Pennsylvania DMV Study Guide

The official handbook is the source of every Pennsylvania knowledge test. This guide breaks it into the topics below, each with live practice questions so you can study actively instead of just reading.

Official sources: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) · Pennsylvania Motorcycle Operator Manual (PUB 147) (published by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)).

Pennsylvania Learner's Permit (Car) topics

200 practice questions, grouped by handbook topic.

Road Signs & Traffic Signals

20 practice questions live now:

• What does a red, eight-sided (octagonal) sign mean?
• You see a downward-pointing triangle that is red and white. What does this sign tell you to do?
• A yellow, diamond-shaped sign appears ahead. What kind of message does it usually carry?
• A white rectangular sign with black lettering shows a number for a speed limit. This is an example of what type of sign?

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Speed Limits & Following Distance

20 practice questions live now:

• Unless a different limit is posted, what is the statutory speed limit in a Pennsylvania residence district?
• Unless otherwise posted, what is the statutory speed limit in a Pennsylvania urban district?
• Unless otherwise posted, what is the statutory speed limit in other Pennsylvania locations outside residence and urban districts?
• What is the speed limit in a Pennsylvania school zone when it is in effect?

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Right-of-Way & Intersections

20 practice questions live now:

• A pedestrian is crossing in a marked crosswalk with no traffic signal. Who has the right-of-way?
• Two cars arrive at a four-way stop at exactly the same time. Which driver should go first?
• You arrive first at a four-way stop and stop before any other vehicle. What does that mean for order of travel?
• You are turning left at an intersection and an oncoming car is going straight. Who has the right-of-way?

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Lane Use, Turning & Passing

20 practice questions live now:

• How far in advance must you signal your turn in Pennsylvania?
• You plan to make a right turn at an intersection. From which lane should you begin and into which lane should you finish?
• You are turning left from a two-way street onto a one-way street. How should you position your vehicle before the turn?
• What does a double solid yellow center line mean for passing?

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Alcohol, Drugs & DUI Penalties

20 practice questions live now:

• In Pennsylvania, the 'general impairment' DUI tier is defined by a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of:
• What BAC range is Pennsylvania's 'high rate' DUI tier?
• A driver with a BAC of 0.16% or higher falls into which Pennsylvania DUI tier?
• For a driver under age 21 in Pennsylvania, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of:

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Seat Belts, Child Restraints & Distractions

20 practice questions live now:

• In Pennsylvania, who is required to wear a seat belt in the front seat of a vehicle?
• In Pennsylvania, occupants under what age must wear a seat belt in any seat, including the back seat?
• A child under what age must ride in a child restraint system in Pennsylvania?
• How must a child under age 2 ride in Pennsylvania, unless the child has outgrown the seat's limits?

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Sharing the Road

20 practice questions live now:

• What are a large truck's 'No-Zones'?
• Why should you leave extra space when following or passing a large truck?
• In Pennsylvania, when passing a bicycle you must leave at least how much distance?
• What lane position may a bicyclist use in Pennsylvania?

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Parking & Stopping Rules

20 practice questions live now:

• In Pennsylvania, you must never park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
• In Pennsylvania, parking is prohibited within how many feet of a crosswalk at an intersection?
• You must never park within how many feet of a stop sign or traffic signal?
• When you parallel park in Pennsylvania, your wheels should be no more than how far from the curb?

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Adverse Conditions & Emergencies

20 practice questions live now:

• Pennsylvania requires headlights to be on:
• You must also turn on headlights when visibility is less than:
• In Pennsylvania, whenever your windshield wipers are in use due to weather, you must:
• In Pennsylvania, high beams must be dimmed when an oncoming vehicle is within:

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Licensing, Insurance & Vehicle Requirements

20 practice questions live now:

• How many questions are on the Pennsylvania knowledge test, and how many must you answer correctly to pass?
• What is the upfront cost stated for a Pennsylvania learner's permit plus a four-year license?
• How is that $45.50 upfront amount broken down?
• What is the minimum age to apply for a Pennsylvania learner's permit?

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Pennsylvania Motorcycle Permit topics

60 practice questions, grouped by handbook topic.

Getting Ready & Protective Gear

10 practice questions live now:

• In Pennsylvania, a helmet is required for a motorcycle rider who is:
• What does Pennsylvania require for eye protection on a motorcycle?
• A rider with less than two years of experience may be excused from the helmet requirement only if the rider has:
• Which footwear gives a motorcycle rider the best protection and control?

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Controls & Basic Operation

10 practice questions live now:

• In the T-CLOCS pre-ride check, the letter T stands for:
• The friction zone is best described as:
• On most motorcycles, the front brake is operated by:
• The rear brake on most motorcycles is operated by:

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Riding Skills (Braking/Swerving/Turning)

10 practice questions live now:

• Which brake provides the majority of a motorcycle's stopping power?
• If the front wheel locks during hard braking, you should:
• If the rear wheel locks during braking, the safest action is to:
• To swerve around a sudden obstacle, you should:

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Lane Position, Following & Intersections

10 practice questions live now:

• A traffic lane can be divided into which three portions for a motorcyclist?
• Which lane position is best for a motorcycle?
• In normal traffic, a motorcycle rider should keep at least what following distance behind the vehicle ahead?
• Where do the most motorcycle crashes with other vehicles occur?

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Hazards, Surfaces & Night Riding

10 practice questions live now:

• When you encounter gravel or sand on the road, you should:
• Painted lines, crosswalk markings, and metal covers are especially hazardous because they:
• How should you cross railroad tracks that run at an angle to your path?
• Steel construction plates in the roadway require extra care because they:

Practice Motorcycle Permit · Review as flashcards

Passengers, Cargo, Groups & State Law

10 practice questions live now:

• How many questions are on the Pennsylvania motorcycle knowledge test, and how many must you answer correctly to pass?
• What is the fee for a Pennsylvania motorcycle learner permit?
• What is the minimum age to apply for a motorcycle learner permit in Pennsylvania?
• How long is a Pennsylvania motorcycle learner permit valid?

Practice Motorcycle Permit · Review as flashcards

How to use this guide

1. Pick the topic you are weakest on.
2. Drill its questions in the practice tests and read every explanation — even for questions you got right.
3. Re-check the same topic in the official handbook for anything the explanations flag.
4. Finish with a timed run in the Pennsylvania Exam Simulator, graded at the real passing line.