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Alabama DMV Diagnostic Test – 20 Questions

Take this Alabama DMV Diagnostic Test to assess your knowledge before studying for the learner permit exam. The questions cover Alabama traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way, safe driving, defensive driving, licensing rules, and road safety.

20
Questions
15 min
Time limit
Medium
Difficulty

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  1. 1. At what age may an eligible person apply for an Alabama Stage I learner's license?

    • A. 14
    • B. 15
    • C. 16
    • D. 17
    Show answer

    B. 15

    Alabama allows eligible applicants to obtain a Stage I learner's license beginning at age 15.

  2. 2. What does a flashing red traffic signal require you to do?

    • A. Slow down and continue
    • B. Stop and proceed when safe
    • C. Continue without stopping
    • D. Treat it as a green light
    Show answer

    B. Stop and proceed when safe

    A flashing red signal is treated like a stop sign. You must stop and proceed only when it is safe and lawful.

  3. 3. When making a left turn at an intersection, you must generally yield to:

    • A. Vehicles approaching from behind
    • B. Approaching traffic and pedestrians with the right-of-way
    • C. Only vehicles turning right
    • D. No one if your turn signal is activated
    Show answer

    B. Approaching traffic and pedestrians with the right-of-way

    A driver turning left must yield to approaching traffic and pedestrians who have the right-of-way.

  4. 4. What do yellow pavement markings generally separate?

    • A. Traffic moving in the same direction
    • B. Traffic moving in opposite directions
    • C. Parking spaces
    • D. Pedestrian and bicycle areas
    Show answer

    B. Traffic moving in opposite directions

    Yellow markings generally separate traffic moving in opposite directions.

  5. 5. Before changing lanes, which combination of actions should you take?

    • A. Check only the rearview mirror
    • B. Signal, check mirrors, and check your blind spot
    • C. Honk and immediately change lanes
    • D. Accelerate without signaling
    Show answer

    B. Signal, check mirrors, and check your blind spot

    A safe lane change requires signaling your intention, checking mirrors, and checking the blind spot before moving.

  6. 6. If you are driving in heavy rain, what should you generally do?

    • A. Increase speed
    • B. Reduce speed and increase following distance
    • C. Follow the vehicle ahead more closely
    • D. Turn off your headlights
    Show answer

    B. Reduce speed and increase following distance

    Rain reduces visibility and traction and can increase stopping distance. Slowing down and increasing following distance provides additional safety.

  7. 7. When driving in fog, which headlights should you generally use?

    • A. High beams
    • B. Low beams
    • C. Parking lights only
    • D. No lights
    Show answer

    B. Low beams

    Low beams are generally recommended in fog because high beams can reflect off the fog and make visibility worse.

  8. 8. What should you do if traffic is stopped beyond an intersection and there is not enough room for your vehicle to clear it?

    • A. Enter the intersection because the light is green
    • B. Enter halfway and wait
    • C. Wait until there is enough room to cross completely
    • D. Use the shoulder to get through
    Show answer

    C. Wait until there is enough room to cross completely

    Do not enter an intersection when traffic prevents you from clearing it. Waiting helps prevent blocking cross traffic.

  9. 9. A driver is being followed too closely by another vehicle. What is a safer response?

    • A. Brake suddenly
    • B. Speed far above the limit
    • C. Increase the space ahead and allow the vehicle to pass when safe
    • D. Move into the opposing lane
    Show answer

    C. Increase the space ahead and allow the vehicle to pass when safe

    Increasing the space ahead gives you more time to react, while allowing the tailgating vehicle to pass can reduce the hazard.

  10. 10. What is the primary purpose of defensive driving?

    • A. Driving faster than other vehicles
    • B. Anticipating hazards and reducing collision risk
    • C. Preventing other drivers from passing
    • D. Avoiding the use of brakes
    Show answer

    B. Anticipating hazards and reducing collision risk

    Defensive driving involves staying alert, anticipating potential hazards, and taking appropriate action to avoid collisions.

  11. 11. What should you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with its siren and flashing lights activated?

