NH Permit Practice Test 9

All 20 questions in test 9

Every question below comes from the New Hampshire 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. Under RSA 265:79-c, which activity with a hand-held device is prohibited while driving in New Hampshire?

   1. Listening to the radio
   2. Talking to a passenger
   3. Inputting information into a GPS or navigation device
   4. Adjusting the climate controls
   Show answer

   Inputting information into a GPS or navigation device. The hand-held device law covers more than texting. While driving or temporarily halted in traffic, no person may use a hand-held mobile electronic device to read, compose, view or post a message, initiate or conduct a conversation, access the Internet, input information into a global positioning system or navigation device, or manually type data into any portable electronic device. Radio, conversation with a passenger, and climate controls are not electronic device use under the statute, although any distraction can still be dangerous.

2. 2. How many questions are on the New Hampshire automated knowledge test, and how long do testers have?

   1. 40 questions in 40 minutes
   2. 25 questions in 30 minutes
   3. 50 questions in 60 minutes
   4. 40 questions with no time limit
   Show answer

   40 questions in 40 minutes. The automated knowledge test has 40 multiple choice questions on the rules of the road and general driving conditions, and testers have 40 minutes to finish. It runs on a touch screen with four possible answers per question, so no computer experience is needed. There is a time limit, and the test does not run to 50 questions. One more detail matters on test day: if more than 8 questions are answered incorrectly, the test ends automatically.

3. 3. What does a steady red arrow mean for New Hampshire drivers and for pedestrians facing it?

   1. Drivers may turn after stopping, and pedestrians may cross
   2. Only pedestrians may proceed
   3. Drivers may not enter unless other indications shown at the same time permit it, and pedestrians facing it shall not enter the roadway
   4. The arrow direction is closed to trucks only
   Show answer

   Drivers may not enter unless other indications shown at the same time permit it, and pedestrians facing it shall not enter the roadway. A red arrow means drivers may not enter the intersection unless permitted by other indications shown at the same time, such as a green light for a different movement. The manual adds that, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal, pedestrians facing a steady red arrow signal shall not enter the roadway. It is not a stop and then turn signal like a flashing red, and it applies to every vehicle, not only trucks.

4. 4. Why does the New Hampshire manual say to use low beams in fog, rain, or snow?

   1. Light from the high beams may cause glare and make it harder to see ahead
   2. Low beams are brighter in bad weather
   3. High beams drain the battery faster
   4. It is only a courtesy to other drivers
   Show answer

   Light from the high beams may cause glare and make it harder to see ahead. In fog, rain or snow, use the low beams. Light from the high beams reflects off the moisture, may cause glare, and makes it more difficult to see ahead, so the higher beam actually shortens your view. Some vehicles have fog lights that may help in those conditions. The rule is about your own visibility, not battery use or courtesy alone, although dimming for approaching traffic is also required. Increase following distance at night and in bad weather.

5. 5. An orange and red triangle is displayed on the back of a farm tractor ahead of you. What speed does it tell you to expect?

   1. Less than 15 mph
   2. Less than 35 mph
   3. Less than 45 mph
   4. Less than 25 mph
   Show answer

   Less than 25 mph. The fluorescent or reflective orange and red triangle marks a slow moving vehicle, such as an animal drawn vehicle, farm equipment, or construction equipment, and it means the vehicle is traveling less than 25 mph. Fifteen, 35, and 45 mph are not the figures tied to the emblem. Closing speed builds fast at highway speeds, so slow early and pass only when it is safe. Farm machinery operators often cannot hear approaching vehicles.

6. 6. A New Hampshire road ahead is covered by a large body of standing water. What does the manual say to do?

   1. Drive through slowly in low gear
   2. Follow a larger vehicle through
   3. Find another route rather than driving through it
   4. Drive through fast so the engine does not stall
   Show answer

   Find another route rather than driving through it. The advice for flooded roadways is short: do not drive through large bodies of standing water on a road, and if there is a flooded roadway, find another route. Depth and current cannot be judged from the driver's seat, and water can stall the engine, wash the vehicle off the road, or soak the brakes. Low gear, a lead vehicle, and speed do not remove those risks. Turning around costs time; driving in can cost the vehicle.

7. 7. How far in advance should a New Hampshire driver signal before changing lanes or exiting on the highway?

   1. At least 100 feet
   2. At least 200 feet
   3. At least 500 feet
   4. At least 1,000 feet
   Show answer

   At least 500 feet. The manual gives two signaling distances. Drivers should signal at least 100 feet before a turn, and on the highway they should signal at least 500 feet before changing lanes or exiting the roadway. Highway speeds cover 100 feet in about a second, which is why the longer distance applies there. Signal sooner still when it is raining, snowy or foggy so other drivers have room to stop. Signals are required for lane changes, turns, entering or leaving a highway, and pulling away from a curb.

