DGT Theory Test (Examen Teórico DGT) — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the correct hand signal for a right turn?
- Arm waved in a circular motion
- Arm bent upward at the elbow (Correct answer)
- Arm bent downward at the elbow
- Arm extended straight out
Correct answer: Arm bent upward at the elbow
The hand signal for a right turn is the left arm extended out the window with the forearm bent upward at a 90-degree angle.
Question 2: In most U.S. states, a second DUI conviction within a specified period results in:
- Enhanced penalties including longer license suspension and possible jail time (Correct answer)
- The same penalties as a first offense
- Only a written warning
- Automatic dismissal if BAC was exactly 0.08%
Correct answer: Enhanced penalties including longer license suspension and possible jail time
Repeat DUI offenses carry escalating penalties including longer license suspensions, mandatory ignition interlock devices, higher fines, and possible imprisonment.
Question 3: When should you use a tourniquet on a bleeding wound?
- As the very first step before applying pressure
- Only if trained medical personnel are present
- For any wound that bleeds
- Only when direct pressure has failed to control life-threatening limb bleeding (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Only when direct pressure has failed to control life-threatening limb bleeding
Tourniquets are a last resort for life-threatening limb bleeding that cannot be controlled by direct pressure.
Question 4: What does 'engine knocking' typically indicate?
- The oil is too thick for current conditions
- Pre-ignition or detonation, often from low-octane fuel or carbon buildup (Correct answer)
- A loose heat shield on the exhaust
- The engine needs a tune-up
Correct answer: Pre-ignition or detonation, often from low-octane fuel or carbon buildup
Engine knocking is caused by pre-ignition or detonation — the fuel-air mixture igniting too early or unevenly — often due to low-octane fuel or carbon deposits.
Question 5: What does hydroplaning mean and at what condition does it most commonly occur?
- Loss of tire traction when a water layer separates tires from the road (Correct answer)
- Brakes overheating when driving through deep puddles
- Aquatic debris blocking the exhaust system
- Engine overheating in hot weather, especially above 90°F
Correct answer: Loss of tire traction when a water layer separates tires from the road
Hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on a film of water rather than making contact with the road surface.
Question 6: What is the effect of doubling your speed on your vehicle's kinetic energy and stopping distance?
- Kinetic energy doubles; stopping distance triples
- Both double
- Both triple
- Both quadruple (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both quadruple
Kinetic energy increases with the square of speed, so doubling speed quadruples kinetic energy and approximately quadruples stopping distance.
Question 7: Which drug category, besides alcohol, is most frequently detected in fatally injured drivers in the U.S.?
- Opioids
- Hallucinogens
- Cannabis (marijuana) (Correct answer)
- Stimulants such as cocaine
Correct answer: Cannabis (marijuana)
Cannabis is the most frequently detected illicit drug among fatally injured drivers in the U.S., impairing depth perception, reaction time, and divided attention.
Question 8: At an uncontrolled intersection where two vehicles arrive at the same time, who has the right-of-way?
- The vehicle on the right (Correct answer)
- The larger vehicle
- The vehicle traveling faster
- The vehicle on the left
Correct answer: The vehicle on the right
When two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
Question 9: What is the general speed limit on a rural two-lane road in most U.S. states when no posted sign is visible?
- 65 mph
- 45 mph
- 55 mph (Correct answer)
- 35 mph
Correct answer: 55 mph
Most U.S. states set a default speed limit of 55 mph on rural two-lane undivided highways when no sign is posted.
Question 10: Statistics show that impaired driving crashes peak during which time period?
- Monday through Wednesday morning rush hours
- School zone hours on weekday mornings
- Late night and early morning hours, especially on weekends (Correct answer)
- Early afternoon on weekdays
Correct answer: Late night and early morning hours, especially on weekends
NHTSA data consistently shows that alcohol-related fatal crashes peak between midnight and 3 a.m. on weekends, coinciding with bar and restaurant closing times.
Question 11: What is the minimum safe following distance recommended when driving at highway speeds in normal conditions?
- 1 second
- 2 seconds
- 3 seconds (Correct answer)
- 5 seconds
Correct answer: 3 seconds
A minimum 3-second following distance is recommended at highway speeds to allow adequate reaction and braking time.
Question 12: A pedestrian signal displaying an orange hand means:
- Signal is malfunctioning — pedestrians have the right of way
- Pedestrians should not begin crossing; finish if already started (Correct answer)
- Pedestrians should increase their pace to finish crossing
- Pedestrians must stop on the sidewalk immediately
Correct answer: Pedestrians should not begin crossing; finish if already started
The flashing or steady orange hand tells pedestrians not to start crossing; those already crossing should finish before the signal changes.
Question 13: What is the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for non-commercial adult drivers in most U.S. states?
- 0.08% (Correct answer)
- 0.10%
- 0.15%
- 0.05%
Correct answer: 0.08%
A BAC of 0.08% or higher is legally impaired for non-commercial adult drivers in most states.
Question 14: What effect does drowsy driving have on reaction time, and what is the recommended action?
