A tire has a deep cut but still holds air. Is pressure retention alone enough to consider it roadworthy?
Correct answer: No; tires must also have good tread and be free of breaks, cuts and decay.
Air pressure is only one part of tire condition. Damage can make a tire unsafe even before it loses air.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 19: Vehicle equipment, tires and windshield wipers ↗
Your wipers no longer clear the windshield reliably. Rain is forecast. What should you do before relying on the car?
Correct answer: Repair the wipers so they work properly.
The manual requires working windshield wipers. Lighting and airflow cannot substitute for a clear windshield.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 19: Vehicle equipment, windshield wipers ↗
A passenger vehicle’s suspension is altered so its front fender height is four inches greater than its rear fender height. May it be driven on Mississippi public streets under the stated squatted-vehicle rule?
Correct answer: No; an altered difference of four or more inches is prohibited.
The manual specifies a four-or-more-inch front-to-rear fender-height difference caused by suspension, frame or chassis alteration. Visibility confidence does not create an exception.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 20: Squatted Vehicle Law ↗
Before pulling away, what is the best time to position the seat and mirrors?
Correct answer: Before moving, so the controls are reachable and the rearward views are set.
Set up the driving position before the vehicle moves. Adjusting while entering traffic competes with the attention needed for a safe departure.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 22: Before you drive ↗
Which hand position does Mississippi’s current handbook recommend for ordinary steering control?
Correct answer: Hands on opposite outside sides of the wheel, near 9 and 3 o’clock.
The handbook recommends 9-and-3 positioning and a firm but gentle grip on the outside of the wheel. It discourages gripping the wheel from the inside.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 22: Two Hands on the Wheel ↗
You are having difficulty staying alert during a long trip. What is the safer response?
Correct answer: Stop in a safe place and rest rather than continue driving tired.
Fatigue can affect vision and decision time. Temporary stimulation does not replace adequate rest or remove the need to stop driving when too tired.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 21: Safe Driving Basics, Fatigue ↗
After a severe argument, you cannot stop thinking about it. What does the handbook recommend?
Correct answer: Let someone else drive or delay driving until you can give it proper attention.
Strong emotions can distract as seriously as handling an object. Familiarity with a route does not restore attention.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 24: Emotional Distractions ↗
Your eyes are on the road, but a demanding conversation occupies your thoughts. Can that still be a driving distraction?
Correct answer: Yes; mental activity that takes attention from driving can also be dangerous.
Driving requires attention as well as eyes and hands. A mentally absorbing task can delay recognition of hazards even without an obvious glance away.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 23: Avoiding Distractions ↗
While driving, you pick up a phone to read a routine personal text. What should you do instead?
Correct answer: Wait until safely stopped out of traffic before reading it.
The handbook prohibits manually writing, sending or reading text messages while driving. A short message still takes attention from the road.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 23: Cellphone Use, writing/sending/reading ↗
A heavy loose object is resting on the front seat before a trip. What is the safer preparation?
Correct answer: Secure it so sudden braking or a turn will not send it into the driving area.
The handbook says to keep the front seat clear of objects that can fall during sudden movement. Secure cargo before it becomes a distraction or control obstruction.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 24: Visual Obstructions and Other Distractions ↗
You intend to turn right at a red light. No sign prohibits the turn. What must you do first?
Correct answer: Stop completely, then yield to pedestrians and conflicting traffic before turning if safe.
Mississippi’s stated right-on-red exception requires a complete stop and yielding. Rolling through is not enough.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 37: Solid red light, right-turn exception ↗
You have a circular green light and want to turn left across approaching traffic. What does the green light allow?
Correct answer: Turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and finding a safe opening.
A circular green is not a protected left-turn arrow. Check the actual conflict paths before turning.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 37: Solid green light, left-turn exception ↗
Your light turns green while a vehicle is still clearing the intersection. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait and yield to the vehicle already in the intersection.
A green signal permits movement only when safe. It does not erase the need to let existing intersection traffic clear.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 37: Solid green light, traffic already in intersection ↗
A steady yellow light appears as you approach, and you have enough room for a normal safe stop. What should you do?
Correct answer: Slow and stop rather than accelerate into the changing signal.
The handbook says yellow warns that red is coming and directs you to slow and prepare to stop. Do not speed up to beat the change.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 37: Solid yellow light ↗
A left-turn arrow is flashing yellow while an oncoming car approaches. What is required?
Correct answer: Yield and turn only when the path is safely clear.
A flashing yellow arrow permits a yielding, unprotected turn. It is not the same as a green protected-turn arrow.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 37: Yellow flashing arrow ↗
A green left arrow is displayed with a red circular light. You are in a lane that permits either left or straight travel. What movement does this display authorize?
Correct answer: A left turn in the arrow’s direction, not straight travel through the red light.
The arrow permits its indicated movement. The circular red continues to stop straight-through traffic.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 38: Green arrow plus red circular light ↗
You approach a flashing red traffic light. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop completely, then proceed cautiously after yielding as required.
Flashing red requires a full stop. After stopping, use the applicable right-of-way rules and enter only when safe.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 39: Flashing red light ↗
Your approach has a flashing yellow traffic light. What is the appropriate response?
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution while checking the intersection.
Flashing yellow calls for caution, not a guarantee of a clear path. It differs from flashing red’s full-stop instruction.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 39: Flashing yellow light ↗
All signal lights facing your approach are dark. No officer is directing traffic. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop completely, then proceed cautiously using the intersection right-of-way rules.
The handbook expressly requires a stop at a nonfunctioning signal. Do not assume that traffic on another approach will behave correctly.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 39: Malfunctioning traffic light, no functioning lights ↗
A traffic officer directs you to stop even though your signal is green. Which direction controls?
Correct answer: Stop as the officer directs.
When an officer is directing traffic, follow the officer’s instructions rather than conflicting signs or signals.
Source: Mississippi Driver’s License Manual, Revised December 2024, printed and physical PDF page 40: Traffic Officers ↗
