Pennsylvania permit test: turns, intersections and curves
Turning, center turn lanes, U-turns, right on red, crossing traffic, intersections, circular intersections and curves. 31 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key turns, intersections and curves rulesShow the rules
- Make a U-turn only where drivers from all directions are at least 500 feet away and can see you clearly. (p. 50, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- Drivers entering a roundabout must yield to drivers already circulating in it. (p. 52, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- A vehicle entering a public road from an alley, private road or driveway must wait until the main road is clear. (p. 52, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight ahead. (p. 52, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians walking on a sidewalk across a driveway or alley. (p. 52, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- To cross a 30 mph street from a two-way stop you need about a 6-second gap in both directions, roughly a block of clear space. (p. 53, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- When turning right, look left, ahead, right and left again, and allow about an eight-second gap from any vehicle approaching from the left. (p. 53, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- Bicyclists acting as vehicles follow the same rules in a roundabout, and you must never overtake them there. (p. 54, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- Traffic in roundabouts and traffic circles moves counterclockwise, so every turn in and out is a right turn. (p. 54, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
- To keep control on curves, slow down before you enter them; braking in the curve can make you lose control. (p. 55, Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample turns, intersections and curves questions
1.You are entering a roundabout. Who has the right-of-way?
- ADrivers already in the circle
- BYou, as the entering driver
- CWhoever honks first
- DDrivers on the widest road
Show the answer
✓ A. Drivers already in the circle
Drivers entering a roundabout must yield to drivers already circulating in it.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 52
2.You are turning left from a minor street onto a major street. How big a gap should you allow from traffic approaching from the right?
- A9 seconds
- B4 seconds
- C8 seconds
- D6 seconds
Show the answer
✓ A. 9 seconds
Turning left from a minor onto a major street, allow a 9-second gap from any vehicle approaching from the right.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 53
3.You are stopped at a two-way stop, planning to cross a 30 mph street. About how big a gap do you need in both directions?
- A12 seconds
- B4 seconds
- C6 seconds
- D2 seconds
Show the answer
✓ C. 6 seconds
To cross a 30 mph street from a two-way stop you need about a 6-second gap in both directions, roughly a block of clear space.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 53
4.You missed your street and are nearing the top of a hill. May you make a U-turn there?
- AYes, as long as you go slowly
- BYes, if no cars are in sight now
- CNo, not near the crest of a hill
- DYes, if you signal well ahead
Show the answer
✓ C. No, not near the crest of a hill
U-turns are not allowed on curves or when approaching or near the crest of a hill, where others can't see you.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95), page 50