Michigan Permit Practice Test 4: 50 Questions
Practice Test 4 has 50 multiple-choice questions on Michigan driving rules, including shared center Left-Turn lane, Michigan hand signal left turn, Michigan hand signal right turn and Michigan hand signal Slow/Stop. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More Michigan Practice Tests
What Practice Test 4 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Shared Center Left-Turn Lane
- Michigan Hand Signal Left Turn
- Michigan Hand Signal Right Turn
- Michigan Hand Signal Slow/Stop
- Advisory Speed Curves
- Crosswind Effect
- Blocked View Alley Entry
- Vision Narrowing at Speed
- Traffic Blocked at Green
- Newly Wet Road
- Driving Near Parked Cars
- Turning Right from Wrong Lane
- Steering When Skidding
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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The purpose of a shared center left-turn lane marked by solid and broken yellow lines is to:
Show answer
B. Allow vehicles from either direction to make left turns or U-turns where permitted
Center left-turn lanes are for turning, not for through traffic or passing.
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An arm extended straight out of the driver’s window is the hand signal for:
Show answer
C. A left turn
A straight arm indicates a left turn, bent upward is a right turn, and bent downward means slowing or stopping.
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A driver’s left arm bent upward at the elbow out of the window signals:
Show answer
B. A right turn
An upward-angled arm tells others you plan to turn right.
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A driver’s left arm bent downward at the elbow out of the window signals:
Show answer
A. That the vehicle is slowing or stopping
The downward hand signal warns following drivers that you are reducing speed or stopping.
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If your vehicle is equipped with airbags, you should sit:
Show answer
B. At least 10 inches away from the steering wheel
Sitting too close to the airbag increases the risk of injury when it deploys.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 4, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. When you see a sign that says "LANE ENDS, MERGE LEFT," you should:
Correct answer: Signal early and merge into the left lane when there is a safe gap
Why: Merging early and smoothly keeps traffic flowing and reduces last-second lane changes.
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Q2. On a road with three lanes in your direction, the safest lane for through traffic is usually:
Correct answer: The middle lane
Why: The middle lane is often the smoothest for steady driving because the left lane is used for passing and the right for entering and exiting.
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Q3. If you are driving slower than the normal speed of traffic on a multilane road, you should:
Correct answer: Use the right lane so faster traffic can pass on the left
Why: Slower traffic should keep right so that passing takes place safely on the left.
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Q4. A solid white line at the edge of the roadway is called the:
Correct answer: Fog line or edge line
Why: Edge lines help you see the boundary of the driving lane, especially at night or in bad weather.
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Q5. If you drive through a deep puddle and your brakes feel weak afterward, you should:
Correct answer: Test them gently while driving slowly until they work normally again
Why: Light brake pressure while moving slowly helps dry the brakes and restores normal stopping power.
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Q6. Driving with your parking lights on instead of headlights at dusk or dawn is:
Correct answer: Not allowed because parking lights alone do not make you visible enough
Why: Parking lights are not a substitute for headlights and do not provide enough visibility for safe driving.
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Q7. When you are being passed on a two-lane road, you should:
Correct answer: Stay in your lane and, if needed, slightly reduce speed to help the other driver pass safely
Why: Cooperating with a passing driver reduces the time you are side by side and lowers crash risk.
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Q8. You are coming to a curve posted with a lower advisory speed. You should:
Correct answer: Slow to the posted advisory speed before reaching the curve
Why: Entering too fast can cause you to drift out of your lane. Reduce speed beforehand for better control.
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Q9. When you are driving downhill and your speed starts to increase, you should:
Correct answer: Shift to a lower gear and use your brakes gently as needed
Why: Using a lower gear helps control speed without overheating your brakes.
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Q10. Before changing lanes on a freeway, you should NOT:
Correct answer: Change lanes without signaling
Why: Lane changes without signaling or checking for vehicles in your blind spot are a common cause of side collisions.
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Q11. If an animal suddenly runs in front of your vehicle, the safest action is usually to:
Correct answer: Brake firmly and stay in your lane
Why: Swerving into another lane may cause a much more serious crash with another vehicle.
