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#1. If your car starts to skid, you should do the following, except:
Do not overreact or slam on the brakes.
Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and brakes. Slow down gradually.
#2. What does this sign mean?
Yield ahead. Slow down and be prepared to yield other traffic.
#3. Before starting a right turn, you should:
Before starting a right turn, move as far to the right as practicable within the bike lane, shoulder, or right turn lane.
Never make a right turn from a through lane immediately after passing a bike on a shoulder or bike lane. Try to avoid any chance that a bicycle will be to your right or in your right blind spot when you turn right.
#4. When crossing a sidewalk while exiting from a driveway, you must:
You must yield the right-of-way to drivers on a public highway, if you are entering the highway from a driveway or a private road. You must also yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing your path.
#5. If you see this sign in front of you, it tells you that:
A square sign with a white horizontal line inside a red ball means you cannot enter. You will see this sign at road way openings that you should not enter, such as exit ramps where you would be going in the wrong direction, crossovers on divided roadways, and at numerous locations on one-way streets.
Remember, the sign is square, it is not circular!
#6. What should you do when a police officer signals you to pull over?
If you are stopped by a police officer:
- Signal your intentions of moving over.
- Pull off to the side of the roadway as far away from traffic as possible.
- Turn on your flashers.
- Turn off your engine and radio, and roll down your window so you can communicate with the officer.
- Stay in your vehicle and keep your seatbelt fastened.
- Keep your hands in plain view, preferably on the steering wheel.
- Do not make any movement that will make the officer think you are hiding or reaching for something.
- If the officer issues you a citation, do not argue with the officer about the citation.
#7. You want to overtake the vehicle ahead of you. Which pavement marking tells you that you are allowed to pass?
A normal broken yellow line tells you that passing with care is allowed.
Remember, broken lines are permissive in character. Solid lines are restrictive in character.
#8. When entering an interstate:
Enter at or near the same speed as the flow of traffic.
Interstate and other limited access highways are usually reached by an entrance ramp and an acceleration lane. The entrance ramp provides access to the highway and the acceleration lane provides the opportunity to get up to the speed of the traffic already on the interstate or highway.
When entering an interstate, the solid painted lines that divide the entrance and the interstate should not be crossed.
#9. Which of the following is a primary factor that affects your ability to digest alcohol?
The number of drinks consumed is a poor measure of BAC because of the many factors affecting your body’s ability to digest alcohol, such as weight, body fat, and how long ago and how much you ate. Factors like tiredness, your mood and taking certain medications can also make a difference in how alcohol affects your driving ability.
#10. Excessive speed:
Excessive speed is one of the most common contributing factors of vehicle crashes. Excessive speed does not save time and often leads to high-risk decision-making.
#11. You are in a roundabout when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches from behind. You should:
If you are within an intersection, including a roundabout, proceed through it before stopping.
Remember, you must stop clear of any intersection, and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.
#12. If your driver's license is revoked, your privilege to drive is withdrawn. After a certain waiting period:
Unlike the suspension period that ends at a specified time, a revocation has a minimum waiting period to apply and is subject to denial by the MVA.
You must request to have your driver’s license reinstated. MVA will either grant or deny the reinstatement. If you are granted reinstatement, you must apply for a new license. You may be required to take the law, vision and/or driving skills tests again.
#13. If you cannot get in the clear on the other side of a railroad crossing, you should:
Never start to cross the tracks unless you can clear the tracks completely. Make sure there is room for your vehicle on the other side of the tracks before proceeding.
#14. A road sign that is square usually indicates:
Vertical signs are generally used to give instructions or tell you the rules of the road. Some warning signs may also have this shape.
In the horizontal position, the signs generally give directions or information.
#15. This road sign means:
Reduction in Lanes (Lane Ends). This sign is used on multi-lane highways to warn you of a reduction in the number of traffic lanes in the direction you are traveling. Be prepared to change lanes or to allow other vehicles to merge into your lane.
#16. Which is true about Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)?
When the ABS engages, you may hear a rumble from the brakes and the brake pedal will vibrate under your foot. Do not let up on the brake pedal. The ABS system will only work with the brake pedal pushed down.
#17. A traffic light with a green arrow means:
Proceed with caution in the direction the arrow points. There should be no on-coming or crossing traffic while the arrow is green. This is known as a protected turn. You must yield to all pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.
Remember, it does not mean that all other traffic is stopped by a red light.
#18. During the first 5 months, provisional license holders are generally not allowed to:
During the first 5 months of the provisional period, drivers are not allowed to have passengers under the age of 18, unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver or the passengers are direct family members.
#19. Under ideal conditions, which method helps you determine a safe following distance between you and the vehicle ahead?
