Pennsylvania Permit Practice Test — Written Test, 18 Questions
Free 10-question Pennsylvania permit practice test, then full 18-question tests like the real exam (15 to pass), each question cited to the PA Driver's Manual.
The exam
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation knowledge test is 18 questions, and 15 correct is a pass. Everything on it comes out of PA Driver's Manual. Officially it is the knowledge test; most people call it the written test, or the permit test.
How this works
Most practice tests hand you a bank of questions and leave the manual somewhere else. This one puts them together.
You read one law and the reason behind it, then answer a question on that law while it is still fresh. Get it right and you move on; get it wrong and you have found the gap while it is cheap to fix, not on the morning of the exam.
Learning one rule at a time, and proving it immediately, is what turns a manual you skimmed into something you actually know — and it makes studying feel like getting somewhere rather than like waiting to find out.
Ask a question about Pennsylvania road law
Easier than searching the manual: ask in your own words — how far from a fire hydrant you may park, when you must stop for a school bus — and the answer comes from PA Driver's Manual or Pennsylvania’s code, with the page or the section it is in. When neither says, the answer says so rather than guess. Or tick Nationwide and compare every state on one question.
What it costs
- One payment, once — not a subscription. Nothing renews and there is nothing to cancel, for an exam you sit one time.
- Free to start: a 10-question test and the first section of cards. No sign-up and no account.
- Paying opens the rest of the cards, unlimited full-length practice tests, and retests built from exactly the questions you got wrong.
- Every level up to Prepared — 3 tests passed in a row.
- Do the work, fail the real exam, and we refund you.
What Pennsylvania tests
46 concepts, 331 separate rules. Each one is a page of its own.
- Regulatory signs — 12 laws
- Warning signs — 20 laws
- Railroad signs — 2 laws
- Work zone signs — 2 laws
- Guide signs — 2 laws
- Signs by description — 9 laws
- Traffic signals — 19 laws
- Sharing with pedestrians — 6 laws
- Speed limits — 9 laws
- Pavement markings — 10 laws
- Following distance — 9 laws
- Scanning and blind spots — 9 laws
- Turning — 11 laws
- Right of way — 12 laws
- Roundabouts — 6 laws
- Passing — 9 laws
- Highways and merging — 7 laws
- Work zones — 7 laws
- School buses — 5 laws
- Emergency vehicles — 7 laws
- Railroad crossings — 7 laws
- Sharing with bicyclists — 6 laws
- Sharing with motorcycles — 3 laws
- Motorcycles — 1 law
- Trucks and buses — 11 laws
- Night and visibility — 10 laws
- Hazardous conditions — 11 laws
- Skids and braking — 7 laws
- Driving emergencies — 6 laws
- Road rage — 3 laws
- Distracted driving — 6 laws
- Drowsy driving — 3 laws
- Alcohol and driving — 7 laws
- Drugs and driving — 3 laws
- DUI penalties — 5 laws
- Under 21 alcohol — 5 laws
- Point system — 5 laws
- Suspensions — 4 laws
- Seat belts and air bags — 8 laws
- Child restraint law — 6 laws
- Parking — 10 laws
- Crashes — 6 laws
- Traffic stops — 6 laws
- Licensing and records — 5 laws
- Learners permit — 7 laws
- Vehicle checks — 7 laws
Questions from the Pennsylvania test
What must you do at this sign?
Stop completely, then go when the way is clear. The full stop is what buys you the look; a rolling stop skips the one moment you had to see anything. PA Driver's Manual, p.10: “you must stop completely, check for pedestrians and cross traffic to clear the intersection before you go again. Slowing down without coming to a full stop is illegal.”
What does this sign tell you the road does ahead?
It curves to the left. A curve is taken by holding your lane, which is why the sign asks for less than a sharp turn does. PA Driver's Manual, p.13: “The road curves ahead to the left. You need to slow down, stay in the center of your lane and prepare to navigate through the left-bending curve.”
How should you treat this sign at the tracks?
As a yield sign: slow down and be ready to stop. A train needs a mile to stop, so all of the stopping is your job. PA Driver's Manual, p.10: “You should treat the crossbuck sign as a YIELD sign; slow down and prepare to stop, if you see or hear a train approaching.”
What do work zone signs mark?
Places where workers may be near the road. The people in that zone have nothing between them and your car. PA Driver's Manual, p.18: “These signs identify maintenance, construction or utility areas where workers or equipment may be on or near the roadway. Stay alert and slow down when you see these signs.”
What do highway and expressway guide signs tell you?
Which exits and destinations lie ahead. Knowing your exit early saves crossing three lanes at the last second. PA Driver's Manual, p.19: “Guide signs provide information about intersecting roads, help direct you to cities and towns, and show points of interest along the highway.”
Which sign is the only eight-sided one on the highway?
The stop sign. One shape is kept for one message, so it can be read from behind, in the dark, or under snow. PA Driver's Manual, p.10: “The STOP sign is the only octagon-shaped (8-sided) sign you see on the highway.”
Where must you stop at a steady red signal?
Before the stop line or crosswalk. The line is set back far enough that people crossing have room to walk in front of you. PA Driver's Manual, p.7: “When there is a STEADY RED LIGHT, you must stop before crossing the marked stop line or crosswalk. If you do not see any lines, stop before entering the intersection.”
What should a person do when the flashing do not walk signal begins and they are already in the street?
Finish crossing the street. The countdown is for the person already committed, not an invitation to start. PA Driver's Manual, p.9: “When the flashing DON’T WALK or flashing upraised hand begins: a. Finish crossing, if you are in the street.”
What is the maximum speed limit in Pennsylvania?
70 miles an hour. It is the ceiling for the whole state, and no posted sign goes above it. PA Driver's Manual, p.39: “The maximum speed limit in Pennsylvania is 70.”
What do yellow lines divide?
Traffic traveling in opposite directions. The color tells you at a glance whether anything is coming the other way. PA Driver's Manual, p.22: “Yellow lines divide traffic traveling in opposite directions.”
What following distance does the manual give for a dry road?
Four seconds. Four seconds is what it takes to notice a problem and do something about it. PA Driver's Manual, p.35: “will allow you to steer or brake to avoid a hazard safely on the highway, if the pavement is dry.”
How far ahead should you look to spot problems early?
12 to 15 seconds ahead. Looking that far ahead turns a sudden problem into one you saw coming. PA Driver's Manual, p.37: “You should be able to identify problem situations 12 to 15 seconds ahead — about one block in the city, or a quarter of a mile at highway speeds.”
How far ahead of a turn should you signal?
Three to four seconds. Each step is one thing the driver behind you needs to see before you do it. PA Driver's Manual, p.45: “Signal three (3) to four (4) seconds before your turn.”
What does the law actually say about right of way at intersections?
Only who must yield, not who has priority. Being right does not stop the other car, and insisting on it is how a crash happens. PA Driver's Manual, p.48: “The law does not give anyone the right-of-way at intersections; it only says who must yield.”
Who has the right of way at a roundabout?
Traffic already in the circle. Cars in the circle have nowhere to stop without being hit from behind. PA Driver's Manual, p.50: “CIRCULATING TRAFFIC HAS THE RIGHT- OF-WAY.”
What should you see before pulling back in after a pass?
Both headlights of the passed vehicle in your mirror. Seeing both headlights is the proof you have left that driver enough room. PA Driver's Manual, p.47: “Before you move back into the lane, make sure you can see both headlights on the front of the vehicle you passed in your rearview mirror.”
Who yields in a weaving lane between an entrance and an exit?
The driver entering the highway. Two cars want the same piece of road at the same moment, so one rule has to settle it. PA Driver's Manual, p.52: “If you are the driver entering the highway, you must yield to the exiting driver.”
When must you use headlights in a work zone?
At every hour, in any work zone. The lights are for the worker who has to see you coming, not for you to see by. PA Driver's Manual, p.18: “Turn on your headlights when traveling through a work zone, no matter what time of day. This is the law for all posted work zones, not just for active ones.”
How far from a stopped school bus with its stop arm out must you stop?
At least 10 feet away. Children walk around the front of the bus where a driver behind cannot see them at all. PA Driver's Manual, p.58: “you must stop at least 10 feet away from the bus whether you are behind it or coming toward it on the same roadway or approaching an intersection at which the school bus is stopped.”
What must you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with its siren on?
Pull to the side of the road and stop. The crew needs one clear line through the traffic, and it has to be the same line every time. PA Driver's Manual, p.59: “Pull over to the curb or side of the road and stop.”
Which of these means you must stop at a railroad crossing?
A lowered crossing gate. Any one of those means a train is already committed to the crossing. PA Driver's Manual, p.9: “You are required to stop at all railroad crossings when there is a signal of an approaching train. These signals include flashing red lights, a lowered crossing gate, a flagger signaling or a train’s audible signal of warning.”
How much room must you leave when passing a bicycle in Pennsylvania?
At least four feet. Four feet is the room a rider needs to swerve around a pothole you will never notice. PA Driver's Manual, p.92: “When passing, you must allow at least four (4) feet between your vehicle and a bicycle in order to pass safely.”
How much of a lane must you allow a motorcycle?
One complete lane. The rider needs the whole lane to move around what a car simply rolls over. PA Driver's Manual, p.56: “According to the law, you must allow the motorcyclist/moped driver to use one (1) complete lane.”
What is the commonest way a car and a motorcycle collide?
The car turns left across the motorcycle. A motorcycle coming at you is narrow enough that the gap behind it looks bigger than it is. PA Driver's Manual, p.56: “Usually, the vehicle turns left in front of a moving motorcycle/moped when the driver of the vehicle should have yielded the right of way.”
What are the blind spots around a truck called?
The No-Zone. If you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you at all. PA Driver's Manual, p.56: “The key to safer highways is to know the truck’s or bus’s blind spot (No-Zone).”
At what distance of poor visibility does the law require headlights?
When you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead. The lights are as much about being seen as about seeing. PA Driver's Manual, p.40: “When they cannot see pedestrians or vehicles on the highway for a distance of 1,000 feet ahead of the vehicle they are operating.”
When is a road most slippery in a rainstorm?
In the first 10 to 15 minutes. The oil has been building since the last rain and floats the moment it gets wet. PA Driver's Manual, p.40: “Pavements can become very slippery in the first 10 to 15 minutes of a rain storm.”
How should you brake hard in a vehicle without antilock brakes?
Press and release the brakes repeatedly. A locked wheel slides, and a sliding wheel will not steer at all. PA Driver's Manual, p.61: “Without ABS, press and release the brakes repeatedly. Pumping the brakes will slow your vehicle and keep it under control.”
What should you do if the accelerator sticks?
Shift to neutral and use the brakes. Neutral cuts the link between the engine and the road, which is the fastest fix available. PA Driver's Manual, p.62: “Shift to neutral immediately and use the brakes, if the pedal remains stuck.”
Where should you drive if an aggressive driver pursues you?
To a police station or a busy shop. Leading them to your door is the one outcome you cannot undo. PA Driver's Manual, p.60: “If an aggressive driver pursues you, do not go home. Instead, drive to a police station, convenience store or other location where you can get help and there will be witnesses.”
What counts as a distraction while driving?
Anything taking your eyes, hands or mind away. All three matter, and most distractions manage at least two of them at once. PA Driver's Manual, p.32: “Anything that causes you to 1) take your attention away from driving, 2) take your eyes off of the road or 3) take your hands off of the wheel is a distraction.”
Being awake for 24 hours impairs driving about as much as what blood alcohol level?
.10 percent. Tiredness is measured against alcohol because it does the same things to you. PA Driver's Manual, p.33: “Being awake for 24 hours in a row impairs your driving as much as having a blood alcohol level of .10 percent.”
At what blood alcohol level is a driver 21 or older under the influence?
.08 or higher. It is the line the law draws, and being under it is not the same as being safe. PA Driver's Manual, p.81: “if you are of legal drinking age (21 or older), you are considered to be driving "while under the influence" if your blood alcohol level is .08 or higher”
About what share of motorist deaths involve drugs other than alcohol?
About 20 percent. The two together do more than the two added up. PA Driver's Manual, p.34: “Drugs other than alcohol are involved in approximately 20 percent of deaths among motorists each year.”
How long is the suspension for a first refusal of chemical testing?
One year. You agreed to it when you took the license, so the refusal has its own penalty. PA Driver's Manual, p.82: “If the police arrest you for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and you refuse to take one (1) or more chemical tests of breath or blood, your driving privilege will be automatically suspended for one (1) year.”
At what blood alcohol level is a driver under 21 under the influence?
.02 or greater. The line for a young driver is set as close to zero as a test can measure. PA Driver's Manual, p.82: “If you are under 21, you are considered to be driving under the influence if your blood alcohol level is .02 or greater.”
At how many points does corrective action begin?
Six points. Six is the line where the department stops watching and starts acting. PA Driver's Manual, p.79: “PennDOT begins to take corrective action when a driving record reaches six (6) or more points.”
Which of these costs you your driving privilege?
A conviction for reckless driving. Each of them is an offense where somebody could have been killed. PA Driver's Manual, p.79: “Your driving privilege will be suspended or revoked, if you are convicted of any one of the following traffic violations (this is only a partial listing): • Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. • Felony involving a vehicle. • Homicide by vehicle. • Reckless driving.”
Who must wear a seat belt no matter where they sit?
Anyone aged 8 or older but under 18. An unbelted passenger in the back becomes a moving weight that hits the person in front. PA Driver's Manual, p.89: “If you are transporting passengers age eight (8) or older but less than age 18, they must wear seat belts, no matter where they are riding in the vehicle.”
Up to what age must a child ride in a child safety seat?
Under age four. An adult belt crosses a small child at the neck and stomach, which is where it does harm. PA Driver's Manual, p.90: “Children under the age of four (4) must be buckled into a federally-approved child passenger restraint system (child safety seat)”
How far from the curb may you park?
No more than 12 inches. A car sticking out into the lane is the one a passing driver clips. PA Driver's Manual, p.52: “If the street you are on has a curb, park as close to it as you can, but no more than 12 inches away.”
Why should you move your vehicle off the road after a crash?
Traffic stopping for it causes more crashes. The car left in a live lane is the second crash waiting to happen. PA Driver's Manual, p.81: “If you can, move your vehicle off of the road so you do not block traffic. Many crashes are caused when traffic stops or slows for an initial crash.”
What should you do first when a police vehicle stops behind you?
Signal and pull to the right edge of the road. The officer is walking up beside live traffic, so where you stop is part of their safety too. PA Driver's Manual, p.80: “Activate your turn signal and drive as close as safely possible to the right edge of the road, stop, and park your vehicle safely away from traffic.”
Within how long must you report a change of address?
15 days. A license sent to an old address comes back and never reaches you. PA Driver's Manual, p.89: “if your name or address is changed, you must notify PennDOT within 15 days of that change even if moving out of state”
How many of the 18 knowledge test questions must you answer correctly?
15 of them. Fifteen of eighteen leaves room for three mistakes and no more. PA Driver's Manual, p.5: “The Knowledge Test consists of 18 multiple choice questions. You must answer 15 questions correctly to pass the test.”
When should you check tire pressure?
Cold, before driving or three hours after. Driving warms the air inside and gives you a reading that is not true. PA Driver's Manual, p.31: “Check your tires “cold” - before you’ve driven or at least three hours after you’ve driven.”
Where these come from
Every rule here is checked against PA Driver's Manual, published by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and against the state code itself. Last checked 2026-09-06.