8. 8. Which sign shape gives advance warning of a railroad crossing in New Hampshire?

   1. A rectangle
   2. An octagon
   3. A pentagon
   4. A circle
   Show answer

   A circle. The manual's standard shapes assign the circle to advance warning of a railroad crossing, while the crossbuck X marks the crossing itself. The octagon means stop, the pentagon marks a school zone or crossing, and a rectangle carries traffic regulations or directions. The round yellow sign with the X and RR letters appears along the road before the tracks and tells the driver to slow down or stop and look and listen for a train before proceeding.

9. 9. This yellow sign shows two opposing arrows. What does the yellow color tell a New Hampshire driver about any sign?

   
   1. It marks road repair work
   2. It gives driver services information
   3. It is a law or rule of the road
   4. It is a general warning
   Show answer

   It is a general warning. The manual's standard colors give a quick read on any sign. Yellow means general warning, so this sign is alerting you that traffic will be moving in both directions ahead and you should keep right and expect oncoming vehicles. Orange is road repair work warning, blue is driver services, and white is a law or rule of the road. Reading the color first lets you react before you can make out the symbol.

10. 10. After moving to New Hampshire, how long does a new resident have to obtain a New Hampshire driver's license?

    1. Up to 60 days
    2. Up to 90 days
    3. Up to one year
    4. Up to 30 days
    Show answer

    Up to 60 days. New residents have up to 60 days after moving into the state to obtain a New Hampshire driver's license. Thirty days is shorter than the law allows, while 90 days and a full year would leave the driver operating on an out-of-state license past the deadline. When you apply, the one license concept requires you to surrender every valid license issued by another jurisdiction, and the application will not be accepted while your privileges are suspended or revoked anywhere else.

11. 11. How much clearance must a New Hampshire driver leave when passing a bicyclist at 30 mph or less, and how does it change at higher speeds?

    
    1. At least 2 feet at every speed
    2. At least 3 feet, plus one additional foot for every 10 mph above 30
    3. A full lane at every speed
    4. At least 5 feet at every speed
    Show answer

    At least 3 feet, plus one additional foot for every 10 mph above 30. Bicycles are vehicles on the roadway, and drivers must exercise due care by leaving a reasonable and prudent distance. The distance is presumed reasonable if it is at least 3 feet when the vehicle is traveling at 30 miles per hour or less, with one additional foot of clearance required for every 10 miles per hour above 30. At 50 mph that means 5 feet. Slow down when approaching or passing, and never sound the horn close to a bicyclist unless a crash is likely.

12. 12. A motorcycle ahead in New Hampshire has its turn signal flashing. Why does the manual say to be sure the rider is actually turning before turning in front of it?

    1. Motorcycle signals are decorative
    2. Most motorcycles do not have automatic cancel for turn signals
    3. Motorcycles cannot turn at intersections
    4. Riders often signal to say thank you
    Show answer

    Most motorcycles do not have automatic cancel for turn signals. Be aware that most motorcycles do not have automatic cancel for turn signals, so a blinking signal may be left over from an earlier turn. Before taking a turn in front of a motorcycle with its signal on, be sure the rider is actually turning. The manual gives the same caution for cars, whose drivers may plan to turn later or forget to cancel. Also check oncoming traffic carefully for motorcycles and judge their speed before any left turn across traffic.

13. 13. An emergency vehicle approaches in New Hampshire with its siren on. What must a driver do, and what should the driver avoid?

    
    1. Drive immediately to the right side of the road and stop, avoiding blocking an intersection
    2. Speed up to stay ahead of it
    3. Stop exactly where you are, even in an intersection
    4. Move to the left lane and slow down
    Show answer

    Drive immediately to the right side of the road and stop, avoiding blocking an intersection. Right of way must be given to emergency vehicles approaching from any direction when they are sounding a siren or operating flashing lights. Drivers should drive immediately to the right side of the road and stop until the emergency has passed, and they should avoid blocking an intersection when stopping. Once it has passed, signal and turn back into the roadway only when it is safe. Stopping in an intersection or moving left blocks the path the responders need.

14. 14. Which vehicles must stop at every New Hampshire railroad crossing even when no train is in sight?

