Vehicle equipment — Alabama Permit Test

All automobiles must have two separate methods of applying brakes: a regular foot brake and a parking brake.

If one brake system fails, the other can still stop the car.

All automobiles must have two separate methods of applying brakes.

Every vehicle must have a muffler in good working order; muffler cutouts and bypasses are forbidden, and the exhaust must not leak fumes into the vehicle.

A leaking exhaust can fill the car with carbon monoxide.

Muffler cutouts, bypasses or similar devices are forbidden.

Rear-view mirrors that let the driver see 200 feet to the rear are required on all vehicles.

You need to see far enough behind to judge cars coming up fast before you change lanes.

To enable the driver to see 200 feet to the rear are required on all vehicles.

Motor vehicles must have at least two white headlights, a rear license plate light, a brake light and at least one red taillight, all visible from at least 500 feet.

Lights let you see and let others see you in time to react.

All lights must be visible from a distance of at least 500 feet.

Using both left and right turn signals, or other pairs of lights, flashing at the same time to show a vehicle hazard is permitted.

Hazard flashers tell other drivers your car is stopped or in trouble.

The use of both left and right turn signal lights or other pairs of lights flashing simultaneously to indicate a vehicular hazard is permitted.

Every motor vehicle with a windshield must have windshield wipers in good working order.

Rain on an uncleared windshield can leave you driving blind.

Every motor vehicle having a windshield must be equipped with windshield wipers in good working order.

In a crash, steering assemblies cause 30 percent of fatal injuries and striking the windshield, its frame or the instrument panel causes another 40 percent; safety belts can prevent these "second collisions".

The belt holds you back so you do not hit the inside of the car after it stops.

Safety belts can prevent these “second collisions.”

A horn in good working order is required on all motor vehicles; it is unlawful to use it except to give a warning when reasonably necessary, and never to announce your arrival or call passengers.

A horn that is used for everything stops meaning danger.

It is unlawful to use a motor vehicle horn for any purpose except in giving warning when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation.

Bells, sirens or exhaust whistles may not be used except on emergency vehicles.

Those sounds are kept for emergency vehicles so drivers know to clear the way.

Bells, sirens or exhaust whistles may not be used except for emergency vehicles.

A tire is illegal if its tread is less than 1/16 inch deep.

Shallow tread cannot clear water from under the tire, so the car slides on wet roads.

Be sure that you have enough rubber; a tire is illegal if your tread is less than 1/16 inch deep.

Check tire pressure often and never drive on under-inflated tires; never use different types of tires, and check your spare periodically.

Mismatched or soft tires grip differently and can make the car pull or skid.

Never use different types of tires.

Brakes, exhaust systems, cooling systems, lights, wipers and tires wear out and need maintenance; any one of them, if not properly maintained, could cause a serious accident.

A car that is kept up is less likely to fail at the worst moment.

If not properly maintained, any one of these items could be the cause of a serious accident.

Before a freeway trip, check your fuel and get gas if you need it, because there are no service stations directly on freeways.

Running out of gas strands you on the shoulder of fast traffic.

There are no service stations located directly on freeways.

How many separate ways of applying the brakes must a car have?

Two: a foot brake and a parking brake. If one brake system fails, the other can still stop the car. Alabama Driver Manual, p.79: “All automobiles must have two separate methods of applying brakes.”