Steerlet/Massachusetts/Permit practice

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Driver’s Manual (Revised April 2026). Independently checked October 26, 2026.

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Question 1 of 20

You approach an intersection with a flashing red circular signal. What should you do?

ASlow down and continue without stopping if no cars are nearby.BStop fully, yield as required, and enter when the way is safe.CWait for the flashing red signal to become green.

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Correct answer: B. Stop fully, yield as required, and enter when the way is safe.

Treat a flashing red circle as a stop sign. A clear road does not remove the requirement to stop.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Traffic Signals — Motor Vehicle Signals — Flashing Red Circle, PDF page 89. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 2 of 20

Two lanes going in your direction are separated by a pair of solid white lines. May you cross them to change lanes?

AYes, after signaling for at least three seconds.BYes, whenever the neighboring lane is empty.CNo, crossing that pair of lines is prohibited.

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Correct answer: C. No, crossing that pair of lines is prohibited.

Paired solid white lines separate traffic traveling the same way and prohibit crossing. A signal does not make the lane change legal.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Pavement Markings — Double Solid White Line, PDF page 98. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 3 of 20

You and a driver immediately to your right stop simultaneously at a four-way stop. Who should go first?

AThe driver on your right.BYou, because you are on the left.CWhoever begins moving first.

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Correct answer: A. The driver on your right.

When two drivers stop together, the driver to the right goes first. Yield rather than trying to claim the intersection.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Right-of-Way Rules — Four-Way Stop, PDF page 108. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 4 of 20

You are driving out of a private driveway onto a paved road. What must you do before entering?

AContinue without stopping if you signal.BStop and let road traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians pass as needed.CStop only if a vehicle is approaching from the right.

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Correct answer: B. Stop and let road traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians pass as needed.

Leaving a private driveway requires a stop before joining the paved road. Yield to people and vehicles already using the road.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Right-of-Way Rules — Private Roads, Driveways, and Unpaved Roads, PDF page 108. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 5 of 20

For a turn on a street that is not a highway, how far ahead must you begin signaling at minimum?

A25 feet.B50 feet.C100 feet.

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Correct answer: C. 100 feet.

Begin the turn signal no later than 100 feet ahead of the turn. Highway turns require a longer signaling distance.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Turns, PDF page 105. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 6 of 20

You realize you need a different lane while you are in the middle of an intersection. What is the rule about changing lanes there?

AA lane change within the intersection is illegal.BYou may change lanes if you sound your horn.CYou may change lanes if your turn signal is on.

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Correct answer: A. A lane change within the intersection is illegal.

Keep your lane through the intersection. Arrange lane changes before reaching it or after clearing it.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Lanes, Intersections, and Turns — Using Lanes, PDF page 102. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 7 of 20

In moderate traffic with good road conditions, what is the minimum time gap recommended behind an ordinary passenger car?

AOne second.BThree seconds.CTen seconds.

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Correct answer: B. Three seconds.

Use at least three seconds of space in these conditions. Increase the gap when weather, traffic, or other hazards demand more room.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Safe Distances Around Your Car, PDF page 51. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 8 of 20

Heavy rain makes the posted speed unsafe. How should you choose your speed?

AKeep the posted speed because rain does not change the limit.BMatch the fastest vehicle nearby.CReduce speed enough for the conditions, even below the posted limit.

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Correct answer: C. Reduce speed enough for the conditions, even below the posted limit.

The speed must be safe for the conditions as well as within the posted limit. A posted maximum assumes ideal driving conditions.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Speed Limits, PDF page 87. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 9 of 20

You park facing uphill beside a curb. How should you angle the front wheels?

AToward the travel lane, away from the curb.BToward the curb.CKeep them pointing straight ahead.

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Correct answer: A. Toward the travel lane, away from the curb.

For an uphill space with a curb, angle the front wheels outward. This helps the curb catch the vehicle if it starts rolling backward.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Parking — Parking on Hills, PDF page 118. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 10 of 20

Which distance from a fire hydrant is inside the area where parking is prohibited?

A15 feet.BSix feet.C25 feet.

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Correct answer: B. Six feet.

