South Dakota CAR DMV Practice Test 5

Backing up is always dangerous because it is hard to see behind your vehicle. Use extra caution when backing up.

Yellow signs with black markings are used to warn drivers about upcoming hazards or special conditions. Round signs are used only to warn about upcoming railroad crossings.

The law requires all operators, front seat passengers, and children under the age of 18 to wear appropriate safety restraints while a vehicle is in motion. Small children should be secured in the rear seat.

You should expect to see bicyclists driving with traffic on the road. You should not be surprised to see a bicyclist using the left lane when turning.

Only use your horn when it is necessary to avoid collisions. Do not use your horn if a driver or bicyclist is moving slowly and you want him or her to drive faster or get out of your way.

Make sure there are no loose objects in your vehicle that could hit and injure someone in the event of a sudden stop or crash. Make sure there are no objects on the floor that could roll under the brake pedal and prevent you from stopping the vehicle.

After coming to a complete stop, you may turn left at a red light only if you are traveling on a one-way street and turning onto another one-way street. Only make the turn if there are no posted signs prohibiting such a turn.

Bicycles are considered vehicles when used on roadways. Bicyclists and motorists are expected to follow the same rules of the road.

When driving under snowy or icy conditions, you should make speed and directional changes gradually. Never use cruise control when driving on snow or ice because your tires may lose contact with the road and you will lose control of your vehicle.

Work zones on highways have become increasingly dangerous places for both workers and drivers. When approaching a work zone, watch for materials such as cones, barrels, signs, large vehicles, and workers in brightly colored vests to warn you and direct you.

A double yellow centerline means that it is prohibited for traffic from either direction to cross the centerline to pass.

Warning signs provide notice to road users of a situation that might not be readily apparent and are usually yellow with black markings. This warning sign tells drivers to be alert to an intersecting side road ahead.

When driving in a work zone, adjust your speed for the traffic conditions and don't follow other vehicles too closely. Be attentive to workers and machines in the work zone.

Every time you want to change lanes or otherwise move your vehicle to the right or left, signal to alert other drivers to your intentions. Always check your mirrors and turn your head to check your blind spot before attempting any lateral move.

If a tire blows out or suddenly goes flat while you are driving, grip the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle aiming straight. Take your foot off the accelerator and do not brake. Allow the vehicle to slow by itself and use the brakes gently, but only if necessary. Pull off the road when it is safe to do so.

Drivers crossing a sidewalk when entering or exiting a driveway, alley, or parking lot must yield to pedestrians. It is illegal to drive on a sidewalk except to cross it.

Stopping distances are longer and crashes are more severe when traffic travels at higher speeds.

You must stop at a railroad crossing where signs, warning devices, or flaggers warn you of the presence of a train. It is illegal to drive around lowered gates.

This is a low clearance warning sign. It indicates the distance from the road surface to the bottom of a bridge or overpass (in this case, 12 feet, 6 inches).

Check your mirrors for quickly approaching vehicles when you are driving down hills or mountains. Vehicles often build up speed while traveling down a steep grade. Be alert to large trucks and buses that may be going too fast.

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

When driving in fog, you should slow down and use your low beam lights. If the fog is so dense that you cannot see, pull off the road and wait for the fog to clear.

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 single broken line indicates that drivers may cross from either lane to change lanes. Dashed yellow lines alongside solid yellow lines indicate that passing is permitted from the lane next to the broken line, but not from the lane next to the solid line. Only change lanes when it is safe to do so.

When merging onto a freeway, you should enter at or near the speed of traffic.