Massachusetts CAR DMV Practice Test 15

Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars. Because of their size, they are easily hidden in a car’s blind spot. It may be difficult to judge your distance to a motorcycle and difficult to tell how fast a motorcycle is moving, so always be alert and extra cautious when near a motorcyclist.

Never tailgate a vehicle in front of you. Tailgating is illegal and the main cause of rear-end crashes. The fine for tailgating can be as high as $100.

A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) allows pedestrians to safely cross a roadway. A PHB only operates when activated by a pedestrian. When all lights are dark, you may proceed with caution.

It is unlawful for anyone to drink from or possess an open container of alcohol while in a motor vehicle that is on a public road. Failure to adhere to this law will result in negative consequences for the driver.

At an intersection where there is no stop sign or traffic signal, you should yield to a vehicle approaching the intersection from the right. However, always be prepared to yield to avoid a crash. Do this by taking your foot off the accelerator, covering the brake, and looking left, right, and left again.

Warning signs prepare drivers for upcoming road conditions and hazards and are usually yellow with black markings. This sign alerts drivers to potential bicycle cross traffic.

Railroad crossing warning signs are used to warn drivers of the possibility of a train. Drivers should obey all railroad crossing warning signs and never go around barriers or disregard the warning sign.

High beam headlights normally let you see about 350 feet ahead. Use your high beam headlights when driving in dark areas where you cannot see the road surface ahead. You must lower your high beam headlights to low beams when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet of a vehicle traveling ahead of you.

When you see any signs indicating a nearby railroad crossing, you should slow down, look for a train, and be ready to stop. If the red warning lights are flashing or the gate is down, you must stop 15 to 50 feet before the railroad tracks. Do not try to go around the gate.

Consuming even a small amount of alcohol will impair your vision, judgment, concentration, and coordination.

This sign indicates a low ground railroad crossing. Where this sign is present, railroad tracks cross the road at a steep slope and the bottom of low vehicles may drag or get caught on the tracks.

Your ability to stop is greatly affected by the condition of the road. You need to reduce your speed when road conditions are poor in order to maintain control of your vehicle. You will be at risk if you are driving too quickly on roads that are slippery and you need to stop.

People cannot see you unless they are looking your way. Your horn may get their attention. Use it whenever it will help prevent a collision.

Driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day for several reasons. It is harder to see in the dark, you may be temporarily blinded by the glare from other vehicles' lights, and there are likely to be more drivers on the road who are tired or under the influence.

You should always turn from the lane that is closest to the direction you want to go. Turn into the lane closest to your previous lane.

You must yield to any transit vehicle that is signaling to pull back onto the main roadway after it has stopped to load or unload passengers. Change lanes, slow down, or stop to allow the bus safe re-entry into traffic.

If your vehicle begins to leave the road, continue to drive with the wheels off the pavement and reduce your speed by gently applying the brakes. When at a safe speed, turn the steering wheel to return to the pavement. Do not attempt to force your vehicle back onto the pavement by sharply turning the steering wheel.

This sign means that you are approaching an upcoming intersection. Watch carefully for cross traffic.

Green pavement is used in areas where there could be road sharing conflicts between motor vehicles and bicycles. You should pay close attention and look for bicyclists before crossing green pavement. At a red light, you should not stop on green pavement.

You must stop at a railroad crossing when directed to do so by a flagger, stop sign, or warning devices, such as gates or flashing lights. Not all railroad crossings are equipped with such devices. It is against the law to drive around lowered railroad crossing gates.

The distance required to stop your vehicle depends on perception time, reaction distance, and braking distance. This changes with speed and road conditions.

Consuming any type of alcohol can have negative effects on your reflexes and judgment. It does not matter which type of alcohol is consumed, only how much alcohol has entered a person's bloodstream.

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

It is prohibited to park on the shoulder of a freeway, except in an emergency.

This sign indicates that hospital emergency services are located to the right.