PA Permit Practice Test 4

All 20 questions in test 4

Every question below comes from the Pennsylvania 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. If a WRONG WAY sign faces a driver who has just entered a ramp, what does it indicate?

   1. The vehicle is traveling against the permitted direction on the one-way street or ramp
   2. The lane is reserved for commercial trucks during rush hour
   3. The pavement ahead is rough but the travel direction is correct
   4. A detour requires the driver to continue until the next exit
   Show answer

   The vehicle is traveling against the permitted direction on the one-way street or ramp. The WRONG WAY sign is placed farther down a one-way street or ramp to catch a driver who entered in the opposing direction. It is a direct warning about travel direction, not a pavement condition or vehicle classification. The safest response is to stop the conflict quickly without making a sudden maneuver: pull over safely, then turn around when the roadway and traffic permit. Treat the sign as urgent because opposing traffic may be approaching head-on.

2. 2. What does the arrow on this ONE WAY sign tell motorists about the street?

   1. Drivers may use either direction until a centerline appears
   2. Only buses may travel in the arrow's direction
   3. Traffic is allowed to move only in the direction the arrow points
   4. The arrow identifies the nearest permitted U-turn
   Show answer

   Traffic is allowed to move only in the direction the arrow points. The ONE WAY sign controls the direction of traffic on that street. Vehicles may move only in the direction shown by the arrow. It does not establish a bus lane, authorize a U-turn, or allow opposing movement before a centerline. Turning onto the street in the opposite direction can produce a head-on collision, so compare the arrow with the intended path before entering. The sign's short message applies to every lane of the one-way roadway unless another control specifically changes the movement.

3. 3. Which maneuver is prohibited by the pictured sign?

   1. U-turns
   2. Left turns only
   3. Right turns only
   4. Passing on a two-lane road
   Show answer

   U-turns. The pictured sign prohibits U-turns. In the manual, that means the driver must not make a complete turn to travel in the opposite direction. A left-turn or right-turn restriction uses a different arrow, and passing controls use another sign and message. Focus on the curved reverse arrow before interpreting the red slash. At the posted location, continue forward or choose another legal route rather than turning the vehicle back through the roadway.

4. 4. What movement is banned by the left-turn symbol crossed by a red slash?

   1. U-turns everywhere on the roadway
   2. Straight travel through the intersection
   3. Right turns from the adjoining lane
   4. Left turns at the intersection
   Show answer

   Left turns at the intersection. The manual says the sign with the crossed left-turn arrow indicates that left turns are prohibited and instructs drivers not to make a left turn at that intersection. It does not create a general U-turn ban, block straight travel, or regulate a separate right-turn lane. Identify the arrow's direction first, then apply the red prohibition to that movement. If a left turn is needed, continue to a location where signs and signals permit it and reassess the route there.

5. 5. A red slash over a right-turn arrow means a driver may not do what?

   1. Travel straight through the intersection
   2. Make a right turn at that intersection
   3. Park on the right side of the street
   4. Turn left after yielding to pedestrians
   Show answer

   Make a right turn at that intersection. The right-turn symbol with a red slash indicates that right turns are prohibited at the intersection. The manual's instruction is specific to the movement drawn, so it does not ban straight travel, regulate ordinary parking, or prohibit a left turn shown by a different symbol. A useful test cue is to name the arrow direction before reading the slash as a restriction. Keep the vehicle on a permitted path and follow any separate signal or lane-control instruction that applies.

6. 6. What does a posted SPEED LIMIT sign represent under the manual's description?

   1. A suggested speed that may be exceeded whenever traffic is light
   2. The minimum speed required in every weather condition
   3. A truck-only speed that does not apply to passenger vehicles
   4. The maximum legal speed under ideal conditions on that stretch
   Show answer

   The maximum legal speed under ideal conditions on that stretch. A SPEED LIMIT sign states the maximum legal speed under ideal conditions for the highway segment where it is posted. It is not an invitation to maintain that number during rain, ice, poor visibility, or another hazard. The choice calling it merely advisory removes its legal force, while a minimum speed reverses its meaning. Use the displayed number as an upper boundary, then reduce speed whenever conditions make that boundary unsafe.

7. 7. When this KEEP RIGHT sign is posted beside a traffic island, where should traffic pass?

   1. To the left of the island, regardless of lane markings
   2. To the right of the traffic island or divider
   3. On the shoulder until the obstruction ends
   4. In either direction, because the sign is advisory
   Show answer

   To the right of the traffic island or divider. KEEP RIGHT signs direct drivers to stay to the right of a traffic island or divider. The instruction concerns the path around the obstruction, not shoulder use or a free choice between sides. Passing left could place the vehicle against the intended channel of traffic, while treating the sign as optional ignores its regulatory direction. Look beyond the sign to locate the island, move into the right-hand route early, and watch for other vehicles entering the same narrowed path.

8. 8. At a railroad crossing, how should a driver treat the pictured crossbuck sign?

