Minnesota Permit Practice Test

How to use this MN practice test

1. Take the full practice test above once, untimed, to find your weak topics.
2. Work through the numbered 20 question sets below. Each one is fixed, so a second attempt is a fair comparison.
3. Read the explanation on every miss. The wording comes from the Minnesota Driver's Manual, which is what the examiners use.
4. Come back on a later day and retake the questions you missed. A score on questions you have not seen before tells you more than a repeat.

MN practice tests, 20 questions each

Fixed sets in a fixed order so you can retake one and compare your score.

1. Test 1
2. Test 2
3. Test 3
4. Test 4
5. Test 5
6. Test 6
7. Test 7
8. Test 8
9. Test 9
10. Test 10
11. Test 11
12. Test 12
13. Test 13
14. Test 14
15. Test 15
16. Test 16
17. Test 17
18. Test 18
19. Test 19
20. Test 20
21. Test 21
22. Test 22
23. Test 23
24. Test 24
25. Test 25

Printable MN practice test with answer key

40 sample practice questions from the MN bank

Every question below comes from the Minnesota 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. A sign below a railroad crossbuck displays a number. What does that number identify?

   1. The maximum crossing speed
   2. The number of railroad tracks
   3. The distance to the next crossing
   4. The number of trains expected each hour
   Show answer

   The number of railroad tracks. A number sign beneath a crossbuck tells you how many tracks are at that crossing. Full explanation in Test 1

   Study this in the handbook: Sign colors, shapes and regulatory signs

2. 2. When approaching an oncoming vehicle within 1,000 feet, what beam setting is required?

   1. No lights until the vehicles meet
   2. High beams plus hazard flashers
   3. Parking lights only
   4. Low beam headlights
   Show answer

   Low beam headlights. Minnesota requires headlights to remain on low beam when you are within 1,000 feet of an oncoming vehicle. Full explanation in Test 2

   Study this in the handbook: Following distance, night driving and freeways

3. 3. When must Minnesota drivers use their headlights according to the vehicle-equipment section?

   1. Only between midnight and dawn on rural roads
   2. From sunset until sunrise and whenever the road ahead cannot be seen for at least 500 feet
   3. Only during rain, never during snow or fog
   4. Whenever another driver flashes headlights
   Show answer

   From sunset until sunrise and whenever the road ahead cannot be seen for at least 500 feet. The manual says to turn headlights on at sunset and keep them on until sunrise. Full explanation in Test 3

   Study this in the handbook: Headlights, special lights and required equipment

4. 4. What happens to a Minnesota driver who drives over 100 mph?

   1. A $25 surcharge only
   2. Driving privileges are revoked for at least six months
   3. A warning on a first offense
   4. A 30 day suspension
   Show answer

   Driving privileges are revoked for at least six months. Minnesota fines drivers who exceed the posted limit, adds extra fines at 20 mph or more over, and revokes driving privileges for at least si Full explanation in Test 4

   Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and the basic speed law

5. 5. When a vehicle is used to violate Minnesota’s school-bus stopping law, who may be penalized as the owner?

   1. The owner automatically receives five license points
   2. The owner or leaseholder may be guilty of a petty misdemeanor
   3. The owner is never involved if another person was driving
   4. The owner must surrender the vehicle permanently
   Show answer

   The owner or leaseholder may be guilty of a petty misdemeanor. Minnesota allows the owner or leaseholder to be guilty of a petty misdemeanor when the vehicle is used to violate the school-bus stopping st Full explanation in Test 5

   Study this in the handbook: Right of way and yielding

6. 6. When is driving below a posted minimum speed limit illegal under normal conditions?

   1. Whenever the driver is traveling below that posted minimum
   2. When a police officer is directing traffic
   3. On roads with a 55 mph maximum
   4. Never, because minimum limits are advisory
   Show answer

   Whenever the driver is traveling below that posted minimum. The manual says some roads have minimum speed limits and that it is illegal to drive slower than the posted minimum under normal conditions. Full explanation in Test 6

   Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and the basic speed law

7. 7. A Minnesota driver commits a second DWI within 10 years of the first. What is the minimum revocation?

