Louisiana OMV Permit Practice Test 1
Test 1 of 10. Pick an answer for each question to see if it is right and why; your score appears at the end. You need 32 correct answers to pass, the same ratio as the real Louisiana test.
- Questions40
- Correct to pass32
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age15 years
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1. How does a Louisiana license issued to a person under 21 differ in appearance?
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Answer A: It is printed in a highly visible distinctive color
Louisiana requires any license issued to a person under 21 to be produced in a highly visible distinctive color so the age group is obvious at a glance.
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2. The red lights on a stopped school bus go out and the bus begins to move away. What should you do?
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Answer B: Move off slowly and keep watching for children near the road
Children who have just left the bus may still be near the roadway or crossing behind it, so pull away gently and keep looking for them.
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3. You and a driver coming from the opposite direction reach a four-way stop at the same time and you are both going straight ahead. What happens next?
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Answer D: Both of you may move off together, because your paths do not cross each other
Opposing vehicles that are both going straight do not cross paths, so they can move off together once the intersection is clear.
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4. An overhead lane-use control signal shows a steady red X above the lane you are traveling in. What does it require?
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Answer D: Leave that lane, because it is closed to you
A steady red X means road users are not permitted to use the lane beneath it, so you must move into a lane that is open.
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5. You are calling 911 to report a crash. Which information matters most?
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Answer C: The exact location, how many people are hurt and any hazard such as fire
Dispatchers need to know where to send help, how much help to send, and what dangers the crews will meet on arrival.
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6. A driver is thinking about overtaking a slower vehicle and sees this sign a short distance ahead. What does it mean for that pass?
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Answer B: The pass must be finished before the restricted section begins
The sign marks the start of a section where passing is prohibited, so a driver may not be on the left side of the road beyond it; any pass has to be completed before that point or not started at all.
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7. Why is a U-turn on a one-way street a problem?
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Answer A: You would end up facing the wrong way against all the traffic
Every lane of a one-way street runs the same way, so turning around leaves you driving head-on against all of the traffic.
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8. At a freeway exit, the paved triangle between the ramp and the through lanes is filled with diagonal white lines. What do they mean?
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Answer A: Stay out of that area, because it is not meant to be driven on
Chevron and diagonal markings fill paved areas that traffic is not intended to use, so drivers should keep out of them.
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9. A lane along the right edge is set off by a solid white line and marked with a bicycle symbol. How should a driver treat it?
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Answer B: Stay out of it except for the short distance needed to turn or cross where that is allowed
A marked bicycle lane is set aside for bicycle traffic, and motor vehicles may enter it only briefly where turning or crossing is permitted.
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10. An oncoming driver flashes their headlights while you are waiting to turn left. What should you do?
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Answer D: Judge the situation yourself, since the flash may mean something else
A flash is not a legal signal and may mean many things, so the decision to turn stays yours and must be based on what you can see.
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11. A Louisiana Class E license holder is convicted of a first offense of driving while the license was suspended. What is the maximum criminal penalty?
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Answer D: A fine of up to 500 dollars or imprisonment for up to six months, or both
For a Class D or Class E license the first offense ceiling is 500 dollars or six months; the far higher ceiling belongs to the commercial classes.
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12. A regulatory sign posted at the start of a road reads LENGTH LIMIT 30 FEET. What does it control?
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Answer B: The overall length of vehicle allowed on that road
Some states post a length limit where tight curves or narrow structures lie ahead; it bars vehicles or combinations longer than the figure shown from using that road.
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13. At roughly what speed can hydroplaning begin when a lot of water is lying on the road?
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Answer C: At speeds as low as about 35 mph
With enough water and less than perfect tread, a tire can start to ride on the water at around 35 mph, well below normal highway speeds.
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14. Who does Louisiana bar from using a cellular telephone for any purpose while driving during the first year of licensure?
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Answer D: Any person issued a first Louisiana driver's license, whatever the age
The one year ban applies to anyone, of any age, issued a first Louisiana driver's license; it does not reach a person previously licensed in another state.
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15. You enter a work zone at night where one lane is closed and a flagger is on duty. What is the safest approach?
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Answer A: Slow early, merge before the closure and be ready to stop
Merging early at a reduced speed keeps the queue orderly and leaves you room to stop for equipment, workers or traffic that has halted ahead.
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16. You approach an intersection where the signal is flashing yellow. What should you do?
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Answer D: Slow down and cross the intersection with caution
A flashing yellow signal warns you to slow down and cross with care; it does not require a stop, but it does not give you priority either.
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17. The cars in front of and behind your parallel parked car have left you very little room. How do you get out?
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Answer D: Ease back and forth, turning the wheels each way, until you clear
Short movements with the wheels turned first one way and then the other walk the car out of a tight space without touching anything.
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18. Which conviction is one of the grounds for a 24 month suspension of driving privileges in Louisiana?
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Answer D: A second conviction of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in this state
Louisiana lists a second conviction of driving while intoxicated or of vehicular negligent injuring, along with vehicular homicide, negligent homicide and failing to render aid, among the grounds for a 24 month suspension.
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19. When does Louisiana charge no reinstatement fee at all for an insurance lapse?
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Answer B: When the lapse is ten days or less and the plate is surrendered within ten days
No fee is owed where the lapse ran ten days or less and the license plate was surrendered within ten days, or on a first violation with a lapse of ten days or less after proper notice.