    • A. Follow it closely
    • B. Race ahead of it
    • C. Yield and move out of its path safely
    • D. Ignore it if you have a green light
    Show answer

    C. Yield and move out of its path safely

    Drivers must yield to emergency vehicles using audible and visual warning signals and make room for them to pass safely.

  12. 12. Under Alabama's Move Over Act, what should you generally do on a multi-lane highway when approaching a covered stopped vehicle displaying flashing lights?

    • A. Move into the lane closest to the stopped vehicle
    • B. Vacate the lane closest to the stopped vehicle when safe
    • C. Stop immediately in your lane
    • D. Increase your speed
    Show answer

    B. Vacate the lane closest to the stopped vehicle when safe

    Alabama's Move Over Act generally requires drivers on multi-lane highways to move out of the lane closest to a covered stopped vehicle when it is safe to do so.

  13. 13. If you cannot safely move over for a covered stopped vehicle on a multi-lane Alabama highway, what should you generally do?

    • A. Maintain the posted speed
    • B. Stop in the travel lane
    • C. Slow to at least 15 mph below the posted speed limit
    • D. Drive on the shoulder
    Show answer

    C. Slow to at least 15 mph below the posted speed limit

    When moving over is not safe, Alabama's Move Over Act generally requires drivers to slow to at least 15 mph below the posted speed limit.

  14. 14. Why should you avoid staying alongside a large truck for a long period of time?

    • A. Trucks cannot change lanes
    • B. Large trucks have significant blind spots
    • C. Trucks always travel faster
    • D. Trucks have shorter stopping distances
    Show answer

    B. Large trucks have significant blind spots

    Large trucks have substantial blind spots around the vehicle. Staying out of these areas reduces the chance of a collision during lane changes or turns.

  15. 15. You approach a railroad crossing and traffic on the other side is stopped. What should you do?

    • A. Enter the crossing and stop on the tracks
    • B. Cross quickly
    • C. Wait until there is enough space to completely clear the tracks
    • D. Drive around the traffic
    Show answer

    C. Wait until there is enough space to completely clear the tracks

    Never enter a railroad crossing unless you have enough room on the other side to completely clear the tracks.

  16. 16. Which action is considered a form of distracted driving?

    • A. Scanning the road ahead
    • B. Checking your mirrors
    • C. Reading or sending a text message
    • D. Checking your blind spot
    Show answer

    C. Reading or sending a text message

    Texting takes visual, manual, and mental attention away from driving and is a dangerous form of driver distraction.

  17. 17. According to Alabama's current driver license point system, how many points are assigned for following too closely?

    • A. 2 points
    • B. 3 points
    • C. 4 points
    • D. 5 points
    Show answer

    B. 3 points

    ALEA's current point schedule lists following too closely as a 3-point traffic offense.

  18. 18. According to Alabama's current driver license point system, how many points are assigned for reckless driving or reckless endangerment involving operation of a motor vehicle?

    • A. 3 points
    • B. 4 points
    • C. 5 points
    • D. 6 points
    Show answer

    D. 6 points

    ALEA's current point schedule assigns 6 points for reckless driving or reckless endangerment involving operation of a motor vehicle.

  19. 19. A Stage II Alabama restricted license holder under age 18 generally wants to drive at 2:00 a.m. Which statement is correct?

    • A. Driving is always permitted after obtaining Stage II
    • B. Driving is permitted if the driver has a parent in the vehicle
    • C. Driving is generally prohibited unless a specified exception applies
    • D. Driving is permitted if the trip is less than 10 miles
    Show answer

    C. Driving is generally prohibited unless a specified exception applies

    Alabama generally prohibits Stage II license holders under 18 from driving between midnight and 6 a.m., subject to specified exceptions.

  20. 20. Which statement best describes a good defensive driver?

    • A. A driver who assumes everyone else will obey the law
    • B. A driver who reacts only after a hazard becomes unavoidable
    • C. A driver who anticipates hazards, maintains space, and stays prepared to react
    • D. A driver who always drives at the maximum speed
    Show answer

    C. A driver who anticipates hazards, maintains space, and stays prepared to react

    A defensive driver continuously observes the roadway, anticipates potential hazards, maintains adequate space, and prepares for unexpected actions by other road users.