- Drinking coffee while driving fully restores alertness for the remaining trip
- Drowsy driving impairs reaction time similarly to alcohol; pull over and rest in a safe location (Correct answer)
- Drowsy driving minimally affects reaction time; just open the window for fresh air
- Increasing the radio volume is proven to counteract driver fatigue safely
Correct answer: Drowsy driving impairs reaction time similarly to alcohol; pull over and rest in a safe location
Research shows drowsy driving impairs judgment and reaction time to a degree comparable with alcohol intoxication; stopping to rest is the only safe remedy.
Question 15: What is the purpose of a feasibility study in Directorate-General for Traffic Test project planning?
- To create a marketing plan
- To determine if a project is viable and worth pursuing (Correct answer)
- To start the project immediately
- To assign team roles
Correct answer: To determine if a project is viable and worth pursuing
A feasibility study evaluates whether a project is technically, financially, and operationally viable before committing resources.
Question 16: How does aggressive braking at traffic lights contribute to environmental harm?
- It overheats the catalytic converter, reducing its effectiveness
- Both A and C (Correct answer)
- It wastes the kinetic energy already expended on acceleration, requiring more fuel to restart
- It deposits rubber particles that wash into storm drains
Correct answer: Both A and C
Aggressive braking wastes fuel energy invested in acceleration and deposits tire rubber microplastics that enter waterways via runoff.
Question 17: At a T-intersection where no signs or signals are present, who must yield?
- The driver arriving first has the right-of-way
- The driver on the terminating road must yield to traffic on the through road (Correct answer)
- The driver turning left always yields
- The driver on the through road
Correct answer: The driver on the terminating road must yield to traffic on the through road
At a T-intersection, vehicles on the road that ends (the stem of the T) must yield to vehicles on the through road.
Question 18: A white rectangular sign with the message 'SPEED LIMIT 35' is classified as what type of sign?
- Service sign
- Regulatory sign (Correct answer)
- Warning sign
- Guide sign
Correct answer: Regulatory sign
Regulatory signs are white rectangles that inform drivers of traffic laws they must obey, including speed limits.
Question 19: When must a driver yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk?
- Only when there is a crossing guard present
- Whenever a pedestrian is in or entering a crosswalk, marked or unmarked (Correct answer)
- Only at marked crosswalks with painted lines
- Only when the pedestrian has a walk signal
Correct answer: Whenever a pedestrian is in or entering a crosswalk, marked or unmarked
U.S. law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
Question 20: What does a 'speed advisory sign' (yellow diamond) indicate compared to a regulatory speed limit sign?
- It overrides any posted speed limit in the area
- It is legally enforceable just like a speed limit
- It recommends a safe speed for a curve or hazard but is not legally binding (Correct answer)
- It applies only to trucks and buses
Correct answer: It recommends a safe speed for a curve or hazard but is not legally binding
Advisory speed signs (yellow) suggest a safe speed for conditions like curves but carry no legal penalty, unlike regulatory white signs.
Question 21: When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended on a two-lane road, what must approaching drivers in BOTH directions do?
- Stop only if approaching from behind the bus
- Yield only if children are visible
- Stop and remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the arm is retracted (Correct answer)
- Slow to 15 mph and proceed cautiously
Correct answer: Stop and remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or the arm is retracted
On a two-lane road with no median, all traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus loading or unloading children.
Question 22: If you are driving at 60 mph, approximately how many feet does your vehicle travel per second?
- 88 feet (Correct answer)
- 44 feet
- 110 feet
- 60 feet
Correct answer: 88 feet
At 60 mph, a vehicle travels approximately 88 feet per second, which is why adequate following distance is critical.
Question 23: Why should you avoid 'riding the clutch' in a manual transmission vehicle?
- It wastes fuel by keeping the engine revving
- It causes premature clutch wear by creating friction (Correct answer)
- It damages the transmission fluid
- It overheats the brakes
Correct answer: It causes premature clutch wear by creating friction
Riding the clutch keeps the clutch disc partially engaged, creating constant friction that accelerates wear and shortens clutch life significantly.
Question 24: What is the correct depth for chest compressions in adult CPR?
- 3.5 inches
- 1 inch
- 0.5 inches
- At least 2 inches (about 5 cm) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: At least 2 inches (about 5 cm)
Chest compressions for adults must be at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep to effectively circulate blood to vital organs.
Question 25: How often should you check your tire pressure?
- Once a year during a vehicle inspection.
- At least once a month. (Correct answer)
- Only before long trips.
- Never, unless the tire looks flat.
Correct answer: At least once a month.
You should check your tire pressure at least once a month, as well as before long trips. Proper tire pressure is crucial for vehicle safety, fuel efficiency, and tire longevity. Under-inflated or over-inflated tires can lead to poor handling, increased wear, and a higher risk of blowouts, making regular checks an essential part of vehicle maintenance.
DGT Theory Test (Examen Teórico DGT)
The official Spanish driving theory test administered by the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), required to obtain a Category B driving licence in Spain. Candidates must answer 30 multiple-choice questions covering traffic law, road signs, speed limits, priority rules, and safe driving behaviour.
Exam Rules
- You can skip questions and return to them later
- Flag questions for review before submitting
- No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
- Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
- 10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
- Timer auto-submits when time runs out
- Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds