How should a lap-and-shoulder seat belt fit?
Correct answer: Lap belt low across the hips; shoulder belt across the chest.
Wear the lap belt low and snug over the hips and the shoulder belt across the chest. Do not place the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 57, printed page 55; Use Seat Belts and Child Restraints. ↗
Your car has airbags. What does that mean for wearing a seat belt?
Correct answer: You still need a properly fastened seat belt.
Airbags supplement restraints; they do not replace seat belts. Wear the belt correctly even in an airbag-equipped vehicle.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 57, printed page 55; Use Seat Belts and Child Restraints. ↗
May a rear-facing infant seat be placed in front of an active front-passenger airbag?
Correct answer: No; do not place it in front of an active airbag.
An active front airbag can seriously injure a child in a rear-facing seat. Use an appropriate seating position and follow the restraint and vehicle instructions.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 57, printed page 55; Use Seat Belts and Child Restraints. ↗
How should you adjust the driver's seat before starting?
Correct answer: So you can comfortably reach the pedals and control the wheel.
Sit upright and relaxed with the controls within easy reach. Your seating position should support steering and pedal control without stretching or leaning.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 58, printed page 56; Proper Posture While Driving. ↗
Which steering habit does the guide warn against when turning?
Correct answer: Turning the wheel with just the palm of one hand.
Palming the steering wheel can let you lose control. Use a secure grip and maintain control as you turn and straighten the wheels.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 58, printed page 56; Steering. ↗
Where should you direct your visual attention while driving?
Correct answer: Well down the road as well as around your vehicle.
Looking well ahead helps you identify situations that require steering or slowing before you reach them. Continue scanning the sides and checking mirrors rather than fixing your gaze.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 58, printed page 56; Steering. ↗
A vehicle on a side road approaches its stop sign quickly and does not appear to be slowing. What should you do?
Correct answer: Prepare to avoid a conflict instead of assuming it will stop.
Defensive driving means anticipating possible mistakes. A sign tells the other driver what to do, but you should be ready if they fail to obey it.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 58, printed page 56; Defensive Driving. ↗
How do you use the guide's three-second following check?
Correct answer: Count from when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed roadside object.
Choose a fixed object and start counting when the vehicle ahead passes it. This is a study guideline for checking space, not a guarantee that three seconds is enough in every condition.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 59, printed page 57; Three Second Rule. ↗
Using the three-second check, you reach the fixed object before you finish counting. What does that tell you?
Correct answer: Increase the space between you and the vehicle ahead.
Reaching the object too soon means you are following too closely under this check. Ease back smoothly and allow additional space whenever conditions require it.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 59, printed page 57; Following Other Vehicles; Three Second Rule. ↗
What is reaction distance?
Correct answer: Distance traveled after noticing danger and before applying the brakes.
The vehicle continues moving while you recognize danger and react. That distance is added to braking distance; stopping does not begin at the instant you first see the hazard.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 60, printed page 58; Stopping Distance. ↗
Which part of a stop is the braking distance?
Correct answer: Travel after the brakes are applied until the vehicle stops.
Braking distance starts when braking is applied and ends when the vehicle stops. It is not the whole stopping distance, because reaction travel comes before it.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 60, printed page 58; Stopping Distance. ↗
Compared with an alert driver in a well-maintained car, what can tiredness and poor brakes do to stopping needs?
Correct answer: Increase the distance needed to react and stop.
Driver alertness and vehicle condition affect stopping. The guide's example chart assumes good equipment and favorable conditions; do not treat a chart value as a guarantee.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 60, printed page 58; Stopping Distance. ↗
A vehicle follows too closely and a safe right lane is available. What is the better response?
Correct answer: Move right when safe and let the other driver pass.
Give the tailgater a safe opportunity to pass. Do not retaliate with sudden braking, which increases the risk of a rear-end collision.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 59, printed page 57; Space Behind. ↗
Why should you leave extra space beside parked vehicles?