Parking is barred within ten feet of a hydrant. A space six feet away is inside that restricted area.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Parking — Parking Regulations, PDF page 119. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 11 of 20

A school bus on the opposite side of an undivided road has flashing red lights and its stop sign extended. What must you do?

AContinue because the bus is facing the other way.BSlow down and pass if no children are visible.CStop and wait for the bus warning signals to end.

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Correct answer: C. Stop and wait for the bus warning signals to end.

Traffic in both directions must stop for the bus on an undivided road. The exception requires a divided highway with a barrier separating directions.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — School Buses, PDF page 113. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 12 of 20

When passing a bicyclist, what minimum space must you leave between the vehicle and the rider?

AFour feet.BOne foot.CTwo feet.

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Correct answer: A. Four feet.

Leave at least four feet when passing a bicyclist. Wait if you cannot provide that space safely while obeying the speed limit.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Vulnerable Road Users Law, PDF page 57. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 13 of 20

Your car has front air bags. How does that affect the need to wear a safety belt?

AThe belt is needed only on highways.BThe belt is still needed because air bags work with it.CThe air bags remove the need for a belt.

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Correct answer: B. The belt is still needed because air bags work with it.

Air bags supplement safety belts. Wear the belt even when the vehicle has air bags.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Myths About Safety/Seat Belts, PDF page 45. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 14 of 20

A child is six years old and 50 inches tall. Which restraint is required for the child in a passenger car?

AAn adult safety belt by itself.BNo restraint if an adult sits beside the child.CA federally approved child passenger restraint.

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Correct answer: C. A federally approved child passenger restraint.

The child has reached neither age eight nor a height of 57 inches. A child passenger restraint is required until one of those thresholds is reached.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Child Passenger Restraints, PDF page 44. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 15 of 20

Your vehicle begins hydroplaning in rain. What should you do with the accelerator?

AEase off it gradually.BPress it harder to regain tire contact.CKeep it steady and steer sharply.

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Correct answer: A. Ease off it gradually.

Gradually release the accelerator when hydroplaning starts. Sudden braking or steering can cause a skid.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Driving in Rain or Fog, PDF page 55. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 16 of 20

Which headlight setting should you use in fog to reduce glare?

AHigh beams.BLow beams.CParking lights alone.

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Correct answer: B. Low beams.

Use low beams in fog. Their setting reduces the glare that makes seeing ahead harder.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Driving in Rain or Fog, PDF page 55. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 17 of 20

For a Massachusetts driver younger than 21, which blood alcohol content can trigger the zero-tolerance license penalty?

AOnly 0.08 or higher.BOnly 0.05 or higher.C0.02 or higher.

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Correct answer: C. 0.02 or higher.

Drivers under 21 face a license penalty starting at a BAC of 0.02. The higher adult threshold does not apply to this rule.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Alcohol Tests — Under-21 Alcohol Offenses, PDF page 81. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 18 of 20

After drinking alcohol, what actually allows its effects to wear off?

AAllowing time for the body to process it.BTaking a cold shower before driving.CDrinking strong coffee.

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Correct answer: A. Allowing time for the body to process it.

The body needs time to process alcohol. Coffee or a cold shower may change how alert you feel but does not speed alcohol removal.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Blood Alcohol Content, PDF page 80. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 19 of 20

What is the youngest age at which you may apply for a Massachusetts Class D learner’s permit?

A15 years old.B16 years old.C18 years old.

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Correct answer: B. 16 years old.

You must reach age 16 before applying for a Class D permit. The permit comes before the road test and license.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Getting a Learner’s Permit, PDF page 23. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 20 of 20

You have a Class D learner’s permit but have not earned your license. When must the permit be with you?

AOnly when taking a professional driving lesson.BOnly when practicing outside your hometown.CEvery time you drive.

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Correct answer: C. Every time you drive.

Carry the permit on each drive until you receive a Junior Operator’s License or a full license. Supervised practice still requires carrying it.

Source: Massachusetts Driver’s Manual — Driving With Your Permit, PDF page 26. Checked October 26, 2026.

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This score describes these 20 practice questions. It does not predict a result on the official test.

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