. Pointed straight ahead
   4. Turned away from the curb
   Show answer

   Turned away from the curb. When you park uphill beside a curb, Michigan tells you to turn the front wheels away from the curb. If the car rolls backward, the rear of the front tire presses against the curb and holds the vehicle. Turning them toward the curb on an uphill grade would steer the car into the street, which is the opposite of what this rule protects against. Wheels pointed straight ahead or simply parallel to the curb let the car roll freely. Picture the grade first: uphill means wheels turned out, downhill means wheels turned in.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings

6. 6. Which headlights should a Michigan driver use when driving in fog?

   1. High-beam headlights
   2. Low-beam headlights
   3. Parking lights only
   4. Hazard flashers instead of headlights
   Show answer

   Low-beam headlights. Fog reflects light back at the driver, so high beams make the glare worse and shorten useful visibility. Michigan advises driving slowly in fog with the low beams on and being ready to stop quickly. Parking lights alone are not headlights, and hazard flashers are for a vehicle that has pulled off the road, not a substitute for forward lighting. If the fog becomes so thick that you cannot see at all, pull off the road and turn on the four-way flashers. Otherwise, keep low beams on and leave extra following space.

   Study this in the handbook: Bad weather, stopping distance and night driving

7. 7. Which vehicles qualify for free parking under Michigan's disability parking rules?

   1. Any vehicle with a disability license plate
   2. Any vehicle carrying a passenger who uses a cane
   3. Vehicles with a placard bearing a yellow free-parking sticker
   4. Vehicles carrying a passenger who uses a wheelchair, cane or walker
   Show answer

   Vehicles with a placard bearing a yellow free-parking sticker. Michigan separates disability parking from free parking. Free parking at a meter is granted only to a vehicle that displays a disability placard carrying a yellow free-parking sticker. The requirements for that sticker are narrower than for a disability plate or placard, so an ordinary plate does not earn free parking. A passenger with a cane does not qualify the car by appearance, and the broader disability definition alone does not create a free meter. Check the placard for the yellow sticker before you leave the car at a meter.

8. 8. When must a Michigan driver yield to a pedestrian in an unmarked crosswalk with no signals present?

   1. Only when the pedestrian raises a hand before stepping out
   2. When the pedestrian is on your side and no signals control traffic
   3. When the crossing is painted with white crosswalk lines
   4. Crossings without paint carry no legal right of way
   Show answer

   When the pedestrian is on your side and no signals control traffic. An unmarked crosswalk still carries the force of law. Michigan requires a driver to yield to a pedestrian in an unmarked crosswalk on the driver's side of the road when no traffic control devices are present. The pedestrian does not have to raise a hand, and the crossing does not need white paint for the duty to apply. Saying an unpainted crossing has no right of way reverses the rule. Scan the curb line and the sidewalk before you pass a corner, because a person may step off where no markings exist.

   Study this in the handbook: Right of way, pedestrians and roundabouts

9. 9. What roadway feature is marked by white stripes running in the direction of traffic?

   1. A crosswalk
   2. A lane reserved for bicycles at night
   3. A loading zone for delivery vehicles
   4. A warning that the pavement ends ahead
   Show answer

   A crosswalk. Crosswalks may be shown by white stripes placed on the road in the direction of traffic, as well as solid lines painted fully across the pavement. Both patterns mark space where people on foot cross, at corners or mid-block. Drivers must stop at the marked limit line or before the intersection when no line exists. Never stop on the crossing itself while waiting, since that forces walkers into traffic around your vehicle.

   Study this in the handbook: Pavement markings and traffic signals

10. 10. A pedestrian entered the crosswalk before the signal changed. What must a Michigan driver do?