   1. 90 days
   2. Three years
   3. One year
   4. Six months
   Show answer

   One year. A second offense within 10 years of the first brings a minimum one-year license revocation, possible required ignition interlock, one year i Full explanation in Test 7

   Study this in the handbook: Implied consent and DWI penalties

8. 8. What right-of-way consequence follows when a driver approaches a Minnesota intersection at an unlawful speed?

   1. The driver loses the privilege associated with lawful speed
   2. The driver gains priority over vehicles traveling legally
   3. The driver may disregard all yielding rules
   4. The driver keeps every right-of-way privilege unchanged
   Show answer

   The driver loses the privilege associated with lawful speed. A driver who approaches an intersection at an unlawful speed loses the right-of-way privilege that would have been associated with driving l Full explanation in Test 8

   Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and the basic speed law

9. 9. At what alcohol concentration does a Minnesota ignition interlock device prevent the vehicle from starting?

   1. 0.08 percent or above
   2. 0.04 percent or above
   3. 0.02 percent or above
   4. Any amount above zero
   Show answer

   0.02 percent or above. The ignition interlock is connected to the vehicle's starter, and the driver must blow into it to start the car. Full explanation in Test 9

   Study this in the handbook: How alcohol affects you and the DWI law

10. 10. What must you do before entering a roundabout?

    1. Stop inside the circle before selecting an exit
    2. Yield to vehicles already circulating from the left
    3. Enter first because circulating traffic must yield
    4. Change lanes after entering to reach any exit
    Show answer

    Yield to vehicles already circulating from the left. Entering traffic must yield to vehicles already in the roundabout and wait until traffic from the left has cleared. Full explanation in Test 10

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

11. 11. On a narrow street with steady oncoming traffic, you cannot leave 3 feet when passing a bicyclist. What should you do?

    1. Wait behind until you can leave 3 feet
    2. Pass with whatever space there is
    3. Honk so the rider moves to the curb
    4. Pass on the rider's right side
    Show answer

    Wait behind until you can leave 3 feet. When passing a bicyclist, you must keep at least 3 feet between the side of your car and the rider. Full explanation in Test 11

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycles

12. 12. Another driver begins to pass you on a two-lane road. What should you do?

    1. Speed up so the pass ends sooner
    2. Move left to block the pass
    3. Stay in your lane and do not speed up
    4. Flash your high beams as a warning
    Show answer

    Stay in your lane and do not speed up. When someone is trying to pass you, Minnesota says to stay in your own lane and not increase your speed. Full explanation in Test 12

    Study this in the handbook: Passing, backing up and parking

13. 13. In Minnesota, what is an unmarked crosswalk?

    1. Any spot where people cross in the middle of a block
    2. A crossing with only a sign, no signal
    3. A school crossing used in school hours
    4. Where a sidewalk meets the road, no lines painted
    Show answer

    Where a sidewalk meets the road, no lines painted. An unmarked crosswalk is the area where a road intersects a sidewalk but no solid lines are painted on the road. Full explanation in Test 13

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycles

14. 14. This sign is mounted below a railroad crossbuck. After one train passes, what does it warn you to check?

    
    1. That the crossing gates have risen all the way up
    2. That another train is not coming on another track
    3. That the passing train has finished ringing its bell
    4. That the lights have stopped flashing
    Show answer

    That another train is not coming on another track. An X-shaped crossbuck marks a railroad crossing. If there is more than one track, a sign below the crossbuck shows the number of tracks. Full explanation in Test 14

    Study this in the handbook: Sign colors, shapes and regulatory signs

15. 15. You are driving in a lane when a steady yellow X lights up above it. What will most likely come next?

