An approaching train requires you to stop at a railroad grade crossing. How far from the nearest rail must you stop?
Correct answer: At least 15 feet, but within 50 feet.
When the stated crossing warnings or dangerous train approach require a stop, Maryland specifies a position between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. Continue only when safe.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-701(a)(1); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A train has passed, but the crossing gate is still rising. May you drive under it before it finishes opening?
Correct answer: No; do not pass a gate while it is opening.
The prohibition covers driving through, around or under a gate while it is closed, opening or closing. Seeing one train leave does not remove it.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-701(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A railroad flagger signals an approaching train, although the automatic lights are not flashing. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop as required and wait until crossing is safe.
A flagger’s signal of a train’s approach is independently one of the circumstances requiring a stop. Automatic warning lights do not have to be operating for that duty to apply.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-701(a)(2)(iii); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A train is plainly visible and dangerously close to the crossing, but no signal light is active. Does that remove the requirement to stop?
Correct answer: No; the dangerous visible approach itself requires a stop.
A plainly visible train in or dangerously near the crossing is a listed stopping condition. A missing or inactive warning light does not make it safe to cross.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-701(a)(2)(v); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
The crossing’s visible warning device signals an immediate train approach. Buildings prevent you from seeing the train. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop for the warning; do not wait to see the train.
A visible electric or mechanical warning of an immediate train approach or passage triggers the stopping duty. Obstructed sight distance is not a reason to ignore it.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-701(a)(2)(i); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
At night, you approach an oncoming vehicle. Within what distance must your beams be aimed to avoid shining glare into that driver’s eyes?
Correct answer: 500 feet.
The oncoming-vehicle rule applies within 500 feet. Low beams are the normal way to avoid the prohibited glare; do not confuse this distance with following another vehicle.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-223(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You are approaching another car from behind at night. Within what distance may you no longer use the uppermost beam?
Correct answer: 300 feet.
When approaching another vehicle from the rear within 300 feet, use a beam other than the uppermost distribution. This protects the driver ahead from glare.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-223(c); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Rain reduces visibility and makes you run the windshield wipers continuously. What does Maryland require you to switch on?
Correct answer: The vehicle’s headlamps.
When continuous wiper use is needed because weather impairs visibility, the headlamps must be lighted. This rule is not limited to nighttime.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-201.2(a); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Poor light or weather prevents you from clearly seeing people and vehicles 1,000 feet ahead on the highway. What lighting duty applies?
Correct answer: Display the required lighted lamps.
The statute requires the appropriate lighted lamps when poor light or atmospheric conditions prevent clear recognition at 1,000 feet. Daylight alone does not remove that duty.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-201.1; Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A driver wants to switch off the car’s exterior lights so the vehicle cannot be identified. Is that purpose lawful?
Correct answer: No; switching off lights to avoid identification is prohibited.
Maryland specifically prohibits turning vehicle lights off to avoid identification. This is separate from ordinary rules about when lamps must be on.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §21-1112; Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Under normal conditions, a car’s working horn must be audible from at least what distance?
Correct answer: 200 feet.
The ordinary motor-vehicle horn requirement specifies at least 200 feet under normal conditions. It does not authorize an unreasonably loud or harsh warning device.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-401(a); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A driver cuts in front of you and the immediate conflict is over. May you keep sounding the horn simply to express anger?
Correct answer: No; use it when reasonably necessary for safe operation.
The horn may be used when reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation. Continuing to sound it merely as punishment is not the stated safety use.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-401(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
No statutory exception applies to your private car. May you equip or use it with a siren to make traffic clear a path?
Correct answer: No; an ordinary car has no such siren exception.
Sirens, whistles and bells are prohibited except as authorized by the section. Owning a warning device does not grant emergency-vehicle privileges.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-401(c); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Cargo prevents a view through the inside rearview mirror. Which mirror requirement then applies?
Correct answer: Two outside rearview mirrors are required.
When the inside rearview is obstructed, the statute requires two outside rearview mirrors. This does not waive other requirements for a safe view or secure loading.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-403(d); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
What rearward viewing distance must the driver-side outside mirror provide on a Maryland-registered car?
Correct answer: At least 200 feet to the rear and along the driver’s side.
A Maryland-registered motor vehicle needs the specified outside mirror on the driver’s side, providing a view at least 200 feet rearward and along that side.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-403(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Your windshield wipers no longer clear the glass properly. Can you treat working wipers as optional equipment?
Correct answer: No; windshield wipers must remain in good working order.
The statute requires every windshield wiper to be maintained in good working order. Planning around a forecast is not a substitute for maintaining the equipment.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-404(d); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Your car originally came with windshield washers. What condition does the law require of them?
Correct answer: Operational, able to hold fluid and deliver it to the windshield.
Originally equipped washers must operate and be capable of containing and distributing washer fluid. Merely retaining the reservoir does not meet the functional requirement.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-404(e); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Your car’s tires are known to be in an unsafe operating condition. May you drive it on a highway just because the trip is short?
Correct answer: No; highway operation requires tires in safe condition.
A motor vehicle used on a highway must have tires in safe operating condition under the approved requirements. A short trip is not a stated exception.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-405(a); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You plan to use a muffler bypass to make your gasoline car louder on a highway. Is that permitted?
Correct answer: No; a muffler cutout or bypass may not be used.
An internal-combustion vehicle needs a working exhaust muffler system in constant operation. The statute expressly prohibits a cutout, bypass or similar device on a highway.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-402(a); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A car has a leak in a pipe carrying exhaust gases from the engine. What equipment requirement addresses this?
Correct answer: Mufflers and exhaust pipes must be leakproof.
The leakproof requirement covers mufflers and exhaust pipes carrying engine exhaust. Normal engine starting does not establish that the exhaust system meets the requirement.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-402(e); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
What color must the required rear tail lamps of an ordinary modern car emit?
Correct answer: Red.
The statute specifies red light for the required tail lamps. White illumination of the rear registration plate is a separate lighting function.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-204(a); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
What color light must illuminate the rear registration plate so it is legible from the required distance?
Correct answer: White.
The rear registration plate must be illuminated with white light and be clearly legible from 50 feet behind. Its lamp operates with the headlamps or auxiliary driving lamps as specified.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-204(f); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A passenger car was manufactured in 2018. Does Maryland’s equipment rule require a red center high-mounted stop lamp?
Correct answer: Yes; this car is within the covered manufacturing period.
Passenger vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 1985 must have the red center high-mounted stop lamp. The 2018 passenger car falls within that rule.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-206(a)(1)(ii); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A Maryland-registered car was sold new in 2018. May its required electric turn signals be removed because the driver knows hand signals?
Correct answer: No; the car must retain its required electric turn signals.
The law requires electric turn-signal lamps for a car in this category. Knowing another way to communicate a turn does not eliminate the vehicle’s equipment requirement.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-206(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You place a large, nontransparent advertising poster in the middle of your windshield, blocking your traffic view. No legal authorization or exception applies. May you drive that way?
Correct answer: No; remove the prohibited obstruction before driving.
The general prohibition covers nontransparent windshield material, subject to specific exceptions. This obstructing central poster is not within the stated authorized placements or documents.
Source: Maryland Code, Transportation §22-404(a)–(b); Maryland General Assembly current statute text, reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
