A normally operating traffic signal flashes yellow toward you. What does that indication require?
Correct answer: Proceed only with caution
Flashing yellow permits passage only with caution. It is not the same as a dark or malfunctioning signal requiring a stop.
Source: Michigan Judicial Institute Traffic Benchbook, Section 4.14 > B(7), quoting MCL 257.614(1)(b); MJI 4.12(A)(2), MCL 257.649(5). HTML read 2026-09-12; statutory effective date not independently retrieved. ↗
A driver extends the left hand and arm straight out horizontally. Which intended action does that signal communicate?
Correct answer: A left turn
Michigan's hand-and-arm signal for a left turn is the left arm extended horizontally. Upward means right; downward means stopping or slowing.
Source: Michigan Judicial Institute Traffic Benchbook, Section 4.16 > B, quoting complete MCL 257.648(3)(a)–(c). HTML read 2026-09-12; statutory effective date not independently retrieved. ↗
A two-way center left-turn lane separates the travel lanes. May you enter it from a driveway to accelerate and merge into traffic?
Correct answer: No; it is not an entering merge lane
MSP specifically states that a center left-turn lane cannot be used as a merge lane when entering the roadway.
Source: MSP Traffic Laws FAQs, updated April 23, 2026 > Lane Use > How far can you drive in a center turn lane?. HTML read 2026-09-12; statutory effective date not independently retrieved. ↗
On an undivided road, you approach a stopped school bus displaying two alternating flashing red lights. How far from the bus must you stop?
Correct answer: At least 20 feet
Approaching traffic that must stop for the bus must make a full stop no nearer than 20 feet while the alternating red signal is operating.
Source: MSP Legal Update No.165, June 2025 > Stopping for a school bus displaying flashing red lights, MCL 257.682(1). HTML read 2026-09-12; statutory effective date not independently retrieved. ↗
A stopped ambulance on your side has its emergency lights on. Nearby traffic prevents a safe move into the next lane. What should you do?
Correct answer: Slow at least 10 mph below the limit and pass cautiously
When the move cannot be made safely under the stated conditions, slow by at least 10 mph below the posted limit and proceed with due care and caution.
Source: Michigan Judicial Institute Traffic Benchbook, Section 4.6 > A, quoting MCL 257.653a(1)(a)–(b); corroborated by MSP Move Over. HTML read 2026-09-12; statutory effective date not independently retrieved. ↗
Before a winter trip, which light inspection is most complete?
Correct answer: Check headlights, brake lights, signals and flashers
You need to see and be seen; rear lights and signals communicate your position and intentions as well as headlights illuminating ahead.
Source: NHTSA, Winter Weather Driving Tips > Preparing Your Vehicle > Lights (HTML safety guidance; reviewed September 12, 2026) ↗
A thick replacement floor mat can slide near the pedals. What should you do before driving?
Correct answer: Fit the correct mat securely
Loose or incorrectly fitted mats can interfere with the accelerator or brake.
Source: NHTSA, Winter Weather Driving Tips > Changes You May Notice > Floor Mats (HTML practical guidance; reviewed September 12, 2026) ↗
A seldom-driven car has old tires with substantial tread remaining. What should the owner understand?
Correct answer: Age can still make the tires more prone to failure
Tire materials change with time, storage and conditions, not just mileage.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise > Aging > What is tire aging?; Am I at risk?; Should I replace my tires? (HTML practical guidance; reviewed September 12, 2026) ↗
A sleep-deprived driver feels more alert after coffee. What should the driver remember?
Correct answer: Brief microsleeps may still occur
Caffeine alone may not prevent dangerous sleep episodes or restore adequate alertness.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving > Tips to Drive Alert > Short-Term Interventions, item 1 (HTML practical guidance; reviewed September 12, 2026) ↗
Why should you be especially watchful for pedestrians at night or in bad weather?
Correct answer: They can be harder to see and appear suddenly
Reduced visibility makes active observation especially important.
Source: NHTSA, Pedestrian Safety > Know the Basics > 8 Safety Tips for Drivers, items 2–3 (HTML practical guidance; reviewed September 12, 2026) ↗
After stopping safely following a deer collision, you see the injured deer nearby. What is the safer response?
