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Ohio DMV Permit Test: Safe Driving Practices Concepts

Importance ★★★★☆ · 20% (estimate)

Overview

Safe driving habits help you see, be seen, and protect the people in your car. This chapter covers headlights, turn signals, child seats, railroad crossings, sharing the road with bicycles, backing on freeways, car doors, and leaving a car parked.

Ohio requires headlights from sunset to sunrise, whenever you cannot see people and vehicles 1,000 feet ahead, and whenever your wipers are on because of rain or snow. Driving with only parking lights at those times is not allowed. Before turning or changing lanes, signal continuously for at least the last 100 feet.

Children need the right restraint. A child under 4 years old or under 40 pounds must ride in a child safety seat. A child under 8 who is shorter than 4 feet 9 inches and no longer needs a child seat must ride in a booster seat. When passing a bicycle, Ohio law considers 3 feet or more a safe distance.

At a railroad crossing, never drive around or under lowered gates. When signals flash or a train is close, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. On a freeway, never back up; if you miss your exit, go on to the next one. Open a door on the traffic side only when it is safe, and before leaving a car unattended, stop the engine, remove the key, set the parking brake, and on a hill turn the front wheels to the curb or side of the road.

Key concepts

  • Headlights

    Required from sunset to sunrise, whenever people and vehicles cannot be seen 1,000 feet ahead, and whenever wipers are in use because of rain, snow, or other precipitation. Parking lights alone are not enough.

    Memory tipSunset, 1,000 feet, or wipers: lights on.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4513.03 · as of 2026

  • Turn signals

    Signal continuously during at least the last 100 feet before you turn or move right or left. Also signal before you stop or slow down suddenly.

    Memory tip100 feet of blinking before every turn.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.39 · as of 2026

  • Child seats and booster seats

    Under 4 years old or under 40 pounds: a child safety seat. Under 8 years old and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches: a booster seat. Both must meet federal safety standards.

    Memory tip4 and 40: car seat. Under 8 and under 4'9": booster.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.81 · as of 2026

  • Railroad crossings

    When signals flash, a gate is down, or a train is close, stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. Never drive through, around, or under a closed or moving gate.

    Memory tipStop 15 to 50 feet back. Never go around gates.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.62 · as of 2026

  • Passing bicycles

    When passing a bicycle or electric bicycle, a distance of 3 feet or more is considered a safe passing distance.

    Memory tipGive bikes 3 feet or more.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.27 · as of 2026

  • Freeways, doors, and parking

    Do not back up on a freeway except in a rest area or an emergency. Open a door on the traffic side only when it is safe. Before leaving a car unattended, stop the engine, remove the key, set the parking brake, and on a hill turn the wheels to the curb or side of the road.

    Memory tipMissed exit: take the next one.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.38, 4511.70, and 4511.661 · as of 2026

Often tested

  • Headlights are required whenever wipers are on because of rain or snow.
  • Use headlights when you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead.
  • Signal for at least the last 100 feet before a turn.
  • Under 4 years or under 40 pounds: child safety seat.
  • Give a bicycle 3 feet or more when passing.
  • Never back up on a freeway.

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedOhio Traffic Laws › Safe Driving Practices★★★★☆

Question 1. When must you turn on your headlights in Ohio?

  1. ① Only when it is raining
  2. ② Only on highways
  3. ③ Only after 10 p.m.
  4. ④ From sunset to sunrise
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ④ From sunset to sunrise

Key point: Headlights: sunset to sunrise (and more)

Ohio law requires lighted headlights from sunset to sunrise. You must also use them when you cannot see people and vehicles 1,000 feet ahead, and when your wipers are on because of rain or snow.

Wrong choices

  • Only when it is raining: Rain is one reason, but headlights are also required every night.
  • Only on highways: The rule applies on every street and highway.
  • Only after 10 p.m.: Waiting until 10 p.m. is too late. Headlights are needed from sunset.
Practice questionReviewedOhio Traffic Laws › Safe Driving Practices★★★★☆

Question 2. How far before a turn must you start signaling, under Ohio law?

  1. ① At least 25 feet
  2. ② Continuously during at least the last 100 feet
  3. ③ Only when other cars are close
  4. ④ At least 50 feet
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ② Continuously during at least the last 100 feet

Key point: Signal at least the last 100 feet before turning

Ohio law says a turn signal must be given continuously during at least the last 100 feet before you turn or move right or left.

Wrong choices

  • At least 25 feet: 25 feet is too short. Ohio law requires at least 100 feet.
  • Only when other cars are close: You must signal whenever a signal is required, even if you think no one is near.
  • At least 50 feet: 50 feet is too short. Ohio law requires at least 100 feet.
Practice questionReviewedOhio Traffic Laws › Safe Driving Practices★★★★☆

Question 3. The gates are down at a railroad crossing, but you do not see a train. What should you do?

  1. ① Back up and cross at full speed
  2. ② Stop and wait until the gates go up
  3. ③ Drive around the gates carefully
  4. ④ Honk and go under the gates when they start to rise
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ② Stop and wait until the gates go up

Key point: Lowered gates: never go around them

Ohio law forbids driving through, around, or under a crossing gate while it is closed, opening, or closing, unless a police officer or flagperson signals you to go. Stop and wait until the gates are fully up.

Wrong choices

  • Back up and cross at full speed: Rushing across while the gates are down is never safe.
  • Drive around the gates carefully: Going around lowered gates is against the law and can be deadly. Trains come faster than they look.
  • Honk and go under the gates when they start to rise: You must not go under the gates while they are moving.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →

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