WI Permit Practice Test 25

All 20 questions in test 25

Every question below comes from the Wisconsin 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. In Wisconsin, a pedestrian with a guide dog is crossing near your stopped vehicle. How far away should you stop until that person is clear?

   1. At least 3 feet away, the bicyclist passing distance
   2. At least 20 feet away, the school bus stopping distance
   3. At least 10 feet away until the person is clear
   4. Directly at the crosswalk line, if the dog looks calm
   Show answer

   At least 10 feet away until the person is clear. A driver should stop at least 10 feet away from a pedestrian with a guide dog or white cane until that person is clear. The three foot figure governs passing a bicyclist, and the 20 foot figure governs stopping for a school bus, so neither replaces this distance. A calm looking dog does not shorten it either. Give the pedestrian the full buffer and wait without creeping forward.

   Study this in the handbook: Right of way

2. 2. In Wisconsin, what is the first step a driver takes when reaching a roundabout?

   1. Speed up to claim a gap before others
   2. Slow down, then yield to pedestrians and bicycles
   3. Stop fully in every case before looking
   4. Enter first, then check for pedestrians
   Show answer

   Slow down, then yield to pedestrians and bicycles. As you reach a roundabout, slow down first, then yield to pedestrians and bicycles before yielding to circulating traffic and semitrucks. Speeding to claim gaps, automatic full stops, and enter-then-check all misread the sequence. Slowing early gives your eyes time to read overhead lane signs, crosswalks, and the left-side traffic stream in one calm pass. That calm is the roundabout safety advantage.

   Study this in the handbook: Roundabouts, metered ramps and funeral processions

3. 3. In Wisconsin, you stop at a steady red light and want to turn right, with no sign prohibiting it. When may you turn?

   1. Before stopping, while rolling slowly through the corner at the intersection
   2. Immediately when the light turns red, without yielding
   3. Only after the light turns green again in every case
   4. After stopping, yielding to all traffic, and confirming it is safe
   Show answer

   After stopping, yielding to all traffic, and confirming it is safe. A right turn at a steady red light may be made after stopping first, yielding to all traffic, and confirming it is safe with no prohibiting sign. Rolling through without the stop, turning without yielding, or insisting on green in every case each break one part of that sequence. Stop fully, scan for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians with the right of way, and turn only into a clear and legal gap.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic lights and arrows

4. 4. In Wisconsin, how does a driver know that a freeway ramp is currently metered?

   1. Orange cones are placed along the ramp edge
   2. A flagger is standing beside the stop line
   3. The Ramp Metered When Flashing sign is on
   4. The pavement arrows turn solid yellow
   Show answer

   The Ramp Metered When Flashing sign is on. A freeway ramp is metered when the Ramp Metered When Flashing sign is on, which tells you the ramp signal is actively spacing cars. Cones, a flagger, or arrow color do not announce metering. When that sign is lit, expect to stop at the ramp signal and wait for your green. The pause spaces out merging cars and keeps freeway traffic flowing.

   Study this in the handbook: Roundabouts, metered ramps and funeral processions

5. 5. In Wisconsin, a driver cannot see across a crowded intersection. What should the driver do?

   1. Enter quickly before cross traffic starts
   2. Stop in the center until the view clears
   3. Back up and try a different lane at speed
   4. Move forward with caution while looking for a clear path
   Show answer

   Move forward with caution while looking for a clear path. Look across the intersection for a clear path to where you want to go, and if you cannot see, move forward with caution rather than guessing. Charging in, freezing in the center, or reversing into traffic all trade one hazard for another. Creep forward only as your view opens, keep your foot ready over the brake, and stop again if the far side has no room.

   Study this in the handbook: Right of way

6. 6. In Wisconsin, what symbol often marks a reserved lane on the sign and on the roadway?

   1. A white diamond posted on the sign and the roadway
   2. A yellow pennant posted on the sign only
   3. A red triangle painted beside the curb
   4. A blue square painted between the lanes
   Show answer

   A white diamond posted on the sign and the roadway. Reserved lanes often carry a white diamond on the roadside sign and painted on the roadway itself, warning that the lane serves special vehicles. A yellow pennant marks no passing, a red triangle belongs to yield or slow moving signs, and blue squares show services. When you see the diamond, stay out unless you operate the listed vehicle or must briefly cross to turn.

   Study this in the handbook: Lane lines, crosswalks and special lanes

7. 7. In Wisconsin, what is hydroplaning, and when can it happen even at low speeds?