Correct answer: A door, pedestrian or departing vehicle may enter your path.
Someone may open a door, step out from between parked vehicles or start pulling into traffic. Lateral space gives you more room to respond.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 59, printed page 57; Space To The Side. ↗
After a small turn, your turn signal is still flashing. What should you do?
Correct answer: Cancel it so others do not expect another turn.
A signal may not cancel automatically after a small turn. Turn it off once the maneuver is complete so it does not mislead other road users.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 61, printed page 59; Signal When You Change Direction. ↗
What is the proper purpose of using your horn?
Correct answer: To warn another road user of a danger.
Use the horn as a warning, not to vent frustration or demand right-of-way. Unnecessary horn use can distract others and escalate a conflict.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 61, printed page 59; Using Your Horn. ↗
One deer has just crossed the road ahead of you. What should you anticipate?
Correct answer: Other deer may follow nearby.
Deer seldom travel alone. Stay alert after the first animal crosses rather than assuming the road ahead is now clear.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 61, printed page 59; Tips For Avoiding a Deer-Vehicle Crash. ↗
A collision with a deer appears unavoidable. Why should you avoid a sudden swerve into opposing traffic?
Correct answer: It can turn the animal collision into a more dangerous crash.
The guide warns that swerving off the road or into an oncoming vehicle's path can increase injury risk. Maintain control rather than making a dangerous evasive move.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 62, printed page 60; Tips For Avoiding a Deer-Vehicle Crash. ↗
Where should you find the recommended inflation pressure for your vehicle's tires?
Correct answer: The vehicle label or owner's manual, not the tire sidewall maximum.
Use the vehicle manufacturer's specified pressure on the Tire and Loading Information Label or in the owner's manual. The sidewall maximum is not the vehicle's recommended setting.
Source: NHTSA TireWise, Maintenance, Tire Pressure and Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
NHTSA recommends checking inflation when tires are cold. What does cold mean in this guidance?
Correct answer: The vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours.
Check with a gauge after the tires have rested for at least three hours. Driving heats tires and affects the reading; cold refers to their recent use, not just the outdoor temperature.
Source: NHTSA TireWise, Maintenance, Tire Pressure; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
The tire tread has worn level with the built-in tread-wear indicators. What should you do?
Correct answer: Replace the worn tires.
NHTSA says tires should be replaced when tread reaches the wear indicators. Adequate tread helps provide traction; air pressure does not restore worn tread.
Source: NHTSA TireWise, Maintenance, Tire Tread; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
After pulling over safely for a traffic stop, how does the guide advise you to wait for the officer?
Correct answer: Stay in the vehicle with hands visible on the steering wheel.
The guide advises staying in the vehicle unless directed to exit, keeping your hands visible and avoiding sudden movements. Give the officer your attention and wait for instructions.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 62, printed page 60; What to Do and Expect When Stopped by Law Enforcement. ↗
An officer asks for a document that is out of your reach. What should you do before retrieving it?
Correct answer: Tell the officer where it is before reaching for it.
Explain where the document is and follow the officer's directions before reaching. This communicates your movement and avoids surprising the officer.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 63, printed page 61; What to Do and Expect When Stopped by Law Enforcement. ↗
During a traffic stop at night, what does the guide recommend to help the officer see inside your vehicle?
Correct answer: Turn on the interior lights after stopping.
The guide recommends turning on the interior lights once stopped at night. Keep your hands visible and avoid unexpected movements.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 63, printed page 61; What to Do and Expect When Stopped by Law Enforcement. ↗
In a vehicle with an ignition-operated steering lock, why must you not turn the key to Lock while moving?
Correct answer: It can lock the steering and cause loss of control.
Turning to the lock position while moving can lock the steering when you attempt to turn. Do not use the ignition lock as a way to slow or stop a moving vehicle.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide, August 2026; PDF page 59, printed page 57; Steering Wheel Locking Device. ↗
