Maryland Permit Test: Safe Driving Practice Questions
Following distance, headlights, seat belts and distractions.
Question 1
What minimum following distance does the MVA recommend under ideal conditions?
Correct answer: 3 to 4 seconds
The MVA recommends at least 3 to 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead in ideal conditions; most rear-end crashes come from following too closely.
Source: Section 3: Basic Driving β D. Following Distance
Question 2
How do you check your following distance using a reference point?
Correct answer: Count seconds as the car ahead passes a fixed object
When the car ahead passes an object like a sign or overpass, count "one thousand oneβ¦"; reaching three or more before you get there means a safe gap.
Source: Section 3: Basic Driving β D. Following Distance
Question 3
You are following a delivery van that stops often. How much following distance should you leave?
Correct answer: Four or five seconds, or more
Behind vehicles that stop often, like buses and delivery vans, increase your gap to four or five seconds, or more if needed.
Source: Section 3: Basic Driving β D. Following Distance
Question 4
In Maryland, when must you turn on your headlights?
Correct answer: When you can't see 1,000 feet ahead
Headlights are required whenever there is not enough light to clearly see at least 1,000 feet ahead, and whenever wipers are used in bad weather.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β A. Driving in Reduced Visibility
Question 5
You turn on your windshield wipers because of rain. What does Maryland law also require?
Correct answer: Turning on your headlights
Maryland law requires headlights whenever you use your wipers in inclement weather.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β A. Driving in Reduced Visibility
Question 6
Using high beams on an unlit road, how far from an oncoming vehicle must you switch to low beams?
Correct answer: At least 500 feet
Dim to low beams at least 500 feet before meeting an oncoming vehicle.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β A. Driving in Reduced Visibility
Question 7
When following another vehicle, within what distance must you use low beams?
Correct answer: 300 feet or less
Switch to low beams when the vehicle you are following is 300 feet or less ahead.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β A. Driving in Reduced Visibility
Question 8
Which headlights should you use in fog?
Correct answer: Low beams, plus fog lights if equipped
Use low beam headlights only in fog, along with fog lights if your vehicle has them.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β C. Driving in Fog
Question 9
The fog becomes so thick that you cannot drive safely. What should you do?
Correct answer: Pull completely off the road and use flashers
If fog is too thick to drive safely, pull completely off the road to a safe location and use your emergency flashers.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β C. Driving in Fog
Question 10
At night, where should you look to avoid being blinded by oncoming headlights?
Correct answer: At the right edge of your lane
Do not stare into oncoming headlights; look ahead or slightly to the right, at the right edge of your lane or the road.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β B. Driving at Night
Question 11
Compared with dry roads, how much following space do you need on wet or icy roads?
Correct answer: Much more, and even more on snow or ice
You need much more space on wet roads than on dry ones, and even more when the road is covered with snow or ice.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β D. Driving in Inclement Weather
Question 12
Your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes. How should you brake on a slippery road to avoid skidding?
Correct answer: Pump the brakes
Avoid slamming on the brakes; without ABS, pump the brakes to prevent skidding.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β D. Driving in Inclement Weather
Question 13
Which road surfaces freeze before the rest of the road?
Correct answer: Ramps and bridges
Ramps and bridges freeze before roads, and plowed roads may refreeze at night.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β D. Driving in Inclement Weather
Question 14
What is "black ice"?
Correct answer: A thin, hard-to-see layer of ice on asphalt
A thin layer of ice on blacktop can be very hard or impossible to see; it forms when ice or snow melts and refreezes.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β D. Driving in Inclement Weather
Question 15
How does four-wheel drive affect driving on ice and snow?
Correct answer: It may help, but the vehicle can still slide
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can also slide; you might have more control, but snow and ice driving is always dangerous.
Source: Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions β D. Driving in Inclement Weather