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Montana permit test: vehicle equipment

Pre-trip checks, required lights and light distances, brakes, mirrors, tinting, mud flaps, safety chains, flares and warning devices. 21 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

Study this topic as flashcards

Rules to remember10 key vehicle equipment rulesShow the rules
  1. Exhaust leaks can kill in a very short time and can make you drowsy. (p. 23)
  2. If the tread does not reach at least to Lincoln's head on a penny, the tire is unsafe and must be replaced. (p. 23)
  3. Dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 1,000 feet, and when you are within 500 feet behind a vehicle you are following. (p. 24)
  4. Headlights should light people or vehicles at 350 feet on high beam and 100 feet on low beam. (p. 24)
  5. Montana requires headlamps at any time weather or blowing dust keeps you from seeing 500 feet ahead, even in daylight. (p. 24)
  6. The license plate lamp must give white light that lights the plate for 50 feet behind the vehicle. (p. 25)
  7. Brake lights must be visible for 300 feet in normal sunlight, the same distance required for turn signals. (p. 25)
  8. A vehicle's horn must be audible for 200 feet. (p. 25)
  9. Vehicles made after January 1, 1956 must have two tail lamps on the rear, with exceptions for motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, quadricycles and truck tractors. (p. 26)
  10. Slow-moving vehicles, animal-drawn vehicles and road machinery that normally go 25 mph or less must show the orange triangle emblem on the rear. (p. 28)

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample vehicle equipment questions

  1. 1.Lately your brake pedal sinks almost to the floor when you press it. What should you do?

    • APress harder and keep driving as usual
    • BPump the gas pedal before braking
    • CHave a mechanic check the brakes
    • DUse only the parking brake from now on
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. Have a mechanic check the brakes

    Only your brakes can stop you properly. If they are noisy, smell odd, or the pedal goes to the floor, have a mechanic check them.

    Source: Montana Driver Manual (25-0100M) (Cover: 'Revised April 2024'), page 22

  2. 2.Why should you keep loose objects off your car's floor?

    • AThey can roll under the brake pedal
    • BThey set off the airbags
    • CThey scratch the floor mats
    • DThey make the car use more fuel
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. They can roll under the brake pedal

    Loose objects can fly forward in a sudden stop or roll under the brake pedal, so keep the floor, rear shelf and back seat clear.

    Source: Montana Driver Manual (25-0100M) (Cover: 'Revised April 2024'), page 23

  3. 3.In normal sunlight, how far away must your brake lights be visible?

    • A500 feet
    • B300 feet
    • C100 feet
    • D200 feet
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. 300 feet

    Brake lights must be visible for 300 feet in normal sunlight, the same distance required for turn signals.

    Source: Montana Driver Manual (25-0100M) (Cover: 'Revised April 2024'), page 25

  4. 4.How far ahead should high-beam headlights be able to light up people or vehicles?

    • A100 feet
    • B1,000 feet
    • C500 feet
    • D350 feet
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. 350 feet

    Headlights should light people or vehicles at 350 feet on high beam and 100 feet on low beam.

    Source: Montana Driver Manual (25-0100M) (Cover: 'Revised April 2024'), page 24