   1. As a YIELD sign, slowing and preparing to stop for an approaching train
   2. As a STOP sign requiring a stop even when tracks are empty
   3. As a warning that trains are prohibited from using the crossing
   4. As a lane-direction marker for vehicles leaving the crossing
   Show answer

   As a YIELD sign, slowing and preparing to stop for an approaching train. The railroad crossbuck is placed where the tracks cross the roadway, and the manual says to treat it like a YIELD sign. Slow down, look and listen, and prepare to stop if a train is approaching. It is not an automatic stop in every empty-track situation, nor does it control lane direction. The X shape is the key recognition cue. Never use another vehicle's movement as proof that the crossing is safe; check the tracks yourself.

9. 9. What should a driver begin doing after seeing the round railroad-crossing warning sign?

   1. Accelerate so the vehicle clears the tracks before a signal changes
   2. Move immediately to the left lane and pass slower traffic
   3. Look and listen for a train and be ready to stop before the tracks
   4. Stop on the tracks to inspect the crossing ahead
   Show answer

   Look and listen for a train and be ready to stop before the tracks. The round warning sign announces a railroad crossing ahead and gives the driver time to prepare. The manual calls for beginning to look and listen for a train, slowing down if necessary, and stopping before the tracks when conditions require it. Accelerating turns advance warning into a rushed approach, and stopping on the rails creates a severe hazard. Once the sign appears, scan both directions, reduce speed, and ensure the vehicle can clear the entire crossing before entering.

10. 10. What roadway location does the five-sided SCHOOL sign identify?

    1. A public park entrance with pedestrian priority at all times
    2. An approaching school zone, or a school-zone crosswalk when paired with a downward arrow
    3. A hospital zone where school buses may not stop
    4. A residential street that permits children to play in the roadway
    Show answer

    An approaching school zone, or a school-zone crosswalk when paired with a downward arrow. The five-sided sign is the roadway's SCHOOL sign. It means a school zone is approaching; when a downward arrow accompanies it, the sign marks the school-zone crosswalk. The park and hospital descriptions assign the pentagon to unrelated facilities. Drivers should slow down, watch for children crossing, and stop if necessary. In Pennsylvania, also obey the reduced school-zone speed limit when its yellow signals flash or during the posted times, so the sign should trigger an immediate safety check.

11. 11. What hazard is identified by the pictured PEDESTRIAN CROSSING sign?

    1. A section where pedestrians are forbidden to enter the roadway
    2. A sidewalk repair zone with no crossing activity
    3. A bicycle-only crossing that gives cyclists exclusive priority
    4. A marked crosswalk or a place where pedestrians may cross the driver's path
    Show answer

    A marked crosswalk or a place where pedestrians may cross the driver's path. The PEDESTRIAN CROSSING sign is used at a marked crosswalk or before a location where pedestrians may cross the driver's path. It tells the driver to be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary. The symbol does not forbid pedestrians, describe construction, or reserve the crossing for bicycles. Scan the crosswalk and its edges as the vehicle approaches, especially around stopped cars or other objects that could hide a person entering the roadway.

12. 12. Why should a driver slow after seeing the TRAFFIC SIGNAL AHEAD warning sign?

    1. A streetlight is broken and the road is closed beyond the sign
    2. A signalized intersection is ahead and may be hidden by a curve or hill
    3. A police checkpoint requires an immediate stop on the shoulder
    4. A railroad signal will control access to a nearby siding
    Show answer

    A signalized intersection is ahead and may be hidden by a curve or hill. TRAFFIC SIGNAL AHEAD warns of a signal at the intersection ahead. The light may be hidden by a curve or hill, and stopped vehicles may be waiting beyond the driver's view. Those conditions are why the manual tells drivers to slow down and prepare to stop if necessary. The sign does not announce a broken streetlight, a police checkpoint, or railroad access. Cover the brake, scan beyond the obstruction, and expect the queue or red indication before entering the intersection.

13. 13. What should a driver expect after passing the pictured STOP SIGN AHEAD warning?

    1. The current roadway has ended and no traffic control follows
    2. Stopping is prohibited on the shoulder for the next mile
    3. A green signal will replace the next stop sign automatically
    4. A stop sign is ahead, possibly hidden by a curve, hill or obstruction
    Show answer

    A stop sign is ahead, possibly hidden by a curve, hill or obstruction. STOP SIGN AHEAD tells the driver that a stop sign is at the intersection ahead. A curve, hill, or another obstruction may hide it, and a queue of stopped vehicles may also be out of sight. The warning does not prohibit shoulder stopping or promise that a signal will replace the stop sign. Reduce speed while approaching, then make the full stop at the actual sign, stop line, or crosswalk before checking traffic and proceeding.

14. 14. What traffic pattern does this MERGING TRAFFIC warning identify?

