NV Permit Practice Test 18

All 20 questions in test 18

Every question below comes from the Nevada 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 car does not have ABS, and you need to slow down on a snow-packed Nevada road. How should you brake?

   1. With a light touch-and-release pattern
   2. Hard and steady, holding the pedal down
   3. Hard at first, then release completely
   4. Not at all; downshift and coast instead
   Show answer

   With a light touch-and-release pattern. On snow and ice, the handbook says to avoid sudden changes in speed or direction. In general, gentle braking with a slow, light, touch-and-release pattern lets you slow down and stop safely. Pressing hard and holding the pedal is the method for a car with ABS, which needs firm, continuous pressure to activate the anti-lock feature. Start slowing long before you reach an intersection or turn, and check your owner's manual for details about your vehicle's braking system.

   Study this in the handbook: Night Driving, Bad Weather and Skids

2. 2. A Nevada school zone uses flashing yellow lights, and they are switched off while students are in class. What speed limit applies?

   1. 25 mph during the entire school day
   2. The limit posted for nonschool hours
   3. 15 mph until the final bell rings
   4. The school limit whenever buses are near
   Show answer

   The limit posted for nonschool hours. Some Nevada school zones use flashing yellow lights to show when the school speed limit is in effect. Those lights may be turned off while students are actually in classes, and when they are off, the limit reverts to the one posted for nonschool hours. The 15 or 25 mph school limit applies when the lights or signs say it is in effect, not for the whole day. Nearby buses do not switch the limit on; school buses have their own stopping rules.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad Crossings

3. 3. At night, an oncoming car's headlights are very bright. Where does the Nevada handbook say to look?

   1. Straight at the lights to judge distance
   2. Down and to the right side of your lane
   3. Toward the center line to track the car
   4. Up at the sky until the car passes
   Show answer

   Down and to the right side of your lane. Glare from oncoming headlights makes night driving harder. The handbook says not to look directly into the headlights of oncoming vehicles; instead, look down and to the right side of your lane. You can use the road edge line or center line as a guide while the car passes. Staring at the lights keeps the glare in your eyes. Other night tips include keeping the windshield clean inside and out and making sure you can stop within the range of your headlights.

   Study this in the handbook: Night Driving, Bad Weather and Skids

4. 4. On a Nevada freeway with several lanes in each direction, which lane should drivers generally leave open for faster traffic?

   1. The extreme left lane
   2. The extreme right lane
   3. Whichever middle lane
   4. The lane nearest exits
   Show answer

   The extreme left lane. Freeways have several lanes in each direction, and the handbook says drivers should leave the extreme left lane for faster traffic. It also warns that lane hopping is always dangerous, annoys other drivers, increases the risk of a crash and seldom saves time. Picking a lane and staying with the flow of traffic is safer than weaving. The far right lane and the middle lanes are ordinary travel lanes, not the ones set aside for faster drivers.

   Study this in the handbook: Freeway Driving

5. 5. You want to make a U-turn on a Nevada divided highway. When is it legal?

   1. Anywhere the median is flat and dry
   2. Across two sets of double yellow lines if clear
   3. Whenever no oncoming traffic is visible
   4. Only where the divider has an opening
   Show answer

   Only where the divider has an opening. On a divided highway, Nevada allows a U-turn only if an opening is provided in the center divider. The list of illegal U-turns says never to cross a dividing section, curb, strip of land, or two sets of double yellow lines to turn around. A flat or dry median and an empty road do not change that. Remember also that a U-turn is made from the far left lane or a center left turn lane after signaling.

   Study this in the handbook: Turns, Lane Changes, U-Turns and Passing

6. 6. Your turn signals stop working, so you must give a hand signal for a right turn. What does it look like in Nevada?

   1. Left arm straight out the window
   2. Left arm pointing down, palm to the rear
   3. Left arm out, elbow bent, hand up
   4. Right arm straight out the passenger side
   Show answer

   Left arm out, elbow bent, hand up. If your turn signals or brake lights are temporarily out of order, Nevada drivers give hand signals with the left arm out of the window. For a right turn, extend the left arm with the elbow bent upward at about a 90-degree angle. A left arm held straight out horizontally means a left turn, and a left arm extended downward with the palm to the rear means slowing or stopping. Bicyclists are different: the handbook says a cyclist may use the right arm to signal a right turn.

   Study this in the handbook: Turns, Lane Changes, U-Turns and Passing

7. 7. The driver ahead of you holds the left arm out the window pointing down, with the palm facing back. What does it mean?

