Florida DMV Permit Test · Class E Knowledge Exam
Florida DMV Permit Test: Safe Driving and Sharing the Road Concepts
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Overview
This chapter is about driving safely when things are not perfect: at night, in rain, during a blowout, and around vehicles that need extra room. Many questions in this area ask about school buses and the Move Over law, where one small detail changes the answer.
Turn on your headlights from sunset to sunrise and any time rain, smoke, or fog makes it hard to see, even in daytime. Switch from high beams to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet, or when you are within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following. If a front tire blows out, hold the wheel firmly, keep the car straight, and ease off the gas before braking gently.
When a school bus stops with its stop signal out, traffic in both directions must stop and stay stopped until the signal is pulled back. The only exception is for drivers on the other side of a divided highway with a raised median, a physical barrier, or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide. A painted center turn lane does not count as a divider.
Florida's Move Over law protects people working on the roadside. When you see a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, service vehicle, or disabled vehicle with flashing lights or hazards, move out of the lane next to it if it is safe. If you cannot move over, slow to 20 mph below the posted limit, or to 5 mph when the limit is 20 mph or less. At railroad crossings, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail when a train is coming, and never drive around lowered gates.
Key concepts
Headlight rules
Use headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever rain, smoke, or fog makes it hard to see. Dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet, and when you are within 300 feet behind another vehicle.
Memory tip500 for cars coming at you, 300 for cars in front of you.
Source: Florida Statutes, Chapter 316 (s. 316.217, s. 316.238) · as of 2026
School bus stop
When a school bus shows its stop signal, drivers in both directions must stop and wait until the signal is withdrawn. Drivers on the other side of a divided highway do not have to stop only if the median is raised, is a physical barrier, or is unpaved and at least 5 feet wide.
Memory tipBoth ways stop, unless something solid or grassy 5 feet wide is between you.
Source: Florida Statutes, Chapter 316 (s. 316.172) · as of 2026
Move Over law
For a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, service vehicle, or disabled vehicle showing flashing lights, hazards, flares, or warning signs, move out of the lane next to it if safe. If you cannot, slow to 20 mph below the posted limit, or to 5 mph when the limit is 20 mph or less.
Memory tipMove over, or slow down by 20. On a 20 mph street, crawl at 5.
Source: Florida Statutes, Chapter 316 (s. 316.126) · as of 2026
Railroad crossings
When a train is coming, stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail. Never drive through, around, or under a gate that is down or moving, even if you do not see a train.
Memory tipStop in the 15 to 50 foot zone. Gates down means wait, always.
Source: Florida Statutes, Chapter 316 (s. 316.1575) · as of 2026
Tire blowout
If a tire suddenly blows out, grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the car going straight. Ease off the gas and let the car slow down, then brake gently and pull off the road.
Memory tipHold tight, foot off the gas, brake last.
Truck blind spots (no-zones)
Large trucks have big blind spots beside them, close behind them, and close in front of them. If you cannot see the truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror, the driver probably cannot see you.
Memory tipNo face in the mirror means you are invisible to the driver.
Often tested
- A painted center turn lane is not a divider. Traffic in both directions still stops for a school bus.
- Move Over math: subtract 20 from the posted limit. On a 55 mph road, slow to 35 mph or less.
- The Move Over law now also covers ordinary disabled cars with hazard lights on, not only police and tow trucks.
- Dimming distances: 500 feet for oncoming traffic, 300 feet when following.
- Lowered railroad gates mean stop and wait, even if you see no train.
Easy to confuse: When must opposite-direction traffic stop for a school bus?
| What separates you from the bus | Must you stop? |
|---|---|
| Nothing (two-lane road) | Yes |
| Painted center turn lane | Yes |
| Raised median or physical barrier | No, but watch for children |
| Unpaved median at least 5 feet wide | No, but watch for children |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. When does Florida law require you to use your headlights?
- ① Only after full darkness
- ② From sunset to sunrise
- ③ Only when it is raining
- ④ Only on roads without streetlights
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ② From sunset to sunrise
Key point: Headlights: sunset to sunrise
Use your headlights from sunset to sunrise, including twilight, and whenever rain, smoke, or fog makes it hard to see.
Wrong choices
- Only after full darkness: Twilight counts too. Headlights must be on from sunset.
- Only when it is raining: Rain is one time you need them, but they are also required every night from sunset to sunrise.
- Only on roads without streetlights: Headlights are required at night on lit roads too.
Question 2. It is daytime, but heavy rain is falling. What should you do with your headlights?
- ① Leave them off because it is daytime
- ② Turn on only your parking lights
- ③ Turn them on
- ④ Use your hazard flashers instead
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ Turn them on
Key point: Rain, smoke, or fog: headlights on
Florida requires headlights during rain, smoke, or fog, even in daytime. They help other drivers see you.
Wrong choices
- Leave them off because it is daytime: Florida requires headlights during rain, smoke, or fog, even in the day.
- Turn on only your parking lights: Parking lights are not enough. Use your headlights.
- Use your hazard flashers instead: Hazard lights do not replace headlights while you are driving in rain.
Question 3. You are using your high beams at night. A car is coming toward you. When must you switch to low beams?
- ① Only if the other driver flashes their lights
- ② When it is within 100 feet
- ③ When it is within 300 feet
- ④ When it is within 500 feet
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ When it is within 500 feet
Key point: Oncoming car: dim within 500 feet
Dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet, so you do not blind the other driver.
Wrong choices
- Only if the other driver flashes their lights: You must dim on your own, without waiting for a signal.
- When it is within 100 feet: 100 feet is too late; the other driver would already be blinded.
- When it is within 300 feet: 300 feet is the rule for a vehicle you are following, not one coming toward you.