    1. Yield to a pedestrian who entered before the signal changed
    2. Proceed because the driver signal is green
    3. Flash headlights so the pedestrian hurries across
    4. Drive around the pedestrian within the crosswalk
    Show answer

    Yield to a pedestrian who entered before the signal changed. Drivers must yield to a pedestrian who stepped into the crosswalk before the signal changed against them. People mid-crossing cannot vanish when the light turns, and slower walkers deserve time to finish. The same patience covers children near school crosswalks and anyone with a disability who moves carefully. Hold your stop until the crossing empties fully, then check both curbs again for late starters before rolling forward into the intersection.

    Study this in the handbook: Right of way, pedestrians and roundabouts

11. 11. What does a Michigan sign showing the divided highway ending warn drivers about?

    1. The road becomes a one-way street ahead
    2. The divided highway becomes a two-way road
    3. A toll plaza begins after the median ends
    4. Trucks must merge into a single lane
    Show answer

    The divided highway becomes a two-way road. That sign warns the divided highway is ending and the road will turn into lanes carrying traffic in both directions. Oncoming vehicles will soon share your side of the former median, so lane discipline matters instantly. Center your vehicle, watch for opposing headlights drifting wide on curves, and expect passing rules to change. Drivers lulled by miles of separation often miss the first oncoming car, which makes the transition zone especially risky.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic sign shapes and colors

12. 12. Where are Michigan crosswalks placed along roadways?

    1. At intersections and sometimes between intersections
    2. At intersections with traffic signals and nowhere else
    3. Between intersections but not at them
    4. In school and hospital zones but not elsewhere
    Show answer

    At intersections and sometimes between intersections. Michigan places crosswalks at intersections and sometimes between intersections. A traffic signal is not required, so “At intersections with traffic signals and nowhere else” is too narrow. Crosswalks are also at intersections, so “Between intersections but not at them” is false. The manual does not limit them to school or hospital zones. Solid white lines or stripes show the crossing space, but the locations named in the rule are intersections and occasional midblock points.

    Study this in the handbook: Pavement markings and traffic signals

13. 13. What should you never do with a person who has been drinking or using drugs and wants to travel?

    1. Offer the person a place to sleep overnight
    2. Call a taxi for the person instead
    3. Ride with anyone who has been drinking or using drugs
    4. Take away the car keys of the person
    Show answer

    Ride with anyone who has been drinking or using drugs. Never get into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs, even for a short trip. Riding along lends false confidence and leaves your safety in impaired hands. Instead, take the keys when you can, offer a place to sleep, line up a designated driver, or call a taxi or transit. Be sure anyone who does drive is completely sober before the vehicle moves an inch.

    Study this in the handbook: Your driving record, points and implied consent

14. 14. Snow covers the road at a Michigan railroad crossing. How should you cross the tracks?

    1. Stop on the tracks in the snow to check both directions for an approaching train
    2. Creep at walking speed across the rails so the tires keep a gentle grip
    3. Proceed with enough speed to avoid becoming stuck at the crossing
    4. Shift into neutral while crossing so the vehicle rolls freely over the rails
    Show answer

    Proceed with enough speed to avoid becoming stuck at the crossing. On snow, carry enough steady speed over the tracks so your vehicle does not bog down and stall on the rails. Creeping feels careful, yet slow wheels spin and dig in exactly where stopping is most dangerous. Look both ways first, choose a gear that pulls steadily, and keep moving until you clear the far side. If the crossing looks impassable, turn around before reaching the tracks instead.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings

15. 15. What is the purpose of a stop line painted across a Michigan traffic lane?

    1. To show where bicycles must wait at the traffic light near the corner
    2. To mark parking spaces for vehicles near the intersection approach lanes
    3. To reserve stopping space for buses loading at the corner by the crosswalk
    4. To keep your stopped vehicle clear of pedestrians and cross traffic
    Show answer

    To keep your stopped vehicle clear of pedestrians and cross traffic. A stop line fixes the spot where your vehicle waits so the intersection and crosswalk stay open for others. Bicycle waiting areas exist in some cities, but this wide white bar serves every driver approaching the junction. Stop with your front bumper behind it, then edge forward only if your view is blocked after the stop. That habit leaves room for turning trucks and for people crossing in front of you.

