Texas DPS Driver's License Knowledge Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In Texas, parking is prohibited within how many feet of a railroad crossing?

25 feet
100 feet
50 feet (Correct answer)
75 feet

Correct answer: 50 feet

You must not park within 50 feet of the nearest rail at a railroad crossing.

Question 2: Driving with both hands on the wheel is recommended primarily because it:

Is required by Texas law at all times
Provides better vehicle control and faster reaction to hazards (Correct answer)
Reduces fuel consumption
Prevents cruise control from activating

Correct answer: Provides better vehicle control and faster reaction to hazards

Using both hands (at the 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock positions) maximizes steering control and allows quicker emergency corrections.

Question 3: You are driving at night and an oncoming vehicle's high beams blind you. You should:

Stare at the center line to stay in your lane
Look toward the right edge of the road (Correct answer)
Flash your high beams repeatedly
Slow down and stop until your vision clears

Correct answer: Look toward the right edge of the road

Looking toward the right edge of the roadway prevents temporary blindness from oncoming lights while keeping you on course.

Question 4: What is uninsured motorist coverage?

Insurance that covers you when your own policy lapses
Insurance for drivers who are not licensed
Coverage that pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance (Correct answer)
Coverage for vehicles with expired registration

Correct answer: Coverage that pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance

Uninsured motorist coverage protects you when you are in an accident caused by a driver who has no liability insurance and cannot pay for your damages.

Question 5: What is the default speed limit in Texas urban districts unless otherwise posted?

30 mph (Correct answer)
25 mph
20 mph
35 mph

Correct answer: 30 mph

Texas law sets a default speed limit of 30 mph in urban districts when no other limit is posted.

Question 6: In Texas, a driver who causes a crash while DWI and flees the scene may face which additional charge?

Evading arrest
Reckless driving
Failure to stop and render aid (Correct answer)
Criminal mischief

Correct answer: Failure to stop and render aid

Leaving the scene of an accident without rendering aid is a separate serious offense under Texas Transportation Code.

Question 7: What is the primary purpose of coolant (antifreeze) in your vehicle?

To lubricate the engine's moving parts
To regulate engine temperature and prevent both freezing and overheating (Correct answer)
To clean fuel injectors and remove deposits
To regulate fuel efficiency and mileage

Correct answer: To regulate engine temperature and prevent both freezing and overheating

Coolant regulates engine temperature by carrying heat away from the engine and preventing the water in the cooling system from freezing or boiling.

Question 8: What does a white rectangular sign with black letters displaying a number mean?

Speed limit for trucks only
Recommended speed for curves
Posted speed limit you must not exceed (Correct answer)
Minimum safe speed

Correct answer: Posted speed limit you must not exceed

White rectangular speed limit signs show the maximum legal speed for normal conditions on that road.

Question 9: A defensive driver sees debris on the highway. What is the safest action?

Swerve quickly into another lane without checking mirrors
Drive over it slowly
Check mirrors, signal, and change lanes safely if possible (Correct answer)
Brake hard to stop before it

Correct answer: Check mirrors, signal, and change lanes safely if possible

Checking mirrors and signaling before changing lanes avoids creating a crash while evading the debris.

Question 10: What is the standard speed limit for Texas rural state highways when no limit is posted?

70 mph (Correct answer)
60 mph
65 mph
75 mph

Correct answer: 70 mph

The default speed limit on Texas rural numbered highways (non-interstate) is 70 mph when no speed limit sign is posted.

Question 11: A white sign reading 'DO NOT ENTER' with a red background and white bar means:

You are heading the wrong way on a one-way road (Correct answer)
Road closed for construction
No trucks over 5 tons
Parking is not allowed

Correct answer: You are heading the wrong way on a one-way road

The 'Do Not Enter' sign is placed at the exit of one-way roads to prevent drivers from entering against traffic.

Question 12: Under Texas law, you must turn off your engine when parked unless your vehicle is:

Left for fewer than five minutes
In a private parking lot
Equipped with a remote start system
Attended by a licensed driver in the driver's seat (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Attended by a licensed driver in the driver's seat

Texas law allows an unattended vehicle to remain running only if a licensed driver is seated in the driver's seat.

Question 13: What is the safest way to merge onto a Texas highway using an acceleration lane?

Stop at the end of the ramp and wait for a gap
Merge immediately after entering the ramp
Slow down and force a vehicle to let you in
Match highway traffic speed and merge into a gap (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Match highway traffic speed and merge into a gap

Matching highway speed and finding a safe gap minimizes speed differences that cause rear-end collisions during merging.

