WV Permit Practice Test 6

All 20 questions in test 6

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. Which situation is specifically listed as a reason to slow down even before a driver reaches the posted speed limit?

   1. Leaving a parking space after checking traffic
   2. Driving on a clear, empty straight road
   3. Approaching and crossing an intersection
   4. Traveling below the normal flow on a wide road
   Show answer

   Approaching and crossing an intersection. The handbook names approaching and crossing an intersection as a situation requiring extra caution and reduced speed. Intersections bring turning vehicles, pedestrians, signals, and cross traffic into the same space, so the posted maximum may be too fast for what is unfolding. The empty-road choice lacks the listed hazard, and traveling below the flow does not itself call for speeding. A useful cue is to scan every direction and cover the brake before entering the intersection, especially when sight lines are limited.

2. 2. When must a Level 2 GDL holder drive with a supervising adult?

   1. Between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
   2. Only during school hours
   3. Between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
   4. Only after midnight on weekends
   Show answer

   Between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.. A Level 2 holder must drive with a supervising licensed adult who is at least 21 between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. The daytime window is the period when solo driving is generally allowed, so the choice “Between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.” reverses the rule. School hours and weekends do not define the handbook's overnight requirement. The listed exceptions for work, school, religious activity, or an emergency can change the result, but they do not erase the ordinary curfew. When checking a planned trip, compare its start and end time with the overnight window first.

3. 3. When does West Virginia's basic speed law require a driver to slow down?

   1. Only when an officer is present at the roadside
   2. When driving conditions make the posted speed unreasonable or unsafe
   3. Only on roads without a posted speed limit
   4. Never, because the posted limit controls every situation
   Show answer

   When driving conditions make the posted speed unreasonable or unsafe. The basic speed law requires a driver to observe the limit and adjust speed to driving conditions. Rain, roadway hazards, limited visibility, a narrow road, an intersection, a curve, or the top of a hill can all reduce the safe speed even when the sign has not changed. The posted limit is not a promise that the same speed is prudent in every circumstance. A driver should slow before the hazard, preserve stopping distance, and choose a speed that remains reasonable for what can actually be seen and controlled.

4. 4. How many points does West Virginia assess for following too closely?

   1. Three points
   2. Five points
   3. Two points
   4. Six points
   Show answer

   Two points. Following too closely is a 2 point violation on the West Virginia scale, along with improper turning, improper backing, improper signaling, and more than 3 passengers in the front seat. Three points applies to offenses such as driving too fast for conditions and failure to yield. Five points is speeding 15 to 19 mph over, and 6 points covers serious offenses such as reckless driving.

5. 5. In the West Virginia handbook's example, a person drinking more than one drink per hour has a last drink at 11:30 p.m. What is the BAC at 4 a.m.?

   1. Back to zero
   2. Below 0.02 percent
   3. Still above 0.06 percent
   4. Exactly 0.05 percent
   Show answer

   Still above 0.06 percent. The handbook explains that drinking more than one drink per hour lets BAC build up, and that BAC keeps rising after the last drink. In its example, the person who stopped at 11:30 p.m. is still above 0.06 percent at 4 a.m., a level that can lead to a DUI arrest. The idea that a few hours bring BAC back to zero or near zero is exactly what the example disproves. The handbook gives no exact 0.05 figure for this example.

6. 6. A West Virginia driver is convicted of speeding 15 to 19 mph over the limit. How many points are assessed?

   1. Three points
   2. Five points
   3. Six points
   4. Two points
   Show answer

   Five points. Speeding 15 to 19 mph over the limit carries 5 points on the West Virginia scale. Three points applies to speeding 11 to 14 mph over, and 6 points starts at 20 mph or more over, so the exact amount over the limit matters. Two points belongs to lesser violations such as following too closely or improper signaling. Those points stay on the record for two years from the conviction date.

7. 7. When should a driver turn on the headlights according to the handbook?

   1. When it begins to get dark or visibility may be impaired
   2. Only after another driver flashes headlights
   3. Only while traveling on an Interstate Highway
   4. Only between midnight and 5 a.m.
   Show answer

   When it begins to get dark or visibility may be impaired. The handbook says headlights should be used when it begins to get dark or whenever visibility may be impaired, including conditions such as fog, smoke, and extreme cloudiness. The rule helps a driver see and helps other road users see the vehicle. Waiting for another driver is too late, and the rule is not limited to Interstate travel or a narrow overnight period. Turn on the headlights early when light or weather starts reducing visibility, and keep the lighting system clean and in proper repair.

