Vermont Written Test & Permit Practice – Questions and Answers

If your vehicle stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible. Flood waters can rise rapidly and sweep away a car and its occupants. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.

When you are approaching any law enforcement, emergency, or repair vehicle with a flashing light on the side of the road, slow down. The law says you must proceed with caution and make a lane change away from the emergency vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are unable to change lanes you must slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit in order to go by the stopped vehicles.

The process of stopping your car has three main components: perception, reaction, and braking. This is usually referred to as stopping distance. The first two components can be affected by human factors such as tiredness, alcohol, fatigue, and concentration levels. The last component depends on factors such as: tires, brakes, road, and weather conditions.

You may proceed on a green light if it is safe to do so. But if you are turning left you must yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles. At some intersections where special emphasis is needed, a left turn yield on green light sign will be attached to the overhead wire near the signal.

At a four-way intersection controlled by stop signs, you must yield the right-of-way to the driver on your right if both of you arrive at the intersection at the same time (Same Time Rule).

The law states that a driver must use a turn signal not less than 100 feet before making a turn or changing lanes. Signaling three to five seconds before any of these actions covers this requirement. Applying your brakes will signal vehicles behind you that you are planning to slow down or stop. If your vehicle’s directional lights or brake lights are not working, you must use hand signals to let other drivers know you are planning to stop or turn. Directional lights or brake lights which do not work must be fixed immediately.

You can tell what road signs mean by the shape and color as well as the wording. If the sign is covered by dirt, snow, or anything else, you should know the general meaning (regulatory, warning, information) of the sign by its shape. A stop sign has 8 sides. It means you MUST stop scan the intersection, honor the right of way, and then proceed.

Your vehicle must be inspected once a year.

Remember, a motor vehicle may ONLY be driven across the tracks when it is safe to do so. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to cross any railroad tracks unless you are certain your entire vehicle will clear all of the tracks at the crossing. You cannot go across any railroad tracks unless there is room for your vehicle on the other side. If other traffic prevents you from going fully across, wait and go across only when there is room.

Turn your head before changing lanes because your mirrors have blind spots. These blind spots can hide a motorcyclist or a bicyclist. Do not drive in another driver’s blind spot.

Divided highway ahead. The highway ahead is divided into two one-way roadways. Opposing flows of traffic are separated by a median or other physical barrier.

White lines are used as right edge lines on roadways and to delineate the separation of traffic flow in the same direction.

When sleet, freezing rain or snow start to fall, black ice can quickly form, and you may not be able to see it. Bridges, ramps, and overpasses are likely to freeze first. Slippery spots may still remain after road crews have cleared the highways

Remember, trucks don’t drive like other vehicles. Generally speaking, the bigger the truck is:

• The bigger the driver’s blind spots.
• The more room the truck needs to maneuver.
• The longer it takes the truck to stop.
• The longer it takes you to pass it.

Posted speed limits do not tell you at what speed to drive. They only tell you what the maximum legal speed is under ideal conditions. By law, you have to go slower if conditions make the posted speed limit unsafe. This is known as the general or basic speed law. Whenever you drive, you must consider road conditions, visibility conditions and the flow of other traffic in choosing a safe speed to drive.

A vehicle parked on a two-lane road must have the right wheels within 12 inches of the right side of the road or curb. On a one-way road the vehicle must be positioned within 12 inches of the side of the road. Your vehicle must be parked in the same direction as traffic flow.

When wearing a safety belt (or seat belt) you are less likely to be injured or killed in a collision. Safety belts make it easier to sit in a safe, comfortable position for better control of the vehicle. Safety belts hold you in the position motor vehicle makers intended you to be. Safety belts keep you inside the vehicle, in one position, rather than being thrown out of the vehicle where the instances of death and serious injury are much greater. The use of safety belts keep occupants in one position within the vehicle where the chances of injury from other occupants is also limited in a crash.

The Vermont Emergency Nurses Association (ENCARE) sponsors the installation of signs at the site of alcohol related fatal crashes. When you see one of these signs, it means someone died at that location because of a drunk driver.

Enter the expressway at or near the speed of traffic. Do not stop before merging with expressway traffic unless absolutely necessary. Expressway traffic has the right-of-way. Watch for vehicles around you. Use your mirrors and turn signals. Turn your head to look quickly to the side before changing lanes.

Once the red warning lights have been activated you must stop your vehicle. Even in a schoolyard, you must not pass a stopped school bus with its alternately flashing red warning lights activated. There are a few exceptions where a stop is not necessary. You do not have to stop on a divided highway if the school bus is traveling in the opposite direction. A concrete barrier may be used to separate traffic from the bus, and you are not required to stop.