   1. Turning right
   2. Turning left
   3. Slowing or stopping
   4. Signaling you to pass
   Show answer

   Slowing or stopping. When brake lights or turn signals are out of order, Nevada drivers use hand signals with the left arm. An arm extended downward with the palm to the rear means the driver is slowing or stopping, so be ready to slow down too. A left arm held straight out means a left turn, and a left arm bent upward at about 90 degrees means a right turn. None of the hand signals means that you may pass.

   Study this in the handbook: Turns, Lane Changes, U-Turns and Passing

8. 8. You stopped for a blind pedestrian at a crosswalk. The person takes a step back and pulls in the cane. What does that mean?

   1. The person needs help crossing the street
   2. Honk once so the person knows where you are
   3. The person wants you to call out directions
   4. You may go; the person is letting you pass
   Show answer

   You may go; the person is letting you pass. The handbook suggests giving blind or visually impaired pedestrians time to decide whether they want to cross, with 3 to 4 seconds as a good rule of thumb. If the person takes a step back and pulls in the cane, they are letting you know you can go. Do not honk at a blind or visually impaired person, and do not give verbal directions. Electric vehicles can be nearly silent, so be extra alert for these pedestrians when driving one.

   Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians and Bicyclists

9. 9. You are turning left on a green light, and the walking person symbol is lit for people crossing the street you are entering. Who goes first?

   1. You, because you have a green light and are already turning
   2. Whoever reaches the crosswalk first, driver or walker
   3. The pedestrians; drivers must give them the right-of-way
   4. You, if you honk first to warn the people crossing
   Show answer

   The pedestrians; drivers must give them the right-of-way. When the WALK signal or walking person symbol is lit, pedestrians facing it may cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, and drivers of all vehicles must give them the right-of-way. Turning on a green light does not change that. Drivers must also yield to people who are still crossing when the traffic light turns green. Both drivers and pedestrians are responsible for the safe use of the road, and drivers should always be prepared to yield to pedestrians.

10. 10. You pass a yellow pedestrian crossing sign, and a person is waiting at the curb of an unmarked crossing just ahead. What should you do?

    1. Keep going; the person must wait for a gap
    2. Honk so the person stays on the curb
    3. Yield only if there is a painted crosswalk
    4. Be ready to stop and yield to the person
    Show answer

    Be ready to stop and yield to the person. Pedestrian crossing signs warn that people may be crossing ahead, and Nevada reminds drivers that they should always be prepared to yield to pedestrians, since drivers and pedestrians share responsibility for safe roads. Paint is not required: a crosswalk exists anywhere two streets intersect, even if it is not marked, and drivers must yield to pedestrians attempting to cross. Honking or expecting the person to wait for a gap ignores that duty.

11. 11. Car drivers give every hand signal with the left arm. Which turn may a Nevada bicyclist signal with the other arm instead?

    1. A right turn
    2. A left turn
    3. A U-turn
    4. Any turn
    Show answer

    A right turn. Cyclists must use hand signals to let others know what they plan to do, giving the signal one time unless the bike is in a designated turn lane or the rider needs both hands on the bicycle for safe operation. Drivers of cars signal with the left arm, but the handbook says a cyclist may use the right arm to signal a right turn. When you see that signal, give the rider room to complete the turn.

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians and Bicyclists

12. 12. Sunset was at 7:00 p.m. It is now 7:45 p.m., and the sky still looks fairly bright. Are headlights legally required?

    1. No, there is still some light
    2. Yes, it is past 30 minutes after sunset
    3. No, not until an hour after sunset
    4. Only if other cars have them on
    Show answer

    Yes, it is past 30 minutes after sunset. Nevada law requires headlights from a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise. With sunset at 7:00, the requirement began at 7:30, so at 7:45 headlights are required no matter how bright the sky looks. They are also required whenever light is insufficient or people and vehicles cannot be clearly seen at 1,000 feet. What other drivers are doing does not matter.

    Study this in the handbook: Night Driving, Bad Weather and Skids

13. 13. Your windshield wipers quit in heavy snow on a Nevada highway. What should you do?

    1. Keep going and follow tail lights
    2. Stop right in your lane
    3. Speed up to blow the snow off
    4. Slow down and pull off to the right
    Show answer

    Slow down and pull off to the right. If the wipers fail in heavy rain or snow, slow down, lower the window and put your head outside so you can see. If possible, move your car off the highway to the right and stop as soon as possible. Following another car's tail lights without a clear view is dangerous, stopping in a travel lane leaves you exposed to traffic, and speeding up makes the situation worse.

    Study this in the handbook: Driving Emergencies and Flash Floods

14. 14. You plan to park just over the crest of a hill, where approaching drivers could see your car from only about 100 feet. Is that a good spot?

