MN Permit Practice Test 3

All 20 questions in test 3

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. 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. It also requires them during rain, snow, hail, sleet, fog, or any time the road ahead cannot be seen for at least 500 feet. Limiting headlights to midnight through dawn on rural roads narrows the clock and location without support. A rain only rule leaves out snow and fog, which the manual lists expressly, and another driver flashing headlights is not the trigger. Turn the lights on before visibility becomes marginal and keep them on while darkness or weather limits what you can see.

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

2. 2. 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 the same time. The right-side driver does not receive that duty merely because the vehicles are equal in size or speed. Vehicle size and approach speed do not replace the stated positional rule. Slow enough to identify the conflict, check both sides, and let the left-side driver yield before entering the intersection.

   Study this in the handbook: Right of way and yielding

3. 3. How many licensed drivers does Minnesota have, according to the manual?

   1. About 10 million
   2. About 500,000
   3. About 1 million
   4. More than 4.5 million
   Show answer

   More than 4.5 million. The Commissioner's message in the Minnesota Driver's Manual says there are more than 4.5 million licensed drivers in the state, and that number will only grow as the state implements the Driver's License for All law passed by the Legislature. Driver and Vehicle Services wants every one of those drivers, along with the pedestrians and cyclists who share the road, to know the laws and practices that lead to safe driving.

4. 4. What does this DO NOT ENTER sign mean when it faces your vehicle?

   
   1. Parking is prohibited only during business hours
   2. Enter slowly because cross traffic must yield
   3. Do not enter that lane or road
   4. The road is open in the opposite direction only after dark
   Show answer

   Do not enter that lane or road. A DO NOT ENTER sign means the driver must not enter the lane or road when the sign is facing the vehicle. Entering slowly because cross traffic must yield turns a prohibition into a cautious entry, which is still entry. A parking restriction during business hours describes a different kind of sign, and the sign offers no nighttime exception for the opposite direction. It is a regulatory sign, so you must obey it, and ignoring it can bring a traffic citation and a fine.

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

5. 5. At what alcohol concentration can a person controlling a regular moving or parked vehicle be arrested for DWI in Minnesota?

   1. 0.08 percent or higher
   2. 0.04 percent or higher in every case
   3. 0.02 percent or higher
   4. 0.16 percent or higher only
   Show answer

   0.08 percent or higher. For a person in control of a moving or parked vehicle, Minnesota identifies 0.08 percent as the ordinary alcohol-concentration threshold for a DWI arrest. The 0.04 percent figure applies to commercial-vehicle driving, and an officer may also make an arrest at a lower concentration when alcohol-related driving errors can be proved. The 0.16 percent figure signals more severe penalties rather than the basic arrest threshold. Do not treat a parked vehicle as an automatic exception because physical control is included.

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

6. 6. What happens to the license after a third DWI within 10 years in Minnesota?

   1. Loss for at least three years, and the license is canceled
   2. A 90 day revocation
   3. A one year revocation only
   4. A 30 day suspension
   Show answer

   Loss for at least three years, and the license is canceled. A third offense within 10 years of the first two brings loss of license for a minimum of three years and a canceled license, along with a required chemical use assessment, required ignition interlock, one year in jail or a $3,000 fine or both, a forfeited vehicle, and impounded plates. Ninety days and one year are the first and second offense minimums. A 30 day suspension is the first Not a Drop penalty for underage drivers.

   Study this in the handbook: Implied consent and DWI penalties

7. 7. How long is a Minnesota instruction permit valid?

   1. Six months
   2. 12 months
   3. Two years
   4. Four years
   Show answer

   Two years. A Minnesota instruction permit is valid for two years of practice driving with a licensed supervising driver in the front passenger seat. If the permit is lost or expires, a new one is valid for two years from the day you apply. Six months is the minimum time a learner 18 or younger must hold the permit before the road test, which is a different number. One year and four years are not the permit's life. The provisional license is also valid for two years.

   Study this in the handbook: The instruction permit and provisional license

8. 8. What does the pennant-shaped sign mark on a two-way highway?

