A yellow centerline divides an ordinary two-way road. What does its color tell you about traffic on the other side?
Correct answer: It normally travels in the opposite direction.
Yellow markings separate opposing traffic. The solid or broken pattern provides additional information about passing; color alone does not grant permission to cross.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 34 (PDF page 38); 4J Pavement markings — yellow lines. ↗
An officer behind you signals for you to stop. How should you begin the traffic stop?
Correct answer: Signal and pull over to the right at a safe location.
Acknowledge the stop and move right safely. Avoid sudden maneuvers that endanger other traffic, and follow any directions the officer gives.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 42 (PDF page 46); 6A Being stopped by law enforcement — pulling over. ↗
At night, a solid white line follows the right edge of your roadway. What does this edge line identify?
Correct answer: The boundary between the roadway and its right shoulder.
A white edge line helps you recognize the right side of the roadway. Do not confuse it with a centerline separating opposing traffic.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 34 (PDF page 38); 4J Pavement markings — white edge line. ↗
You have pulled over and stopped for an officer. What does the handbook recommend doing with the car and radio?
Correct answer: Put the car in Park and turn off the engine and radio.
Once safely stopped, secure the car and reduce distractions. Turning off the engine and radio helps create a calm stop where you can hear instructions.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 43 (PDF page 47); 6A Being stopped by law enforcement — vehicle setup. ↗
The centerline beside your lane is broken yellow. An oncoming car is too close for a safe pass. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stay behind the vehicle ahead until a safe opportunity exists.
A broken yellow line can permit passing, but only when the maneuver is safe. You still need adequate sight distance, space and clearance from oncoming traffic.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 35 (PDF page 39); 4J Pavement markings — dashed yellow line. ↗
An officer is approaching your stopped car, and your documents are in the glove compartment. What should you do?
Correct answer: Keep your hands visible and wait for instructions before reaching.
Keep your hands where the officer can see them, such as on the steering wheel. Avoid sudden reaching movements; explain where documents are and follow instructions.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 43 (PDF page 47); 6A Being stopped by law enforcement — visible hands. ↗
A solid yellow line is beside your lane, with a broken yellow line on the opposite side. You want to pass a car traveling at the speed limit. What does your line indicate?
Correct answer: This is a no-passing section for your direction.
With this paired marking, the line nearest your lane controls passing in your direction. A broken line on the other side does not authorize this pass.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 35 (PDF page 39); 4J Pavement markings — solid and dashed yellow lines. ↗
During an ordinary traffic stop, the officer has not asked you to get out. What does the handbook recommend?
Correct answer: Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt fastened.
Remain seated and buckled unless directed otherwise. If the officer gives a different instruction, follow it rather than assuming you should get out on your own.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 43 (PDF page 47); 6A Being stopped by law enforcement — remain seated. ↗
A driveway is on your left across ordinary double yellow centerlines. No sign prohibits the turn. Does the marking itself forbid a safe left turn into that driveway?
Correct answer: No; the handbook permits a driveway turn when it is safe.
The handbook distinguishes a safe driveway turn from passing. Signal, check for traffic and yield; this exception does not give you priority over oncoming vehicles.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 35 (PDF page 39); 4J Pavement markings — driveway turn across double yellow. ↗
You believe a citation issued during a traffic stop is incorrect. How should you handle that disagreement?
Correct answer: Remain calm and use the court process to contest it.
The handbook identifies court as the place to resolve a disputed citation. Disagreement does not justify unsafe roadside behavior or ignoring the officer’s directions.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 43 (PDF page 47); 6A Being stopped by law enforcement — contesting a citation. ↗
Your front bumper would extend over the stop line even if the front tires stayed behind it. Where should you stop for the red signal?
Correct answer: Far enough back to keep the vehicle behind the line.
Use the stop line as the stopping boundary for the vehicle. Keeping only the tires behind it can leave the front of the car projecting into a crossing.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 34 (PDF page 38); 4J Pavement markings — stop line. ↗
An organized funeral procession is passing through your route. Should you cut between its vehicles to save time?
Correct answer: No; avoid interrupting the procession.
Wisconsin’s handbook directs other drivers not to interfere with funeral processions. Be patient and allow the procession to pass rather than cutting through it.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 43 (PDF page 47); 6C Funeral processions — do not interfere. ↗
A marked pedestrian crosswalk is halfway along a block rather than at a corner. Should you treat it as a pedestrian crossing?
