Colorado DMV Permit Practice Test 1
Test 1 of 10. Pick an answer for each question to see if it is right and why; your score appears at the end. You need 20 correct answers to pass, the same ratio as the real Colorado test.
- Questions25
- Correct to pass20
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age15 years
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1. What does Colorado law say about plea bargaining an alcohol or drug related driving offense?
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Answer A: It is not permitted at all
The Colorado Driver Handbook states that Colorado law does not allow a driver to plea bargain out of an alcohol or drug related driving offense.
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2. What does Colorado law allow a driver younger than 18 to do with a cellphone while driving?
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Answer A: Nothing except contacting help in an emergency
Colorado prohibits drivers younger than 18 from using a cellphone for any purpose while driving, with an exception only for emergency situations.
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3. A Colorado driver stopped without valid insurance is served with an Affidavit and Notice of Suspension. How long do they have to respond?
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Answer C: Seven days from receiving the notice
Colorado's compulsory insurance law gives the driver seven days from receipt of the notice to show proof of insurance, obtain SR-22 insurance or request a hearing; the suspension enters on the eighth day.
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4. Where is the no passing zone pennant sign installed?
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Answer A: On the left side of the roadway
The pennant is placed on the left side of the roadway at the beginning of the no-passing zone, in the field of view of a driver who is thinking about overtaking.
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5. Your Colorado driver license has been expired for 18 months. What does the DMV require before issuing a new one?
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Answer A: Both the written knowledge test and the driving skills test
Colorado waives retesting only when a license has been expired for one year or less; beyond that both the written exam and the drive skills test are required.
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6. The light ahead is green but traffic beyond the intersection is backed up. What should you do?
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Answer B: Wait behind the intersection until there is room to clear it completely
You may not enter an intersection unless you can get completely through it, because stopping inside blocks cross traffic when the signal changes.
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7. A bicyclist ahead of you extends the left arm out with the forearm bent upward. What does that signal mean?
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Answer A: The bicyclist intends to turn right
Bicyclists use the same hand signals as drivers: left arm straight out means left, left arm bent up means right, and left arm bent down means stop or slow.
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8. A Colorado driver under 18 has held a minor license for eight months. How many passengers under 21 may ride along with no qualifying adult in the vehicle?
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Answer C: One passenger
After six months a Colorado minor licensee may carry one passenger younger than 21; only after a full year may they carry as many passengers as there are seat belts.
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9. Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and you see a train approaching. What should you do?
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Answer D: Get everyone out and run toward the train at an angle away from the tracks
Leave the vehicle at once. Running toward the oncoming train and away from the tracks keeps you clear of the wreckage, which is thrown forward in the direction the train is moving.
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10. A signal on an entrance ramp changes from red to green and lets one vehicle at a time onto the highway. What should you do?
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Answer A: Stop on the red and go on the green, one vehicle for each green
A ramp meter spaces vehicles out so they join the highway one at a time instead of arriving as a group, and it is a traffic signal like any other.
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11. When must a Colorado driver yield to a transit bus?
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Answer B: When it signals to enter a lane and its rear yield sign is lit
Colorado requires drivers to yield the right of way to a transit bus that is signaling to enter a traffic lane when the yield sign on the rear of the bus is illuminated.
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12. In Colorado, how must a child under 2 years old who weighs less than 40 pounds be secured?
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Answer B: In a rear-facing child restraint system in the rear seat
Colorado requires children under 2 years old weighing less than 40 pounds to be properly secured in a rear-facing child restraint system in the rear seat.
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13. A high truck ahead of you hides the traffic signal as you approach the intersection. What should you do?
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Answer A: Drop back so you can see the signal and the truck's brake lights
Extra following distance restores your view of the signal, so you are reacting to the light yourself rather than copying the truck driver.
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14. Another driver has pulled out to pass you. What should you do?
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Answer A: Stay in your lane, keep your speed steady or ease off, and let the pass finish
Accelerating while being passed forces the other driver to stay in the opposing lane longer, so the safe response is to hold or slightly reduce speed and stay right.
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15. How many points toward suspension does a first Colorado DWAI conviction carry?
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Answer A: 8 points
The Colorado Driver Handbook lists 8 points toward suspension for a first Driving While Ability is Impaired conviction, in addition to fines, jail and public service.
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16. Your left-turn lane shows a flashing yellow arrow. What does that indication allow?
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Answer B: A left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow marks a permissive left turn: the movement is allowed, but oncoming vehicles and pedestrians keep the right-of-way.
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17. Under the Colorado law passed in 2022, how may a bicyclist aged 15 or older treat a stop sign when the intersection is clear and they already have the right of way?
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Answer B: As a yield sign
Colorado's 2022 safety stop law lets bicyclists aged 15 and older treat stop signs as yield signs and stop lights as stop signs when the intersection is clear and they already have the right of way.
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18. You want to reverse direction but the street is too narrow for a U-turn. What is the alternative?
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Answer D: Make a three-point turn, or go around the block in heavy traffic
Where there is not enough width for a U-turn, the three-point turn does the job in stages, and on a busy street going around the block is safer still.
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19. What does Colorado law say about your speed while passing another vehicle?
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Answer D: You may not exceed the posted speed limit at any point in the pass
The Colorado Driver Handbook lists exceeding the posted speed limit while passing among the behaviors that are illegal when passing.
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20. For an alert driver, about how long is the reaction time once a hazard has been recognized?
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Answer A: About three quarters of a second
Reaction alone takes roughly three quarters of a second for an alert driver, and perception takes about as long again, so a second and a half of travel is added before the brakes bite.
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21. You reach a red light with a sign reading NO TURN ON RED. What may you do?
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Answer D: Wait for the green; no turn is allowed while the light is red
That sign removes the usual permission to turn on red at the intersection, so you must wait for a green indication.
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22. You are turning left from a two-way street onto another two-way street. Where should you begin and end the turn?
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Answer B: Begin in the lane just right of the center line and finish just right of the center line of the new street
You approach a left turn from the lane closest to the center line and enter the new roadway just to the right of its center line, which keeps you clear of oncoming traffic.
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23. You stop at the curb on a busy street to let passengers out. What should you tell them?
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Answer A: To get out on the curb side, away from traffic
Passengers should always leave on the side away from moving traffic, which keeps both them and the door out of the travel lane.
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24. How many points within any 12 months will cause a Colorado driver aged 21 or over to be suspended?
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Answer D: 12 points
Colorado suspends a driver aged 21 or over who accumulates 12 or more points within any 12 months, or 18 or more within any 24 months.
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25. How long do you have to notify the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles of a name or address change?
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Answer C: 30 days
Colorado gives you 30 days to notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of a change of name or of address.