   
   1. A bicycle route with protected crossing priority
   2. The end of a no-passing zone
   3. The beginning of a no-passing zone
   4. A temporary lane for construction vehicles
   Show answer

   The beginning of a no-passing zone. The pennant on the left side of a two-way highway marks where a no-passing zone begins. It warns that passing ahead is illegal, so a driver should remain behind the vehicle ahead and wait for a legal opportunity farther along. The sign does not announce that restrictions have ended, create bicycle priority, or establish a construction lane. Its unusual shape and left-side placement are strong recognition cues. Do not cross a solid yellow line or pass simply because the opposing lane appears open.

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

9. 9. You are already waiting in an intersection to turn when the light changes from yellow to red. What should you do?

   1. Back out to the stop line
   2. Complete the turn as soon as it is safe
   3. Stay in the intersection until the next green
   4. Turn immediately without checking traffic
   Show answer

   Complete the turn as soon as it is safe. A driver already waiting inside the intersection should complete the turn as soon as it is safe after the signal changes to red. The manual specifically says not to back up. This differs from approaching a yellow signal while still able to stop before entering. Being inside the intersection does not authorize an unchecked turn, so wait for a safe path and then finish the movement.

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

10. 10. How long after leaving active military service does a Minnesota driver have to renew an expired license?

    1. 30 days
    2. There is no exception for military service
    3. Five years
    4. Within one year of separation or discharge, with the license and DD-214
    Show answer

    Within one year of separation or discharge, with the license and DD-214. You must renew your license within one year of your separation or discharge from active military service by presenting your Minnesota driver's license and your DD-214 discharge papers. The exception also covers a spouse, domestic partner or dependents under 26 who did not live in Minnesota during the service period. Documents can be submitted online or by mail to Driver and Vehicle Services in St. Paul.

11. 11. What does a Divided Highway Ends warning sign tell you?

    1. A new lane is being added on the right ahead
    2. The road splits into two one-way roadways ahead
    3. Two-way traffic will no longer be split by a center island
    4. The road you are on ends at a T-intersection
    Show answer

    Two-way traffic will no longer be split by a center island. The Divided Highway Ends sign means the divided road ends ahead, and two-way traffic will no longer be separated by a center island. Oncoming traffic will be on the other side of the center line instead of across a median. The Divided Highway Begins sign is the opposite: the road is dividing, so stay to the right. An added lane and a T-intersection have their own warning signs.

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

12. 12. What does a flashing yellow light or arrow require at an intersection?

    1. Speed up because cross traffic must yield
    2. Stop and wait until a steady green signal appears
    3. Treat it as a red light and remain stopped
    4. Proceed with caution and yield to road users already in the intersection
    Show answer

    Proceed with caution and yield to road users already in the intersection. A flashing yellow signal permits movement, but it does not remove the duty to watch for conflicts. Proceed cautiously and yield to vehicles or pedestrians already in the intersection. A driver turning left or making a U-turn must also yield to a close oncoming vehicle that creates an immediate hazard. The red-light choices are too restrictive, while speeding assumes a priority that the signal does not grant. The cue is the word caution: keep scanning, reduce risk at the conflict point, and yield whenever another road user is already in the intersection.

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

13. 13. Under Minnesota's basic speed law, how should a driver choose a speed during poor weather?

    1. Drive exactly at the posted limit whenever visibility is reduced
    2. Use a speed reasonable for the weather, traffic, and road conditions
    3. Use the posted limit plus 10 mph on any wet road
    4. Match the speed of the fastest vehicle nearby
    Show answer

    Use a speed reasonable for the weather, traffic, and road conditions. Minnesota's basic speed law connects a safe speed to current conditions, including weather, traffic, and the road itself. A posted number is the maximum allowed speed, not a promise that it is safe in every situation. The choice requiring the posted limit during reduced visibility ignores that obligation. The 10 mph allowance belongs only to lawful passing on a qualifying two lane highway, so it cannot justify faster travel in rain. A useful cue is to reassess the road before relying on the sign, then slow enough to keep control and time to react.

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

14. 14. What response is required when this railroad-crossing warning appears?

    
    1. Slow down, look both ways, and be prepared to stop
    2. Accelerate so you clear the tracks before a train arrives
    3. Stop only if the crossing gate is fully lowered
    4. Follow the vehicle ahead without checking the tracks
    Show answer

    Slow down, look both ways, and be prepared to stop. An advance railroad warning gives the driver time to prepare before reaching the tracks. Slow down, look carefully to the left and right, and be ready to stop because a train may be approaching and cannot stop quickly. Accelerating turns the warning into a race, while waiting for a fully lowered gate ignores crossings that use other devices or no active gate. A vehicle ahead cannot replace your own view. Reduce distractions and confirm that the crossing is clear before entering it.

