Change state
COColoradoMy progress

Colorado permit-test flashcards

Read an existing practice question, consider its choices, then reveal the answer and explanation. This set has 20 sourced cards selected from the existing Colorado printable sample.

A short sample of car driving questions. Read the handbook to cover the other topics you need.

Use Tab to reach a card’s answer control and Enter or Space to open it, or tap the control. This works without JavaScript. Cards do not record a score, save an attempt or change your quiz progress.

Recall the rule, then check the source

Card 1 · Preparing to drive

Before leaving a parking space, when should you adjust your seat and mirrors?

  1. While the vehicle is still parked.
  2. While crossing the first intersection.
  3. After merging into moving traffic.
  4. While waiting to make a lane change.
Show answer for card 1

Correct answer: While the vehicle is still parked.

Set up your driving position and mirrors before moving so adjustments do not distract you in traffic.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 6; Before You Drive. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 2 · Vehicle condition

A water bottle is rolling near the driver's feet. What should you do before driving?

  1. Push it farther under the brake pedal.
  2. Secure it where it cannot reach the pedals.
  3. Leave it loose and move it with your foot.
  4. Place it on the dashboard for easy access.
Show answer for card 2

Correct answer: Secure it where it cannot reach the pedals.

Loose objects can distract you or interfere with pedal operation. Secure them before you drive.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 6; Before You Drive. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 3 · Vehicle condition

Why should badly worn tires be replaced before driving in rain?

  1. They grip wet pavement better once the tread is gone.
  2. They shorten wet-road stops because more rubber touches the road.
  3. They provide less grip and increase stopping distance.
  4. They prevent hydroplaning by making the tire surface smooth.
Show answer for card 3

Correct answer: They provide less grip and increase stopping distance.

Worn tires reduce traction, especially on wet roads, and make stopping harder. Tire condition is part of a safe vehicle check.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 6; Before You Drive — Tires. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 4 · Vehicle condition

A friend helps you check your car's lights before a trip. Which check is useful?

  1. Check the headlights and assume the other lights work.
  2. Check the brake lights without operating the brake pedal.
  3. Check the front signals and assume the rear signals work.
  4. Check headlights, brake lights, turn signals and taillights.
Show answer for card 4

Correct answer: Check headlights, brake lights, turn signals and taillights.

Working exterior lights help you see, be seen and communicate your intentions. Check the different lights rather than assuming one working lamp proves the others work.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 6; Before You Drive — Lights. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 5 · Preparing to drive

Where should a properly adjusted head restraint support you?

  1. Behind your head, rather than down at your neck.
  2. Behind your lower back, below the seat belt.
  3. Against your shoulders, with your head above it.
  4. As far below your head as the adjustment allows.
Show answer for card 5

Correct answer: Behind your head, rather than down at your neck.

Adjust the restraint to support the back of your head. A restraint left too low does not provide the intended head support.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 6; Before You Drive — Adjust Seat and Mirrors. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 6 · Driver fitness

You are struggling to stay awake on a long drive. What is the safest next step?

  1. Drive faster to reach the destination sooner.
  2. Find a safe place to stop and rest.
  3. Turn up the radio and keep the same pace.
  4. Follow another car closely to stay focused.
Show answer for card 6

Correct answer: Find a safe place to stop and rest.

Sleepiness reduces attention and reaction ability. Stop somewhere safe and rest instead of relying on stimulation to keep driving.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 5; Your Health / Fatigue. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 7 · Driver fitness

A new medicine warns that it may cause drowsiness. What should you do before driving?

  1. Drive first to find out whether you become sleepy.
  2. Assume a prescription medicine cannot affect driving.
  3. Read the warning and ask a pharmacist about driving effects.
  4. Ignore the warning if the trip will be short.
Show answer for card 7

Correct answer: Read the warning and ask a pharmacist about driving effects.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can impair driving. Check their warnings and seek advice about their effects before driving.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 4; Drugs. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 8 · Vehicle condition

Your car pulls strongly to one side when you brake. What does this call for?

  1. Keep driving normally as long as the car eventually stops.
  2. Steer against the pulling and postpone a vehicle check.
  3. Wait for wet weather to see whether it disappears.
  4. Have the brake problem checked by a qualified mechanic.
Show answer for card 8

Correct answer: Have the brake problem checked by a qualified mechanic.

A vehicle that pulls while braking may have a brake defect. Have it checked rather than treating the symptom as normal.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 6; Before You Drive — Braking System. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 9 · Backing

Before backing out of a driveway, what check is especially important?

  1. Look behind the vehicle for children and obstacles.
  2. Check distant traffic but skip the area immediately behind you.
  3. Sound the horn and assume the driveway is clear.
  4. Check approaching traffic after reversing into the street.
Show answer for card 9

Correct answer: Look behind the vehicle for children and obstacles.

Look behind the vehicle before backing, particularly for small children and objects that may be hard to see from the driver's seat.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 7; Backing. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 10 · Backing

How should you use a rearview camera while backing?

  1. Use it instead of checking anywhere outside its picture.
  2. Combine it with mirrors and looking over your shoulder.
  3. Watch it briefly, then back without further observation.
  4. Use it to decide that pedestrians will stay out of your path.
Show answer for card 10

Correct answer: Combine it with mirrors and looking over your shoulder.

A camera is an additional aid. It does not replace mirrors, shoulder checks and continued observation around the vehicle.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 7; Backing. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 11 · Backing

You are turning the wheel while slowly backing out. What else needs attention besides the rear?