    Study this in the handbook: Pavement markings and traffic signals

16. 16. With no exception in play, how many passengers under age 21 may a Michigan Level 2 intermediate driver carry?

    1. None at all
    2. No more than two
    3. No more than three
    4. No more than one
    Show answer

    No more than one. The Level 2 passenger rule allows at most one passenger under 21. The limit lifts when a parent, guardian or designated licensed adult 21 or older is in the car, when the passengers are immediate family, or when the trip is for work or an authorized activity. Zero is too strict, since one young passenger is allowed. Two or three young passengers would break the rule unless one of those exceptions applies. Passengers 21 and older do not count toward this limit.

    Study this in the handbook: Graduated Driver Licensing for teens

17. 17. No barricades block a flooded Michigan road and you drive through with extreme caution. What vehicle risk remains?

    1. Deep water can damage the engine of the vehicle
    2. Deep water can damage only the tires of the vehicle
    3. Flood water cannot reach the engine of the vehicle
    4. Deep water can damage the engine only if the vehicle is moving fast
    Show answer

    Deep water can damage the engine of the vehicle. The absence of barricades does not remove the danger of driving through flood water. Michigan warns that deep water can damage the vehicle's engine, in addition to hidden debris, power lines, or a washed-away road. The engine risk is not limited to fast movement, and the water can affect more than tires. Consider an alternate route first. If you still enter the flooded section, use extreme caution because the depth and condition of the road may be uncertain.

    Study this in the handbook: Bad weather, stopping distance and night driving

18. 18. A train has just cleared a Michigan railroad crossing that has gates, flashing lights and bells. When may you drive across?

    1. As soon as the train clears the lane you are using
    2. As soon as the driver ahead of you starts across
    3. When the gates begin to rise, even if lights still flash
    4. After gates rise, signals and bells stop, and all tracks are clear
    Show answer

    After gates rise, signals and bells stop, and all tracks are clear. Wait until every warning device has finished and every track is clear before crossing. A train that has passed can hide a second train on another track, and gates, lights and bells stay active while danger remains. Moving as soon as your lane clears, following the car ahead, or rolling when gates start to lift can place you in front of that second train. Look both ways after devices stop, confirm no train approaches on any track, then cross without stopping on the rails.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad crossings

19. 19. What combination of devices may control traffic around Michigan road construction or maintenance work?

    1. Only orange cones and barrels placed along the shoulder
    2. Signs, signals, lighting, markings, barricades, routing and hand signals
    3. Only police cars parked before the work area entrance
    4. Radio announcements and newspaper notices for drivers
    Show answer

    Signs, signals, lighting, markings, barricades, routing and hand signals. Work areas can mix signs, signals, lighting devices, markings, barricades, routing, and hand signaling to guide traffic through. Utility work and surveying operations use the same toolbox, not just highway paving crews. That variety means the newest instruction, especially a worker with a paddle, can override a familiar device nearby. Slow early, read each cue in order, and expect lane patterns to shift as the project moves along the road.

    Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and work zones

20. 20. Which in-car tasks does Michigan suggest handling before the vehicle starts moving?

    1. Adjusting mirrors after entering fast traffic
    2. Reading social media posts at the first light
    3. Preset the radio and device playlist
    4. Searching for phone numbers while rolling
    Show answer

    Preset the radio and device playlist. Preset radio stations and select a playlist on your portable device before driving, so entertainment never demands eyes or hands en route. Tuning a radio seems trivial yet becomes risky in bad weather or heavy traffic. The brain cannot give full attention to two activities at once, and small tasks stack into missed hazards. Set temperature, mirrors, and navigation early too, then keep hands on the wheel and attention on the road ahead.

    Study this in the handbook: Phones, seat belts and child passengers