Texas permit test: night, weather, emergencies and crashes
Headlights, breakdowns, brake failure, blowouts, winter driving, floods, and what to do after a crash. 22 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key night, weather, emergencies and crashes rulesShow the rules
- Avoid looking directly into oncoming headlights. (p. 53, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Use low beams within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle, and within 300 feet when following another vehicle. (p. 53, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- On a dark, unlighted highway a parked car is hard to see. (p. 53, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- To fight highway hypnosis and fatigue, do not drive more than eight hours per day. (p. 54, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Stop at least every two hours or every 100 miles, even if you feel well. (p. 54, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- A car stuck in a travel lane can be hit. (p. 54, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Wear good sunglasses on bright days, but never wear sunglasses at night. (p. 54, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- There may be ice on bridges even when the rest of the pavement is clear, so slow down. (p. 55, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- A stalled car in rising water can be swept away. (p. 56, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Do not move or lift injured people unless it is absolutely necessary. (p. 66, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample night, weather, emergencies and crashes questions
1.Your car stalls in floodwater. What should you do?
- AClimb on the hood and wait
- BStay in the car and call for help
- CGet out quickly and move to higher ground
- DTry to restart and drive through
Show the answer
✓ C. Get out quickly and move to higher ground
A stalled car in rising water can be swept away. Leave it at once and get to higher ground; better still, turn around before driving into water.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 56
2.To fight highway hypnosis on a long trip, how often should you stop?
- AOnly when you feel tired
- BOnce a day
- CAt least every two hours or 100 miles
- DEvery four hours or 200 miles
Show the answer
✓ C. At least every two hours or 100 miles
Stop at least every two hours or every 100 miles, even if you feel well. Get out and walk around.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 54
3.Your car begins to skid on a wet road. What should you do?
- ATurn the wheel the way it skids
- BTurn the wheel away from the skid
- CSpeed up to get your grip back
- DBrake hard right away to stop
Show the answer
✓ A. Turn the wheel the way it skids
Don't brake hard. Take your foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel in the direction the car is skidding, then straighten gently as you regain control.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 54
4.You are following another car at night. Within what distance should you use low beams?
- A1,000 feet
- B300 feet
- C500 feet
- D100 feet
Show the answer
✓ B. 300 feet
When following closely, within 300 feet of another vehicle, use your low beams so you don't blind the driver ahead.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 53