Skip to content
PracticeTestHQ home
Find your state

Pennsylvania permit test: conditions and emergencies

Night driving, road and visibility conditions, snow squalls, the headlight/wiper law, traffic flow, road rage, skids, floods, stuck accelerators, brake failure and blowouts. 35 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

Study this topic as flashcards

Rules to remember10 key conditions and emergencies rulesShow the rules
  1. The maximum speed limit in Pennsylvania is 70 mph; on interstates it is posted after each interchange. (p. 43, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
  2. Headlights are required whenever you cannot see pedestrians or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead, as well as from sunset to sunrise and in bad weather. (p. 44, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
  3. Pavement can become very slippery in the first 10 to 15 minutes of rain, as oil in the asphalt rises to the surface. (p. 44, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
  4. Pennsylvania law requires low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when following a vehicle within 300 feet. (p. 44, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
  5. On packed snow, cut your speed by half; on ice, slow to a crawl and leave about 10 times the normal space. (p. 45, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
  6. On wet roads, slow down 5 to 10 mph and increase your following distance to five or six seconds. (p. 45, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
  7. You can hydroplane at speeds as low as 35 mph in water only 1/10 inch deep, and worn tires make it worse. (p. 45, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
  8. In fog use low beams (and fog lights if you have them), day or night; high beams reflect off the fog and create glare. (p. 46, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
  9. Reducing your speed by just two or three mph lets traffic around you clear out so you're no longer closed in. (p. 47, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
  10. The orange triangle marks farm tractors and horse-drawn vehicles designed to operate at 25 mph or less; stay back and don't honk to pass. (p. 48, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))

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

Loading questions…

Sample conditions and emergencies questions

  1. 1.A farm tractor ahead has an orange triangle on the back. What does it mean?

    • AIt is an emergency vehicle
    • BIt is about to turn
    • CIt carries hazardous materials
    • DIt is designed to go 25 mph or less
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. It is designed to go 25 mph or less

    The orange triangle marks farm tractors and horse-drawn vehicles designed to operate at 25 mph or less; stay back and don't honk to pass.

    Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 48

  2. 2.You are caught in fog so dense you can barely see. What is best to do?

    • APull completely off the road and wait
    • BSpeed up to get through it
    • CFollow the taillights ahead closely
    • DStop in your lane with flashers on
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Pull completely off the road and wait

    In dense fog it's best to pull completely off the road, ideally into a parking lot, turn on hazard lights, keep your seat belt on and wait.

    Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 46

  3. 3.You come to a road covered by flowing water. How deep must moving water be to carry away most vehicles, including SUVs?

    • AAbout 5 feet
    • BAbout 2 inches
    • CAbout 2 feet
    • DAbout 6 inches
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. About 2 feet

    As little as six inches of water can cause loss of control, and two feet will carry away most vehicles, including SUVs; turn around and find another route.

    Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 66

  4. 4.State law requires your headlights when you can't see people or vehicles on the road for how far ahead?

    • A1,000 feet
    • B1 mile
    • C300 feet
    • D500 feet
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. 1,000 feet

    Headlights are required whenever you cannot see pedestrians or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead, as well as from sunset to sunrise and in bad weather.

    Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 44