    1. A green arrow for your lane
    2. A flashing yellow arrow
    3. A steady red X over that lane
    4. The lane opening to both directions
    Show answer

    A steady red X over that lane. A steady yellow X means you should prepare to move safely into another lane, because a lane-control change is being made in the lane below i Full explanation in Test 15

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals, lane use signals and ramp meters

16. 16. You are about to turn left from a two-way street with two lanes in your direction. Which lane should you move into?

    1. The lane nearest the right curb
    2. Whichever lane has less traffic
    3. The shoulder, so others can pass
    4. The lane closest to the center line
    Show answer

    The lane closest to the center line. For a left turn, check traffic behind you, signal, and move into the lane closest to the center line. Full explanation in Test 16

17. 17. How much moving water can carry away most vehicles, even SUVs and pickups?

    1. 2 feet
    2. 6 inches
    3. 4 feet
    4. 6 feet
    Show answer

    2 feet. Minnesota's flooding advice says 2 feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks. Full explanation in Test 17

    Study this in the handbook: Distraction, aggression, winter driving and skids

18. 18. An emergency vehicle with lights and siren comes up behind you on the freeway. What should you avoid?

    1. Using your turn signal
    2. Moving to the nearest side
    3. Slamming the brakes or swerving
    4. Staying stopped until it passes
    Show answer

    Slamming the brakes or swerving. If flashing lights and a siren come up from behind on the freeway, move to the nearest side of the road and stop. Full explanation in Test 18

    Study this in the handbook: Following distance, night driving and freeways

19. 19. On a curve, oncoming drivers can see you from only about 600 feet away. May you make a U-turn there?

    1. Yes, if you signal first
    2. Yes, if no car is in sight
    3. No, they must see you from 1,000 feet
    4. Yes, anything over 500 feet is enough
    Show answer

    No, they must see you from 1,000 feet. U-turns are illegal near the tops of hills and on curves where other drivers cannot see you from 1,000 feet away. Full explanation in Test 19

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

20. 20. You usually feel fine after two drinks. Why might the same two drinks affect you more on another night?

    1. Alcohol is weaker in winter
    2. Your tolerance never changes
    3. Mood, food, and sleepiness change its effect
    4. It only matters what kind of drink it is
    Show answer

    Mood, food, and sleepiness change its effect. Minnesota's manual explains that you may be affected differently by alcohol on different occasions because of changing factors such as mood, Full explanation in Test 20

    Study this in the handbook: How alcohol affects you and the DWI law

21. 21. When you parallel park in Minnesota, how far from the curb may your curbside wheels be?

    1. No more than 12 inches
    2. No more than 18 inches
    3. No more than 6 inches
    4. No more than 24 inches
    Show answer

    No more than 12 inches. After parallel parking, the wheels closest to the side of the road should be no more than 12 inches from the curb. Full explanation in Test 21

    Study this in the handbook: Passing, backing up and parking

22. 22. Two large trucks enter a multi-lane roundabout side by side at the same time. Which driver must yield?

    1. The driver on the left side
    2. The driver of the longer truck
    3. The one who reached the circle first
    4. The driver on the right side
    Show answer

    The driver on the right side. In a multi-lane roundabout, when two large vehicles approach and drive through at the same time, the driver on the right must yield to the v Full explanation in Test 22

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

23. 23. What does this warning sign tell you?

    
    1. The bridge has a weight limit
    2. The bridge may rise for boats
    3. The bridge is narrower than the road
    4. The road ends past the bridge
    Show answer

    The bridge is narrower than the road. The narrow bridge sign warns that the bridge ahead is narrower than the roadway leading to it. Full explanation in Test 23

    Study this in the handbook: Warning, school, construction and guide signs

24. 24. How far back must you stop from a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing?