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

15. 15. When tires lose their grip and the vehicle begins to skid, which action is advised?

    1. Turn sharply toward the nearest curb
    2. Stay calm and avoid slamming the brakes
    3. Accelerate until the tires regain grip
    4. Lock the steering wheel and brake harder
    Show answer

    Stay calm and avoid slamming the brakes. A skid means the tires have lost their grip on the road surface. Stay calm, avoid a sudden steering reaction, and do not slam on the brakes. Take your foot off the accelerator and brake until you can turn in the direction you want. Accelerating adds force without restoring traction, and locking the wheel removes your ability to guide the vehicle. A sharp curb turn can create a second hazard. The useful cue is to reduce inputs first, then steer only as traction returns and the desired path is available.

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

16. 16. What vision must a Minnesota applicant have?

    1. 20/20 in both eyes
    2. At least 20/40 corrected or uncorrected, with at least 105 degrees of peripheral vision
    3. 20/70 with 90 degrees
    4. Any vision with glasses
    Show answer

    At least 20/40 corrected or uncorrected, with at least 105 degrees of peripheral vision. Your normal or corrected vision must be at least 20/40 and your peripheral vision must be at least 105 degrees. If your peripheral vision is less than 105 degrees or you fail the screening, you will be asked to see an eye doctor and return the report to the Driver Evaluation Unit. The screening is not a medical exam; it only checks the minimum standards.

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

17. 17. What is the safest response when smoke rises from beneath your vehicle's hood?

    1. Pull off, turn off the ignition, and leave the vehicle
    2. Open the hood and pour water on the engine
    3. Keep moving until the smoke disappears
    4. Rev the engine to clear the smoke
    Show answer

    Pull off, turn off the ignition, and leave the vehicle. Smoke under the hood can signal a vehicle fire, so the priority is to get away from traffic and away from the vehicle. The manual says to pull off the road, turn off the ignition, and exit the vehicle immediately. It also warns not to use water to put out the fire, because water will actually spread the blaze. Continuing to drive until the smoke clears leaves the danger active, and revving the engine does nothing to remove it. Treat smoke as an emergency warning and move yourself and passengers to a safe distance.

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

18. 18. Which method does the manual recommend for maintaining a safe following distance in ideal conditions?

    
    1. Judge the gap only by looking in the rearview mirror
    2. Stay exactly one car length behind at every speed
    3. Use a fixed roadside point and count at least three seconds
    4. Follow as closely as possible when traffic is moving slowly
    Show answer

    Use a fixed roadside point and count at least three seconds. The three-second method uses a fixed object beside the road as a reference. When the vehicle ahead reaches that object, count through three seconds and check whether you arrive before the count ends. If you do, increase the gap by slowing gradually. A fixed car-length rule fails because stopping needs grow with speed and conditions, while mirror-only observation does not measure the space ahead. Poor weather or a longer vehicle calls for four or five seconds. The cue is time, not bumper distance: choose a point, count, and adjust.

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

19. 19. Which markings may be painted on the pavement in front of a railroad crossing?

    1. A stop line, an X, and the letters RR
    2. A white diamond and the word BUS
    3. A yellow arrow and the word ONLY
    4. A bicycle symbol and two chevrons
    Show answer

    A stop line, an X, and the letters RR. Railroad crossings may be marked with warning signs, pavement markings, gates, and flashing red lights. The pavement markings include a stop line, an X, and the letters RR painted in front of the crossing. When you see them, slow down, look carefully in both directions, and be prepared to stop. A white diamond marks a lane reserved for certain uses, and a bicycle symbol marks bicycle areas, so those markings mean something else.

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

20. 20. What penalty does Minnesota impose for fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle when no one is hurt?

    1. A $100 ticket
    2. A 30 day suspension
    3. A misdemeanor with a warning
    4. A felony with up to three years and one day in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both
    Show answer

    A felony with up to three years and one day in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both. Fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle is a felony; you may be sentenced to up to three years and one day in prison, fined up to $5,000, or both. Under current Minnesota law, if someone is killed while fleeing the penalty rises to 40 years and $80,000, great bodily harm brings 7 years and $14,000, and substantial bodily harm 5 years and $10,000. Pull over promptly when signaled.

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