A minimum following distance of 3 to 4 seconds is recommended under ideal driving conditions. This means it takes you 3 to 4 seconds to get to the same reference point as the car ahead of you. In many situations you may need more following distance to be safe.
Remember, the four-second rule does not mean that you are able to stop within four seconds.
#20. When you drive at night, you should:
Below are some simple suggestions to follow when driving at night:
- Make sure to use your headlights and follow the suggestions for when to use high beams.
- When approaching oncoming traffic in the opposite lane, do not stare into the vehicle’s headlights, as this will impair your ability to see. Instead, keep your eyes focused on the road in front of you, or slightly to the right of the lane you are traveling in (i.e. the right edge of your lane or the edge of the road).
- Increase your following distance. This will help prevent a collision in the event the vehicle in front of you needs to stop quickly.
#21. A car passenger five years of age and less than four feet and nine inches tall must:
All children under age eight must ride in an appropriate child safety seat, unless the child is four feet and nine inches or taller.
The restraint must be used in accordance with the child safety seat and vehicle manufacturers’ instructions. Child safety seats include car seats, booster seats or other federally approved child safety devices.
#22. When driving on a clear night with a steady stream of oncoming traffic, you should use:
Use low beams when operating your vehicle in normal driving situations, such as driving at night on a highway or roadway with streetlights. Remember, you must always use low beams when you are within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles.
#23. When passing a truck you should do the following, except:
Do not cut in front of a truck or bus. Truck and bus drivers need nearly twice the time and room to stop as cars
#24. When are you allowed to pass a school bus?
You may pass a school bus in motion (red lights and extended stop arm is not used when in motion).
#25. What does this sign mean?
Winding road ahead. The road ahead is winding, with a series of turns or curves. Slow down and drive carefully.
Maryland MVA Knowledge Testing
Key numbers for the official Maryland knowledge test:
| Number of Questions: |
25 |
| Correct answers needed: |
22 |
| Passing score: |
88 percent |
| Time limit: |
20 minutes |
| Earliest retest upon failure: |
1 day after first failure
7 days after failing two or more times |
Is the Maryland MVA Permit Test hard?
The failure rate on the Maryland permit test is about 50%, which means that one out of two fails the test the first time.
Test difficulty is graded hard. So, it is important that you prepare well. Should you fail the test two times, you must wait at least 7 days before you can take it again.
How to Use the Maryland Permit Practice Tests
Permit practice tests are a tool that will help you prepare for the written knowledge test.
The practice tests do not replace the Maryland Driver’s Manual that every applicant must read before taking the examination. Make sure you get a copy from a MVA service center or download a PDF-version online at mva.maryland.gov and read it before you start practicing.
Each permit practice test has 25 questions, just like the real knowledge exam. Tests cover all the important topics that may appear on the official test. You can find answers to all questions in the Driver’s Manual.
When you aren’t sure about answers, look them up in the manual.
Each practice test is random, which means that not two tests are exactly the same. You will also see new questions as you continue practicing. Take as many tests as you need and until you feel comfortable with all questions and answers.
The Official Knowledge Examination
On the real examination you are allowed a maximum of 20 minutes to complete the test. The time limit can be stressful, but 20 minutes is usually more than enough to answer all questions. When you take one of our practice tests, you will see a timer in the lower right corner.
The Maryland written test is a closed-book test, which means that you cannot bring papers or any material into the test area and you cannot use your cell phone.
All tests are given on a computer and you can take the test in English, French, Korean, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, or Vietnamese. If you don’t speak any of these languages, you may use a foreign language interpreter (the fee for the interpreter is paid by you).
Oral tests are also available if you have trouble reading questions on a screen. Contact your local service center and schedule an appointment for the oral test.
The result of your knowledge test is normally valid for six months. You must, however, file a new application and take the test again in the following situations:
The knowledge tests(s) were passed but a learner’s permit was not issued.
The knowledge test(s) were passed but a skills test was not passed or if passed a new driver’s license was not issued.
The learner’s permit was issued and has expired before being converted to a driver’s license.
The learner’s permit has not expired but the applicant wants to apply for a new permit.
The applicant has a license that is expired for one (1) year or more.
The applicant is transferring an out-of-county license, has passed the knowledge and possibly the skills test requirements, and does not obtain a driver’s license within six (6) months.
Rookie Driver Graduated Licensing Program
The graduated licensing program in Maryland is known as the Rookie Driver program.
The program applies to all applicants, regardless of age, who have never held a driver license before.
All new drivers must complete a driver education course and gain driving experience with a supervising driver before driving on their own.
To improve safety, the program comes with certain restrictions and strict sanctions during each step of the licensing process.
New Maryland drivers progress through three levels of licensing:
A Learner’s Instructional Permit
A Provisional License
A Full Unrestricted Driver’s License
