In ideal conditions with a standard-length car, what following interval does Minnesota’s manual recommend?
Correct answer: At least a three-second interval.
Choose a fixed point and count after the vehicle ahead passes it. If you reach it before three seconds, ease back. Poor conditions require more space.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Three-Second Rule; printed page 73, physical PDF page 76; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
Rain reduces traction while you follow another vehicle. How should you adjust your following interval?
Correct answer: Increase it beyond the ideal-condition three-second interval.
The manual recommends a four- or five-second count for poor conditions or a longer-than-standard vehicle. Leave still more room when necessary.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Three-Second Rule; printed page 73, physical PDF page 76; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
How close to an oncoming vehicle must your headlights be on low beam?
Correct answer: Within 1,000 feet.
Minnesota requires low beams within 1,000 feet of an approaching vehicle. High beams can interfere with the other driver’s vision.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Headlights; printed page 73, physical PDF page 76; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
You are following another vehicle at a distance of 150 feet at night. Which headlight setting should you use?
Correct answer: Low beam.
Use low beams when following within 200 feet. Do not reflect high-beam glare into the other driver’s mirrors.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Headlights; printed page 73, physical PDF page 76; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
Fog makes it hard to see the road. Which response is appropriate?
Correct answer: Reduce speed, use low beams and increase following distance.
Low beams reduce reflected glare. If you cannot see a safe distance ahead, pull off the road to a safe stopping place until visibility improves.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Driving in heavy rain or fog; printed page 83, physical PDF page 86; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
Your tires begin riding on water and lose contact with the road. What should you do with the accelerator?
Correct answer: Ease your foot off it.
Ease off the gas when hydroplaning begins. Reduce speed before wet areas and maintain good tire tread to reduce the risk.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Hydroplaning; printed page 83, physical PDF page 86; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
Your car has ABS and you must brake hard to avoid a hazard. What should you do?
Correct answer: Press the brake pedal firmly and continue steering.
Do not pump anti-lock brakes. Apply firm pedal pressure and steer; consult the vehicle owner’s manual for its specific instructions.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Anti-lock braking; printed page 83, physical PDF page 86; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
A tire bursts while you are driving. What is the appropriate initial response?
Correct answer: Steer straight and ease off the accelerator.
Regain control before braking. Let speed fall gradually and move completely off the road at a safe location.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Blowouts; printed page 83, physical PDF page 86; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
Your right wheels drift onto the shoulder. What should you avoid?
Correct answer: Swerving immediately back onto the pavement.
Stay controlled on the shoulder, slow gradually and return to the pavement when safe. A sudden swerve can send the car across traffic.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Running off the pavement; printed page 84, physical PDF page 87; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
A road ahead is covered with floodwater that looks shallow. What should you do?
Correct answer: Turn around safely and find another route.
Do not enter flooded roads. Water can hide washed-out pavement or deeper areas even when the surface looks manageable.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Flooded roadways; printed page 85, physical PDF page 88; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
The road is covered with ice. Should you use cruise control?
Correct answer: No; keep direct control of speed.
Avoid cruise control on slippery roads. Adjust speed smoothly for the available traction.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Winter driving vehicle safety; printed page 81, physical PDF page 84; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
A snowplow ahead creates a thick cloud of blowing snow. What is the safer choice?
Correct answer: Stay well back and do not pass unless you can see the entire plow.
A plow’s snow cloud can hide the road, equipment and other hazards. Leave room and avoid blind passing.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Sharing the road with snowplows; printed page 81, physical PDF page 84; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
You are stranded in snow and plan to run the heater briefly. What must you check first?
Correct answer: That snow or debris is not blocking the exhaust pipe.
A blocked exhaust can let dangerous gas build up. Keep the outlet clear, allow ventilation and run the engine only intermittently as described in the winter guidance.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; What to do if you become stranded; printed page 82, physical PDF page 85; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
You keep feeling sleepy despite opening a window. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop at a safe place and rest, or let an alert qualified driver take over.
Temporary alertness measures do not replace rest. Continuing to drive while sleepy puts you and others at risk.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Maintaining alertness and concentration; printed page 82, physical PDF page 85; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
You approach freeway traffic from an acceleration lane. Who must yield during your merge?
Correct answer: You must yield to vehicles already on the freeway.
Adjust to a safe matching speed, signal and find a gap. Do not force your way into existing traffic.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Entering the freeway; printed page 74, physical PDF page 77; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
An oncoming vehicle is traveling toward you in your lane. Which escape direction does the manual recommend?
Correct answer: Move to the right, leaving the road if necessary and safe.
The other driver may return to their proper lane. Avoid moving left into that path; seek room to your right and warn the driver if possible.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Vehicle approaching in your lane; printed page 84, physical PDF page 87; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
What minimum clearance must you leave when passing a bicyclist?
Correct answer: At least 3 feet.
Leave at least three feet and pass only when safe. Watch for the rider signaling or beginning a left turn.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Passing a bicyclist; printed page 48, physical PDF page 51; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
You need to cross a bicycle lane to make a right turn. What must you do before moving into it?
Correct answer: Check and yield to approaching bicyclists.
A turning driver must check that crossing the bicycle lane is safe and yield to approaching riders. The lane is not an ordinary passing lane for cars.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Bicycle lanes; printed page 48, physical PDF page 51; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
A motorcyclist is lawfully filtering through stopped traffic. What should you do?
Correct answer: Allow space and do not try to block the rider.
Minnesota permits motorcycle lane sharing under specified conditions. Drivers must not interfere with lawful splitting or filtering.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Sharing the road with motorcyclists; printed page 49, physical PDF page 52; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
An approaching motorcycle is near the gap you want to use for a left turn. Why should you be especially careful?
Correct answer: Its small size can make speed and distance difficult to judge.
Do not turn across a motorcycle unless the opening is safely large enough. Motorcyclists have the same right-of-way protection as other drivers.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Sharing the road with motorcyclists; printed page 49, physical PDF page 52; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
A truck ahead signals right but moves somewhat left before turning. What should you avoid?
Correct answer: Trying to squeeze between the truck and the curb.
Large vehicles may need extra space for a right turn. The apparent gap on the right can disappear as the trailer follows the turn.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Commercial vehicles and wide turns; printed page 52, physical PDF page 55; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
You are following a truck so closely that you cannot see much beyond it. What should you do?
Correct answer: Increase your gap and stay visible to the driver.
Following too closely hides hazards and can place you in the truck’s blind area. More space gives you a better view and time to respond.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Following a commercial vehicle; printed page 52, physical PDF page 55; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
A pedestrian with a white cane is crossing your path. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield and avoid sounding the horn or revving the engine.
Watch for people using a white or metallic cane or a guide dog. Noise from a horn or revving engine may confuse or distract them.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Watch for pedestrians; printed page 47, physical PDF page 50; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
Another driver gestures angrily and tries to provoke you. What is the safest response?
Correct answer: Let the driver go; avoid a confrontation.
Do not escalate aggressive behavior. Stay out of the driver’s way and avoid a contest or threatening response.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Aggressive driving; printed page 79, physical PDF page 82; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
The accelerator remains stuck and cannot be freed. What should you do?
Correct answer: Brake, shift into neutral and steer to a safe stopping place.
Neutral disconnects engine power from the drive wheels. Apply the brakes and maintain control while moving safely off the road.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, June 2026; Stuck gas pedal; printed page 86, physical PDF page 89; checked September 21, 2026. ↗
