NV Permit Practice Test 20

All 20 questions in test 20

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. When a green turn arrow is lit for your lane, how does the Nevada handbook describe your turn?

   1. You must stop first, then turn when clear
   2. The turn is protected from other traffic
   3. Oncoming traffic goes first, then you turn
   4. Allowed only if no pedestrians are waiting
   Show answer

   The turn is protected from other traffic. A green turn arrow means the turn is protected from other traffic. You do not need to stop first, and you do not wait for oncoming cars the way you would on a green ball or a flashing yellow arrow. Protection from other vehicles is not permission to hit anyone, though. Nevada still requires drivers following a green arrow to yield to pedestrians, bicycles and traffic already in the intersection, so the presence of waiting walkers does not cancel the turn but does require care.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic Signals and Arrows

2. 2. You are passing a car on a two-lane Nevada road. When should you pull back into your lane?

   1. As soon as your rear bumper clears its front
   2. When you can see that car in your rear-view mirror
   3. When you are one car length ahead of it
   4. After you have counted to two past it
   Show answer

   When you can see that car in your rear-view mirror. When passing on a two-lane road, Nevada says to pull back into your lane when you can see the vehicle you passed in your rear-view mirror. Cutting back as soon as your bumper clears, or after only a car length, puts you too close in front of that driver. Before the pass, turn on your left signal 100 feet ahead in business or residential areas or 300 feet ahead elsewhere. For large trucks, the handbook asks you to see the whole front of the truck in your mirror.

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

3. 3. In a Nevada work area marked with cones and barricades, whose directions must drivers follow?

   1. Only the car directly ahead of you
   2. The navigation route on your phone
   3. The posted signs and any flaggers present
   4. Only flaggers who wear police uniforms
   Show answer

   The posted signs and any flaggers present. Cones, drums and barricades alert and guide drivers through work areas, and at night they may carry warning lights. Where they are used, drivers must slow down and follow the direction of the posted signs and any construction flaggers who may be present. Flaggers do not need to be police officers for their directions to count, and other cars or a phone app do not replace them. Violations in work zones result in increased traffic fines.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic Signals and Arrows

4. 4. How far ahead does the Nevada handbook say you should look when you are driving at freeway speeds?

   1. At least 12 seconds
   2. At least 20 to 30 seconds
   3. About 4 to 8 seconds
   4. At least 2 to 4 seconds
   Show answer

   At least 20 to 30 seconds. The normal search rule is to look at least 12 seconds ahead, which at 30 mph is a little over a block. At freeway speeds that is not enough, and the handbook says to look ahead at least 20 to 30 seconds. Looking that far down the road helps you prepare for rapid changes in road conditions and traffic flow. The 2 to 4 second range is a following distance, and 4 to 8 seconds is the potential stopping zone shown in the handbook's diagram.

   Study this in the handbook: Freeway Driving

5. 5. A railroad crossing has a stop sign, and a train is coming. How far from the tracks must you stop?

   1. At least 15 feet
   2. At least 5 feet
   3. At least 10 feet
   4. At least 50 feet
   Show answer

   At least 15 feet. Nevada says that if there is a stop sign at a railroad crossing, drivers must stop, and if a train is coming, they must stop at least 15 feet from the tracks. Stopping closer leaves too little room between your vehicle and the passing train. The 50 foot figure in the handbook is the distance within which you may not park near the nearest rail, not the stopping distance for an approaching train. Look both ways and stay clear of the tracks until it is safe to cross.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad Crossings

6. 6. You face a steady green light at a Nevada corner where a sign forbids left turns. Which movements may you make?

   1. Go straight, turn right, or turn left after stopping
   2. Go straight ahead or turn right, but not left
   3. Go straight only, because turns need a green arrow
   4. Turn left only when no cars are coming
   Show answer

   Go straight ahead or turn right, but not left. A green light means drivers may go straight ahead, turn right or turn left unless a sign forbids the turn. When a posted sign bans left turns, the green light still lets you go straight or turn right. A green arrow is not needed for a right turn on a green light. When the light turns green, drivers must still yield to people who are crossing the street.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic Signals and Arrows

7. 7. Many crashes are caused by turning drivers. What does the Nevada handbook say to do just before making your turn?

   1. Look one more time in each direction
   2. Speed up to finish the turn quickly
   3. Sound your horn to warn pedestrians
   4. Turn on your hazard flashers briefly
   Show answer

   Look one more time in each direction. The handbook notes that many crashes are caused by drivers making turns. When turning, be especially aware of pedestrians and bicyclists as well as other vehicles, and look one more time in each direction before you make your turn. Signal at least 100 feet ahead on city streets, slow down, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic, and steer through the turn. Speeding up, honking or using flashers are not part of the handbook's turning steps.