   1. Tires cut through water better when fully bald
   2. Tires slide only above seventy miles per hour
   3. Tires float only on flooded gravel roads
   4. Tires slide over water; low speeds count too if tires are bald
   Show answer

   Tires slide over water; low speeds count too if tires are bald. Hydroplaning means your tires slide on top of the water instead of gripping through it, and it can happen at low speeds if your tires are bald and cannot channel water away. Bald tread worsens the float, speed thresholds vary, and paved roads flood too. Keep tread healthy, slow down in standing water, and if sliding starts, ease off the gas and hold the wheel straight.

   Study this in the handbook: Bad weather, skids, winter and rural roads

8. 8. In Wisconsin, why is stopping with no warning to traffic behind so dangerous?

   1. Following drivers always expect sudden stops
   2. You could lose control, or the driver behind could hit you
   3. Brake lights make sudden stops fully safe
   4. Sudden stops matter only on high-speed roads
   Show answer

   You could lose control, or the driver behind could hit you. Stopping with no warning is dangerous because you could lose control of your own car and the driver behind may hit you before reacting. Following drivers do not expect instant stops, brake lights alone cannot create stopping distance, and low-speed streets hold the same rear-end risk. Signal your slowdown early with brake taps and gradual pressure so the driver behind gains time.

   Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and the sight distance rule

9. 9. In Wisconsin, while passing a large vehicle, how should a driver handle its blind spot?

   1. Cruise beside the truck to match its speed
   2. Slow down to stay in the blind spot longer
   3. Stop in the blind spot to check traffic
   4. Get out of their blind spot quickly while passing
   Show answer

   Get out of their blind spot quickly while passing. When you pass a large vehicle, get out of its blind spot quickly, passing steadily through the hidden zone instead of cruising beside the cab. Matching speed alongside, slowing inside the spot, or stopping there leaves you invisible at the worst place. Commit to the pass only with room to complete it, move through without lingering, and pull ahead until the truck is fully in your mirror.

   Study this in the handbook: Motorcycles, bicycles and truck no zones

10. 10. In Wisconsin, a driver realizes their car sits in a large truck no-zone. What should the driver do?

    1. Stay in the no-zone until the next exit
    2. Flash headlights until the truck moves over
    3. Speed up or drop back so the truck driver can see the car
    4. Pass the truck while remaining in its blind spot
    Show answer

    Speed up or drop back so the truck driver can see the car. If you find yourself in a large vehicle no-zone, speed up or drop back so the other driver can see you, because an unseen car cannot be avoided. Lingering until an exit, flashing for the truck to yield, or passing inside the blind spot prolongs the danger. Move through truck blind areas briskly when passing lawfully, and otherwise keep a position the truck mirrors reveal.

    Study this in the handbook: Motorcycles, bicycles and truck no zones

11. 11. In Wisconsin, at what speed should parking maneuvers be carried out?

    1. At normal street speed to finish sooner
    2. At a very low speed to avoid crashes while parking
    3. At whatever speed traffic behind demands
    4. At coasting speed with the engine off
    Show answer

    At a very low speed to avoid crashes while parking. Parking should be done at a very low speed to avoid crashes, because tight spaces place bumpers, posts, and people within inches of your path. Street speed, impatient traffic behind, or engine-off coasting all remove the fine control parking demands. Let followers wait or pass safely; a slow, correct park beats a fast repair bill. Check for No Parking signs before you begin the maneuver.

    Study this in the handbook: Turns, passing, backing and parking

12. 12. In Wisconsin, hills and curves shorten your view until you cannot see far ahead. When should you slow down for sight distance?

    1. When you cannot see 3 to 4 seconds ahead of the car
    2. When you cannot see 10 to 15 seconds ahead
    3. Only when you cannot see the bumper of the car ahead
    4. Only after entering the curve at the posted speed
    Show answer

    When you cannot see 10 to 15 seconds ahead. Slow down because the sight distance ahead is too short when you cannot see 10 to 15 seconds ahead. Hills, curves, and crests can hide a stopped vehicle or crossing traffic inside that window. Waiting until only a few seconds remain, or until the curve is already entered at full speed, leaves no room to react. Ease off early so your speed matches the road you can actually see.

    Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and the sight distance rule

13. 13. In Wisconsin, what have studies shown about drivers who use marijuana?

    1. They make fewer mistakes than sober drivers
    2. They drive more slowly and therefore safely
    3. They make more mistakes while driving
    4. They react faster to sudden hazards
    Show answer

    They make more mistakes while driving. Studies have shown that people who use marijuana make more mistakes while driving. Making fewer mistakes and reacting faster are the opposite of what those studies found. Driving more slowly does not cancel the added mistakes, because the errors still occur behind the wheel. A driver who has used marijuana should not drive; arranging a sober ride keeps the added mistakes off the road entirely.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, drugs and implied consent

14. 14. In Wisconsin, headlights appear to fail at night. What first check does the handbook describe?

