Texas DMV Permit Test Sample Questions and Explanations

At an all-way (four-way) stop, the driver who stops first goes first. If two drivers stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Wrong choices

• You, because you are on the left: Being on the left means you are the one who must wait.
• The larger or faster vehicle: Vehicle size or speed does not decide right-of-way.
• The driver who honks or waves first: Honking or waving does not give anyone the right-of-way.

When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a danger. Wait for a safe gap, then turn.

Wrong choices

• Turn quickly before the oncoming car gets there: Rushing a turn in front of a close car is a common cause of serious crashes.
• Flash your headlights and then make your turn: Flashing your lights does not give you the right-of-way.
• Honk to warn the other driver, then turn: Honking does not change who must yield.

An eight-sided (octagon) red sign is a STOP sign. You must come to a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersection, then go only when the way is clear.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and keep going if no one is coming: Slowing down without stopping is a "rolling stop" and is against the law.
• Stop only if other cars are at the corner: You must stop every time, even when no other cars are there.
• Watch for a hazard ahead and keep your speed: Warning signs are yellow diamonds. A red octagon always means stop.

A downward-pointing red and white triangle is a YIELD sign. Slow down, be ready to stop, and let traffic and pedestrians that are already there go first. You stop only if you need to.

Wrong choices

• Come to a full stop every time, even if no one is coming: A yield sign does not demand a stop every time. You stop only when traffic makes it necessary.
• Speed up so that other drivers have to make room: Forcing other drivers to make room is the opposite of yielding and can cause a crash.
• The road ahead narrows to one lane: A lane-narrowing warning is a yellow diamond sign, not a red and white triangle.

A learner license holder may drive only with a licensed driver age 21 or older who has held a license for at least one year sitting in the front passenger seat.

Wrong choices

• Any licensed driver who is at least 18 years old: An 18-year-old does not meet the age 21 requirement.
• Any adult, even one without a driver license: The supervising adult must hold a valid driver license.
• No one, if the teen drives only during the day: There is no daytime exception; a supervising driver is always required.

Texas law says a driver under 18 may not use a wireless communication device while driving, including hands-free, except in an emergency.

Wrong choices

• Hands-free calls only, as long as there is no texting: Hands-free use is allowed for adults, but not for drivers under 18.
• Any phone use while stopped at a red light: The ban covers operating the vehicle, and stopping at a red light is still driving in traffic.
• Calls from a parent only, if they are kept short: There is no exception for calls from a parent.

Texas law defines nighttime as 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Your headlights and other required lights must be on during that time.

Wrong choices

• From sunset until sunrise only: Sunset to sunrise is close, but the legal time starts 30 minutes after sunset and ends 30 minutes before sunrise.
• From 1 hour after sunset until 1 hour before sunrise: One hour is too long a gap; the rule uses 30 minutes.
• Only when street lights are not working: Street lights do not replace your headlights at night.

Texas law requires you to switch to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet, so you do not blind the other driver.

Wrong choices

• 300 feet: 300 feet is the rule for a vehicle you are following, not one coming toward you.
• 1,000 feet: 1,000 feet is the visibility distance for when lights must be on, not the dimming rule.
• 100 feet: 100 feet is much too close; the other driver would already be blinded.

When no other limit is posted, Texas law sets the speed limit at 30 mph on a street in an urban district (other than an alley).

Wrong choices

• 25 mph: 25 mph is used in some states, but the Texas unposted city limit is 30 mph.
• 35 mph: 35 mph is higher than the 30 mph Texas limit.
• 40 mph: 40 mph is far above the unposted limit for city streets.

Texas has a basic speed rule: you may not drive faster than is reasonable and prudent for the conditions. In rain, fog, or heavy traffic, the safe speed may be well below the posted limit.

Wrong choices

• 60 mph, because that is the posted speed limit: The posted limit is the top speed in good conditions, not a safe speed in rain and fog.
• Any speed, as long as your headlights are on: Using headlights does not make an unsafe speed legal.
• 10 mph over the limit if traffic is moving faster: Driving over the limit is never allowed, even if others are speeding.