    1. At least 20 feet
    2. At least 10 feet
    3. At least 50 feet
    4. At least 100 feet
    Show answer

    At least 20 feet. When a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing, it is loading or unloading students, and you must stop at least 20 feet from the bus. Full explanation in Test 24

    Study this in the handbook: Stop rules, school buses and fleeing police

25. 25. Children have finished crossing in front of a stopped school bus, but its red lights are still flashing. What should you do?

    1. Go once the children reach the curb
    2. Stay stopped until the lights stop flashing
    3. Go slowly if you are behind the bus
    4. Wait 10 seconds, then proceed
    Show answer

    Stay stopped until the lights stop flashing. Whether you are facing the front or the back of the bus, you must remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing. Full explanation in Test 25

    Study this in the handbook: Stop rules, school buses and fleeing police

26. 26. What is the alcohol content of 80-proof whiskey?

    1. 40 percent
    2. 80 percent
    3. 8 percent
    4. 20 percent
    Show answer

    40 percent. Proof measures a drink's strength and equals twice the percentage of alcohol it contains. So 80-proof whiskey is 40 percent alcohol. Full explanation in Test 1

    Study this in the handbook: How alcohol affects you and the DWI law

27. 27. If you cannot move one lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle, how should you pass it?

    
    1. Maintain speed because the shoulder is separate
    2. Slow down and pass with caution
    3. Stop in the travel lane until the vehicle leaves
    4. Pass on the shoulder without reducing speed
    Show answer

    Slow down and pass with caution. Minnesota's Move Over guidance requires a driver who cannot move a lane away, or who has only one lane in that direction, to slow down and p Full explanation in Test 2

    Study this in the handbook: Emergency vehicles, the Move Over Law and traffic stops

28. 28. Two drivers reach an intersection without traffic lights at the same time. Which driver must yield in Minnesota?

    1. The larger vehicle always proceeds first
    2. The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left
    3. The driver traveling faster proceeds first
    4. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right
    Show answer

    The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. At an intersection without traffic lights or signals, Minnesota assigns the yield duty to the driver on the left when both drivers arrive at Full explanation in Test 3

    Study this in the handbook: Right of way and yielding

29. 29. What does a green arrow allow a driver to do?

    1. Turn in any direction without checking the roadway
    2. Turn safely in the direction of the arrow, subject to people already in the intersection
    3. Treat the arrow exactly like a flashing yellow signal
    4. Wait until the arrow changes to red before moving
    Show answer

    Turn safely in the direction of the arrow, subject to people already in the intersection. A green arrow authorizes movement in the arrow’s direction and protects the turn from oncoming or crossing traffic. Full explanation in Test 4

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals, lane use signals and ramp meters

30. 30. How close may an ordinary vehicle follow a firefighting vehicle on an emergency run?

    1. It may follow within 100 feet during daylight
    2. It may follow within 50 feet if its lights are on
    3. It may not follow within 500 feet
    4. It may follow at any distance if traffic is light
    Show answer

    It may not follow within 500 feet. Only vehicles on official emergency business may follow within 500 feet of a firefighting vehicle on an emergency run. Full explanation in Test 5

    Study this in the handbook: Emergency vehicles, the Move Over Law and traffic stops

31. 31. What do Minnesota sign shapes and colors help a driver do before reading a sign up close?

    
    1. Know that the sign applies only during construction
    2. Identify the exact fine for violating the sign
    3. Determine the distance to the nearest service station
    4. Get a general idea of what the sign means
    Show answer

    Get a general idea of what the sign means. Minnesota codes sign shapes and colors so drivers can get a general idea of a sign's meaning before reading its wording up close. Full explanation in Test 6

    Study this in the handbook: Sign colors, shapes and regulatory signs

32. 32. Which of these can get a Minnesota license suspended?

    1. Renewing your license early
    2. Driving 5 mph under the limit in rain
    3. Letting someone use your license to buy alcohol for a person under 21
    4. Carrying a passenger in the back seat
    Show answer

    Letting someone use your license to buy alcohol for a person under 21. Minnesota's suspension list includes using, or allowing someone else to use, your license, permit or ID card to buy tobacco for someone unde Full explanation in Test 7

33. 33. After two consecutive failures of the Minnesota written test, what applies to the third and later attempts?

