The 10 Most-Missed DMV Written Test Questions
These are the DMV written test questions people miss most. They're not impossible. The right answer either goes against everyday habit or depends on your state. We picked them from our own question bank, where these topics cause the most confusion, and explain each one below.
"Rafa got every one of these wrong. That's how I know them so well." — Grandpa
1. Who goes first at a 4-way stop?
- The first car to come to a complete stop goes first. Not the biggest car, not the busier street.
- If two cars arrive at the same time, the car on the left yields to the car on the right.
- If two cars face each other and one is turning left, the left-turner yields to the car going straight.
Watch episode 2: Who Goes First?
2. A school bus with flashing red lights
When a school bus has flashing red lights and its STOP arm out, on a two-way road traffic in both directions stops until the lights go off. Flashing yellow lights mean the bus is about to stop: slow down and get ready.
Divided roads vary by state:
- New York: you stop even if the bus is on the other side of a divided highway.
- Florida: oncoming traffic may continue only if a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide separates the road. Painted lines don't count.
- California: no need to stop if the bus is across a divided or multilane highway (2+ lanes each way).
- New Jersey: on a dual highway with a raised median or safety island, oncoming traffic slows to 10 mph.
Check your handbook. Episode 4: The School Bus
3. Parking on a hill
The idea: if the car rolls, the wheel should catch the curb or steer the car off the road, not into traffic.
| Situation | Front wheels |
|---|---|
| Downhill, with a curb | Toward the curb |
| Uphill, with a curb | Away from the curb (let the car roll back slightly until the tire touches the curb) |
| Uphill or downhill, no curb | Toward the edge of the road |
Always set the parking brake and put the car in Park (or in gear for a manual). Source: California Driver's Handbook. Episode 10: Parking on a Hill
4. How many seconds behind the car ahead?
The most common rule is 3 seconds: when the car ahead passes a fixed point, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three." If you reach it first, you're too close. Add time in rain, at night or behind a truck.
The number varies by state: New York, North Carolina and Utah teach a 2-second minimum; Florida asks for 4 seconds in good conditions, and so do Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina; Texas says 2 seconds at 30 mph or less and 4 seconds above 30 mph. Answer with your handbook's number. Episode 1: The 3-Second Rule
5. Flashing lights
- Flashing red: same as a STOP sign. Stop completely, then go when safe.
- Flashing yellow: proceed with caution. You don't have to stop.
- Flashing yellow arrow: you may turn, but you must yield.
- Dark signal (power outage): treat it as a 4-way stop.
6. Alcohol limits under 21
For drivers 21 and over, the limit is 0.08% in almost all of our 51 states. The big exception is Utah: 0.05%, the lowest in the country. (Colorado's limit is 0.08%, but you can be charged with driving while ability impaired, DWAI, starting at 0.05%.) Under 21 it's zero tolerance, and the exact number varies by state:
- Any amount: Arizona, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Utah.
- 0.01%: California and New Jersey.
- 0.02%: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee (ages 16 to 20), Virginia and Washington.
- Michigan: 0.02%, or any alcohol in the body.
- New York: 0.02% to 0.07% falls under its Zero Tolerance law.
The safe answer: if you're driving, not even one beer. Episode 9: Not Even One Beer
7. Curb colors
In California (and other places that use them):
- Red: no stopping, standing or parking.
- Yellow: stop only to load or unload, for the posted time.
- White: stop only to pick up or drop off passengers (or mail).
- Green: limited-time parking.
- Blue: disabled parking with a placard or plate.
Not every state uses this system. If your handbook doesn't mention curb colors, you won't be tested on them this way. Source: California Driver's Handbook. Bonus: the minimum distance from a fire hydrant is 15 feet in most of our states, but 10 feet in Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio and Oregon.
8. The yellow light
A steady yellow means red is coming. If you can stop safely before the line, stop. If you're so close that stopping would be dangerous, go through with caution. What's never correct: speeding up to beat it. Episode 7: The Yellow Light
9. Merging onto the freeway
Many drivers stop at the end of the on-ramp. Don't. The ramp is there to build speed and match traffic. Signal, check mirrors, look over your shoulder and merge into a big enough gap. Traffic already on the freeway has the right-of-way. Missed your exit? Go to the next one; never back up. Episode 5: Merging onto the Freeway
10. A tire blowout
Instinct says "brake hard." The correct answer:
- Grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the car straight.
- Ease off the gas gradually.
- Don't slam the brakes.
- Once you've slowed down, pull off the road and turn on your hazard lights.
Episode 11: A Tire Blowout
Practice these 10 (and many more)
In the app, every topic has questions, mini-games and a short Grandpa episode. Pick your state, and questions that vary by state will show your state's rule.
Practice with Abuelito
Video lessons, voiced questions and practice tests in your state's format.