Texas permit test: vehicle inspection and equipment
Required and prohibited equipment, inspection and registration rules. 10 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key vehicle inspection and equipment rulesShow the rules
- All vehicles must have tires in proper, safe condition with tread at least 2/32 of an inch deep. (p. 21, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Texas requires a foot brake that can stop the car within 25 feet at a speed of 20 mph. (p. 21, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Farm tractors, road construction machinery, animal-drawn vehicles and other vehicles that travel at 25 mph or less must display the slow-moving vehicle emblem. (p. 21, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Your horn must be loud enough to be heard from at least 200 feet away. (p. 21, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Cars must have two working brake lights. (p. 21, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Spotlights must be turned off for a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. (p. 22, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- A red light showing from the front is allowed only on emergency vehicles. (p. 22, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Backup lights are allowed, but they must not be used while the vehicle is moving forward. (p. 22, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Loads may stick out no more than 3 inches past the left side of the car, or 6 inches past the right side. (p. 22, Texas Driver Handbook (Revised January 2026) (opens the handbook))
- An owner must register a newly purchased vehicle within 30 days of purchase. (p. 22, 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 vehicle inspection and equipment questions
1.From how far away must your car's horn be heard?
- A100 feet
- B200 feet
- C50 feet
- D500 feet
Show the answer
✓ B. 200 feet
Your horn must be loud enough to be heard from at least 200 feet away.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 21
2.You are carrying a ladder that sticks out from the right side of your car. How far past the body may it extend?
- AAs far as needed, if flagged
- BNo more than 12 inches
- CNo more than 3 inches
- DNo more than 6 inches
Show the answer
✓ D. No more than 6 inches
Loads may stick out no more than 3 inches past the left side of the car, or 6 inches past the right side.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 22
3.Some vehicles must display this emblem. What top speed are those vehicles designed to travel?
- A45 mph or less
- B35 mph or less
- C55 mph or less
- D25 mph or less
Show the answer
✓ D. 25 mph or less
Farm tractors, road construction machinery, animal-drawn vehicles and other vehicles that travel at 25 mph or less must display the slow-moving vehicle emblem.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 21
4.You buy a new car. Within how many days must you register it?
- A90 days
- B10 days
- C30 days
- D60 days
Show the answer
✓ C. 30 days
An owner must register a newly purchased vehicle within 30 days of purchase.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026), page 22