    1. A $10 fee is charged
    2. A six-month testing ban begins
    3. The applicant must take a road test instead
    4. The applicant permanently loses testing eligibility
    Show answer

    A $10 fee is charged. Minnesota charges a $10 fee for the third written-test attempt and every subsequent attempt after two consecutive failures. Full explanation in Test 8

    Study this in the handbook: The written test, vision screening and road test

34. 34. About how fast does the body eliminate alcohol, according to the Minnesota manual?

    1. About three drinks per hour
    2. About one drink per hour
    3. Faster after coffee or a cold shower
    4. About one drink every 15 minutes
    Show answer

    About one drink per hour. The only way to reduce alcohol concentration is to wait. Full explanation in Test 9

    Study this in the handbook: How alcohol affects you and the DWI law

35. 35. When following another vehicle, within what distance must your headlights remain on low beam?

    1. 200 feet or less
    2. 300 feet or less
    3. 400 feet or less
    4. 600 feet or less
    Show answer

    200 feet or less. When you are following a vehicle at a distance of 200 feet or less, keep the headlights on low beam. Full explanation in Test 10

    Study this in the handbook: Following distance, night driving and freeways

36. 36. On a two-lane road, a police car with flashing lights is stopped on the shoulder ahead. You have no lane to move into. What should you do?

    1. Speed up to get past quickly
    2. Stop in your lane until it leaves
    3. Slow down and pass with caution
    4. Cross into the oncoming lane at once
    Show answer

    Slow down and pass with caution. When you cannot move a lane away, or you are on a road with only one lane in your direction, Minnesota says to slow down and pass with cauti Full explanation in Test 11

    Study this in the handbook: Emergency vehicles, the Move Over Law and traffic stops

37. 37. Which symptoms can be early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in a car?

    1. Sudden tiredness, headache, dizziness, nausea
    2. Itchy skin and constant sneezing
    3. Sharp chest pain and a high fever
    4. Blurry vision that occurs only at night
    Show answer

    Sudden tiredness, headache, dizziness, nausea. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas from engines with no odor or color. Full explanation in Test 12

    Study this in the handbook: Blowouts, brake failure and other vehicle emergencies

38. 38. A 19-year-old drinks one beer, then drives. A test finds 0.02 percent alcohol. Is this legal in Minnesota?

    1. No, any detectable amount is illegal under 21
    2. Yes, it is below the 0.08 limit
    3. Yes, it is below 0.04
    4. Only illegal if driving is affected
    Show answer

    No, any detectable amount is illegal under 21. The legal age to buy and drink alcohol in Minnesota is 21, and it is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with any detectable amount of alco Full explanation in Test 13

    Study this in the handbook: How alcohol affects you and the DWI law

39. 39. While driving on a Minnesota freeway, you see a steady red X appear above your lane ahead. What must you do?

    1. Keep going but slow down
    2. Move out of that lane; you cannot use it
    3. Use the lane only to turn left
    4. Use the lane if traffic is light
    Show answer

    Move out of that lane; you cannot use it. A steady red X over a lane means you cannot drive in that lane. Full explanation in Test 14

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic signals, lane use signals and ramp meters

40. 40. You have four standard drinks over two hours. What happens to your alcohol concentration during that time?

    1. It stays level, since the liver keeps up with it
    2. It rises, since that is over one drink per hour
    3. It drops as long as you eat while drinking
    4. It stops rising after the second drink
    Show answer

    It rises, since that is over one drink per hour. The body generally eliminates alcohol at about one drink per hour, and the time over which you drink affects your alcohol concentration. Full explanation in Test 15

    Study this in the handbook: How alcohol affects you and the DWI law