MO Permit Practice Test 24

All 20 questions in test 24

Every question below comes from the Missouri 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. You are behind a slow funeral procession on a Missouri road. When may you pass vehicles in it?

   1. Only where a passing lane has been specifically provided
   2. Any time the oncoming lane looks clear for a long distance
   3. Once the procession goes through a red light
   4. After honking so the procession can move over
   Show answer

   Only where a passing lane has been specifically provided. Drivers outside an organized funeral procession have several rules to follow in Missouri. They must not drive between moving vehicles in the procession, must not join it to get the right-of-way, and must not try to pass any vehicle in it except where a passing lane has been specifically provided. A clear oncoming lane is not enough. Be patient and stay behind the last car until a passing lane appears or the procession turns off.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles and trucks

2. 2. You are behind a slow car on a two-lane Missouri road and are nearing the top of a hill where you cannot see ahead. What does the law say about passing?

   1. Pass quickly before reaching the crest so you finish sooner
   2. Stay right; passing on the left is not allowed here
   3. Pass if you honk first to warn anyone coming the other way
   4. Pass if the car ahead is going at least 10 mph below the limit
   Show answer

   Stay right; passing on the left is not allowed here. Near the crest of a hill or on a curve, a driver cannot see far enough to know whether an oncoming vehicle is coming. Missouri law forbids driving on the left side of the roadway in that situation when the blocked view creates a hazard. Speeding up to finish early, honking, or judging how slow the car ahead is going does not fix the problem, because the danger is what you cannot see. Wait until the road ahead is visible and clear.

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

3. 3. You are waiting to turn left in Missouri, and a bicyclist is coming toward you from the other direction. What should you do?

   1. Yield unless you are sure you can turn before it arrives
   2. Turn first, because a bicycle must always yield to a car
   3. Turn right away, since bicycles are slow and still far off
   4. Wave the cyclist to stop so you can finish the turn
   Show answer

   Yield unless you are sure you can turn before it arrives. Cyclists often travel at surprisingly fast speeds, so Missouri tells drivers turning left to yield to oncoming bicyclists unless they are absolutely sure they can complete the turn before the cyclist reaches the intersection. Treat an oncoming bicycle the way you would an oncoming car. Guessing that a bike is slow, or expecting the rider to stop for you, leads to a classic left-turn crash. When in doubt, wait for the rider to pass.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles and trucks

4. 4. You want to parallel park on a Missouri street, and traffic is coming up behind you. What does the guide say to do?

   1. Signal, pull beside the space, and let cars pass first
   2. Stop suddenly and start backing in right away
   3. Drive around the block until no cars are behind you
   4. Wave the cars behind you around while you back in
   Show answer

   Signal, pull beside the space, and let cars pass first. Missouri's tips for keeping space behind you include this parallel parking advice: when traffic is coming behind you, put on your turn signal, pull next to the space, and allow the vehicles to pass before you park. Stopping suddenly or backing up with cars right behind you invites a rear-end crash. The signal tells following drivers what you plan to do while you wait for them to go by.

   Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats and following distance

5. 5. When driving at night, what does the Missouri guide suggest you use to help guide your vehicle?

   1. The taillights of the car far ahead of you
   2. The beam of your high beams on the shoulder
   3. The edge line, or the center line if there is none
   4. Reflectors on the mailboxes along the road
   Show answer

   The edge line, or the center line if there is none. Night driving limits how far and how widely you can see. Among Missouri's tips for driving at night is to use the edge line as a guide, and if there is no edge line, to use the center line. The guide also says to keep your windows and headlights clean, to stay awake and alert, and to watch carefully for highway signs, which are harder to see at night.

   Study this in the handbook: Night driving, rain, snow, fog and skids

6. 6. During a hard stop in a car with anti-lock brakes, you hear mechanical noises and feel slight pulses in the pedal. What does this mean?

   1. The brakes are failing and need to be pumped
   2. You should lift your foot off the brake
   3. The anti-lock system is working as designed
   4. The tires have locked and are skidding
   Show answer

   The anti-lock system is working as designed. Missouri reminds drivers with anti-lock brakes not to pump the brakes, not to forget to steer, and not to be alarmed by mechanical noises or slight pedal pulsations. Those sensations are normal and tell you the ABS is working. Keep firm, continuous pressure on the pedal while you steer. ABS exists to keep the wheels from locking during emergency braking.

   Study this in the handbook: Night driving, rain, snow, fog and skids

7. 7. After two hours on a straight, quiet Missouri interstate, you notice you are drowsy and barely aware of traffic. What should you do?

