WV Permit Practice Test 18

All 20 questions in test 18

Every question below comes from the West Virginia 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. An insurer does not verify a driver's coverage and the driver cannot prove otherwise. What may follow?

   1. A warning with no fee or suspension
   2. Penalty fee plus suspension of license and plate
   3. Suspension of the registration plate only, with no fee charged
   4. A caution letter urging the driver to buy coverage
   Show answer

   Penalty fee plus suspension of license and plate. Insurance verification protects everyone on the road, so a gap in the record has serious consequences when the driver cannot prove coverage another way. The driver may face a penalty fee together with suspension of the driver license and suspension of the vehicle registration plate. A warning or caution letter understates that result, and limiting the loss to the plate alone leaves out both the fee and the license suspension. Keep your own proof in the vehicle and with your records; if the company database is wrong, your certificate is the evidence that answers the notice before suspensions begin.

   Study this in the handbook: Crash reports, insurance and phone use

2. 2. Why should drivers stay alert for children around a public bus that is loading passengers?

   1. Children always cross only at marked crosswalks
   2. Children are required to stay on the bus steps
   3. Children may not remember the safety rule near buses
   4. Children can see approaching cars from every angle
   Show answer

   Children may not remember the safety rule near buses. Children getting on or off a public bus may forget the safety rule and step into the street without checking traffic carefully. Drivers should not assume a child will use only a marked crosswalk, because children often cross near the bus where they leave it. Children are not required to remain on the bus steps, and a bus can block a child's view just as it blocks a driver's view of the child. Pass a loading bus with caution, watch both ends of the bus, and be ready to stop for a child who appears suddenly.

3. 3. Where may ice remain when all other pavement is clear?

   1. Inside covered parking garages along the route
   2. Inside tunnels crossing under high ridges
   3. On bridges or overpasses along the route
   4. On newly paved sections of city streets
   Show answer

   On bridges or overpasses along the route. A bridge is exposed to cold air above and below, so it can freeze while the road leading to it stays clear and dry. There may be ice or snow on bridges or overpasses when all other pavement is clear, which makes the first yards of a winter bridge a trap for a driver traveling at dry road speed. Garages and tunnels shelter pavement from that exposure, and new paving alone does not create ice. Ease off before any bridge on a cold morning, avoid sudden steering or braking on the deck, and expect the far side to grip again.

   Study this in the handbook: Headlights and light conditions

4. 4. Why should interstate drivers read guide signs well before an interchange?

   1. To leave the interstate from the first ramp shown
   2. To avoid hazardous last-minute maneuvers
   3. To remain in the through lane until the exit gore
   4. To select a lane without checking traffic
   Show answer

   To avoid hazardous last-minute maneuvers. Interstate guide signs are placed early so drivers can avoid hazardous last-minute maneuvers. Leaving from the first ramp shown may lead to the wrong exit, and staying in the through lane until the gore defeats the advance warning. Selecting a lane without checking traffic is unsafe and is not the purpose of reading the signs early. The sign gives time to choose the exit lane and move over smoothly.

   Study this in the handbook: Entering, exiting and driving on interstates

5. 5. Before passing a slow-moving farm or construction vehicle, what must a driver make sure of?

   1. That passing can be done safely first
   2. That the slow vehicle speeds up to traffic pace
   3. That following drivers agree to pass together
   4. That the horn has sounded for ten seconds
   Show answer

   That passing can be done safely first. Regular traffic must be aware of the slow speed of farm and construction vehicles and make sure a pass can be done safely before attempting it. The slow vehicle does not need to speed up to traffic pace first; farm and construction equipment often cannot travel faster, and the decision to pass safely belongs to the passing driver. Passing together with following drivers puts several vehicles in the opposing lane at once. A ten-second horn blast is not the safety check and can startle the equipment operator. Wait for a clear, lawful passing gap and complete the pass smoothly.

   Study this in the handbook: Sign shapes, colors and pavement markings

6. 6. In angle parking, which part of the maneuver can be hazardous?

   1. Backing out from the angle space
   2. Signaling before entering the space
   3. Straightening the wheel inside the space
   4. Centering the vehicle between the lines
   Show answer

   Backing out from the angle space. While entering an angle space is easy, backing out from this position can be hazardous because other traffic and pedestrians may appear behind the vehicle. The option stating "Signaling before entering the space" misses that point, because signaling before entry warns others and reduces hazard rather than creating it. Treat the exit from an angle space as the risky half and creep out slowly.

   Study this in the handbook: U-turns, backing, parking and following distance

7. 7. Besides announcing a move, what should an early enough signal give other drivers?

   1. A reason to speed up beside you quickly
   2. Time to react to your moves
   3. Permission to follow you more closely
   4. A chance to guess your final destination
   Show answer

   Time to react to your moves. Signaling should give other drivers time to react to your moves, which is why the signal comes well before the turn or lane change begins. The option stating "A reason to speed up beside you quickly" misses that point, because speeding up beside a signaling driver closes the gap the signal was meant to manage. Signal, pause, and let surrounding drivers adjust before your vehicle actually moves over.