8. 8. Which report is specifically listed as an allowed use of an electronic communications device?

   1. Composing an email while moving through traffic
   2. Sending a personal text to arrange dinner
   3. Watching a video while stopped at a light
   4. Reporting a fire, traffic crash, serious road hazard, or emergency to authorities
   Show answer

   Reporting a fire, traffic crash, serious road hazard, or emergency to authorities. The handbook lists reporting a fire, traffic crash, serious road hazard, or emergency to the appropriate authorities as an allowed use. That exception is tied to communicating an urgent public safety event, not to ordinary personal messages or entertainment. A red light does not turn video viewing into emergency reporting, and composing email while moving remains unrelated to the listed purpose. If a report is necessary, focus on the roadway and communicate only the information needed to reach the proper authorities. The emergency purpose is the key boundary.

9. 9. What is the X-shaped railroad crossing sign called?

   
   1. A pennant
   2. A crossbuck
   3. A lane-use arrow
   4. A school-zone marker
   Show answer

   A crossbuck. The X-shaped railroad sign is called a crossbuck. A pennant marks the beginning of a no-passing zone, while a lane-use arrow directs traffic and a school marker identifies school activity. At a crossing, the crossbuck is a strong reminder that trains have priority. Slow, look in both directions, and be prepared to stop before entering the tracks. Never assume an empty crossing is risk-free.

10. 10. What can happen when a driver fails to comply with a court action and its penalty fees?

    1. The DMV will suspend the driver's license until compliance is proven and fees are paid
    2. The DMV will erase the court action from the driving record
    3. The driver will automatically receive a replacement license
    4. The penalty applies only if the ticket was a traffic ticket
    Show answer

    The DMV will suspend the driver's license until compliance is proven and fees are paid. West Virginia suspends the driver's license when the court reports a failure to appear or comply, and the suspension remains until proof of compliance and all penalty fees are provided. The rule covers any type of ticket, court order, or decision, not only traffic tickets. The DMV does not erase the matter or issue a replacement credential automatically. Handle citations promptly, keep proof of payment or compliance, and confirm the record is cleared before assuming the driving privilege is restored.

11. 11. What condition is assumed by the speed shown on a standard speed limit sign?

    
    1. Heavy rain and reduced visibility
    2. Optimal weather and road conditions
    3. A closed lane ahead
    4. A guaranteed safe speed for every vehicle
    Show answer

    Optimal weather and road conditions. The posted speed is the fastest permitted under optimal weather and road conditions. Rain, fog, snow, traffic, pavement problems, or poor visibility can require a slower speed. It is not a promise that every vehicle can safely travel that fast, and it does not announce a closed lane. Read the number as a ceiling for favorable conditions, then adjust downward when the roadway demands it.

12. 12. What is the handbook's guiding principle when another driver fails to yield as required?

    1. Give the right-of-way to avoid a collision
    2. Force the other driver to stop because the rule is on your side
    3. Use the horn until the other driver reverses
    4. Proceed first whenever you entered the road legally
    Show answer

    Give the right-of-way to avoid a collision. West Virginia presents right-of-way as a safety responsibility, not a prize to seize. Even when another road user should yield, the handbook says to give the right-of-way if necessary to avoid a collision. Forcing the issue can turn a legal priority into a crash. A horn may warn but cannot replace a safe decision, and entering legally does not guarantee that every other driver will notice you. Reduce speed, create space, and let the unsafe conflict pass before resuming your route.

13. 13. What do square and rectangular signs tell drivers about speed and direction?

    1. The condition of the vehicle ahead
    2. Only scenic viewpoints
    3. The current weather forecast
    4. Traffic regulations and guidance
    Show answer

    Traffic regulations and guidance. Rectangular and square signs carry regulatory or guide information that helps organize movement. They can tell you about speed limits, prohibited turns, lane direction, or other traffic laws. A scenic viewpoint may have its own guide sign, but that is not the defining purpose of this group. A sign cannot forecast weather or report another vehicle's condition. Read the words and symbols before reaching the sign, then make the required adjustment smoothly and leave room for other road users.

14. 14. If a train is approaching while your vehicle is stalled on railroad tracks, what should you do?

    1. Remain in the vehicle and call for help
    2. Wait until the train is close before leaving
    3. Try to push the vehicle clear while staying beside it
    4. Get out and move to a safe location
    Show answer

    Get out and move to a safe location. A stalled vehicle on railroad tracks creates an immediate danger because a train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid it. The handbook directs the driver to look both ways and, when a train is coming, leave the vehicle and proceed to a safe location. Remaining inside offers little protection, and trying to push the car wastes time while keeping you near the track. Do not wait for the locomotive to approach. The practical cue is to abandon the vehicle promptly, move away from the tracks, and contact the appropriate emergency authorities from safety.

