Steerlet/Maryland/Permit practice

Maryland permit practice: 20 free questions

Choose an answer, then check the explanation and its handbook source. These are Steerlet practice questions, not the official test or its exact format.

Written from Maryland Driver’s Manual (October 2026 Edition). Independently checked October 26, 2026.

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Question 1 of 20

You want to turn in the direction of a steady red arrow. What must you do?

ATurn after yielding, without stopping.BStop, then turn if there is no approaching traffic.CWait at a complete stop while the arrow stays red.DTurn if the adjacent through lane has a green light.

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Correct answer: C. Wait at a complete stop while the arrow stays red.

A steady red arrow requires you to stay stopped for that direction until the signal changes.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 4: Signs, Signals and Pavement Markings / A. Traffic Signals / Vehicle Signals / 4. Steady Red Arrow Signal, PDF page 18. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 2 of 20

Two solid white lines separate your lane from another lane traveling the same way. What do they mean?

AChanging lanes across those lines is prohibited.BYou may cross them only to pass a slower vehicle.CYou may cross them whenever you signal first.DOnly trucks must stay on their side of the lines.

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Correct answer: A. Changing lanes across those lines is prohibited.

A pair of solid white lines keeps traffic from changing lanes across that boundary.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 4: Signs, Signals and Pavement Markings / C. Pavement Markings / Types of Line Markings / Double (side-by-side) Solid - White, PDF page 24. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 3 of 20

You are turning left across the path of a vehicle coming toward you. Who should yield?

AThe approaching driver, because your turn signal gives you priority.BThe approaching driver, if you reached the intersection first.CWhoever is driving the smaller vehicle.DYou should yield to the approaching driver.

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Correct answer: D. You should yield to the approaching driver.

A left turn must wait for conflicting oncoming traffic. Signaling a turn does not give you priority over that traffic.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 3: Basic Driving / B. Right-of-Way, PDF page 14. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 4 of 20

You are leaving a private driveway to enter a road. Which vehicles must you let go first?

AOnly vehicles approaching from your left.BVehicles already traveling on the road.COnly vehicles moving faster than the speed limit.DVehicles behind you in the driveway.

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Correct answer: B. Vehicles already traveling on the road.

When entering a road from a driveway, yield to its traffic before pulling out.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 3: Basic Driving / B. Right-of-Way, PDF page 14. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 5 of 20

After safely passing a car, when should you move back into its lane?

AAs soon as your front bumper is ahead of the car.BWhen you can see its driver in your side mirror.CAfter both of its headlights appear in your rear-view mirror.DImmediately after you switch on your turn signal.

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Correct answer: C. After both of its headlights appear in your rear-view mirror.

Wait until the rear-view mirror shows both headlights of the car you passed before moving back over. This helps you leave room instead of cutting in too soon.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 3: Basic Driving / I. Passing, PDF page 16. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 6 of 20

Another driver is passing your vehicle. How should you respond?

AYield and avoid speeding up during the pass.BSpeed up until your front bumper matches theirs.CMove left to keep the driver from passing.DReduce the gap to the vehicle ahead so the driver cannot merge.

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Correct answer: A. Yield and avoid speeding up during the pass.

Give the passing driver room and do not accelerate while being passed.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 3: Basic Driving / I. Passing, PDF page 16. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 7 of 20

In ideal driving conditions, what minimum following gap does the MVA recommend?

A1 to 2 seconds.B2 to 3 seconds.C6 to 8 seconds.D3 to 4 seconds.

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Correct answer: D. 3 to 4 seconds.

For ideal conditions, the recommended minimum is a gap of 3 to 4 seconds. Measure it by timing when you reach a fixed point after the vehicle ahead passes it.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 3: Basic Driving / D. Following Distance, PDF page 15. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 8 of 20

Rain has made the road slippery. How should the posted speed limit affect your speed choice?

AMaintain the posted limit because driving slower is illegal.BChoose a safe lower speed for the slippery conditions.CDrive above the posted limit to spend less time on the wet road.DKeep the posted speed unless another driver brakes first.

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Correct answer: B. Choose a safe lower speed for the slippery conditions.

A posted limit describes the maximum for ideal conditions. Slippery pavement calls for reducing speed to match the conditions.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 3: Basic Driving / C. Understanding Vehicle Speed / Appropriate Speed for Conditions, PDF page 14. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 9 of 20

You have parked a car. What should you do with its parking brake?

AUse it only if the car has a manual transmission.BLeave it off when the transmission is in Park.CApply it whenever you park.DApply it only on an uphill slope.

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Correct answer: C. Apply it whenever you park.

Set the parking brake each time you park. Selecting Park or a gear is a separate step.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 3: Basic Driving / J. General Parking Rules, PDF page 16. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 10 of 20

Your car is parked beside traffic. What should you do before opening its door?

ACheck the mirrors and look for traffic.BOpen it slightly so approaching traffic will move away.CCheck only the mirror on the opposite side.DWait until the engine is off, then open without checking.

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Correct answer: A. Check the mirrors and look for traffic.

