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Minnesota 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 Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026). Independently checked .

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Question 1 of 20

You approach a flashing red traffic signal. What should you do?

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Correct answer: B. Stop fully, give priority to earlier arrivals and pedestrians, then go when clear.

A red signal that flashes requires the same response as a stop sign. Stop fully and check that you can enter safely after yielding.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 5: Signs, signals and pavement markings — Traffic-control signals — Flashing red light, PDF page 69. Checked .

Question 2 of 20

At a flashing yellow arrow, you want to turn left. An oncoming car is too close for a safe turn. What should you do?

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Correct answer: A. Wait for the oncoming car to pass before turning.

A yellow arrow that flashes permits a cautious turn only after yielding. Oncoming traffic that could conflict with your turn has priority.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 5: Signs, signals and pavement markings — Traffic-control signals — Flashing yellow light or arrow, PDF page 70. Checked .

Question 3 of 20

You and a car on your right reach an unsigned four-way intersection together. Both drivers will go straight, and there is no other traffic. Who has priority?

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Correct answer: C. The driver to your right.

For simultaneous arrivals at an intersection without traffic controls, yield right. Let that car cross before you proceed.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 4: Sharing the road — Right of way and yielding, PDF page 46. Checked .

Question 4 of 20

Before you drive from a private driveway onto a public street, what is required?

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Correct answer: A. Stop and let pedestrians and street traffic pass before entering safely.

Leaving private property requires a stop and yielding to people walking and traffic on the public road. An empty street does not remove the stop requirement.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 4: Sharing the road — Right of way and yielding, PDF page 46. Checked .

Question 5 of 20

You have overtaken a car on its left. What rearview-mirror check should you use before moving back in front of it?

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Correct answer: B. Check whether its whole vehicle is visible.

Wait until your mirror shows the complete car you passed before moving back. Signal right and keep a safe clearance from oncoming traffic.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 3: Traffic laws and vehicle operation — Passing, PDF page 37. Checked .

Question 6 of 20

When should you select the lane you need for a roundabout with more than one lane?

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Correct answer: C. Before you enter the roundabout.

Select your lane on the approach, following the signs and road markings. Changing lanes while circulating is prohibited.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 3: Traffic laws and vehicle operation — Roundabouts, PDF page 33. Checked .

Question 7 of 20

In an alley, with ideal conditions and no sign setting a different limit, what is the speed limit?

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Correct answer: A. 10 mph.

The default alley limit is 10 mph in ideal conditions. Conditions can require an even slower speed.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 3: Traffic laws and vehicle operation — Speed limits, PDF page 29. Checked .

Question 8 of 20

You are driving a standard-length car in ideal conditions. Which time gap does the basic following-distance method use?

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Correct answer: B. Three seconds.

Use a three-second interval behind the vehicle ahead in these conditions. Poor conditions or a longer vehicle call for more time.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 6: Driving conditions — Three-Second Rule, PDF page 76. Checked .

Question 9 of 20

When parallel parking beside a curb, how far may the wheels on the curb side be from it?

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Correct answer: C. Up to 12 inches.

Keep the curb-side wheels within 12 inches of the curb. This positions the parked vehicle close to the road edge.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 3: Traffic laws and vehicle operation — Parking, PDF page 38. Checked .

Question 10 of 20

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

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Correct answer: A. 8 feet from the hydrant.

The prohibited area extends within 10 feet of a hydrant. A spot 8 feet away is inside that area.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 3: Traffic laws and vehicle operation — Parking, PDF page 38. Checked .

Question 11 of 20

On an undivided road, a school bus ahead stops with its red lights flashing. What is the closest you may stop to the bus?

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Correct answer: B. 20 feet.

Leave at least 20 feet between your vehicle and the stopped bus. Remain stopped while its red lights continue flashing.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 4: Sharing the road — Flashing red lights, PDF page 45. Checked .

Question 12 of 20

When your car passes a bicyclist, what is the minimum space you must leave between them and the side of your car?

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Correct answer: C. 3 feet.

Give the bicyclist at least 3 feet of side clearance. Wait for a safe opportunity if that space is unavailable.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 4: Sharing the road — Passing a bicyclist, PDF page 51. Checked .

Question 13 of 20

Your car has anti-lock brakes. During an emergency stop, how should you use the brake pedal?

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Correct answer: A. Press it and maintain pressure while steering.

ABS is designed to help preserve steering control while braking. Keep pressure on the pedal rather than pumping it.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 6: Driving conditions — Anti-lock braking, PDF page 86. Checked .

Question 14 of 20

A tire bursts while you are driving. What should you do first?

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Correct answer: B. Grip the wheel, hold a straight course and ease off the accelerator.

A burst tire can pull the vehicle out of control. Stabilize it and ease off the gas; delay braking until control is restored.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 6: Driving conditions — Blowouts, PDF page 86. Checked .

Question 15 of 20

For an adult controlling an ordinary passenger car, which value marks the lower boundary of Minnesota's general DWI alcohol concentration threshold?

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Correct answer: C. 0.08 percent.

The general threshold for a noncommercial vehicle is 0.08 percent. A lower reading can still support a DWI arrest when alcohol-related driving errors are proved.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 8: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs — Minnesota Driving While Impaired (DWI) law, PDF page 96. Checked .

Question 16 of 20

After drinking alcohol, what actually lowers the alcohol concentration in your body?

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

Alcohol leaves the body as it is processed over time. Coffee and cold showers do not speed that process.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 8: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs — Things to know about alcohol, PDF page 95. Checked .

Question 17 of 20

Your car is stopped in a line of traffic. May you type and send an email on your phone?

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Correct answer: B. No, the email restriction still applies while stopped in traffic.

A traffic stop does not create an exception for emailing. Leave that task until you are no longer driving or waiting in traffic.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 6: Driving conditions — Illegal driver behaviors in Minnesota, PDF page 82. Checked .

Question 18 of 20

While driving, may you listen to music through earphones in both ears?

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Correct answer: C. No, listening this way in both ears at once is illegal.

Minnesota prohibits listening to an audio device with earphones or headphones covering both ears at once. Low volume does not create an exception.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 6: Driving conditions — Illegal driver behaviors in Minnesota, PDF page 82. Checked .

Question 19 of 20

For how long is a Minnesota instruction permit valid?

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Correct answer: A. Two years.

An instruction permit has a two-year validity period. It permits supervised practice, rather than driving alone.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 1: Your license to drive — Your instruction permit, PDF page 16. Checked .

Question 20 of 20

A 16-year-old with a Minnesota instruction permit is practicing in a car. What is the minimum age of the licensed driver supervising from the front passenger seat?

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Correct answer: B. 21 years old.

Permit holders younger than 18 need a licensed supervisor who is at least 21. The supervisor must sit beside the learner in front.

Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual — Chapter 1: Your license to drive — Your instruction permit — If you are under 18, PDF page 16. Checked .

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Every published answer links to the official handbook section it was checked against.

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