A posted speed limit is 55 mph, but visibility and traction are poor. What speed should you choose?
Correct answer: A lower speed that is safe for the conditions.
A speed limit is a maximum for favorable conditions, not a guarantee that the posted speed is safe in rain, ice or limited visibility.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3B Understanding Vehicle Speed; printed page 10, physical PDF page 14; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You would need to exceed the posted speed limit to pass before oncoming traffic arrives. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait for a safe opportunity that does not require speeding.
Wisconsin does not allow exceeding the speed limit merely to pass. Do not start a maneuver without enough lawful passing room.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3H Passing — When to pass; printed page 18, physical PDF page 22; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Under ordinary conditions, which following interval does the Wisconsin handbook recommend?
Correct answer: At least a four-second interval.
The handbook recommends a four-second following interval. Increase the gap when weather, visibility, load or traffic makes stopping harder.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3F Space Between Vehicles — Space in front; printed page 12, physical PDF page 16; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
How far ahead should you try to scan while driving?
Correct answer: About 10 to 15 seconds ahead.
Looking 10 to 15 seconds ahead helps you detect developing hazards. Slow down when you cannot see far enough ahead.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3E Sight Distance Rule; printed page 12, physical PDF page 16; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A driver is following you very closely. What change gives you more room to avoid a sudden stop?
Correct answer: Increase the space ahead of your own vehicle.
Extra space ahead allows smoother braking. Avoid sudden braking and give the following driver a safe opportunity to pass.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3F Space Between Vehicles; printed page 13, physical PDF page 17; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You begin following a large bus that blocks your view ahead. What should you do with your following gap?
Correct answer: Increase it so you can see and react more effectively.
Large vehicles can hide hazards. The handbook recommends additional following space behind trucks, buses and other large vehicles.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3F Space Between Vehicles; printed page 13, physical PDF page 17; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Your car has cruise control and the road is icy. Should you use it to hold a steady speed?
Correct answer: No; keep direct control of the accelerator.
Do not use cruise control on slippery roads. Reduced traction requires careful, direct speed adjustments.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 7C Winter; printed page 45, physical PDF page 49; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You need to reverse out of a parking space. What is the appropriate backing speed?
Correct answer: No faster than a slow walk.
Reverse slowly while directly checking behind and around the vehicle. Mirrors and a camera do not replace looking.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3I Backing; printed page 18, physical PDF page 22; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You pass your freeway exit. What is the safe way to correct the mistake?
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit.
Do not back up after missing an exit. Continue forward to the next exit, even if it adds time to the trip.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3I Backing; printed page 18, physical PDF page 22; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Before moving into a lane on your right, where should you make a blind-spot check?
Correct answer: Over your right shoulder.
Mirrors do not show every area beside your vehicle. Look over the shoulder in the direction of the lane change.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3H Passing — Changing lanes; printed page 17, physical PDF page 21; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You need to move across two lanes. How should you do it?
Correct answer: One lane at a time, checking and signaling for each change.
Make each lane change separately. Traffic conditions may change as you move from one lane to the next.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3H Passing — Changing lanes; printed page 17, physical PDF page 21; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You begin a left turn from the leftmost of two marked left-turn lanes. Where should you finish the turn?
Correct answer: In the corresponding leftmost lane, following the markings.
Keep your lane through the turn. Cutting across another turning lane can cause a sideswipe.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3G Turning — Multiple turn lanes; printed page 16, physical PDF page 20; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You notice your destination too late to get into the correct turn lane safely. What should you do?
Correct answer: Continue by the permitted route and turn later.
Last-second changes are unsafe. Choose another lawful route instead of forcing a turn from the wrong position.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3G Turning; printed page 14, physical PDF page 18; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You park facing uphill beside the right-hand curb. Which way should your front wheels point?
Correct answer: Away from the curb.
For uphill parking with a curb on your right, turn the wheels left, away from the curb, and set the parking brake.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3J Parking — Hill parking; printed page 19, physical PDF page 23; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You park facing uphill along the right edge of a road with no curb. Which way should you turn the wheels?
Correct answer: Right, toward the road edge.
Without a curb, turn the wheels toward the road edge so an unintended roll goes away from traffic. Set the parking brake.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3J Parking — Hill parking; printed page 19, physical PDF page 23; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You park facing downhill with a curb on your right. How should you position the wheels?
Correct answer: Toward the curb.
Turn the front wheels toward the curb when facing downhill. Also secure the vehicle with the parking brake and appropriate gear or Park.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3J Parking — Hill parking; printed page 19, physical PDF page 23; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
On a level parking space, what should you do before leaving an automatic-transmission car?
Correct answer: Select Park and set the parking brake.
The handbook calls for Park, or an appropriate gear with a manual transmission, plus the parking brake.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3J Parking; printed page 18, physical PDF page 22; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Buildings block your view of cross traffic as you approach an intersection. What should you do?
Correct answer: Approach slowly and check carefully before entering.
A blocked view requires extra caution and a speed that lets you stop. Check both directions and look for a clear path.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 3C Intersections; printed page 11, physical PDF page 15; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A shared center turn lane is empty. May you use it to pass a line of slower through traffic?
Correct answer: No; it is for left turns and permitted U-turns.
The shared center lane serves turning traffic from both directions. It is not an extra passing lane.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 5C Special Lanes — Shared Center Lane; printed page 36, physical PDF page 40; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
What does a dashed white line between two lanes normally mean?
Correct answer: The lanes travel in the same direction; cross only when safe.
Dashed white lines separate same-direction lanes. Check mirrors and blind spots and signal before crossing safely.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 5B Types of Line Markings — White Dashed Line; printed page 34, physical PDF page 38; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A lane is signed “BUSES ONLY.” You are driving an ordinary car straight through. May you use it to bypass congestion?
Correct answer: No; the lane is reserved for the indicated vehicles.
A reserved lane is not available for ordinary through travel just because it is empty. Follow its signs and markings.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 5C Special Lanes — Reserved Lanes; printed page 37, physical PDF page 41; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
An overhead green arrow is displayed above a signed Flex Lane. What does it indicate?
Correct answer: The lane is open for permitted traffic.
A green arrow opens the signed Flex Lane. Follow its restrictions; it is not permission to use any unsignaled shoulder as a lane.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 5C Special Lanes — Flex Lane; printed page 38, physical PDF page 42; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
The signal over your Flex Lane changes to a yellow X. What should you do?
Correct answer: Merge safely into a general-purpose lane because the lane is closing.
A yellow X warns of closure. Check traffic, signal and merge safely into an open lane.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 5C Special Lanes — Flex Lane; printed page 38, physical PDF page 42; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
A red X is displayed over the Flex Lane. What does that mean?
Correct answer: The lane is closed and must not be used.
A red X closes the lane. Heavy traffic does not override the lane-control signal.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 5C Special Lanes — Flex Lane; printed page 38, physical PDF page 42; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
On a metered freeway entrance ramp, the adjacent lane gets a green light but your own signal remains red. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait at your lane’s stop line for your own green signal.
Each ramp lane has its own signal. Obey the light governing your lane before accelerating to merge.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists’ Handbook BDS126, 2026; 6B Metered Ramps; printed page 41, physical PDF page 45; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
