Massachusetts RMV Permit Practice Test 10

Test 10 of 10. Pick an answer for each question to see if it is right and why; your score appears at the end. You need 18 correct answers to pass, the same ratio as the real Massachusetts test.

A coastal road with dunes and a seaside village, a typical landscape of Massachusetts
  1. 1. What does a traction control system do?

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    Answer A: It limits wheel spin when you accelerate

    Traction control cuts power or brakes a spinning wheel so the tires can grip when you pull away or accelerate on a slippery surface.

  2. 2. At which location is this sign normally installed?

    A red square with a wide white horizontal bar across the middle
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    Answer D: Facing traffic that could turn into a one-way roadway or ramp against the flow

    It is posted where a driver could otherwise enter a ramp or a one-way roadway from the wrong end, so it faces exactly the traffic that has to be kept out.

  3. 3. Is it a good idea to shift into neutral and coast down a long hill to save fuel?

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    Answer B: No, you lose engine braking and some control of the vehicle

    In neutral the engine cannot help slow the vehicle, so the brakes do all the work and can overheat. Stay in gear so the drivetrain helps hold your speed.

  4. 4. You are stopped in a shared through and right-turn lane with your right signal on, and a bicyclist rides up along your right side. What should you do?

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    Answer A: Let the bicyclist clear the intersection or move ahead before you turn

    A cyclist alongside your right side is in the path your turn will sweep across, so wait until that space is clear before turning.

  5. 5. The lane you are in has a right-turn-only arrow painted on the pavement. What must you do?

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    Answer C: Turn right, because a lane-use arrow is a legal requirement

    Lane-use arrows painted on the pavement are regulatory markings, so a driver in that lane must travel in the direction shown.

  6. 6. You have a green light and an ambulance with lights and siren enters the intersection against its red. What should you do?

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    Answer B: Stop and let the ambulance go through

    An emergency vehicle answering a call may cross against a red, and every other driver yields to it whatever their own signal shows.

  7. 7. A rectangular red sign with the white words WRONG WAY means that

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    Answer C: the driver is already traveling against the legal flow and must not continue

    The wrong way sign uses a white legend and border on red and addresses a driver who has entered a ramp or one-way roadway in the wrong direction, who should stop and turn around safely.

  8. 8. Your light turns green, but a vehicle is still in the middle of the intersection. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Wait until the intersection is clear before you move ahead

    A green light means go only when the way is clear. Drivers already inside the intersection must be allowed to finish crossing.

  9. 9. What does a tire with worn tread do on a wet road?

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    Answer B: It loses grip and it hydroplanes at a lower speed than a good tire

    Tread grooves carry water away from the contact patch, and a worn tire cannot do that, so it floats on the water sooner.

  10. 10. How close to a fire may a Massachusetts driver drive by or park?

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    Answer A: No closer than 800 feet

    State law makes it illegal to drive by or park within 800 feet of a fire, and driving over an unprotected fire hose is barred unless a firefighter directs it.

  11. 11. How do extra passengers affect a driver, especially a new one?

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    Answer A: They increase the chance of distraction and of crashes

    Conversation, laughter and horseplay pull a driver's attention away from the road. Crash risk for young drivers rises with each additional passenger.

  12. 12. You are turning right onto a one-way street. Which lane of that street should you enter?

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    Answer C: The lane closest to the right curb

    Even though every lane on a one-way street runs your way, a right turn must end in the lane nearest the right curb; you may change lanes afterwards when it is safe.

  13. 13. A steady green downward arrow is displayed above the lane you are in. What does it tell you?

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    Answer A: You may drive in that lane

    A green downward arrow means the lane beneath it is open for travel in your direction.

  14. 14. You find that your shoulder belt has some slack in it. Why does that matter?

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    Answer D: You travel further before the belt restrains you, so injuries are worse

    Slack lets your body build up speed before the belt takes hold, which increases the forces on you and the risk of hitting the interior.

  15. 15. You are pulling out of a farm entrance onto a rural highway. What is your obligation?

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    Answer C: Yield to every vehicle already on the highway before you enter the roadway

    A driver entering a highway from a private road or driveway yields to every vehicle already on the highway.

  16. 16. A steady downward green arrow is displayed over a lane. What does it indicate?

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    Answer C: The lane is open to traffic in your direction

    A steady downward green arrow means the lane it points to is open to traffic traveling in your direction.

  17. 17. Halfway through a curve you realize you are going too fast. What is the best response?

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    Answer C: Ease off the gas gently and look where you want to go

    Easing off transfers a little weight to the front tires without upsetting the balance, and looking through the curve keeps your steering smooth.

  18. 18. According to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual, what is the highest speed limit posted on the state's smaller highways?

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    Answer D: 55 mph

    Smaller highways in Massachusetts are posted at 55 mph or lower, while limited-access highways run from 50 up to 65 mph.

  19. 19. On a Massachusetts highway with at least four lanes, two of them in the driver's direction, what does the move over law require near a stationary emergency vehicle?

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    Answer A: Leaving an empty lane beside the scene

    Where there are at least four lanes with two in the driver's direction, the driver must move to a lane that is not next to the one the emergency vehicle occupies.

  20. 20. Which of these is part of preparing a vehicle for winter driving?

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    Answer A: Fitting good tires and using washer fluid that will not freeze

    Winter readiness means tread, battery, wipers, antifreeze and washer fluid rated for the cold, plus a reasonable amount of fuel in the tank.

  21. 21. Where is the no passing zone pennant sign installed?

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    Answer A: On the left side of the roadway

    The pennant is placed on the left side of the roadway at the beginning of the no-passing zone, in the field of view of a driver who is thinking about overtaking.

  22. 22. The traffic signal is green, but the crossing lights on the tracks inside the intersection begin to flash. What must you do?

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    Answer C: Stop clear of the tracks and wait, even though the signal is green

    Active crossing warning devices outrank the green indication, so you stop short of the rails and wait until the warning stops.

  23. 23. Your left-turn lane faces a steady green ball and oncoming traffic is heavy. What are you allowed to do?

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    Answer C: Move into the intersection and turn when a safe gap appears

    A green ball permits the turn but gives no priority, so you may move into the intersection and wait there for a gap in the oncoming traffic.

  24. 24. You are turning onto a street that has two lanes going your way. Which lane should you enter?

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    Answer B: The lane closest to you, changing lanes later if you need to

    Turn into the nearest lane going your direction and make any lane change afterwards, when you have signaled and checked that it is clear.

  25. 25. How long is a Massachusetts Junior Operator License suspended for a first drag racing conviction?

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    Answer B: One year

    A first drag racing conviction suspends a junior operator for one year, and any later conviction brings a three year suspension.