    1. No, it should be visible for 200 feet
    2. Yes, 100 feet is enough warning
    3. Yes, if your flashers are on
    4. No, it must be visible for 500 feet
    Show answer

    No, it should be visible for 200 feet. Nevada's parking guidelines say your vehicle should be visible for 200 feet, about 20 car lengths, in each direction. A spot where approaching drivers can see it from only about 100 feet does not meet that, so find another place. Flashers help in poor visibility but do not fix a hidden location. The 500 foot figure comes from the rule for dimming headlights for oncoming vehicles.

15. 15. At 35 mph, the car ahead passes a sign, and you reach the same sign before you finish saying one thousand two. What does that tell you?

    1. Your gap is exactly right
    2. You should speed up a little
    3. You are following too closely
    4. You are too far back
    Show answer

    You are following too closely. Below 40 mph, the handbook says to stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle ahead, and this is a minimum. To check it, start counting one thousand one when the rear of the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point such as a sign; if you reach the sign before you finish one thousand two, you are following too closely. Drop back, and remember most driving instructors recommend up to four seconds.

    Study this in the handbook: Freeway Driving

16. 16. On a two-lane Nevada road, the center has two yellow lines. The one on your side is solid and the far one is broken. Can you pass?

    1. Yes, the broken line lets either side pass
    2. Yes, if no oncoming traffic is in sight
    3. No, the solid line on your side bans it
    4. Only on the right shoulder when it is clear
    Show answer

    No, the solid line on your side bans it. Yellow center lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. With two yellow lines, the one nearest you is the one that controls you: if the line on your side is solid, you cannot pass. The broken line belongs to drivers going the other way and lets them pass when it is safe. A clear view ahead does not override a solid line on your side, and Nevada never allows anyone to use the shoulder of the road to pass.

    Study this in the handbook: Highway Markings

17. 17. Your right wheels drop off the pavement onto the shoulder. What should you do with your feet first?

    1. Brake hard to stop as quickly as possible
    2. Lift off the gas; brake only carefully
    3. Accelerate to climb back onto the road
    4. Press the clutch and coast to a stop
    Show answer

    Lift off the gas; brake only carefully. Running off the highway can lead to an extremely serious single-vehicle crash. If your vehicle drifts onto the shoulder, stay calm, take your foot off the accelerator, and if you brake, do so carefully. Grip the steering wheel firmly. Do not try to swerve back onto the pavement; stay on the shoulder until the vehicle is completely under control, then gently ease back onto the road. Hard braking or accelerating to climb back on works against that calm, controlled recovery.

    Study this in the handbook: Driving Emergencies and Flash Floods

18. 18. What shape are most of the signs used in Nevada highway and street work areas?

    1. Octagon
    2. Diamond
    3. Pentagon
    4. Circle
    Show answer

    Diamond. Construction and maintenance signs warn drivers of possible danger in or near work areas, and the handbook says most signs used in highway and street work areas are diamond-shaped, the same shape used for other warning signs. Their orange color marks road construction or repair. An octagon is reserved for STOP, a pentagon marks school zones and school crossings, and a circle warns of a railroad crossing ahead. In a work zone, slow down and follow the posted signs and any flaggers.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic Signals and Arrows

19. 19. After a tire blowout, you have kept the car straight and eased off the gas. When should you use the brakes?

    1. Right away, as hard as you can
    2. Never; let the car roll to a stop
    3. Only after you shift into neutral
    4. Once it is under control and slower
    Show answer

    Once it is under control and slower. A blowout can throw a vehicle out of control. The handbook's steps are to grip the steering wheel firmly, ease up on the gas pedal to slow down without hitting the brakes, and look for a safe place to pull off while signaling your intent. When you are sure the vehicle is under control and you have slowed down, gently use the brakes to stop. Then make sure the car is safely off the roadway and use parking lights or flashers.

    Study this in the handbook: Driving Emergencies and Flash Floods

20. 20. A car's automatic parallel parking feature is guiding you into a space. What is the driver still responsible for?

    1. Braking and watching the surroundings
    2. Nothing until the system says it is done
    3. Only choosing which space to use
    4. Steering, while the car handles the brakes
    Show answer

    Braking and watching the surroundings. Automatic parallel parking searches for a space, guides the driver into it, and may prompt steps like pulling in front of the space, shifting into reverse and taking hands off the steering wheel. The handbook says the driver is still responsible for braking and for monitoring the environment, and may need to make slight adjustments once the car is parked. The system does not take over the brakes, so the driver must stay ready to stop.