   Study this in the handbook: The road skills test and basic control

8. 8. Why should meter change be kept easily accessible in the vehicle?

   1. For tipping attendants at private garages
   2. For paying tolls on interstate highways
   3. For convenience and for safety
   4. For avoiding a vehicle inspection fee
   Show answer

   For convenience and for safety. Keeping change easily accessible for a parking meter is recommended for both convenience and safety. Tipping attendants, paying highway tolls, and avoiding an inspection fee are different matters. Having the coins ready prevents a driver from searching around the vehicle while parked in a traffic setting. The handbook's point is the practical and safety benefit of accessible meter change, not a payment connected with a garage, highway, or inspection station.

   Study this in the handbook: U-turns, backing, parking and following distance

9. 9. How should traffic tickets and other citations be handled to protect a driver's license?

   1. Wait until the license comes up for renewal
   2. Handle them promptly to avoid possible license suspension
   3. Pay them only after a suspension notice arrives
   4. Ignore out of county citations until they expire
   Show answer

   Handle them promptly to avoid possible license suspension. A citation left sitting can grow into a license problem. Traffic tickets and other citations should be handled promptly, because delay can lead to suspension of the driver license when a court reports a failure to appear or comply. Waiting for renewal or for a suspension notice gives the case time to become exactly the penalty the driver hoped to avoid, and an out of county citation does not simply expire on its own. Read the ticket the day it arrives, note the court date and amount, and take care of it while the options are still simple.

   Study this in the handbook: Points, citations and suspensions

10. 10. How should a driver pass a bus that is loading or unloading passengers?

    1. At highway speed to clear the zone quickly
    2. While sounding the horn without slowing down
    3. Only in the oncoming lane without checking
    4. With caution while passing the bus
    Show answer

    With caution while passing the bus. Use caution when passing a bus loading or unloading passengers, watching for children and adults who may cross unexpectedly around it. The option stating "At highway speed to clear the zone quickly" misses that point, because highway speed removes the caution and reaction time a loading bus demands. Slow, widen the gap, and scan both ends of a stopped bus before passing.

11. 11. Can a West Virginia license be revoked when BAC is below 0.08 percent?

    1. No, action is barred below that level
    2. No, a warning is the sole response below that level
    3. Yes, but only after a second offense
    4. Yes, revocation can occur below 0.08
    Show answer

    Yes, revocation can occur below 0.08. West Virginia law allows a driver's license to be revoked when the BAC is less than 0.08 percent. A reading below 0.08 is not a complete defense if the law's other evidence supports impairment. Saying that action is barred, or that a warning is the sole response, invents limits not stated in the rule. Requiring a second offense also adds a condition the handbook does not give. A BAC below 0.08 can still lead to revocation under the rule described here.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, BAC limits and zero tolerance

12. 12. Your vehicle becomes disabled on an interstate. What should you do with the flashers and passengers?

    1. Leave flashers off and keep everyone seated inside
    2. Turn on four-way flashers and get everyone out and away from the road
    3. Use flashers only after a tow truck arrives on scene
    4. Keep passengers inside while one person directs traffic
    Show answer

    Turn on four-way flashers and get everyone out and away from the road. If a vehicle becomes disabled on an interstate, move as far off the road as possible, turn on the four-way flashers to show the vehicle is stopped, and get everyone out of the vehicle and well away from the road. Leaving the flashers off hides a stopped vehicle from fast traffic. Waiting for a tow truck before using them delays the warning other drivers need. Keeping passengers inside places them in a vehicle that a distracted driver could strike. Stand well away from the traveled lanes while waiting for help to arrive.

    Study this in the handbook: Entering, exiting and driving on interstates

13. 13. When backing out of a driveway, whom should a driver watch for directly behind the vehicle?

    1. Joggers crossing at the next intersection
    2. Delivery drivers parked at the next driveway
    3. Cyclists riding past on the far shoulder
    4. Children who may have run behind the vehicle
    Show answer

    Children who may have run behind the vehicle. Small children can run behind a backing vehicle in seconds, and they are too short to see through the rear window or in a quick mirror glance. Before backing from a driveway, walk behind the car if children are nearby, then back slowly while looking over your shoulder the whole way. Children crossing at the next intersection matter at that intersection, but the hidden danger in the driveway path is a child who has run in close behind the bumper. Toys or tricycles near the curb are a warning sign to stop, look again, and sound a gentle tap only if needed.

14. 14. What share of U.S. flash flood fatalities are motorists trapped in vehicles?

    1. Nearly one tenth of all flash flood fatalities
    2. Nearly all flash flood fatalities in the nation
    3. Nearly one half of all flash flood fatalities
    4. About one quarter of flash flood fatalities
    Show answer

    Nearly one half of all flash flood fatalities. In the United States, motorists trapped inside their vehicles account for nearly one half of all flash flood fatalities, mostly after driving into water. The option stating "Nearly one tenth of all flash flood fatalities" misses that point, because one tenth shrinks a share stated at almost half of the national flood deaths. Most flood deaths are not swimmers; they are drivers who stayed with the car too long.

