Alabama DMV Permit Practice Test 1: 50 Questions
Practice Test 1 has 50 multiple-choice questions on Alabama driving rules, including hill parking, broken white line, traffic signals and warning sign shapes. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More Alabama Practice Tests
What Practice Test 1 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Hill Parking
- Broken White Line
- Traffic Signals
- Warning Sign Shapes
- Pedestrian Right-of-Way at marked crosswalks
- Lane Change Procedure
- Flashing Yellow Signal
- Broken Yellow Centerline
- Private Driveway Entry
- School Bus Stop Law
- Regulatory Sign Identification
- Safe Following Distance
- Heavy Rain Driving
- Skid Recovery
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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When parking uphill next to a curb, how should the front wheels be positioned?
Show answer
A. Turned away from the curb
Turning wheels away from the curb helps prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic.
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What does a broken white line between lanes indicate?
Show answer
C. Lane changes are allowed when safe
Broken white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction and allow lane changes.
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What should you do when approaching a school bus stopped with flashing red lights?
Show answer
C. Stop until the lights stop flashing
Drivers must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights.
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What is the safest following distance under normal driving conditions?
Show answer
C. At least two seconds
A two-second gap allows time to react safely.
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What should you do when approaching a work zone?
Show answer
B. Reduce speed and stay alert
Work zones require extra caution.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 1, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. When parking uphill next to a curb, how should the front wheels be positioned?
Correct answer: Turned away from the curb
Why: Turning wheels away from the curb helps prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic.
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Q2. What does a broken white line between lanes indicate?
Correct answer: Lane changes are allowed when safe
Why: Broken white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction and allow lane changes.
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Q3. What must a driver do when approaching a steady red traffic signal?
Correct answer: Stop completely before the stop line
Why: A steady red signal requires a complete stop.
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Q4. What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign warn drivers about?
Correct answer: Possible hazards ahead
Why: Yellow diamond signs warn of road hazards or conditions ahead.
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Q5. What should you do when approaching pedestrians using a marked crosswalk?
Correct answer: Yield and stop if necessary
Why: Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks.
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Q6. What does a solid white line along the right edge of the road indicate?
Correct answer: The edge of the roadway
Why: Solid white edge lines mark the boundary of the roadway.
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Q7. What should you do before changing lanes?
Correct answer: Check mirrors and blind spots
Why: Checking mirrors and blind spots helps prevent collisions.
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Q8. What does a flashing yellow traffic signal mean?
Correct answer: Proceed with caution
Why: Flashing yellow signals warn drivers to slow down and be alert.
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Q9. What does a broken yellow centerline indicate?
Correct answer: Passing is allowed when safe
Why: Broken yellow lines allow passing when conditions are safe.
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Q10. What should you do when entering a roadway from a private driveway?
Correct answer: Yield to all traffic
Why: Drivers entering from driveways must yield to traffic already on the road.
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Q11. You want to park on an Alabama street near a stop sign at the side of the road. What is the closest you may park to the stop sign?
Correct answer: 30 feet away
Why: Alabama does not allow parking within 30 feet of any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic control signal at the side of the road.
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Q12. What should you do when approaching a school bus stopped with flashing red lights?
Correct answer: Stop until the lights stop flashing
Why: Drivers must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights.
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Q13. What does a white rectangular traffic sign usually indicate?
Correct answer: Traffic laws or regulations
Why: White rectangular signs provide regulatory information.
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Q14. What is the safest following distance under normal driving conditions?
Correct answer: At least two seconds
Why: A two-second gap allows time to react safely.
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Q15. What should you do when approaching a yield sign?
Correct answer: Slow down and yield if necessary
Why: Yield signs require giving right-of-way when needed.
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Q16. What does a double solid yellow line mean?
Correct answer: No passing in either direction
Why: Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing both ways.
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Q17. What should you do when driving in heavy rain?
Correct answer: Increase following distance
Why: Rain reduces traction and increases stopping distance.
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Q18. What does a blue traffic sign usually indicate?
Correct answer: Motorist services
Why: Blue signs provide information about services such as fuel or lodging.
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Q19. What should you do if your vehicle begins to skid?
Correct answer: Steer in the direction you want the front to go
Why: Steering into the skid helps regain control.
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Q20. What does a solid white line between lanes indicate?