  1. The rearview mirror alone, because the front cannot swing.
  2. The rear camera alone, because it shows every clearance.
  3. The front and sides, which can swing toward obstacles.
  4. The road behind alone, until the vehicle is moving forward.
Show answer for card 11

Correct answer: The front and sides, which can swing toward obstacles.

When backing and turning, the front swings as well. Check the sides and front clearance while continuing to watch the backing path.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 7; Backing. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 12 · Steering

For ordinary driving, which hand position does the Colorado handbook recommend?

  1. Both hands together at the top of the wheel.
  2. One hand gripping inside the bottom of the wheel.
  3. One hand at 12 o'clock and the other resting on your lap.
  4. About 9 and 3 o'clock, or 8 and 4 o'clock.
Show answer for card 12

Correct answer: About 9 and 3 o'clock, or 8 and 4 o'clock.

The handbook recommends 9 and 3 or 8 and 4, with a firm but gentle grip. Keep your hands positioned to control the wheel.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 6; Steering. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 13 · Starting and stopping

Before pulling away from a parked position, what should you check?

  1. Traffic and pedestrians around the vehicle.
  2. Traffic ahead, without checking beside or behind you.
  3. The rear mirror alone, without checking other views.
  4. Passing vehicles, without checking for people nearby.
Show answer for card 13

Correct answer: Traffic and pedestrians around the vehicle.

Check for traffic and pedestrians before moving away from a parked position. Starting the engine does not mean the path is clear.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 6; Starting. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 14 · Starting and stopping

You have checked that the path is clear and are ready to pull away. How should you apply the accelerator?

  1. Press it hard to enter traffic as quickly as possible.
  2. Press it gently to begin moving smoothly.
  3. Pump it repeatedly while keeping the brakes on.
  4. Press it fully and steer once the vehicle moves.
Show answer for card 14

Correct answer: Press it gently to begin moving smoothly.

After checking and signaling, move away with gentle accelerator pressure. Keep watching the path as the vehicle begins to move.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 6; Accelerating. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 15 · Stopping distance

Which distances make up the distance needed to stop for a hazard?

  1. Braking distance alone, starting when the pedal is pressed.
  2. Reaction and braking distances, excluding time to notice the hazard.
  3. Perception, reaction and braking distances.
  4. Perception and braking distances, excluding time to move your foot.
Show answer for card 15

Correct answer: Perception, reaction and braking distances.

You travel while recognizing a hazard, while reacting to it, and while the brakes slow the vehicle. Braking distance alone is not the full stopping distance.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 12; Speed / Stopping Distance. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 16 · Following distance

In normal driving conditions, what following-gap guideline does the Colorado handbook give?

  1. Stay one car length behind at every speed.
  2. Keep the gap under one second in moving traffic.
  3. Use the same gap as when stopped at a light.
  4. Leave at least a three-second gap.
Show answer for card 16

Correct answer: Leave at least a three-second gap.

The handbook uses a three-second following rule for normal conditions. Time your gap using a fixed point the vehicle ahead passes; adverse conditions call for more space.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 18; Space Cushion / Following Distance. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 17 · Following distance

Heavy rain is reducing visibility and making the road slippery. How should you change your following gap?

  1. Increase it to leave more time and stopping room.
  2. Reduce it so the vehicle ahead blocks the rain.
  3. Keep it unchanged because the speed limit is unchanged.
  4. Use the vehicle ahead's brake lights instead of a gap.
Show answer for card 17

Correct answer: Increase it to leave more time and stopping room.

The normal following gap is not enough for every situation. Leave more space when visibility or traction is reduced.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 16; Bad Weather. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 18 · Safe speed

A road's posted maximum is 55 mph, but dense fog limits your view. What should guide your speed?

  1. Maintain 55 mph because the sign guarantees safety.
  2. Choose a lower speed suited to what you can see.
  3. Match the fastest driver even if visibility is poor.
  4. Increase speed to spend less time in the fog.
Show answer for card 18

Correct answer: Choose a lower speed suited to what you can see.

Posted maximum speeds apply to favorable conditions. Adjust your speed for visibility, road conditions and the distance available to stop.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 12; Speed. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 19 · Scanning

Why should you scan well beyond the vehicle directly ahead?

  1. To avoid needing to check your mirrors or nearby traffic.
  2. To make closer following safe at highway speeds.
  3. To notice hazards early and avoid last-second moves.
  4. To let other drivers decide when you should brake.
Show answer for card 19

Correct answer: To notice hazards early and avoid last-second moves.

Looking well ahead gives you time to recognize changing traffic and road conditions, plan a response and slow smoothly.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 18; Look Ahead. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

Card 20 · Intersections

As you approach an intersection, which observation pattern helps you check crossing traffic?

  1. Look left once and assume that crossing traffic stays unchanged.
  2. Look right once and depend on traffic from the left to stop.
  3. Look behind instead of checking either side of the intersection.
  4. Look left, right, then left again as you approach.
Show answer for card 20

Correct answer: Look left, right, then left again as you approach.

Scan left, right and left again for traffic approaching from either side. Keep observing for pedestrians and other hazards as the situation develops.

Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR 2337 (12/05/24), p. 18; Look to the Sides. · Original question review: 2026-09-13

These are selected learning examples, not state examination questions or complete handbook coverage. Read the original source when a condition or exception is unclear.