    Study this in the handbook: Headlights and light conditions

15. 15. How do deep tire treads help on wet pavement?

    1. They let tires ride higher on standing water films
    2. They remove the need to slow during heavy rainstorms
    3. They grip ice better than snow tires or chains do
    4. They let water escape and can prevent complete hydroplaning
    Show answer

    They let water escape and can prevent complete hydroplaning. Tires with deep treads allow water to escape from under the tires and can prevent complete hydroplaning at normal highway speeds in rain. The option stating "They let tires ride higher on standing water films" misses that point, because riding on a water film is hydroplaning itself, not the protection deep tread channels provide. Tread is a drainage system; worn smooth tires turn rain into a skating surface.

    Study this in the handbook: Headlights and light conditions

16. 16. An exit is approaching, but reaching it would require moving in front of a truck. What should you do?

    1. Do not cut in front of the truck to reach the exit.
    2. Move in front of the truck and brake for the exit.
    3. Pass the truck on the right and enter the exit first.
    4. Follow closely, then cut in front when the truck slows.
    Show answer

    Do not cut in front of the truck to reach the exit.. West Virginia's truck safety guidance says never cut off a truck in traffic or on the highway to reach an exit or turn. Moving in front of the truck and braking for the exit would put the car directly in its path, while passing on the right to create the same shortcut is also unsafe. Following closely before cutting in removes the truck driver's stopping room. If the exit cannot be reached without moving ahead of the truck, give up that exit rather than forcing the move. The key cue is that the desired exit does not justify cutting across the truck's path.

    Study this in the handbook: School buses, bicycles, motorcycles and trucks

17. 17. A driver wants the three point deduction from an approved defensive driving class. When will the deduction be denied?

    1. If the class was approved by the DMV in advance
    2. If the class is taken without DMV approval or before points appear
    3. If the class lasts the full approved eight hours
    4. If the driver waits a full year between deductions
    Show answer

    If the class is taken without DMV approval or before points appear. The point deduction has timing and approval rules that are easy to miss. A driver will not be eligible if the class is taken without approval from the DMV or before the points have appeared on the driving record. Only specific courses are approved, so choosing any class and hoping for credit can waste the effort. Taking an approved eight hour class and waiting the required period between deductions are the behaviors that keep a driver eligible, not reasons for denial. Call or check first, confirm the course is approved, and take it after the conviction points are on the record.

    Study this in the handbook: Points, citations and suspensions

18. 18. Why is checking the vehicle before interstate travel emphasized?

    1. A breakdown adds at most a few minutes to any trip
    2. A breakdown is only a problem during rush hour
    3. A breakdown can cost much time and be dangerous
    4. A breakdown can be handled safely in a travel lane
    Show answer

    A breakdown can cost much time and be dangerous. A breakdown on an interstate is not a minor delay. It can cost a lot of time and can be dangerous, because the vehicle may stop on a narrow shoulder with traffic passing at high speed only feet away. Rush hour is not the only risky time, a travel lane is no place to handle a failure, and a few minutes is an optimistic guess when help, parts, or a tow must reach a highway location. Checking fluids and tires before leaving is cheap insurance against standing exposed beside fast traffic while other drivers decide whether they see you in time.

    Study this in the handbook: Entering, exiting and driving on interstates

19. 19. Where should slowing for an interstate exit happen?

    1. In the special deceleration lane before the ramp
    2. In the right through lane of the interstate itself
    3. On the shoulder after passing the exit ramp
    4. In the exit gore between lane and ramp
    Show answer

    In the special deceleration lane before the ramp. Most interstate exits have a special deceleration lane for slowing before the ramp. The right through lane is not the place to shed speed, and the shoulder or gore is not a substitute for the deceleration lane. Hold the through-lane speed until entering the special lane, then reduce speed for the ramp. This separation keeps slower exiting traffic from creating a hazard in the main interstate lanes.

    Study this in the handbook: Entering, exiting and driving on interstates

20. 20. Which three interchange types are listed as most common?

    1. Cloverleaf, diamond, and trumpet interchanges
    2. Cloverleaf, roundabout, and toll plaza designs
    3. Diamond, spiral, and frontage road designs
    4. Trumpet, signalized, and gravel crossover designs
    Show answer

    Cloverleaf, diamond, and trumpet interchanges. Three of the most common types of interchanges are cloverleaf, diamond, and trumpet, each moving traffic between highways at different levels. The option stating "Cloverleaf, roundabout, and toll plaza designs" misses that point, because roundabouts operate at one level and are not among the three interchange types listed. Name them by shape: a clover leaf, a diamond, and a trumpet flare.

    Study this in the handbook: Entering, exiting and driving on interstates