Correct answer: Lane changes are discouraged
Why: Solid white lines discourage lane changes.
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Q21. What should you do when approaching an emergency vehicle with lights and siren?
Correct answer: Pull over and stop
Why: Drivers must yield by pulling over and stopping.
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Q22. What does a circular yellow sign with an X and RR warn drivers of?
Correct answer: A railroad crossing ahead
Why: This sign warns of an upcoming railroad crossing.
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Q23. What should you do if your wheels leave the paved roadway?
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer back gradually
Why: Gradual steering helps maintain control.
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Q24. What does a green arrow traffic signal allow?
Correct answer: A protected turn
Why: A green arrow allows turning without conflicting traffic.
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Q25. What should you do when backing up your vehicle?
Correct answer: Look behind and around the vehicle
Why: Drivers must check all areas before backing up.
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Q26. What does a yellow pennant-shaped sign indicate?
Correct answer: No passing zone ahead
Why: Pennant-shaped signs mark no-passing zones.
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Q27. What should you do when entering a roundabout?
Correct answer: Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Why: Drivers must yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
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Q28. What does a regulatory sign communicate?
Correct answer: Traffic laws
Why: Regulatory signs tell drivers what they must or must not do.
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Q29. What should you do when visibility is reduced by fog?
Correct answer: Use low-beam headlights
Why: Low beams reduce glare and improve visibility in fog.
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Q30. What does a solid white stop line indicate?
Correct answer: Where to stop at an intersection
Why: Drivers must stop behind the stop line.
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Q31. What should you do when approaching pedestrians already crossing?
Correct answer: Yield and wait
Why: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
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Q32. What does a green traffic signal mean?
Correct answer: Proceed if the intersection is clear
Why: A green light allows movement when safe.
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Q33. What should you do if traffic signals are not operating?
Correct answer: Treat the intersection as a four-way stop
Why: When signals are dark, four-way stop rules apply.
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Q34. What does a curb painted yellow usually indicate?
Correct answer: No parking
Why: Alabama’s driver manual lists parking beside a curb painted yellow as not allowed.
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Q35. What should you do when following a motorcycle?
Correct answer: Increase following distance
Why: Motorcycles need extra space to stop safely.
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Q36. What does a lane reduction sign warn drivers about?
Correct answer: Fewer lanes ahead
Why: Lane reduction signs alert drivers to merging traffic.
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Q37. What is the safest response to aggressive driving?
Correct answer: Avoid and do not engage
Why: Avoiding confrontation reduces risk.
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Q38. What should you do when approaching a curve warning sign?
Correct answer: Reduce speed
Why: Curve signs warn drivers to slow down.
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Q39. What does a white diamond symbol on the roadway indicate?
Correct answer: Reserved lane
Why: White diamonds mark lanes reserved for special use.
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Q40. What should you do when approaching a flashing red traffic signal?
Correct answer: Stop completely
Why: Flashing red signals function like stop signs.
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Q41. What should you do when parking downhill with a curb?
Correct answer: Turn wheels toward the curb
Why: Turning wheels toward the curb helps prevent rolling.
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Q42. What does a broken white line allow drivers to do?
Correct answer: Change lanes when safe
Why: Broken white lines allow lane changes when safe.
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Q43. What should you do when approaching a work zone?
Correct answer: Reduce speed and stay alert
Why: Work zones require extra caution.
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Q44. What does a red arrow traffic signal mean?
Correct answer: Stop for that direction
Why: A red arrow prohibits movement in that direction.
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Q45. What should you do if you miss your exit on a freeway?
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit
Why: Backing up or stopping on a freeway is dangerous.
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Q46. What does a posted speed limit sign show?
Correct answer: The maximum lawful speed
Why: Speed limit signs indicate the legal maximum speed.
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Q47. What should you do when approaching a marked stop line?
Correct answer: Stop before the line
Why: Drivers must stop at marked stop lines.
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Q48. What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign with a bicycle symbol warn of?
Correct answer: Bicycles on or near the roadway
Why: Bicycle symbols warn drivers to watch for cyclists.
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Q49. What should you do when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle on the roadside?
Correct answer: Move over or slow down
Why: Drivers must give space to emergency responders.
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Q50. What is the safest way to control speed on a long downhill?
Correct answer: Use lower gears
Why: Lower gears help control speed safely.