   1. Pull off the highway and rest
   2. Turn up the radio and push on
   3. Roll down the windows and speed up
   4. Follow the car ahead more closely
   Show answer

   Pull off the highway and rest. The feeling described is highway hypnosis, caused by the sameness of the road and traffic and the hum of wind, tires, and engine. Missouri says to prevent it by constantly moving your eyes and watching traffic and highway signs, and if you feel sleepy, to pull off the highway. Do not risk falling asleep at the wheel; stop at a rest area or service area and take a nap if you are really sleepy.

   Study this in the handbook: Highway driving, merging and breakdowns

8. 8. A car pulls out to pass you on a two-lane Missouri road, and you realize you are going a little under the limit. What should you do?

   1. Speed up so the pass ends sooner
   2. Stay in your lane and do not speed up
   3. Move toward the center to watch the car
   4. Brake hard so the car can get by faster
   Show answer

   Stay in your lane and do not speed up. When another vehicle begins to pass you, Missouri says to stay in your lane and not increase your speed. Speeding up makes the pass longer and can trap the passing driver in the oncoming lane. Moving toward the center line narrows the space they need, and sudden braking can surprise drivers behind you. Let them complete the pass and return to the lane ahead of you.

   Study this in the handbook: Passing, turning and signaling

9. 9. At a Missouri stop sign with no stop line and no crosswalk, where should you stop?

   1. Right next to the stop sign post, wherever it stands
   2. Near the intersection's edge, then look both ways
   3. Halfway into the intersection, so you can see better
   4. About one car length back from the stop sign
   Show answer

   Near the intersection's edge, then look both ways. When a Missouri stop sign has no stop line or crosswalk, the guide says to pull up and stop near the edge of the intersection, look both ways, and proceed only when it is safe. The stop sign post itself is not the stopping point, and pulling halfway in places your car in the path of cross traffic. You must also wait until crossing vehicles and pedestrians have cleared before you go.

   Study this in the handbook: Road signs by shape and color

10. 10. At a Missouri stop sign, the painted stop line is a few feet past the sign itself. Where must you stop?

    1. Right beside the sign, before the stop line
    2. At the edge of the cross street, past the line
    3. Anywhere near the sign, since the line is optional
    4. At the stop line, even though it is past the sign
    Show answer

    At the stop line, even though it is past the sign. Missouri requires drivers at a stop sign to stop at the stop line when one is present, even if the line is located past the sign. If there is no stop line, stop before the crosswalk, and if there is neither, stop near the edge of the intersection, look both ways, and proceed when safe. The stop line, not the post, marks where your vehicle must stop.

    Study this in the handbook: Road signs by shape and color

11. 11. You have just pulled back into the right lane in front of a large truck that you passed on a Missouri highway. What should you do with your speed?

    1. Ease off the gas so the driver can see you better
    2. Keep your speed up and do not slow down in front of it
    3. Tap your brakes to signal that you are back in the lane
    4. Speed up well past the limit to get clear of the truck
    Show answer

    Keep your speed up and do not slow down in front of it. It takes longer to pass a truck. After you pass, wait until you can see the cab of the truck in your rearview mirror before you return to the lane, then maintain your speed. The guide specifically says not to slow down once you are in front of the truck. It also notes that tractor-trailers take longer to stop than cars, which is why slowing down in front of one is risky.

    Study this in the handbook: Passing, turning and signaling

12. 12. Where should you do most of your slowing down when leaving a Missouri highway?

    1. In the right travel lane before the exit begins
    2. On the shoulder just before the exit ramp
    3. At the end of the ramp, by braking hard
    4. In the deceleration lane and on the exit ramp
    Show answer

    In the deceleration lane and on the exit ramp. Exit ramps in Missouri usually begin with a deceleration lane. The guide says to move into the proper lane well before that point, then use the deceleration lane and the exit ramp to slow down, and obey the speed advisory sign posted on the ramp. Slowing in a through lane surprises drivers behind you, and waiting to brake at the end of the ramp is too late. Be ready to stop or yield where the ramp ends.

    Study this in the handbook: Highway driving, merging and breakdowns

13. 13. At a Missouri signal, you want to turn left and see a circular green light, not an arrow. What kind of turn phase is this, and what must you do?

    1. A protected phase; oncoming traffic is stopped for you
    2. A red phase; you may not turn until the arrow comes on
    3. A merge phase; oncoming cars must yield to your turn
    4. A permissive phase; wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic
    Show answer

    A permissive phase; wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic. Missouri describes three kinds of left-turn signal phases. In a permissive phase, drivers get a circular green or a flashing yellow arrow and must wait for an adequate gap in opposing traffic before turning. In a protected phase, a green arrow lets you turn while oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light. With a circular green, nothing stops the oncoming cars, so finding the gap is your job.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic lights, arrows and officers

14. 14. You have a crash on a dark Missouri road in heavy rain. What does the guide say to do to warn other traffic?