Question 14: When parallel parking between two vehicles, you should first:

Pull past the space and then turn in from the front
Back directly into the space from the travel lane
Stop in the travel lane and turn your wheels fully
Pull up alongside the vehicle in front and then back in (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pull up alongside the vehicle in front and then back in

Proper parallel parking technique requires pulling up even with the front vehicle and then backing into the space at an angle.

Question 15: What should you do if no parking meter is present but a sign says 'Meter Zone'?

Look for a pay station nearby (Correct answer)
Park and leave a note with contact information
Park freely since there is no meter
Treat it as a no-parking zone

Correct answer: Look for a pay station nearby

Many cities use centralized pay stations instead of individual meters, so you must locate and pay at the nearest pay station.

Question 16: When you are being tailgated, the best response is to:

Brake-check the tailgater
Speed up to create distance
Flash your brake lights repeatedly
Gradually slow down and allow the tailgater to pass, or change lanes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Gradually slow down and allow the tailgater to pass, or change lanes

Easing off speed or moving out of the way encourages a tailgater to pass without escalating tension or creating a collision risk.

Question 17: A vehicle merging onto a freeway from an on-ramp must yield to:

No one — freeway on-ramp vehicles have the right-of-way
All vehicles already on the freeway (Correct answer)
Only vehicles in the right lane
Vehicles approaching from the left only

Correct answer: All vehicles already on the freeway

Vehicles entering a freeway from an on-ramp must yield to all traffic already traveling on the freeway.

Question 18: Which sign prohibits passing other vehicles?

A yellow sign with two cars side by side and an X (Correct answer)
A green sign with a passing lane symbol
A white sign with two cars and a curved arrow
A blue sign with 'No Passing Zone' text

Correct answer: A yellow sign with two cars side by side and an X

A 'No Passing Zone' sign shows two vehicles with a prohibiting X, indicating that passing is not allowed in that area.

Question 19: Driving through deep standing water at highway speed risks which of the following most immediately?

Engine oil contamination
Transmission overheating
Hydroplaning and sudden loss of vehicle control (Correct answer)
Tire bead separation from the rim

Correct answer: Hydroplaning and sudden loss of vehicle control

Driving through deep water at speed causes tires to ride up on a water layer, producing immediate hydroplaning and loss of steering and braking control.

Question 20: Texas law prohibits a driver from operating a vehicle on a highway while using a handheld wireless communication device in a school zone. This ban applies:

Only when children are visibly present
Only during school hours posted on signs
At all times, regardless of school hours (Correct answer)
Only when school is in session

Correct answer: At all times, regardless of school hours

Texas's ban on handheld device use in school zones applies at all times, not just when school is in session.

Question 21: In Texas, a driver must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk when the pedestrian is:

On any part of the crosswalk (Correct answer)
Within 10 feet of the driver's lane
On the same half of the road as the driver
Directly in front of the vehicle

Correct answer: On any part of the crosswalk

Texas law requires yielding to a pedestrian who is on any portion of a marked crosswalk, not just the driver's half.

Question 22: When should you use your turn signals?

Only when required by law enforcement
When you want to change lanes or turn (Correct answer)
Only when turning left
When driving on highways

Correct answer: When you want to change lanes or turn

Turn signals are essential for communicating your intentions to other drivers and are legally required when changing lanes, turning, or merging into traffic. Using turn signals consistently and in advance helps prevent accidents by giving other road users time to react to your maneuvers. This promotes safe driving and reduces confusion on the road.

Question 23: In Texas, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is:

Mandatory for all drivers
Automatically included in all policies
Optional but must be offered by insurers (Correct answer)
Only available for commercial vehicles

Correct answer: Optional but must be offered by insurers

Texas law requires insurers to offer UM/UIM coverage, but drivers may reject it in writing.

Question 24: When two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at exactly the same time, who has the right of way?

The vehicle traveling on the wider road
The heavier vehicle
The vehicle traveling at a higher speed
The vehicle approaching from the right (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The vehicle approaching from the right

When two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.

Question 25: What color are guide signs on Texas interstate highways that show destinations and distances?

Brown
Green (Correct answer)
Blue
White

Correct answer: Green

Green signs with white lettering are used on highways and interstates to provide directional and distance information to destinations.

Question 26: What does 'collision coverage' pay for in a Texas auto insurance policy?

Medical bills for the other driver
Damage to your own vehicle from a collision, regardless of fault (Correct answer)
Only damage caused by uninsured drivers
Liability for property you damage

Correct answer: Damage to your own vehicle from a collision, regardless of fault

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own vehicle after a collision, regardless of who caused the accident.

Texas DPS Driver's License Knowledge Test

The Texas Department of Public Safety written knowledge test evaluates applicants on Texas traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and vehicle operation rules required to obtain a Texas driver's license.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

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