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

8. 8. A white rectangular sign beside a Nevada road states a rule for drivers. Is it advice or something you must follow?

   1. A suggestion you may ignore
   2. A warning of a hazard ahead
   3. A law you must obey
   4. Guidance toward a destination
   Show answer

   A law you must obey. Regulatory signs are rectangular with a white background, and they inform you of traffic laws and regulations. The handbook is direct about them: you must obey these signs. Warning signs, by contrast, are yellow diamonds that alert you to hazards, and green signs give direction or guidance. Speed limit signs are a common regulatory example; a black and white speed limit sign is regulatory, while an orange one in a work zone is advisory.

   Study this in the handbook: Stop, Yield, Regulatory, Warning and Work Zone Signs

9. 9. The Nevada handbook gives a stopping distance of about 373 feet, longer than a football field. Which situation is it describing?

   1. Stopping at 30 mph on ice
   2. Stopping at 65 mph on dry pavement
   3. Stopping at 55 mph in light rain
   4. Stopping at 30 mph on a wet road
   Show answer

   Stopping at 30 mph on ice. Stopping distances on packed snow and ice are greatly increased. The handbook's example is that at 30 mph, your stopping distance on ice would be 373 feet, well over the length of a football field. That is a low speed, which shows how much ice changes things. On wet pavement, stopping distances may be more than double those on dry pavement, and on slippery roads they may be 2 to 10 times greater.

   Study this in the handbook: Stopping Distance and Following

10. 10. Fog limits your view to about 150 feet in each direction, and you want to make a U-turn. Is it legal in Nevada?

    1. Yes, if you use your flashers
    2. Yes, in a residential district
    3. Yes, if you turn very slowly
    4. No, you need 200 feet of clear view
    Show answer

    No, you need 200 feet of clear view. Nevada prohibits U-turns where you cannot see clearly 200 feet in each direction because of a curve, hill, rain, fog or other reason. With only 150 feet of visibility, the U-turn is illegal. Flashers, a slow turn or being in a residential district do not change the visibility rule. Near a grade, the required visibility is even greater: 500 feet in both directions.

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

11. 11. A driver behind you on a two-lane Nevada road signals to pass, and you think about speeding up to stay ahead. What does the handbook say?

    1. Never speed up while another vehicle is passing you
    2. Speed up only if you are below the limit
    3. Speed up if the passing driver is in a truck
    4. Speed up when the road ahead is clear
    Show answer

    Never speed up while another vehicle is passing you. When another vehicle comes up behind yours and signals to pass, move to the right in your travel lane and let it pass. The handbook also says never to speed up when another vehicle is passing you, even if the road ahead looks clear. A driver may pass on the left of a two-lane road only when the road ahead is clearly visible and there is no immediate oncoming traffic.

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

12. 12. While a friend drives, a passenger in the front seat holds an opened can of beer. Is this allowed in Nevada?

    1. Yes, since the driver is not drinking
    2. Yes, if the passenger is over 21
    3. No, not in the passenger area
    4. Yes, if the can stays in a cup holder
    Show answer

    No, not in the passenger area. Nevada's open container law makes it illegal to have opened alcoholic beverages in the driver or passenger areas while a vehicle is being driven. It does not matter who is drinking or how old the passenger is, and a cup holder is still in the passenger area. The exceptions are the living quarters of motor homes or house trailers and the passenger areas of commercial buses, limousines or taxis.

    Study this in the handbook: Young Drivers, Alcohol and Open Containers

13. 13. A Nevada crossing guard has led children across and is walking back toward the curb, still in the crosswalk. When may you proceed?

    1. When the guard is fully out of the crosswalk
    2. Once the children reach the curb
    3. When the guard steps out of your lane
    4. If the guard waves to someone else
    Show answer

    When the guard is fully out of the crosswalk. If a crossing guard is present in a school zone crosswalk, motorists must wait until the guard is completely out of the crosswalk before proceeding. The children reaching the curb is not enough, and neither is the guard leaving your particular lane. Violating the direction of a school crossing guard is a misdemeanor in Nevada. School zone speed limits of 15 or 25 mph also apply during the posted times.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad Crossings

14. 14. The ABS symbol on your dashboard stays lit long after you start the car. What does the Nevada handbook say this means?

