Alaska DMV Knowledge Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In Alaska, when must you yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk?

Never, pedestrians must wait for cars
Only during daylight hours
Only if they are on your half of the roadway or approaching it (Correct answer)
Only if a police officer is present

Correct answer: Only if they are on your half of the roadway or approaching it

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk who are on the driver's half of the roadway or approaching closely enough to be in danger.

Question 2: In Alaska, a DUI becomes a felony offense when it is the driver's:

Second conviction within 15 years
Third conviction within 10 years (Correct answer)
Fifth conviction in a lifetime only
First conviction ever

Correct answer: Third conviction within 10 years

A third DUI conviction within 10 years is charged as a felony in Alaska, carrying much harsher penalties.

Question 3: What does the temperature warning light or gauge in the red zone indicate?

The cabin heater is set too high
The transmission fluid needs topping off
The engine is overheating and you should stop driving as soon as safely possible (Correct answer)
The outside temperature is below freezing

Correct answer: The engine is overheating and you should stop driving as soon as safely possible

A red-zone temperature reading means the engine is overheating and continuing to drive can cause severe engine damage.

Question 4: What is the safest way to handle a tire blowout at highway speed?

Accelerate to stabilize the vehicle permanently
Brake as hard as possible immediately
Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and slow gradually before pulling over (Correct answer)
Steer sharply toward the shoulder

Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and slow gradually before pulling over

Hard braking after a blowout can cause loss of control, so slow gradually while steering straight.

Question 5: When approaching a curve on a wet or icy road, when should you reduce your speed?

Before entering the curve (Correct answer)
At the middle of the curve
Only if you feel the tires slip
After exiting the curve

Correct answer: Before entering the curve

Slowing before the curve keeps traction available for steering, since braking within a curve on a slick surface can cause a skid.

Question 6: How does driving during long winter darkness in Alaska affect your driving?

It has no effect if headlights work
Darkness improves contrast, making hazards easier to see
It only affects drivers over age 65
Reduced visibility and fatigue require slower speeds and extra alertness (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reduced visibility and fatigue require slower speeds and extra alertness

Extended darkness limits visibility and increases fatigue, so drivers must slow down and stay especially alert.

Question 7: What is the typical speed limit on Alaska's rural two-lane highways unless posted otherwise?

65 mph
60 mph
55 mph (Correct answer)
45 mph

Correct answer: 55 mph

Most rural two-lane highways in Alaska have a default speed limit of 55 mph when no higher limit is posted.

Question 8: If you cause a crash and the victim's damages exceed your liability limits, what can happen?

The insurer must pay everything regardless of limits
You can be held personally responsible for the amount above your limits (Correct answer)
The victim's costs are canceled
The DMV pays the difference

Correct answer: You can be held personally responsible for the amount above your limits

Damages exceeding your policy limits can become your personal financial responsibility.

Question 9: When driving on ice or packed snow in Alaska, how much should you increase your following distance compared to dry pavement?

Keep the same 2-second gap
Increase it to at least 8-10 seconds (Correct answer)
Increase it to 3 seconds only
Reduce it so others can't cut in

Correct answer: Increase it to at least 8-10 seconds

On ice or packed snow, stopping distances grow dramatically, so a following distance of 8-10 seconds or more is recommended.

Question 10: What is required to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL)?

Passing knowledge tests, a skills test, meeting medical requirements, and being at least 18 or 21 depending on travel type (Correct answer)
Five years of driving experience with a regular license
Only a written test and minimum age of 16
A college degree in transportation

Correct answer: Passing knowledge tests, a skills test, meeting medical requirements, and being at least 18 or 21 depending on travel type

CDL applicants must pass written knowledge tests, a driving skills test, meet federal medical standards, and be at least 18 (intrastate) or 21 (interstate) years old.

Question 11: What should you do if your vehicle begins to skid on an icy Alaska road?

Shift into park
Brake hard immediately
Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go (Correct answer)
Turn the wheel opposite the skid and accelerate

Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go

In a skid, ease off the gas and steer toward where you want to go without braking hard.

Question 12: How close to a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal may you park?

No closer than 30 feet (Correct answer)
No closer than 15 feet
No closer than 50 feet
No closer than 20 feet

Correct answer: No closer than 30 feet

Parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or signal blocks other drivers' view of it.

Question 13: After driving through a large puddle or standing water, what should you do?

Speed up to dry the engine
Shift into neutral and coast
Turn the wheel side to side to shake off water
Test your brakes gently at low speed until they work normally (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Test your brakes gently at low speed until they work normally

Wet brakes lose effectiveness, so apply them lightly at low speed until they dry and respond normally.

Question 14: What happens if you are caught driving without valid insurance?

A verbal warning for the first offense
Only a small fine
Fines, license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and potential jail time for repeat offenses (Correct answer)
No penalty if you have a valid license

Correct answer: Fines, license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and potential jail time for repeat offenses

Driving without insurance carries severe penalties including fines, license and registration suspension, potential vehicle impoundment, and possible jail time for repeated violations.

Question 15: In Alaska, what happens to the GDL restrictions if a provisional license holder receives a moving violation?

The license is immediately suspended
No change occurs unless there are two violations
The restrictions are lifted early
The provisional period is automatically extended (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The provisional period is automatically extended

If a provisional license holder in Alaska receives a moving violation, the provisional period is extended, keeping restrictions in place longer.

Question 16: An ATV is legally operating on the shoulder of a rural Alaska road. How should you treat it?

Like any slow vehicle: slow down and pass with ample clearance (Correct answer)
Honk continuously while passing
Follow directly behind it until it exits
Force it fully off the roadway

Correct answer: Like any slow vehicle: slow down and pass with ample clearance

Treat ATVs like other slow-moving road users by slowing and giving generous passing room.

Question 17: During extreme cold in Alaska, what should you check before starting a long trip?

Fuel level, tire condition, antifreeze, and an emergency survival kit (Correct answer)
Only the radio and phone charger
Just the windshield washer fluid
Nothing extra beyond normal driving

Correct answer: Fuel level, tire condition, antifreeze, and an emergency survival kit

Extreme cold demands a full vehicle check plus a survival kit with blankets, food, and supplies in case you become stranded.

Question 18: What does a yellow diamond sign with a slippery car symbol (wavy skid marks) warn about?

Sharp curves ahead
The road may be slippery when wet or icy (Correct answer)
Drunk driving enforcement area
Loose gravel only

Correct answer: The road may be slippery when wet or icy

The slippery-when-wet sign warns that the pavement can be hazardous in wet or icy conditions, common in Alaska.

Question 19: If you cannot see a truck driver in the truck's side mirror, what does that mean?

The mirror is broken
You are in a legal passing position
The truck is about to change lanes
The truck driver cannot see you (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The truck driver cannot see you

If you cannot see the driver in the truck's mirror, you are in a blind spot and invisible to the driver.

Question 20: Where do most collisions between cars and bicycles occur?

In parking lots
On multi-use paths
At intersections and driveways (Correct answer)
On rural highways

Correct answer: At intersections and driveways

Most car-bicycle crashes happen at intersections and driveways where paths cross.

Alaska DMV Knowledge Test

The Alaska DMV knowledge test evaluates applicants on traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and Alaska-specific driving regulations required to obtain a standard driver's license.

Questions

25 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

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No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
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