Ohio DMV Permit Test Sample Questions and Explanations

The red eight-sided sign (an octagon) is the STOP sign. You must come to a complete stop, look for traffic and people walking, and go only when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and stop only if other traffic is coming: Slowing down and stopping only when needed is what a YIELD sign asks. A STOP sign always requires a full stop.
• A stop sign is ahead, so get ready to stop: A warning that a stop sign is ahead is a yellow diamond sign, not the red octagon itself.
• Drivers on the other road must stop for you: The STOP sign is a rule for you. It does not tell you whether drivers on the other road must stop.

Ohio law says that when two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roads at about the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

Wrong choices

• The driver who honks first goes first: Honking does not give you the right of way.
• The driver going faster goes first: Speed never gives you the right of way.
• The driver on the right yields to the driver on the left: This reverses the rule. The driver on the right goes first.

The downward-pointing triangle is the YIELD sign. Slow down and be ready to stop. Let traffic and people walking go first, and stop only if you need to in order to give them the right of way.

Wrong choices

• Always come to a full stop, even if the road is clear: A full stop every time is required by a STOP sign. At a YIELD sign you may keep moving slowly if the way is clear.
• Speed up so you can merge before other cars arrive: Speeding up to beat other traffic is the opposite of yielding.
• Keep going, because cross traffic must stop for you: The YIELD sign is facing you, so you are the one who must give way.

When an emergency vehicle uses flashing lights and a siren, Ohio law says you must yield, move to the right edge or curb of the road clear of any intersection, and stop until it has passed, unless a police officer tells you otherwise.

Wrong choices

• Keep driving at the same speed, because it will go around you: You must yield, pull over, and stop.
• Speed up to get out of its way: Speeding up is dangerous and does not clear the way.
• Stop right where you are, even in the middle of an intersection: Stopping inside an intersection can block the emergency vehicle. Clear the intersection first.

Yellow diamond signs are warning signs. They tell you about a hazard or change in the road ahead, such as a curve, an intersection, or a lane ending. Slow down and be ready to react.

Wrong choices

• The way to the nearest city: Directions to cities are on green guide signs.
• A place to buy gas or food: Gas and food are shown on blue service signs.
• A rule you must obey, such as a speed limit: Rules such as speed limits are on white regulatory signs.

Ohio's OVI law (operating a vehicle impaired) makes it illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or more. A driver can also be charged at a lower level if alcohol or drugs affect their driving.

Wrong choices

• 0.02% or more: 0.02% is the limit for drivers under 21.
• 0.10% or more: 0.10% is above Ohio's limit. 0.08% is already illegal.
• 0.15% or more: 0.15% is not the number in Ohio's OVI law. The basic limit is 0.08%.

Orange signs mark work zones. Expect lane closures, workers, equipment, and flaggers. Slow down, obey the signs, and pay close attention.

Wrong choices

• A park or recreation area ahead: Parks and recreation areas are shown on brown signs.
• A school zone ahead: School zones use five-sided fluorescent yellow-green or yellow signs.
• A hospital ahead: Hospitals are shown on blue service signs.

Ohio law makes it illegal for a driver under 21 to drive with a BAC of 0.02% or more. At 0.08% or more, the regular OVI law applies as well.

Wrong choices

• 0.05%: 0.05% is not Ohio's limit for young drivers. The limit is 0.02%.
• 0.08%: 0.08% is the limit for drivers 21 and older.
• 0.10%: 0.10% is higher than both of Ohio's limits.

A steady red light means stop at the stop line (or before the crosswalk or intersection) and stay stopped until the light turns green. In Ohio you may turn right on red, or left from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a full stop if no sign forbids it.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go if no one is coming: A steady red light is not a yield. You must stop.
• Stop only if a police officer is present: The rule applies at all times, not only when police are present.
• Go if the car ahead of you went: Each driver must stop for the red light.

Ohio law allows a temporary instruction permit for a person who is at least 15 years and 6 months old.

Wrong choices

• 14 years: 14 is too young for a permit to drive a car.
• 15 years: At 15 years you are still 6 months too young.
• 16 years: 16 is the youngest age for a probationary license, not the permit.