Correct answer: Keep your distance from the animal
A frightened or wounded deer can injure someone who approaches. Stay away while arranging appropriate assistance.
Source: Michigan State Police, Deer-Vehicle Crashes > What to Do if You Hit a Deer > Motorists and Motorcyclists (HTML safety guidance; reviewed September 12, 2026) ↗
This sign is mounted at a traffic island. Which route matches its instruction?
Correct answer: Pass to the right of the island
KEEP RIGHT directs traffic to the right side of the roadway feature or obstruction. It does not require a right turn onto another road.
Source: FHWA MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2B.39, paragraphs 01, R4-7; printed page 102 / physical PDF page 143 ↗
What feature of your current divided roadway is about to change?
Correct answer: The divider between directions will end
DIVIDED HIGHWAY ENDS warns that physical separation between the directions is ending, with two-way traffic ahead.
Source: FHWA MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2C.21, paragraphs 01–02, W6-2; printed page 170 / physical PDF page 211 ↗
This yellow sign appears before a bend. What should you look for beyond it?
Correct answer: A STOP sign controlling traffic ahead
STOP AHEAD gives advance notice of a STOP sign. The yellow warning sign is not the stop control itself.
Source: FHWA MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2C.35, paragraphs 01–10, W3-1; printed page 177 / physical PDF page 218 ↗
A 15-year-old is riding in the rear of a modern family car and no restraint exception applies. What must happen before the driver continues?
Correct answer: The teen must buckle up in that rear seating position.
Michigan requires passengers under 16 to be properly restrained in any seating position. Rear seating does not excuse this 15-year-old from buckling up.
Source: OHSP reminds drivers, passengers to stay safe by buckling up — final substantive paragraph beginning “Michigan’s primary seat belt law”; published May 15, 2025. ↗
After a crash with an occupied vehicle, you give your own name and address, the borrowed car's registration number, and your license. Which owner's information also belongs in Michigan's required exchange?
Correct answer: The vehicle owner's name and address.
The information duty includes the name and address of the vehicle's owner, even when someone else was driving. Providing your own information does not replace that requirement.
Source: Traffic Benchbook §5.2(A), Statutory Authority — MCL 257.619(a), vehicle-owner name and address, with (b), exhibition of operator's license. ↗
A driver with a valid Michigan medical marijuana card has used marijuana and is visibly impaired. Does the card authorize that driver to operate a car?
Correct answer: No. The card does not excuse visibly impaired driving.
A medical marijuana card does not immunize a visibly impaired driver from prosecution. The court's published guidance explains that the medical-marijuana law does not supersede Michigan's operating-while-visibly-impaired rule.
Source: Traffic Benchbook §9.6(A), MCL 257.625(3); §9.6(E), Issues — People v Dupre, 335 Mich App 126, 138–140 (2020), medical-marijuana law does not immunize visibly impaired driving. ↗
An adult's Michigan TIP expires before the skills test is passed. What does SOS say is needed?
Correct answer: A new TIP application and another knowledge test
SOS says an expired TIP requires restarting the application process and retaking the knowledge test.
Source: Michigan SOS, New drivers (18 and older) > Temporary Instruction Permit; written knowledge test, expired TIP paragraph (current HTML service instructions read September 12, 2026) ↗
A Michigan teen finishes Segment 1 and passes its state exam. What is required to apply for the Level 1 license?
Correct answer: A Secretary of State visit with the parent or guardian
Segment 1 completion does not itself issue the Level 1 license. The teen and parent or guardian must complete the SOS application visit.
Source: Michigan SOS, New drivers (under 18) > Segment 1, completion paragraph; GDL Level 1 Learner's License (current HTML service instructions read September 12, 2026) ↗
Before a Michigan teen turns 18, may a parent or legal guardian ask SOS to hold the teen at Level 1 or Level 2?
Correct answer: Yes; request the hold at SOS
SOS allows a parent or guardian to request a GDL hold or cancellation before age 18 through an office visit.
Source: Michigan SOS, New drivers (under 18) > GDL Level 1 / Level 2, parent hold or cancellation note (current HTML service instructions read September 12, 2026) ↗