    1. All braking is disabled until it is repaired
    2. ABS is warming up and will turn on shortly
    3. ABS is not working, but normal brakes still work
    4. The parking brake is set and must be released
    Show answer

    ABS is not working, but normal brakes still work. In a car with anti-lock brakes, an ABS symbol lights on the dashboard right after you start the engine. If that symbol stays lit long after the car has started, the ABS is not working. The conventional brakes continue to work even when ABS does not, so the car can still stop, but in an emergency you should follow the traditional lessons for braking. The handbook does not describe the light as a warm-up signal or a parking brake reminder.

    Study this in the handbook: Freeway Driving

15. 15. Why does the Nevada handbook say not to use water on a burning car engine fire?

    1. Water would damage the engine beyond repair
    2. Water turns to steam that can burn the driver
    3. Water puts out the flames but not the heat
    4. Burning gasoline floats on water and spreads the fire
    Show answer

    Burning gasoline floats on water and spreads the fire. If you have no chemical fire extinguisher, you can smother a car fire with sand or dirt. Do not use water, because burning gasoline floats on water and spreads the fire. If the fire cannot be stopped or gets out of control, move well away from the vehicle, at least 100 feet. If smoke comes from under the hood, slow down, pull off the road and turn off the ignition immediately, and use extreme caution if you open the hood.

    Study this in the handbook: Driving Emergencies and Flash Floods

16. 16. You have parked on a Nevada street and are about to open the driver's door. What should you check first?

    1. That the radio and lights are off
    2. That the curb is painted green
    3. For pedestrians on the far sidewalk
    4. For cyclists coming up from behind
    Show answer

    For cyclists coming up from behind. When parked on the street, the handbook says to check for cyclists approaching from behind before you open your car door. The general parking rules repeat the point: before opening your door to get out, look carefully for bicycles and other vehicles. Drivers passing parked cars are likewise told to watch for doors opening in front of or beside them. Curb color, the radio, and people on the far sidewalk have nothing to do with opening your door safely.

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians and Bicyclists

17. 17. You are on a multi-lane Nevada road where broken white lines separate the lanes going your way. May you change lanes?

    1. No, broken lines ban lane changes
    2. Yes, when it is safe to do so
    3. Not until the next intersection
    4. Not unless you are passing a truck
    Show answer

    Yes, when it is safe to do so. Broken or dashed white lines mark traffic lanes on roads with more than one lane moving in the same direction. You should drive within these lanes rather than straddling the lines, and passing or changing lanes is permitted when it is safe. Before moving over, check your mirrors, signal, and look over your shoulder at your blind spot. Solid white lines, by contrast, mean do not change lanes, and lane changes are never allowed in an intersection.

    Study this in the handbook: Highway Markings

18. 18. You want to turn left at a green light, and an oncoming car going straight is already in the intersection. What should you do?

    1. Turn first because you signaled
    2. Turn first since you got there earlier
    3. Go together, keeping to your side
    4. Wait, then turn after it passes
    Show answer

    Wait, then turn after it passes. A vehicle going straight that is already in the intersection has the right-of-way over one turning left. Wait for it to pass, and after yielding and signaling properly, you may complete your turn. Signaling shows your intent but does not give you priority, and arriving earlier does not matter once the other car is in the intersection. Trying to turn at the same time puts you directly in its path.

    Study this in the handbook: Right of Way

19. 19. A narrow, steep and curvy Nevada mountain road is posted at 45 mph. How should you choose your speed?

    1. Drive 45, since that is the posted limit
    2. Drive 50 to keep up with traffic
    3. Drive 45 unless it starts raining
    4. Slow below 45 to suit the road
    Show answer

    Slow below 45 to suit the road. Nevada's Basic Rule requires a reasonable and proper speed. In addition to posted limits, drivers must consider the amount and type of traffic, the weather and how far they can see, the road surface, and the type of road, including whether it is steep and curvy or narrow. Depending on conditions, the safe speed may be considerably less than the posted limit. Driving above the limit to match traffic is never allowed.

    Study this in the handbook: Speed Limits and School Zones

20. 20. Your right wheels drift onto a dirt shoulder that sits a few inches below the pavement. How should you get back onto the road?

    1. Jerk the wheel to get back on fast
    2. Brake hard while on the shoulder
    3. Stay on the shoulder until in control
    4. Steer back while still at full speed
    Show answer

    Stay on the shoulder until in control. If your vehicle drifts onto the shoulder, stay calm, take your foot off the accelerator, brake only carefully, and grip the wheel firmly. The handbook says not to try to swerve back onto the pavement; instead stay on the shoulder until the vehicle is completely under control, then gently ease back onto the road. Jerking the wheel or steering back at full speed is what turns a shoulder drop into a serious crash.

    Study this in the handbook: Driving Emergencies and Flash Floods