The crossing gate is down but you cannot see a train. May you drive around it?
Correct answer: No; stay stopped until the gate is raised, lights stop flashing and the tracks are clear.
A lowered gate is not optional merely because the train is out of view. Check all tracks before proceeding after the warnings end.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-12-1(a)–(b). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Rain, poor visibility and a curve make the posted speed unsafe. What should you do?
Correct answer: Reduce speed for the actual conditions, even below the posted limit.
Posted limits are intended for ideal conditions. The manual calls for lower speeds for curves, poor weather, limited visibility and other hazards.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 42 (physical PDF p 52), Basic Speed Law. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A slower vehicle is ahead near a hillcrest that hides oncoming traffic. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait for a place with a clear view and enough room for a safe, permitted pass.
An obstructed view can conceal a vehicle in the passing path. A slow vehicle ahead does not make a blind pass safe.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 48 (physical PDF p 58), Passing — prohibited places. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You have overtaken another car. What should you verify before moving back into its lane?
Correct answer: Check that the passed car is visible in your rearview mirror and there is safe room to return.
Do not cut off the passed driver. Check the rearview mirror, allow clearance, signal and return when safe.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 48 (physical PDF p 58), Passing — return when clear. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
At an intersection without stop signs or signals, another car entered before you. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield to the vehicle already in the intersection.
The vehicle that entered first has priority. Yield rather than creating a conflict inside the intersection.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-9-1(a). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You and a driver on your right arrive at a four-way stop at the same time. Your paths conflict. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield to the driver on your right.
At a simultaneous four-way stop, yield to the driver on your right. Continue watching for errors rather than forcing your way through.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 49 (physical PDF p 59), Right-of-Way — simultaneous arrival. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
At an intersection with an unmarked crosswalk and no operating traffic signal, a pedestrian is crossing in your lane. Does the absence of painted lines let you keep moving?
Correct answer: No; yield and stop for the pedestrian in your path.
Current law requires yielding to a pedestrian already crossing in your half of the roadway at the crosswalk, including an unmarked intersection crosswalk. Missing painted lines do not remove that duty.
Source: Current West Virginia Code — §17C-10-2(a) and §17C-10-3(a). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The only open curb space is directly in front of a private driveway. May you park there and leave the car while visiting a store?
Correct answer: No; do not block the driveway.
The handbook prohibits parking in front of a public or private driveway. Leaving the hazard lights on does not create a parking space.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 45 (physical PDF p 55), Prohibited Parking. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You intend to pull from a parallel parking space into the traffic lane. What should you do?
Correct answer: Check traffic and over your shoulder, signal and yield until it is safe to enter.
The driver leaving a parking space does not have the right-of-way. A signal announces an intention; it does not create a safe gap.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 47 (physical PDF p 57), Parallel Parking — exiting. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You park on the right side of a street facing uphill, with a curb. Which direction should the front wheels point?
Correct answer: Left, away from the curb.
With an uphill curb, front wheels turned away from the curb help the curb arrest a backward roll.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 46 (physical PDF p 56), Parking on Hills. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You park facing uphill on the right side of a road with no curb. Which way should the front wheels point?
Correct answer: Toward the right shoulder.
For uphill parking without a curb, turn the wheels toward the shoulder so a rolling vehicle is directed away from traffic.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 46 (physical PDF p 56), Parking on Hills. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
What is the best way to reduce the chance of hydroplaning on a rain-covered road?
Correct answer: Reduce speed so the tires have a better chance to maintain contact with the pavement.
Water can separate tires from the road. Lower speed is a basic precaution; sudden control changes and close following increase the danger.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 63 (physical PDF p 73), Hydroplaning. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
As you use an interstate entrance, what should you do before entering the through lane?
Correct answer: Find a safe gap, adjust speed appropriately and signal before merging.
Prepare for the merge while obeying speed controls. Enter only when the gap is safe; a signal does not force through traffic to make room.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 58 (physical PDF p 68), Entering an Interstate. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Another vehicle occupies the freeway gap you hoped to use. Who must adjust?
Correct answer: You must yield and find a safe gap before entering the through lane.
A signal states your intention but does not create a gap or right-of-way. Entering traffic must yield to traffic already on the freeway.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 58 (physical PDF p 68), Entering an Interstate — through-traffic priority. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Before moving into another interstate lane, what should you do?
Correct answer: Check mirrors and the blind spot, signal and change lanes only when the space is clear.
A vehicle may be outside your mirrors’ view. Look for that hidden traffic before beginning the move; signaling does not grant priority.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 48 (physical PDF p 58), Changing Lanes. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Why should you avoid lingering alongside a tractor-trailer while passing?
Correct answer: You may remain in the other driver’s blind spot and limit space to avoid a conflict.
A car lingering beside a truck can remain in its blind spot and restrict the truck driver’s ability to evade a hazard. Complete a permitted pass safely rather than remaining alongside.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 52 (physical PDF p 62), The No-Zone. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A narrow road and oncoming traffic leave no room for a safe bicycle pass. What should you do?
Correct answer: Slow and wait behind the cyclist until you can pass with adequate clearance.
Wait for safe space rather than squeezing through. A delayed pass is better than endangering the cyclist or oncoming traffic.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 53 (physical PDF p 63), Sharing the Road with Bicycles. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A cold medicine’s directions warn that it may cause drowsiness. What should you do if it affects your alertness?
Correct answer: Do not drive while the medicine impairs your alertness.
Even ordinary cold medicines can impair driving. Read the directions and do not drive while drowsy or otherwise unable to operate safely.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 22 (physical PDF p 32), Other Drugs. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The car’s right wheels leave the pavement. What is the handbook’s initial recovery sequence?
Correct answer: Hold the wheel firmly, stay on the shoulder, ease off the gas and slow before checking traffic.
First stabilize the vehicle on the shoulder and reduce speed. A sudden return at road speed can cause loss of control; check traffic before returning.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 71 (physical PDF p 81), Wheels Off the Road — initial stabilization. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A truck swings left to prepare for a right turn. What should you avoid?
Correct answer: Trying to squeeze between the truck and the right curb.
The truck may need a wider path, and its driver may not see a car alongside. Do not enter the space needed to finish the turn.
Source: West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Revised 07/2026 — printed p 53 (physical PDF p 63), Truck Safety — right turns. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
