Minnesota permit test: seat belts, children, phones and distraction
Seat belt and child seat laws, unattended children and animals, airbags, cell phone law, distracted and aggressive driving. 23 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key seat belts, children, phones and distraction rulesShow the rules
- Work involving frequent exiting and entering is exempt from the seat belt law only while you do not drive faster than 25 mph. (p. 40)
- Fit the lap belt snugly across your hipbones or upper thighs, never across your abdomen. (p. 40)
- Minnesota law enforcement can stop motorists solely for seat belt violations. (p. 40)
- Never put a rear-facing infant seat in front of an active airbag. (p. 41)
- To prevent theft, lock your doors and take your keys; never leave the car running or a child alone inside. (p. 41)
- Children under 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the seat's weight or height limit. (p. 41)
- Try to keep at least 10 inches between yourself and the steering wheel so an inflating airbag does not injure you. (p. 42)
- If you do not have your insurance information with you after a crash, you must provide it within 72 hours. (p. 42)
- When someone is hurt or killed in a crash, get help fast by calling 911 or the nearest police agency. (p. 42)
- Two or more texting convictions bring a $275 fine on top of the court-specified fine. (p. 43)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample seat belts, children, phones and distraction questions
1.You are in a crash and the other driver is badly hurt. What must you do?
- AWait 72 hours, then report
- BCall 911 or police right away
- CSwap insurance and drive off
- DLeave and report it tomorrow
Show the answer
✓ B. Call 911 or police right away
When someone is hurt or killed in a crash, get help fast by calling 911 or the nearest police agency.
2.According to the manual, at what speed can an unbelted person be killed in a crash?
- AOnly on freeways
- BAs low as 12 mph
- COnly above 30 mph
- DOnly above 55 mph
Show the answer
✓ B. As low as 12 mph
Without a seat belt you can be killed in a crash even at speeds as low as 12 mph.
3.You back into a parked car in a lot. No one is hurt; only property is damaged. Must you notify law enforcement?
- AOnly if the damage exceeds $500
- BYes, always for any crash
- CNo, it is not required
- DYes, within one hour
Show the answer
✓ C. No, it is not required
If a crash causes only property damage, you do not need to notify law enforcement, though you must still exchange information and tell the property owner.
4.Because of airbags, which steering wheel hand position does the manual say to avoid?
- A10 and 2 o'clock
- BThumbs turned out
- C8 and 4 o'clock
- D9 and 3 o'clock
Show the answer
✓ A. 10 and 2 o'clock
Keep your hands at 8 and 4 or 9 and 3 o'clock and avoid 10 and 2, which puts your arms in the airbag's path.