Minnesota permit test: speed limits and following distance
Speed limits and special zones, fines, reduced speed, the three-second rule and stopping distance. 20 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key speed limits and following distance rulesShow the rules
- Where no other limit is listed or posted, Minnesota's default limit under ideal conditions is 55 mph. (p. 29)
- In school zones you must slow down when children are present, and in work zones slow down and drive with care. (p. 29)
- Unless signs show otherwise, the limit on urban or town roads is 30 mph in ideal conditions. (p. 29)
- Minnesota's default limit in alleys is 10 mph under ideal conditions unless signs show a different limit. (p. 29)
- Driving over 100 mph leads to revocation of your driving privileges for at least six months. (p. 30)
- Failing to slow down for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights adds a surcharge of at least $25 to the speeding fine. (p. 30)
- Any speeding can be fined, and extra fines are added when you drive 20 mph or more over the limit. (p. 30)
- When you follow another vehicle at 200 feet or less, your headlights must stay on low beam even with no oncoming traffic. (p. 76)
- The time from perceiving danger to applying the brakes is about three-quarters of a second. (p. 76)
- In poor road conditions, or in a longer vehicle, increase your following distance to a four- or five-second count. (p. 76)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample speed limits and following distance questions
1.A road has a posted minimum speed. When is it illegal to drive slower than that minimum?
- AOnly on weekends
- BUnder normal conditions
- CNever, minimums are only advice
- DOnly at night
Show the answer
✓ B. Under normal conditions
Driving below a posted minimum speed is illegal under normal conditions; bad weather can still call for slower speeds.
2.You approach an intersection going faster than the legal speed. What happens to your right-of-way?
- AIt passes only to vehicles on your left
- BYou gain the right-of-way over slower cars
- CYou keep it if you arrived first
- DYou lose the right-of-way you would otherwise have
Show the answer
✓ D. You lose the right-of-way you would otherwise have
Approaching an intersection at an unlawful speed costs you the right-of-way you would have had at a lawful speed.
3.About how long does it take a driver to go from noticing danger to using the brakes?
- AAbout 1/4 of a second
- BAbout 3/4 of a second
- CAbout 3 seconds
- DAbout 2 seconds
Show the answer
✓ B. About 3/4 of a second
The time from perceiving danger to applying the brakes is about three-quarters of a second.
4.On a two-lane highway posted at 60 mph, you are lawfully passing a slower car. How much faster than the limit may you go?
- AAs fast as needed
- BNot at all
- CUp to 5 mph over
- DUp to 10 mph over
Show the answer
✓ D. Up to 10 mph over
On two-lane highways posted 55 mph or higher, you may go up to 10 mph over the limit while lawfully passing.