Iowa CAR DMV Practice Test 7

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.

Most signs in work areas are orange and diamond-shaped, although some signs are rectangular. These signs and traffic control devices are commonly reflective to better attract your attention at night.

If you are involved in a crash, move your vehicle off of the road and stop, if possible. If anyone is injured, call 911 and provide appropriate help. You must report the crash to law enforcement if there is an injury, a death, and/or more than $1,000 in property damage (or more than $200 worth of damage made to non-vehicle government property, such as signs or guardrails).

It is unlawful for any driver in Iowa to read, write, or send a text message while driving. Before using an electronic communication device to write, send, or read a text message, a driver must safely bring their vehicle to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.

If your vehicle has a two-part seat belt system, be sure to wear both the lap belt and the shoulder belt. Wearing either part alone greatly reduces your protection. If you have an automatic shoulder belt, be sure to buckle your lap belt as well.

You may not be able to drive well if you are worried, excited, crying, angry, or depressed. Emotions can distract you from your driving because your mind is focused on something else. Take time to calm down and get focused before driving.

Drivers should be alert to the presence of crossing guards when near a school and must always obey their instructions.

In rainy conditions, you should use your low beam headlights.

After a collision, if no one has been injured or killed and you can safely do so, you should move your vehicle out of the traffic lane.

This sign marks a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. HOV lanes are reserved for use by buses and vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers, as indicated on the sign.

Highway markings provide information for drivers. Markings help drivers correctly position their vehicles on roadways, inform drivers of safe passing zones, and warn drivers about upcoming conditions.

Warning signs are usually yellow with black markings. This sign indicates that the road ahead will turn sharply to the right and then sharply to the left.

You may never drive off the paved or main-traveled portion of the road and onto the shoulder to pass another vehicle.

When driving, do not develop a fixed stare. Frequently check your rearview mirrors so you know the positions of vehicles near you.

Because large vehicles have large blind spots on both sides, you should avoid driving beside a large vehicle for a long period of time. It is safest for you to either drop back or move forward when you find yourself directly next to a large vehicle.

Alcohol reduces your reaction time, reduces your ability to see clearly, changes your judgment of speed and distances, reduces your ability to recover from the glare of headlights, and often reduces your inhibitions and makes you more likely to take risks.

You must not pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk. There may be pedestrians crossing the street that you cannot see. Instead, stop, proceeding only after all pedestrians have crossed.

This sign indicates that the road that you are on intersects with a divided highway. A divided highway is two one-way roadways separated by a median or guide rail.

When turning left at an intersection, yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Once the intersection is clear and applicable signals allow, you may complete the turn.

A flashing red light means that you must stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, and go only when it is safe. At a railroad crossing, a flashing red light indicates that a train is approaching. Yield to the train, and go only when the lights have stopped flashing and all other active warning devices deactivate.

Allow for extra space when driving behind a motorcycle. Motorcycles can stop more quickly than other vehicles can and you must have adequate room to stop if the motorcyclist brakes or falls off. Also, remember that motorcycles are difficult to see at night because they only have one tail light.

If you are stopped by the police, keep your hands on the wheel and ask any passengers to keep their hands in view as well. You should remain in the vehicle unless the police officer asks you to get out. Wait until the officer asks you to retrieve your driver license, registration, and insurance cards.

"No zones" are the large blind spots around trucks and other large vehicles. Drivers of smaller vehicles should avoid lingering in "No zones."

This sign indicates that you must keep to the right of the upcoming divider.

Regulatory signs display laws that drivers must always obey. Right turns are not permitted where this sign is present.

Avoid "rubbernecking," or slowing down to look at collisions or anything else out-of-the-ordinary. This helps to relieve traffic congestion.

A red flashing traffic signal has the same meaning as a stop sign. When approaching a red flashing signal, come to a complete stop and proceed when it is safe to do so. A stop sign may sometimes also be posted where this signal is located.

To avoid the dangers of road rage, you should never take it personally if another driver cuts you off in traffic. Just let it go and continue driving safely.

When turning left at an intersection, you must yield to oncoming bicycles in the same manner that you would yield to oncoming motor vehicles. Keep your wheels straight while waiting to turn and proceed when the way is clear of traffic and pedestrians.

The posted maximum speed limit is the fastest legal driving speed in an area, under ideal conditions. You must reduce your speed when conditions require it, such as when the roadway is slippery or when it is difficult to see clearly down the road.

Even if your vehicle is properly equipped with mirrors, there are blind spots that cannot be seen by using the mirrors. Before changing lanes, look over your shoulder to check these areas.

Alcohol is the number one killer on American roadways. Alcohol affects a person’s vision and slows their reaction time, so it takes longer to act in an emergency. Alcohol affects a person’s driving even if they are below the level of illegal intoxication.

If there are oncoming vehicles to your left and a row of parked vehicles to your right, the best thing to do is to split the difference. Steer a middle course between the oncoming cars and the parked cars.

When turning left, drivers must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. Drivers must also always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers who are already in the intersection.

You should be extra careful when turning and stopping during the first half hour of rain. At this point, the oil from cars has not yet washed off the pavement and could be forming a slippery mixture with the rain.