Check the mirrors and nearby traffic before opening a parked car’s door. Close it promptly after you get out.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 3: Basic Driving / J. General Parking Rules, PDF page 16. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 11 of 20

You are behind a school bus that has stopped with its red lights flashing. How far back must you stop at a minimum?

A10 feet.B15 feet.C30 feet.D20 feet.

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Correct answer: D. 20 feet.

Stop 20 feet or more behind the bus while its red lights flash. Wait until the lights stop flashing or the bus moves before proceeding.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 7: Sharing the Road / D. School Buses, PDF page 38. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 12 of 20

A motorcycle is using a traffic lane. May you drive alongside it within that same lane?

AYes, if you stay close to the lane line.BNo; leave the rider the full lane.CYes, if your vehicle is a small car.DYes, whenever you are passing slowly.

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Correct answer: B. No; leave the rider the full lane.

Give a motorcycle an entire lane. Its rider may need to adjust position within that lane to avoid a hazard or stay visible.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 7: Sharing the Road / E. Motorcycles, PDF page 39. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 13 of 20

You turn on your windshield wipers because of bad weather. What does Maryland law require you to do with your headlights?

ALeave them off until sunset.BUse only parking lights if it is daytime.CTurn the headlights on.DTurn them on only when traffic approaches.

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Correct answer: C. Turn the headlights on.

Headlights must be on when bad weather requires using the wipers. They also help other drivers see your vehicle.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions / A. Driving in Reduced Visibility / When to Use Your Headlights, PDF page 27. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 14 of 20

Fog becomes so dense that you cannot continue driving safely. What should you do?

ALeave the roadway completely for a safe place and turn on emergency flashers.BStop in your travel lane and switch to high beams.CFollow the nearest taillights closely until the fog clears.DKeep moving at the posted limit to avoid delaying traffic.

Check answer and source

Correct answer: A. Leave the roadway completely for a safe place and turn on emergency flashers.

If dense fog makes continued driving unsafe, get fully off the roadway at a safe location and use the emergency flashers.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 5: Driving Situations and Conditions / C. Driving in Fog, PDF page 28. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 15 of 20

What BAC marks Maryland’s threshold for driving under the influence of alcohol?

A.02 or higher.B.04 or higher.C.10 or higher.D.08 or higher.

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Correct answer: D. .08 or higher.

Maryland’s alcohol DUI threshold is a BAC of .08. Alcohol can still impair driving and lead to charges below that level.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 6: Dangerous Driving Behaviors / A. Alcohol, Drugs and Driving, PDF page 33. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 16 of 20

A medication warns you not to drive. What can happen if you drive after taking it and it impairs you?

AA prescription automatically protects you from any driving charge.BYou could face a criminal charge.COnly a civil parking fine can apply.DThere is no penalty unless you also drank alcohol.

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Correct answer: B. You could face a criminal charge.

A medicine can make driving unsafe even when it was legally prescribed. Driving while impaired after disregarding its warning can result in a criminal charge.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 6: Dangerous Driving Behaviors / A. Alcohol, Drugs and Driving / Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) – Illegal and Prescription Drugs, PDF page 33. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 17 of 20

A 17-year-old driver wants to make a routine hands-free phone call while driving. Is this allowed?

AYes, if a parent is riding along.BYes, if the driver stays below the speed limit.CNo; the under-18 exception is for a 911 emergency call.DYes, because the phone is not being held.

Check answer and source

Correct answer: C. No; the under-18 exception is for a 911 emergency call.

Drivers younger than 18 may not use a phone while driving, including hands-free calls. A call to 911 in an emergency is the exception.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 6: Dangerous Driving Behaviors / C. Distracted Driving / Cell Phones, PDF page 35. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 18 of 20

You become sleepy while driving. What is the best response?

AStop to rest or let another driver take over.BKeep driving and turn the radio louder.CDrive faster so you can arrive sooner.DOpen a window and continue without a break.

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Correct answer: A. Stop to rest or let another driver take over.

Rest or a change of driver is the recommended response to sleepiness. Fatigue slows your reactions and weakens judgment.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 6: Dangerous Driving Behaviors / D. Drowsy Driving, PDF page 35. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 19 of 20

For someone who has never held a noncommercial driver’s license, how long can a Maryland Type 1 Learner’s Instructional Permit last?

AUp to 45 days.BUp to 180 days.CUp to 1 year.DUp to 2 years.

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Correct answer: D. Up to 2 years.

A first-time noncommercial applicant receives a Type 1 permit, which can remain valid for up to 2 years. The 180-day duration belongs to a Type 2 permit for a different license class.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 2: Licensing Requirements and Process / B. Learner’s Instructional Permit, PDF page 9. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 20 of 20

A Maryland learner’s permit holder is 26 years old. How many total supervised practice hours are required before applying for a provisional license?

A10 hours.B14 hours.C30 hours.D60 hours.

Check answer and source

Correct answer: B. 14 hours.

An applicant age 25 or older needs at least 14 hours of supervised practice. At least 3 must be between 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise.

Source: Maryland Driver’s Manual — Section 2: Licensing Requirements and Process / B. Learner’s Instructional Permit / Applicants 25 years old and older, PDF page 10. Checked October 26, 2026.

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