Texas DMV Written Knowledge Test Practice – Permit Test 2026

A defensive driver should:

• Stay alert and keep eyes moving to keep track of what is happening at all times.
• Look for trouble spots developing all around.
• Have a plan of action.
• Know the law requires drivers to protect each other from their own mistakes.

Do not park more than 18 inches from the curb or edge of roadway. You should be about six inches from the curb.

You are near a school. Slow down, and prepare to stop suddenly if necessary. Watch for children.

High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are identified by a white diamond painted on the roadway. Signs will identify the types of vehicles and the number of occupants required per vehicle to use the lane.

A basic rule for safe night driving is to never outrun or overdrive your headlights.

Allow for more safety margins than you would during daylight. Remember, when you overdrive your headlights, you are driving at a speed making your stopping distance longer than the distance lighted by your headlights.

The equilateral (downward pointing) triangle shape is exclusively used for yield signs.

If you approach a school bus from either direction and the bus is displaying alternately flashing red lights, you must stop. It is not necessary to stop when passing a school bus on a different road or when on a controlled-access highway where the bus is stopped in a loading zone and pedestrians are not permitted to cross.

If you are stopped by law enforcement it is suggested you:

• Move the vehicle safely to the right of the road as soon as possible and stop.
• Place the vehicle in a parking position, set the emergency brake, turn the engine off, and activate the hazard warning lights.
• Remain in the car, lower the driver’s window, and wait for the law enforcement officer to give instructions.
• Keep your hands in clear view.
• Follow the instructions of the law enforcement officer.
• Require passengers to remain in the car unless other instructions are given by the law enforcement officer.
• Give the appropriate signals and safely return to the proper lane of traffic when released by the law enforcement officer.

The side road sign tells you that there is an intersection ahead. Another road enters the road you are traveling on from the direction shown. Watch for traffic from that direction

A flashing red traffic light has the same meaning as a stop sign. Stop completely before entering the crosswalk or intersection then proceed when you can do so safely. Vehicles on the intersecting road may not have to stop.

A green signal will not appear.

Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Cars produce carbon monoxide which is deadly gas. Make sure you are getting plenty of fresh air. Remember, the gas has no smell, taste, or color.

Do not:

• Leave the motor running in a garage.
• Leave vents open when following closely behind another car.
• Leave the motor running and the windows closed while the car is parked.
• Drive with a defective muffler or exhaust system.
• Use the heater or air conditioner in a parked car with the windows closed.

A pedestrian hybrid beacon is a special type of hybrid beacon used with signs and pavement markings to warn and control traffic at locations where pedestrians enter or cross a street or highway.

Steady red lights mean you must stop at the stop line. At this point, the pedestrian receives a walk signal and may start crossing.

Drowsiness is one of the greatest dangers in interstate highway driving. Stop often. Even if you are feeling well you should stop at least every two hours or every 100 miles.

All drivers should be aware of its danger and of the methods for fighting it.

All vehicles are required to have tires in proper and safe condition with a minimum depth of 2/32 of an inch.

Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32 of tread depth remaining.

Do not assume people are not injured simply because they say they are not. Send for skilled help as quickly as possible. Unskilled handling can do more harm than good.

Do not move a victim unless it is absolutely necessary. If a victim must be moved, get help, and try not to change the position in which the victim was found.

Stop serious bleeding with thick cloth pads, as clean as possible, apply with pressure by hand or by bandaging. Keep a victim comfortable. If it is hot, cool the victim and provide shade as much as possible. If it is cool, cover the victim with blankets or coats if the necessary and if available.

Never give injured persons anything to drink, not even water.

Be sure to move back only when you can see the front of the truck in your rear-view mirror. After you pass a truck, maintain your speed. Do not slow down.

Be constantly aware of any vehicles that might be traveling at a much slower speed. Adjust the speed and position of your vehicle accordingly. Only pass the slow-moving vehicle when it is safe to do so.

Remember, the law requires that you give an appropriate signal before stopping or suddenly decrease your speed. You may use either signal lights (brake lights) or hand and arm signals. Make sure your signals can be easily seen by others.

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit on a highway numbered by this state or the United States, and outside an urban district is 70 mph.
Note that cities and counties have the authority to change speed limits. Texas Transportation Commission also has the authority to raise the speed limit on parts of the state highway system.

Road or street ahead is for one-way traffic. Do not drive into it.

You will see this sign at roadway 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 with a white horizontal line inside a red ball. It is not circular!

The following equipment is not allowed: a radar interference device designed, manufactured, used, or intended to be used to interfere with, scramble, disrupt, or cause to malfunction a radar or laser device used to measure a vehicle’s speed.

If sunscreen or window tinting is used, it must comply with the appropriate state regulations for your vehicle make and model.

On cold, wet days shady spots can be icy. Snow melts more slowly in shady areas. There may also be ice on bridges when the rest of the pavement is clear.

Two-direction Arrow. You are approaching a T-intersection and must turn left or right. Be prepared to yield the right-of-way at the intersection if necessary.

To drive in a modern roundabout, follow these simple steps:

• slow down as you approach the intersection
• yield to traffic already in the circle
• enter the circle and follow the loop in a counterclockwise direction
• make a right turn to exit the roundabout

Do not pass on the right by driving off the paved portion of the highway. You may pass on a PAVED shoulder when the vehicle you are passing is slowing or stopped on the main traveled portion of the highway, disabled, or preparing to make a left turn.

If you run off the pavement:

• Do not hit the brakes suddenly and hard.
• Grip the steering wheel tightly.
• Take your foot off of the gas pedal.
• Use your brakes carefully.
• Do not swing back onto the pavement. Wait until your speed is reduced.
• Check the traffic behind you, then carefully drive back onto the pavement.

Be alert to pedestrians guided by an assistance animal or carrying a white cane. Give them the right-of-way, even if the traffic signals or other right-of-way rules are not in their favor. Do not honk your horn.

Remember, you must take the necessary precautions to avoid injuring or endangering a pedestrian crossing or attempting to cross the street. You must bring your vehicle to a full stop if injury or danger can only be avoided by that action.

In many states, blind pedestrians have an absolute right-of-way.

The center lane is only used for vehicles turning left, not for passing or overtaking. The only time a vehicle should enter the center lane is at a point where the vehicle will have time to slow down or stop to make a safe left turn. This lane should never be used for passing or as a through traffic lane.

This lane is marked on each side by solid yellow and broken yellow lines.

Back slowly. Your vehicle is much harder to steer when you are backing.

In Texas, a minor is any individual who is under 21 years of age. A minor may not purchase, attempt to purchase, consume, or possess an alcoholic beverage.