Learning to drive is an exciting adventure, but before you can get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you’ll need to pass your teen driving permit. This written exam is designed to test your knowledge of the basic rules of the road, prove that you can read road signs, and show that you are familiar with state and national laws.
Each state has its driver manual containing the information you'll need to pass your exam. Studying the manual is a great way to prepare, but since only about 55% of test-takers pass their permit exam on the first try, a little extra help can't hurt.
Here's a look at some of the most commonly missed test questions and their answers.
1. At What Blood Alcohol Concentration Are You Impaired?
This is a tricky question because the answer may not be the same as your state’s legal maximum blood alcohol concentration level. In general, impairment begins at a blood alcohol content (BAC) of between 0.2% and 0.7%.
However, a driver’s license exam is likely to ask about the legal blood alcohol concentration. In this case, you would answer according to your state laws. For example, in California, if you are over the age of 21, it’s illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% — but if you’re underage, this percentage drops to just 0.01%.
2. Who Has the Right-of-Way When…?
Teen permit driving exams want to make sure you know who has the right-of-way in any situation. These right-of-way rules help prevent accidents by clearly defining who should go first and who needs to wait for their turn.
Q: Who has the right of way on a narrow mountain road?
A: The vehicle traveling uphill has the right-of-way. Downhill vehicles should pull over to allow the uphill vehicle to proceed past.
Q: Who has the right of way when two vehicles approach a four-way stop at the exact same moment?
A: The vehicle furthest to the right has the right-of-way.
Q: Who has the right of way at a green light?
A: Vehicles moving straight through an intersection with a green light have the right-of-way. Vehicles turning left on a green light must yield.
3. How Much Distance Should You Keep Between Your Vehicle and…?
Teen permit driving exams almost always ask questions about distances, and they’re often tricky. In fact, close to 25% of frequently missed exam questions are related to this topic.
There are lots of versions of this question, and they’re often state-specific. Here are two common examples:
Q: How much distance should you keep between your vehicle and the railroad tracks if you must stop at a railroad crossing?
Q: How do you determine a safe following distance?
A: Note when the vehicle ahead of you passes a stationary object and count how many seconds it takes you to reach it.
4. What Do You Do if You Approach a Stopped School Bus?
This can be a confusing question because laws requiring drivers to stop for school buses can vary by state. In general, the answer is that you are required to stop — but do yourself a favor and memorize your state’s laws. This can help you avoid being one of the 70% of test takers that miss this question.
Q: What is the speed limit in a school zone?
Q: How do you know a school bus is preparing to stop?
A: The driver turns on the yellow flashing lights.
Q: When approaching a school bus with red lights flashing and arm extended, in the opposite direction on a two-lane undivided roadway, you must ___?
5. The Only Time a Minor is Permitted to Use a Cell Phone While Driving is …?
About 42% of test takers miss questions about using their cell phone while driving. These questions are tricky because the answers vary by state, and many states also have different distracted diving rules for minors vs. adult drivers.
Q: Is it illegal to hold an electronic device while driving?
Q: Is it illegal to send a text message when stopped at a stop light?
Q: Are minors prohibited from using any type of electric device while driving?
6. Which Way Should Your Wheels Face When Parking Uphill?
This is an often-missed question, especially by drivers who live in geographically flat areas and rarely, if ever, park on a hillside. But the answer is nice and logical. You want to park in such a way that your vehicle would be stopped by gravity if it started to roll.
So if you’re parking facing uphill, turn your wheels away from the curb. And if parking facing downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb. If gravity starts pulling on your vehicle, the curb will keep your vehicle from rolling into anything else on the street. And don’t forget to engage your parking brake!
7. When Is It Safe to Enter an Intersection?
You may think it’s safe to enter an intersection when the light turns green or when you have the right of way. But teen permit driving exams want to make sure you’re a defensive driver (someone who’s prepared for the incorrect actions of other drivers). So the answer to this question should always include something about “when other vehicles have cleared the intersection” or “when it is safe to do so.”
8. What Does [This Sign] Mean?
Know your signs! Teen permit driving exams always ask a question or two about signage. These could be traffic signs (yield, railroad, school, etc) or warning signs (side roads, deer crossing, winding roads, etc). So designate some extra study time to review and memorize signs.
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Updated 05/02/24