15. 15. What do solid yellow lines on your side of the roadway require?

    
    1. Pass if you signal first
    2. Do not pass
    3. Use the opposing lane for a left turn
    4. Change lanes before the next intersection
    Show answer

    Do not pass. A solid yellow line on your side means passing is prohibited. The marking separates opposing traffic and warns that crossing to overtake is not an available maneuver there. Signaling does not cancel a pavement restriction, so the choice “Pass if you signal first” is unsafe. A center left-turn lane is identified by a different combination of solid and broken lines, not simply by any solid yellow line. The safest memory aid is direct: broken yellow may permit a safe pass, while solid yellow on your side says do not pass.

16. 16. If the brake pedal keeps going down toward the floor, what problem may the vehicle have?

    1. Overinflated tires only
    2. A fully charged battery
    3. A leak in the braking system
    4. A properly adjusted parking brake
    Show answer

    A leak in the braking system. Before driving, press the brake pedal and count to ten. The handbook says that if the pedal keeps going down, the vehicle may have a leak in the braking system. That condition requires attention before the trip because braking may fail when pressure is needed. A charged battery and tire pressure do not explain a sinking brake pedal, and a properly adjusted parking brake is a separate check. Treat a soft or falling pedal as a safety defect, not as a minor comfort issue.

17. 17. What should a driver do before passing a bicyclist on a West Virginia roadway?

    
    1. Slow down, make sure the bicyclist is aware, and leave plenty of room
    2. Sound the horn continuously and pass within the same lane
    3. Accelerate so the bicyclist has less time beside the vehicle
    4. Wait only for a traffic signal before moving around the bicyclist
    Show answer

    Slow down, make sure the bicyclist is aware, and leave plenty of room. West Virginia tells drivers to slow down, make sure the bicyclist knows the vehicle is approaching, and leave plenty of room while passing. The choice about accelerating reverses the safety priority because extra speed reduces the time available to react if the rider moves around a pothole or changes position. A horn can provide notice, but it is not a substitute for space and controlled speed. Think of the pass as a wide, patient maneuver: check the roadway, give the rider room, and wait if opposing traffic prevents a safe path.

18. 18. How should a driver identify a sign when fog, rain, snow, or darkness obscure its lettering?

    1. Assume every obscured sign prohibits passing
    2. Ignore the sign until the lettering becomes clear
    3. Use the sign's color but disregard its shape
    4. Use the sign's shape and respond accordingly
    Show answer

    Use the sign's shape and respond accordingly. The handbook says drivers should still recognize and respond to a sign when fading light, fog, rain, snow, or darkness makes its letters difficult to see. Shape and color provide useful information before every word can be read, but the driver should use the whole visual design rather than discard one part. Ignoring the sign delays the needed response, and assuming every unclear sign prohibits passing invents a rule the sign may not carry. Slow enough to identify the sign safely, then follow the message it communicates.

19. 19. A work zone sign says a lane is closed ahead. When does the West Virginia handbook say to move to the open lane?

    1. At the last moment to keep traffic moving
    2. As soon as possible, not at the last minute
    3. Only when a flagger directs you
    4. After passing the first barrel
    Show answer

    As soon as possible, not at the last minute. If a lane is closed, signs are posted well in advance, and the handbook says to move over to the open lane as soon as possible and avoid waiting until the last minute to change lanes. Late merging forces sudden lane changes at the taper. In work zones, observe and obey special speed limits, traffic control signs and flaggers, and be ready to stop. A flagger's direction must be followed, but you should not wait for one to merge.

20. 20. Which method does the handbook recommend for checking a normal following distance?

    
    1. Use a fixed object and count three to four seconds
    2. Keep one car length for every trip
    3. Match the lead vehicle's bumper distance exactly
    4. Wait until the lead vehicle brakes before judging space
    Show answer

    Use a fixed object and count three to four seconds. The handbook's practical test uses a fixed object such as a signpost, tree, overpass, or bridge abutment. Begin counting when the vehicle ahead passes it, then compare your arrival with the three-to-four second count. Reaching the object too early means the gap is too small. A car-length formula ignores speed, and matching another bumper does not measure reaction time. Braking first is an unsafe experiment. The concrete cue is to choose the object before the lead vehicle reaches it.