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20. A speed limit sign carries a second panel reading TRUCKS 55. What does that panel do?
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Answer B: It sets a lower legal limit for trucks
A truck speed limit panel is regulatory, so trucks are bound by the lower figure while other traffic keeps to the main limit.
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21. How does the blood alcohol standard for a driver operating a commercial vehicle compare with the one for a car driver?
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Answer D: It is lower, set at 0.04
Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard of 0.04 because of the size of their vehicles and the risk they carry.
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22. What ceiling does Louisiana's general traffic penalty section set for a second or later offense?
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Answer D: Up to 500 dollars or 90 days
For a second or later traffic offense Louisiana raises the ceiling to a fine of 500 dollars or 90 days of imprisonment, or both.
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23. Which of these is never a legal place to park?
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Answer C: In a crosswalk, on a sidewalk or within an intersection
Crosswalks, sidewalks and intersections must stay clear so that pedestrians can cross and drivers can see approaching traffic.
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24. A 19 year old Louisiana driver submits to a chemical test that reads 0.03 percent. What suspension follows?
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Answer B: 180 days
A driver under 21 who tests at 0.02 percent or more faces a suspension of 180 days, whatever the adult limit may be.
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25. What is wrong with steering through a turn using the palm of one hand on the wheel?
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Answer D: You have less control and cannot correct quickly if something goes wrong
One-handed palming gives poor leverage and slow response. Use hand-to-hand or hand-over-hand steering with both hands so you can react instantly.
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26. You are stopped in slow traffic and a motorcycle comes up between the lanes. What should you do?
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Answer D: Hold your position and avoid any sudden lane change
The danger to a rider between lanes comes from a vehicle moving sideways without warning, so staying predictable is what protects them.
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27. Besides motorist services and tourist information, a blue sign background is also used for
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Answer B: evacuation route signing
Blue is assigned to road user services, tourist information and evacuation routes, so hurricane and other evacuation routes are signed in blue.
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28. How does a lap and shoulder belt protect you in a crash?
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Answer B: It holds you to the seat and spreads the force over the strong bones
The belt keeps you with the vehicle as it slows and puts the load on the hips and the chest rather than on soft tissue.
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29. How closely may a Louisiana driver follow an authorized emergency vehicle that is responding to an official call?
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Answer B: No closer than 500 feet
Louisiana bars a driver not on official business from following a responding emergency vehicle at less than the stated distance, and from parking within the block where it has stopped.
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30. What most often starts a rear wheel skid?
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Answer A: Too much speed, braking or acceleration for the grip available
A skid begins when what you ask of the tires exceeds what the surface can give, which is usually a matter of speed and of how abruptly you use the controls.
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31. A mixed drink is made with two shots of spirits. How much alcohol is that?
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Answer C: About two standard drinks
A standard drink is a fixed amount of pure alcohol, so a glass poured with two measures counts as two drinks however it is served.
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32. What are the minimum liability limits a Louisiana motor vehicle liability policy must carry?
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Answer C: 15,000 dollars per person, 30,000 per accident and 25,000 property damage
Louisiana requires 15,000 dollars for bodily injury to or death of one person, 30,000 dollars where two or more are hurt in one accident, and 25,000 dollars for damage to the property of others.
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33. In which situation does Louisiana law forbid a driver from refusing a chemical test altogether?
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Answer D: Whenever a fatality has occurred or a person has sustained serious bodily injury
Louisiana removes the option of refusal where the incident caused a death or serious bodily injury, and also where the driver has already refused on two previous and separate occasions.
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34. Why is following distance measured in seconds rather than in car lengths?
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Answer A: Because a time gap automatically grows with speed, while a fixed number of car lengths does not
A gap counted in seconds keeps the same margin of reaction time at any speed, whereas a fixed number of car lengths becomes far too small as speed rises.
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35. Why does a dirty windshield matter much more at night than during the day?
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Answer C: Dust and streaks scatter oncoming light and increase glare
Film and streaks on the glass spread every oncoming headlight into a star of glare, so clean the inside as well as the outside before a night trip.
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36. What is the minimum age to be issued a Louisiana learner's permit?
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Answer A: 15 years old
Louisiana issues the learner's permit at 15, one stage above the temporary instructional permit that a driver education student may hold at 14.
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37. What should you do as you approach your exit from a roundabout?
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Answer A: Signal right and check the crosswalk for pedestrians before leaving
A right signal tells following drivers and waiting drivers that you are leaving, and pedestrians cross at the exit leg, so the crosswalk must be checked.
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38. What is the most common cause of rear-end collisions?
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Answer C: Following too closely to stop in time
A driver who leaves too little space has no room to perceive, react and brake when the vehicle ahead slows, which is why space management prevents rear-end crashes.
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39. How much more energy must your brakes absorb if you double your speed?
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Answer D: About four times as much, since energy rises with the square of speed
Kinetic energy grows with the square of speed, so twice the speed means about four times the energy and a far longer braking distance.
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40. How does eating a large meal before drinking affect impairment?
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Answer D: It slows absorption but the alcohol still reaches the blood and impairs you
Food delays how quickly alcohol enters the bloodstream, which can make the peak arrive later, but all of the alcohol is eventually absorbed.