    1. Use flares, reflectors, or flashlights
    2. Stand in the travel lane and wave your arms
    3. Turn off your lights so drivers do not mistake your car
    4. Do nothing until an officer arrives to set up warnings
    Show answer

    Use flares, reflectors, or flashlights. If a crash happens at night or in bad weather, the guide says to use flares, reflectors, or flashlights to warn other traffic. This is one step in a longer list: stop and move your vehicle off the road if possible, help anyone who is hurt without moving the person, and call the police. A warning that other drivers can see helps keep one crash from turning into another. The guide also says never to stand in the roadway.

15. 15. Where does the Missouri guide recommend placing your hands on the steering wheel?

    1. Left at 10 o'clock and right at 2 o'clock, high on the wheel
    2. Both hands close together near the top at 12 o'clock
    3. One hand at 6 o'clock and the other resting on the shifter
    4. Left between 7 and 9 o'clock, right between 3 and 5 o'clock
    Show answer

    Left between 7 and 9 o'clock, right between 3 and 5 o'clock. Missouri's guide recommends placing your left hand between the seven and nine o'clock positions and your right hand between the three and five o'clock positions. This grip is comfortable and lets you make most turns without taking your hands off the wheel. Keep both hands on the wheel, look well down the road, and use the hand-over-hand technique when turning corners.

    Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats and following distance

16. 16. You are coming up behind a bicyclist on a two-lane Missouri road just as an oncoming car approaches. What should you do?

    1. Slow down, let the car go by, then give the bike room
    2. Pass the bicycle quickly before the oncoming car arrives
    3. Squeeze between the bicycle and the oncoming car
    4. Honk so the bicyclist moves onto the shoulder
    Show answer

    Slow down, let the car go by, then give the bike room. Missouri's guide advises taking potential hazards one at a time when possible. Its example is exactly this: if you are overtaking a bicycle while an oncoming vehicle approaches, slow down and let the vehicle pass first so you can give extra room to the bicycle. Trying to beat the oncoming car or squeezing between the two leaves no margin. Honking does not create more room on the road.

    Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats and following distance

17. 17. When may you legally drive below the posted minimum speed in Missouri?

    1. Any time you stay in the far right lane
    2. When you are new and nervous on highways
    3. In bad weather, heavy traffic, or on bad roads
    4. Whenever you are trying to save some fuel
    Show answer

    In bad weather, heavy traffic, or on bad roads. Missouri law makes it illegal to drive slower than a posted minimum speed under normal driving conditions. The exception is bad weather, heavy traffic, or a bad road, when driving more slowly than the minimum is allowed. Even where no minimum is posted, driving so slowly that you block traffic is against the law, and if vehicles line up behind you, pull over and let them pass.

    Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and minimum speeds

18. 18. According to the Missouri guide, how many drinks could put a driver over the legal blood alcohol limit in many cases?

    1. Five drinks
    2. Seven drinks
    3. Ten drinks
    4. Two drinks
    Show answer

    Two drinks. Missouri warns that even one drink is likely to affect your ability to drive safely, and in many cases two drinks could place you over the legal blood alcohol limit. Alcohol slows reflexes and reaction time, affects vision, and limits the ability to make rational decisions. The safest plan, as the guide puts it, is to let someone who has not been drinking do the driving.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol limits and DWI penalties

19. 19. You are in the right lane of a Missouri highway when you see this sign. What should you be prepared for?

    
    1. Your lane ending ahead
    2. A lane being added for you
    3. Vehicles moving into your lane
    4. Two-way traffic ahead
    Show answer

    Vehicles moving into your lane. The Merge sign tells Missouri drivers that traffic from another road will be entering the road, so be prepared for vehicles to move into your lane. Watch the entering traffic, adjust your speed, and if the lane next to you is open, move over to make room. An Added Lane sign means no merging is needed, and a Lane Ends sign means your own lane is ending.

    Study this in the handbook: Road signs by shape and color

20. 20. After a storm, the traffic lights at a busy Missouri intersection are completely dark. How should you treat the intersection?

    1. As a green light for the larger road
    2. As a four-way stop for all drivers
    3. As a yield for every direction
    4. As if there were no controls at all
    Show answer

    As a four-way stop for all drivers. Missouri's guide says dark signals, or traffic signals that are not working, operate as a four-way stop. Every driver stops, and the driver who reaches the intersection first may go first. The larger road does not get a free green, and treating the intersection as a yield or as uncontrolled invites crashes. If an officer is directing traffic, follow the officer instead.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic lights, arrows and officers