    1. Turn all lights off and continue by moonlight
    2. Flip lights on and off to check if parking lights were on
    3. Switch to high beams and drive all night long
    4. Stop in the travel lane to inspect the wiring
    Show answer

    Flip lights on and off to check if parking lights were on. If headlights seem to fail, flip them on and off to see whether you were driving with parking lights on, a dim setting easily mistaken for failure. If true failure remains, turn on emergency flashers and low lights if any work, and pull off the road when safe. Continuing dark, blinding others all night, or stopping in a travel lane each creates a fresh hazard.

    Study this in the handbook: Avoiding crashes, crash duties and roadside emergencies

15. 15. In Wisconsin, children are present in a marked school zone and no different limit is posted. What is the normal speed limit?

    1. 15 miles per hour while children are present
    2. 25 miles per hour, the unposted residential area limit
    3. 35 miles per hour, the unposted outlying district maximum
    4. 20 miles per hour, halfway between the two other limits
    Show answer

    15 miles per hour while children are present. The normal speed limit in a Wisconsin school zone when children are present is 15 miles per hour. That low figure reflects children crossing and gathering near the road. The residential default of 25 and the outlying district maximum of 35 both belong to other settings and would carry a vehicle through the zone too fast. Slow to 15 while children are present, watch crosswalks and curbs, and be ready to stop.

    Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and the sight distance rule

16. 16. In Wisconsin, what colors help a driver recognize an interstate highway sign?

    1. A shield with red on top, blue on the bottom and white lettering
    2. A white rectangle with black lettering and rounded edges
    3. A grey badge with black lettering
    4. A white jug shape with black lettering
    Show answer

    A shield with red on top, blue on the bottom and white lettering. An interstate sign looks like a shield with red on top and blue on the bottom, carrying white lettering. The white rounded rectangle is a county sign, the grey badge is a U.S. route sign, and the white jug is a state road sign. The red and blue shield stands out at interchanges, so you can spot interstate entrances early and move into position.

17. 17. In Wisconsin, on some highways, what may a flex lane allow a driver to use?

    1. The grass median as a passing lane at noon
    2. The emergency pull-off as a parking lane
    3. The on-ramp as a second through lane
    4. The paved shoulder as a travel lane when signed open
    Show answer

    The paved shoulder as a travel lane when signed open. On some highways a flex lane lets you use the paved shoulder as a travel lane, but only when signage opens it. Grass medians, emergency pull-offs, and on-ramps never become through lanes by driver choice. Wait for the green arrow over the shoulder lane before entering it. Using the shoulder while it is closed risks meeting a stopped vehicle or road debris.

    Study this in the handbook: Lane lines, crosswalks and special lanes

18. 18. In Wisconsin, what following distance method is recommended for normal driving conditions?

    1. The four second following distance rule for normal driving
    2. The two second rule, counting to two behind the vehicle ahead
    3. One car length for every ten miles per hour of speed
    4. Following close enough to read the license plate ahead
    Show answer

    The four second following distance rule for normal driving. For normal driving, the recommended method is the four second following distance rule. Pick a fixed object, and when the vehicle ahead passes it, count one thousand one through one thousand four; you should finish before reaching the object. Two seconds, car length formulas, and plate reading distance all leave less margin. In adverse conditions, add even more distance beyond those four seconds rather than treating the rule as a maximum.

    Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and the sight distance rule

19. 19. In Wisconsin, on a multi-lane road, what is the far-left lane mainly used for?

    1. For vehicles to go around slower ones
    2. For the slowest trucks to climb hills
    3. For parking when the right side is full
    4. For drivers who want to avoid all signals
    Show answer

    For vehicles to go around slower ones. The lane farthest left on a multi-lane road is used for going around slower vehicles, after which you should move back right. It is not a slow truck lane, a parking substitute, or a signal-free route. Pass promptly, check for both headlights of the passed car in your mirror, and return to the right lane so faster traffic can also flow.

20. 20. In Wisconsin, after passing, when is it safe to return to the driving lane?

    1. As soon as your front bumper clears its front bumper
    2. When the passed driver flashes headlights at you
    3. When both headlights of the passed vehicle show in your rearview mirror
    4. After counting two seconds from the lane line
    Show answer

    When both headlights of the passed vehicle show in your rearview mirror. After passing, return to the driving lane once you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror. That view proves you have cleared its front with room to spare. Cutting in at bumper clearance, waiting for a flash, or counting an arbitrary two seconds can leave the other driver braking hard. The two-headlight check works at any speed, so use it every time.

    Study this in the handbook: Turns, passing, backing and parking