    1. All pickup trucks
    2. Buses that carry passengers and trucks carrying flammable or hazardous material
    3. Vehicles towing trailers
    4. Motorcycles
    Show answer

    Buses that carry passengers and trucks carrying flammable or hazardous material. The law requires buses that carry passengers and trucks carrying flammable or hazardous material to stop before any railroad crossing, even if there is no sign of a train coming. The manual warns other drivers to be ready to stop when driving behind these vehicles, and its space management section lists them among the vehicles that need extra following distance. Pickups, trailers and motorcycles have no such requirement unless a train is approaching.

15. 15. Snow and ice left on a car endanger other drivers on a New Hampshire road. What may the driver be found guilty of under RSA 265:79-b?

    1. Reckless driving, charged as a felony
    2. Littering, with no driving offense
    3. A violation under Negligent Driving
    4. Nothing, unless a crash actually happens
    Show answer

    A violation under Negligent Driving. Since 2002 New Hampshire drivers have had to clear snow and ice before driving, a rule known as Jessica's Law after a driver killed by ice from a tractor trailer. Under RSA 265:79-b, a vehicle that endangers or is likely to endanger people or property makes the driver guilty of a violation under Negligent Driving. No crash is required, because likely danger is enough. The manual does not call it littering or a felony, and the first offense penalty is $250 to $500.

16. 16. How much space does the New Hampshire manual say should separate the driver's chest from the steering wheel?

    1. 10 inches
    2. 4 inches
    3. 18 inches
    4. 24 inches
    Show answer

    10 inches. Proper seat position puts about 10 inches between the driver's chest and the steering wheel. Four inches is closer than the manual advises, and 18 or 24 inches is farther than its stated figure; proper seating also matters for air bag deployment. The manual adds that the top of the wheel should be no higher than the top of the shoulders and below the chin, that the heel should stay on the floor while the foot pivots between pedals, and that the seat should not be reclined excessively.

17. 17. At this stop sign in New Hampshire, what does a full stop mean and where must it happen?

    
    1. Slow to a crawl at the sign post
    2. The wheels must completely stop moving, behind the stop line or crosswalk, or before entering the intersection if there is neither
    3. Stop with the front bumper even with the sign
    4. Stop only if another vehicle is approaching
    Show answer

    The wheels must completely stop moving, behind the stop line or crosswalk, or before entering the intersection if there is neither. The manual defines a full stop as the wheels completely stopping. The stop must happen behind the stop line or crosswalk, or, if there is no line or crosswalk, before entering the intersection. A crawl is not a stop, the sign post is not the stopping point, and the requirement does not depend on other traffic being present. After stopping, look for crossing vehicles and pedestrians in all directions and yield the right-of-way before proceeding.

18. 18. What is the lowest BAC threshold for New Hampshire's under-21 alcohol driving rule?

    1. .08% or higher
    2. .05% or higher
    3. .04% or higher
    4. .02% or higher
    Show answer

    .02% or higher. New Hampshire applies a BAC threshold of .02% or higher to drivers under 21. The general adult threshold is .08%, so that number does not answer a question about a young driver. The .04% and .05% choices do not match the youth rule either; the law sets .08% for adults and .02% for drivers under 21. Alcohol can impair driving below a legal threshold, so do not drink before driving.

19. 19. Which vehicles does a New Hampshire Class D license allow a driver to operate?

    1. Any combination of vehicles over 26,001 pounds
    2. Any single vehicle designed to seat more than 16 persons
    3. Only motorcycles and mopeds
    4. Vehicles of 26,000 pounds gross weight or less that are not towing over 10,000 pounds, hauling hazmat, or seating more than 16
    Show answer

    Vehicles of 26,000 pounds gross weight or less that are not towing over 10,000 pounds, hauling hazmat, or seating more than 16. Class D is the ordinary operator license. It allows a driver to operate a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less, provided it is not towing a trailer over 10,000 pounds, not transporting hazardous materials, and not designed to seat more than 16 persons including the driver. Combinations over 26,001 pounds belong to Class A, vehicles seating more than 16 or placarded for hazmat fall under Class C, and motorcycles need their own license.

20. 20. Which New Hampshire conviction requires SR-22 proof of insurance before driving and registration privileges are reinstated?

    1. A first speeding ticket
    2. Second offense reckless driving
    3. An expired inspection sticker
    4. A parking violation
    Show answer

    Second offense reckless driving. The manual lists the convictions that require a driver to show the DMV proof of insurance, an SR-22, to have driving and registration privileges reinstated: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failing to stop and report when involved in a crash, homicide arising out of operating a motor vehicle, second offense reckless driving, and a just cause hearing after review of the driver's full violation record. Ordinary speeding, parking, and inspection violations are not on the list.