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Q12. When approaching a railroad crossing with lowering gates and flashing red lights, you must:
Correct answer: Stop and remain stopped until the gates are fully raised and the lights stop flashing
Why: Never go around lowered gates. Trains can arrive quickly and cannot stop suddenly.
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Q13. On a two-lane road, when a school bus is stopped to load children and its red lights are flashing, you must stop:
Correct answer: In both directions until the lights stop and the bus moves or the driver signals you to go
Why: Children may cross anywhere near the bus. Stopping in both directions keeps them safe.
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Q14. If you need to turn right at the next corner and you are in the left lane, you should:
Correct answer: Continue straight and turn right at a later intersection when you are in the correct lane
Why: Last-second lane changes and turns from the wrong lane often surprise other drivers and lead to crashes.
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Q15. The purpose of a shared center left-turn lane marked by solid and broken yellow lines is to:
Correct answer: Allow vehicles from either direction to make left turns or U-turns where permitted
Why: Center left-turn lanes are for turning, not for through traffic or passing.
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Q16. Driving side-by-side with another vehicle in the next lane for a long time is:
Correct answer: Not a good idea because it may create a blind spot for both drivers
Why: Lingering next to another vehicle reduces your escape options if something happens.
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Q17. If you see a sign with a sideways T-shape, it warns that:
Correct answer: You are approaching a T-intersection ahead
Why: At a T-intersection, one road ends and you must turn either left or right.
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Q18. A red and white triangular sign at an intersection means you must:
Correct answer: Slow down and be prepared to yield the right-of-way
Why: Yield signs require you to give way to cross traffic and pedestrians but do not always require a full stop.
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Q19. When you are turning left at a green light and oncoming traffic is heavy, you should:
Correct answer: Wait in the intersection with your wheels straight until you can turn safely
Why: Keeping your wheels straight prevents you from being pushed into oncoming traffic if you are hit from behind.
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Q20. If your vehicle is equipped with airbags, you should sit:
Correct answer: At least 10 inches away from the steering wheel
Why: Sitting too close to the airbag increases the risk of injury when it deploys.
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Q21. You want to park on a Michigan street near a fire hydrant. What is the closest you may park to it?
Correct answer: 15 feet
Why: Michigan's no-parking laws include never parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
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Q22. When driving in light rain on a newly wet road, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down because oil and dirt can make the surface slick
Why: The first minutes of rain often create the most slippery conditions as oil and dust mix with water.
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Q23. If your vehicle’s turn signals fail, you should use:
Correct answer: Hand and arm signals until they are repaired
Why: Hand signals are still legal and must be used when your electrical signals are not working.
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Q24. An arm extended straight out of the driver’s window is the hand signal for:
Correct answer: A left turn
Why: A straight arm indicates a left turn, bent upward is a right turn, and bent downward means slowing or stopping.
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Q25. A driver’s left arm bent upward at the elbow out of the window signals:
Correct answer: A right turn
Why: An upward-angled arm tells others you plan to turn right.
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Q26. A driver’s left arm bent downward at the elbow out of the window signals:
Correct answer: That the vehicle is slowing or stopping
Why: The downward hand signal warns following drivers that you are reducing speed or stopping.
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Q27. When backing a vehicle with a passenger present, you can ask them to:
Correct answer: Help you check for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other obstacles
Why: Extra eyes can help, but you are still responsible for backing safely.
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Q28. Before driving in reverse, you should:
Correct answer: Check behind the vehicle and turn your head to look through the rear window
Why: Turning and looking through the rear window gives the clearest view of what is behind you.
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Q29. If your vehicle starts skidding in a turn because you are going too fast, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction of the skid
Why: Steering into the skid and reducing speed helps your tires regain grip.
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Q30. Driving when you are overly tired is dangerous because:
Correct answer: Fatigue can slow your reaction time and even cause you to fall asleep briefly
Why: Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as driving while impaired by alcohol.
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Q31. When entering a freeway from an on-ramp, you should be driving:
Correct answer: At or near the same speed as traffic in the right lane
Why: Matching the speed of traffic in the right lane helps you merge safely and smoothly.
