Louisiana CAR DMV Practice Test 21

The combination of alcohol and drugs, in some cases, can increase the effects of both the drugs and alcohol. It can be unsafe to drive after consuming either alcohol or drugs and is even more dangerous after combining them.

You must do everything you can to prevent striking a pedestrian or another vehicle, regardless of the circumstances. It is the driver’s basic responsibility to be alert to pedestrians and to yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians, even if the pedestrian is crossing the street where they should not be.

Smoking while driving can create dangerous distractions by causing you to take your hands off the wheel and/or your eyes off the road.

Warning signs are usually diamond-shaped with black markings on a yellow background. They alert drivers to upcoming hazards. This sign indicates that drivers are approaching a steep hill and should prepare to adjust their speeds to continue to drive safely.

You must always signal before turning or changing lanes. You should keep your wheels straight while waiting to make a left turn. If another vehicle hits you from behind, this ensures that you will not be pushed into oncoming traffic.

Warning signs prepare drivers for upcoming road conditions and hazards and are usually yellow with black markings. This sign warns drivers about an upcoming steep hill. They should adjust their speed accordingly to avoid brake damage or collision.

At intersections that are controlled by signs or signals and at intersections that are uncontrolled, the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the driver on the right when two vehicles arrive to the intersection at the same time.

Guide signs, sometimes known as destination signs, have a green background and provide directional and mileage information to specific destinations. They can be a helpful resource when driving in unfamiliar locations.

Special child seats are available for children who are too small to wear regular safety belts. No person is strong enough to safely hold onto a child of any size during an accident or sudden stop. Never allow a child to ride in a vehicle unless they are properly fastened into a seat.

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.

When approaching railroad tracks, you should look, listen, slow down, and be prepared to stop for trains or other vehicles that may be using the rails.

On a traffic signal arranged vertically, red is always on top and green on the bottom. When arranged horizontally, red is always on the left and green on the right.

Signs providing information about destinations are green with white letters or symbols.

Situations where motorists are required to stop include approaching intersections with stop signs, approaching intersections where a red light is either flashing or illuminated, or any time when a traffic officer orders your vehicle to stop.

Make sure your tires are in proper condition before you enter your vehicle. A tire with low air pressure or poor tread can make driving unsafe.

This sign indicates where a lane is reserved for the exclusive use of left-turning vehicles from either direction. Such a lane may not be used for passing or for through-traffic.

This sign warns that the overpass ahead has a low clearance. Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height indicated (in this case, 13 feet, 6 inches).

The faster you drive on a wet roadway, the less effective your tires will be at wiping the water from the road. If your speed becomes excessive enough, your tires will lose their grip on the road entirely and you will begin to hydroplane (that is, to slide down the road on a film of water).

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A single dashed yellow line in the center of a road indicates that vehicles traveling in both directions are permitted to pass. Drivers may only begin a pass if they will not interfere with any oncoming traffic.

Never make last-minute turns. If you reach an intersection where you wish to turn but you are not in the proper lane to make the turn, drive to the next intersection and then make the turn from the proper lane.

Before changing lanes, you should look in your rearview and side mirrors to make sure no one is trying to pass you. You should also look over your shoulder to make sure that no one is in your blind spot.

You may cross a single broken line to pass or change lanes as long as you can do so safely and without interfering with traffic.

This sign warns of the presence of a hill ahead.

When approaching a railroad crossing, you must stop your vehicle no closer than 15 feet from the nearest rail if an installed electric or mechanical signal is giving warning of an approaching train. Be aware of other warning signs that may indicate an oncoming train, including seeing a lowered crossing gate or hearing an oncoming train.

Your ability to handle dangerous traffic situations depends largely on searching for and identifying problems before meeting them. Looking far ahead of your vehicle does not mean you should simply stare at the center of the road. You need to continually scan the entire road, including the sides of the road.

If you see an upcoming traffic light that has been solid green for a long time, it may change to yellow or red before you reach it. You should begin slowing down and preparing for the light to change.

Before changing lanes, you should identify a four- or five-second gap in traffic in the lane you wish to enter. Signal, check your mirrors, and look over your shoulder in the direction of the lane change. Adjust your speed and steer into the lane before canceling your turn signal.

If a vehicle comes toward you with its high beams on, look away from the headlights and toward the right side of the road until the car has passed. This will keep you from being blinded.

If your vehicle’s right wheels leave the pavement, don't panic. Take your foot off the accelerator and steer parallel to the road. Slow down and ease back onto the roadway by keeping both hands on the steering wheel and steering into the road’s right lane with a small turn of the steering wheel. Check for traffic around you before steering back onto the pavement.

Louisiana has a mandatory safety belt use law which requires all motor vehicle occupants to be properly buckled. Don’t start the engine before you are sure every passenger in the car has their safety belt fastened.

Defensive driving is using safe driving strategies to prevent crashes. This means that you alter your driving to fit the weather conditions, the way you feel, and the actions of other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

This sign indicates that there is a traffic signal ahead.

Pentagonal signs indicate that you are in a school zone. Be extra alert to children and pedestrians when driving near a school.

Painted curbs indicate parking restrictions. When a curb is painted blue, it indicates a handicap parking restriction.

A green arrow displayed on a traffic signal tells drivers that they may turn in the direction of the arrow. You must be in the proper lane for such a turn. Yield the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.

You are required to use your headlights during the day when visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less. When you first turn on your headlights, be sure they are adjusted to the low beam setting. Using high beams in fog or rain will cause the light to reflect back into your eyes, lowering visibility even more.

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

Arrows may be used to indicate which lanes should be used for specific purposes, such as driving straight or making a turn.

If a steady yellow light appears when you are already within an intersection, you should continue through the intersection carefully.

A flashing red light means that you must come to a full stop, and then proceed when the way is clear.