Alabama CAR DMV Practice Test 18

When being tailgated, create extra space in front of your vehicle and do not brake suddenly. Slow down gradually or merge into another lane to prevent a collision with the tailgater.

Use low beam headlights when driving in fog, rain, or snow. High beams may reflect off of the weather and make visibility even poorer.

Every 0.02 percent increase in blood alcohol concentration nearly doubles a driver's risk of being in a fatal crash.

If you start to feel tired while driving, drive to the first available rest stop or service area to take a break, nap, stretch, or change drivers. You should not rely on caffeine pills or energy drinks, as these are not a replacement for rest and may make your driving even more dangerous.

Make room for vehicles that are entering a freeway. If possible, merge into the next lane to create a gap for the incoming vehicles. If you cannot merge, adjust your speed to allow for the vehicles to enter traffic as smoothly and safely as possible.

You may not stop, stand, or park at a red-painted curb.

If possible, try to only deal with one roadway hazard at a time. If you want to pass a pedestrian but an oncoming vehicle is approaching, slow down and let the vehicle pass. You may then pass the pedestrian if it is safe to do so.

If it feels like your tires have lost contact with the surface of the road, you should ease your foot off the gas pedal and stay off the brakes. Do not try to stop or turn until your tires are gripping the road again.

An octagonal (eight-sided) sign always means "Stop." Come to a complete stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians that have the right-of-way, and proceed when the way is clear.

To prevent skidding on slippery surfaces, avoid especially slippery areas, such as ice patches, wet leaves, oil, or deep puddles. The safest surface for driving is a dry, solid surface.

A pennant-shaped sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone.

When a protected turn arrow changes from green to yellow, drivers must prepare to yield to oncoming traffic. A yellow arrow indicates that the protected left turn is ending.

Warning signs are usually yellow with black markings. This sign warns the driver that there is an upcoming winding road. Speed should be adjusted appropriately.

If you hit a parked vehicle or other property, you must leave a note with your name, phone number, and address securely attached to the vehicle or property that you hit.

A double solid yellow line down the center of a road indicates that traffic is moving in opposite directions and that passing is not allowed from either direction.

If your vehicle breaks down on a highway, make sure other drivers can see it. Get your vehicle off the road and away from traffic if at all possible and turn on your emergency flashers to show that you are having trouble.

Treat a flashing red traffic signal the same as you would treat a stop sign. Come to a complete stop, yield to oncoming traffic or pedestrians, and proceed when the way is clear.

Drivers should signal when pulling next to a curb or away from a curb.

Warning signs are usually yellow with black markings. They alert you to conditions that are immediately ahead. This sign tells drivers to slow down and prepare for an abrupt change in direction at an extreme angle.

Certain offenses committed while driving will count against the driver in Alabama's uniform system of suspending driver licenses. If a driver accrues 24 points or more within a two-year period, their license will be suspended for 365 days.

Pennant-shaped yellow signs like this are used to indicate a no passing zone.

A broken yellow line in the center of the road indicates that traffic next to the broken yellow line may pass, if it is safe to do so.

When changing lanes, glance over your shoulder to check for traffic in your blind spot. You may need to look several times before changing lanes. You must keep track of what traffic is doing in front of you as well as what traffic is doing in the lane next to you.

Regulatory signs provide notice to road users of traffic laws that must be obeyed. This sign tells drivers that it is prohibited to make a U-turn.

When approaching a steady green traffic signal, you may continue driving straight or you may turn, where allowed. When turning on a green light, you must first yield to pedestrians or other vehicles lawfully within the intersection.

Winter brings its own particular driving hazards. Fog, rain, snow, sleet, ice, and increased hours of darkness add to the dangers of driving. The smart driver prepares for these adverse conditions.

You must stop at a railroad crossing if the gate is lowering. It is unsafe to do otherwise.

Signs with a red circle and diagonal line over a black symbol indicate the the action represented by the symbol is prohibited. In this case, the sign indicates that right turns are prohibited.

Motorcycles can be easily hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their small size. Drivers of cars must always be alert and looking for motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters.

When passing, you should not return to your original lane until you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror. Always check your blind spots before moving back into your original lane.

Because large trucks require more time to accelerate than smaller vehicles, trucks can lose speed driving up long or steep hills. Be cautious when driving behind a large truck and be sure to give the vehicle additional space, especially when driving on an incline.

It is illegal to drive under the influence of any substance that impairs your ability to drive safely. This includes alcohol, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and illegal drugs.

Where there are both solid and dashed yellow lines between lanes of traffic, only traffic directly next to the dashed line may cross the centerline to pass. Drivers next to the solid line may not pass.

Diamond-shaped signs are used to warn of actual or possible hazards. The color orange is used for warning signs usually found in construction or maintenance areas.

A three-sided yield sign indicates that you must slow down and be ready to stop, if necessary, to let any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian pass before you proceed. In this case, you do not have the right-of-way.

Before merging into interstate traffic, you should identify a gap, accelerate to the speed of traffic, and signal. Merge into the gap when it is safe to do so. Be alert to other traffic and do not expect other drivers to clear the lane.

If your vehicle begins to skid, do not use the brakes. Braking could make the skid worse.

Safe use of the interstate demands drivers be constantly alert and capable of driving at high speeds.

If you must stop on the shoulder of the interstate or highway, turn on your emergency flashers to warn other drivers and stay inside your vehicle, if you can. The extremely high speed of traffic makes standing or walking along an interstate highway very dangerous.

All temporary signs in work zones have an orange background with black letters or symbols. These signs are found on the right side of the road, or on both the left and right sides if the roadway is a divided highway.