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Q32. If you see a sign that reads "WRONG WAY," you should:
Correct answer: Pull over and turn around as soon as it is safe
Why: WRONG WAY signs warn that you are going against traffic. Turn around immediately when it is safe.
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Q33. When approaching a pedestrian who is using a cane and appears to have limited vision, you must:
Correct answer: Yield and give them extra time and space to cross
Why: Pedestrians with visual impairments need extra consideration. Always allow them to complete their crossing safely.
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Q34. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, you should:
Correct answer: Lift your foot off the accelerator and steer straight
Why: Gently easing off the gas lets the tires regain contact with the road surface.
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Q35. You must not drive on the left side of the road when:
Correct answer: You are within 100 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or intersection
Why: Passing near intersections, bridges, and tunnels is dangerous because other drivers cannot see you well.
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Q36. When you are approaching an emergency scene on the roadside, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down and move over if possible
Why: Reducing speed and giving extra space protects emergency workers and prevents new crashes.
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Q37. A child under the age specified by state law must ride in:
Correct answer: An approved child safety seat or booster suited to their size
Why: Proper child restraints are required because standard belts are designed for adults.
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Q38. A person who has had several alcoholic drinks is least able to:
Correct answer: Judge distances and react quickly to hazards
Why: Alcohol most strongly affects judgment, vision, and reaction time—skills that are critical for driving.
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Q39. To drive safely in heavy traffic on a city street, you should:
Correct answer: Watch for brake lights, plan lane changes early, and avoid frequent lane switching
Why: Planning ahead and keeping a space cushion is safer than weaving in and out of traffic.
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Q40. If you are going to slow down unexpectedly on a roadway, you should:
Correct answer: Tap your brakes several times to warn drivers behind you
Why: Tapping your brakes flashes your brake lights and alerts following drivers.
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Q41. When another driver is aggressively weaving through traffic, the best thing you can do is:
Correct answer: Stay out of their way and allow them to go ahead
Why: Not engaging with aggressive drivers helps avoid road rage incidents and collisions.
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Q42. As your speed increases, your field of vision:
Correct answer: Becomes narrower, giving you less time to see hazards
Why: At higher speeds, you tend to focus more on what is directly ahead and may miss hazards at the sides.
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Q43. When you see a sign with a truck tipping on a triangle, it warns of:
Correct answer: A risk of trucks tipping on a curve or steep grade
Why: This sign alerts you to a location where large vehicles are more likely to lose balance.
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Q44. To safely share the road with bicyclists, you should:
Correct answer: Leave at least 3 feet of space when passing
Why: Michigan law requires at least 3 feet of space between your vehicle and a bicyclist when passing. If that isn’t practical, pass at a safe distance and a safe speed.
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Q45. If you are stopped at a green light because traffic is backed up in the intersection, you should:
Correct answer: Wait until there is room to clear the entire intersection
Why: Blocking an intersection can trap you and other drivers when the signal changes.
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Q46. When parking on a two-way street with no curb, you should:
Correct answer: Turn your wheels so the vehicle will roll away from the road if it moves
Why: Pointing the wheels away from the road helps your vehicle roll toward the shoulder if the brakes fail.
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Q47. In a strong crosswind, your vehicle may:
Correct answer: Drift sideways, especially at higher speeds
Why: Wind gusts can push your vehicle sideways, so hold the wheel firmly and reduce speed if needed.
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Q48. If your view is blocked when coming out of an alley or driveway, you should:
Correct answer: Move forward slowly until you can see, stopping again if needed
Why: Creeping forward and looking in both directions keeps pedestrians and cross traffic safer.
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Q49. When driving through an area with many parked cars on the side of the road, you should:
Correct answer: Be prepared for doors to open or people to step out from between vehicles
Why: Parked vehicles can hide pedestrians and pets. Extra caution prevents sudden collisions.
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Q50. If the rear of your car starts to slide to the right, you should:
Correct answer: Steer gently to the right and avoid overcorrecting
Why: Steering in the same direction as the skid helps you straighten the vehicle without spinning out.