    1. Traffic may enter the major roadway from another road or ramp
    2. The driver's lane ends immediately at the sign
    3. All entering traffic must stop and wait for a police escort
    4. Merging is prohibited for the remainder of the highway
    Show answer

    Traffic may enter the major roadway from another road or ramp. The MERGING TRAFFIC warning tells drivers on a major roadway that vehicles may be entering from another roadway or ramp. In the manual's example, entering traffic comes from the right and must yield to traffic already on the major road. This is not a lane-ending sign and does not prohibit merging. Watch the entry point, maintain a usable space cushion, and adjust speed smoothly so the joining vehicle can enter without a sudden brake or swerve.

15. 15. When this LANE ENDS sign appears, what must drivers in the closing lane anticipate?

    1. A new lane will open and traffic may spread across both lanes
    2. The right lane becomes a shoulder reserved for emergency vehicles
    3. Their lane will end ahead and they must merge into the remaining lane
    4. The lane may continue indefinitely if the driver maintains speed
    Show answer

    Their lane will end ahead and they must merge into the remaining lane. A LANE ENDS sign warns that one lane on a multilane roadway will end ahead. In the manual's example, vehicles in the right lane must merge left. The sign does not announce a new lane, convert the lane into an emergency shoulder, or allow it to continue past the point where markings end. Signal early, check mirrors and blind spots, and select a safe gap before the lane narrows. The warning is time to merge smoothly, not permission to wait until the last moment.

16. 16. The two opposing arrows mean:

    1. TWO-WAY traffic begins; the one-way road is ending
    2. Passing allowed on both sides
    3. Divided road ahead
    4. A mandatory U-turn at the next intersection
    Show answer

    TWO-WAY traffic begins; the one-way road is ending. The sign warns that a one-way street or roadway is ending and the route ahead carries traffic in opposite directions. The divided-highway choice reverses the message, because a median would separate opposing flows rather than bring them together. The passing choice also overstates what the warning says and does not remove the need to obey pavement markings. After seeing the sign, stay to the right of the centerline and scan for oncoming vehicles. The key cue is the pair of arrows facing opposite ways, which signals a change to two-way travel.

17. 17. What roadway change is shown by the DIVIDED HIGHWAY BEGINS sign?

    1. The divided highway ends and oncoming traffic enters your lane
    2. A three-way intersection requires a turn
    3. The highway separates into two one-way roadways around a divider
    4. The road becomes a one-way ramp with no median
    Show answer

    The highway separates into two one-way roadways around a divider. DIVIDED HIGHWAY BEGINS means the highway ahead becomes two one-way roadways separated by a median or divider. Traffic moving in opposite directions will no longer share one undivided roadway. The oncoming-traffic answer describes the ending sign, while the other options concern an intersection or a ramp and omit the central separation. Keep to the right of the divider or median as the roadway changes, and continue watching for lane markings and vehicles joining the new roadway pattern.

18. 18. What condition does the skidding-car warning sign identify?

    1. A designated area for racing vehicles
    2. A gravel surface that is always dry
    3. A lane reserved for vehicles with traction control
    4. A roadway that is especially slippery when wet
    Show answer

    A roadway that is especially slippery when wet. The skidding-car symbol warns of pavement that becomes especially slippery when wet. It does not mark a racing area, and the gravel choice invents a surface description that the sign does not provide. When rain begins, reduce speed and leave more room because available traction and braking performance can change quickly. A useful cue is to connect the car’s sliding tires with a wet-weather response: smooth steering, gentle braking, and extra space. The warning deserves attention even if the road looked normal before precipitation started.

19. 19. How should a driver respond to the pictured curve warning?

    1. Turn only at the next signalized junction
    2. Slow before entering the curve and maintain control through it
    3. Follow a temporary detour through a work zone
    4. Maintain highway speed until the bend is visible
    Show answer

    Slow before entering the curve and maintain control through it. The curved arrow gives advance notice that the road bends ahead, so speed should be reduced before the vehicle enters the curve. The junction choice mistakes a roadway alignment warning for a mandatory turn, while the detour choice belongs to temporary work-zone routing. Entering too fast can leave less room to steer or respond to an unexpected vehicle. Read the arrow as the direction of the bend, then position the vehicle smoothly and keep a steady path. The strongest cue is timing: slow before the curve, not after the sharpest part.

20. 20. What does the RIGHT AND LEFT SHARP TURNS warning tell a driver to expect?

    1. The roadway will turn sharply in one direction and then back
    2. A T-intersection where the current road ends
    3. A one-way street with no opposing traffic
    4. A straight roadway with no change in alignment
    Show answer

    The roadway will turn sharply in one direction and then back. The sharp-turn warning describes two substantial direction changes, first one way and then back the other way. It is not a T-intersection, where another road joins and the current route ends, and it does not establish one-way traffic. Because the turns are sharp, reduce speed substantially before the sequence and prepare for the second change in direction. The useful recognition cue is the paired reversal in the arrow pattern. Keep centered in the lane and avoid carrying a highway-speed approach into the first turn.