Correct answer: Yes; marked crosswalks can be located between intersections.
Crosswalk markings can identify crossings away from intersections. Look for pedestrians and be ready to yield or stop as required; a midblock location is not a reason to ignore them.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 34 (PDF page 38); 4J Pavement markings — crosswalks between intersections. ↗
The lead vehicle of a funeral procession approaches a red traffic signal, with no officer directing it through. What should its driver do?
Correct answer: Obey the signal and stop.
The lead vehicle must obey traffic signs and signals. Do not confuse special treatment of an established procession with permission for its lead car to run a red light.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 43 (PDF page 47); 6C Funeral processions — lead vehicle. ↗
You prepare to enter a shared center left-turn lane. A driver approaching from the opposite direction also wants to enter it. What should you remember?
Correct answer: The lane serves left-turning drivers from both directions.
A shared turn lane is not your private lane. Check for opposing drivers entering or already using it and avoid conflicting maneuvers.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 36 (PDF page 40); 4J Pavement markings — shared center left-turn lane. ↗
The brake pedal suddenly drops and the service brakes fail to slow the car. What initial action does the handbook suggest to try to restore pressure?
Correct answer: Pump the brake pedal several times while seeking a safe stopping place.
For actual brake failure, pumping may restore enough pressure to help stop. This is not the technique for a functioning ABS emergency stop, which calls for firm, continuous pedal pressure.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 48 (PDF page 52); 8D Vehicle malfunctions — brake failure. ↗
A white arrow painted in your lane points only left, but you want to go straight. What should you do?
Correct answer: Move to an appropriate lane beforehand if safe, or follow the marked turn.
Pavement arrows identify the movements allowed from a lane. Choose the correct lane early; if you cannot change safely in time, follow the marked movement and adjust your route.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 35 (PDF page 39); 4J Pavement markings — lane-use arrows. ↗
Your headlights suddenly fail on a dark road. After trying the controls, you still cannot restore usable headlights. What should you do?
Correct answer: Warn other traffic and pull off safely instead of continuing blind.
Try the light controls and use available warning lights while finding a safe place off the roadway. Do not continue normal travel without the light needed to see ahead.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 48 (PDF page 52); 8D Vehicle malfunctions — headlight failure. ↗
A lane has a diamond marking and a sign limiting use to certain vehicles. How should an ordinary driver decide whether to use it?
Correct answer: Read the sign and make sure the vehicle meets the stated conditions.
A diamond identifies a reserved lane. The accompanying signs explain eligible vehicles, occupancy requirements or times; the symbol does not make it an unrestricted passing lane.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 37 (PDF page 41); 4K Reserved lanes — diamond symbol. ↗
You steer around a sudden obstruction and avoid the first impact. What should you concentrate on next?
Correct answer: Regaining a stable path without causing a second collision.
Evasive steering is not finished merely because the first object was missed. Keep control of the wheel and guide the car into a clear path without striking another road user or obstacle.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 46 (PDF page 50); 8A Avoiding crashes — control after evasive steering. ↗
A sign reserves a lane for buses and carpools with at least four occupants on weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. Your car has three people at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Do you qualify?
Correct answer: No; the car is below the posted four-person minimum during restricted hours.
Read the vehicle, occupancy and time conditions together. Three total occupants do not meet a four-person minimum. This example does not determine lane availability outside the displayed hours.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 37 (PDF page 41); 4K Reserved lanes — posted occupancy and hours. ↗
Your car starts skidding on a slippery surface. Where should you aim your steering correction?
Correct answer: Toward the path where you want the vehicle to go.
Ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly toward the desired path. Avoid abrupt braking or overcorrection that can make the skid harder to control.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 45 (PDF page 49); 7B Winter driving — handling a skid. ↗
A bicyclist is beside you in a bike lane as you prepare to turn right across it. What is the safe approach?
Correct answer: Yield and position behind the bicyclist before making the turn safely.
Do not create a right-hook conflict by turning across a bicyclist beside you. Check the bike lane, yield and move behind the cyclist when preparing the permitted turn.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 37 (PDF page 41); 4K Reserved lanes — right turn across bicycle lane. ↗
Your all-wheel-drive car accelerates easily on snow. What does that tell you about its stopping distance?
Correct answer: It still needs extra time and distance to stop on the slippery road.
Traction for moving off does not remove the effects of snow and ice on braking. WisDOT specifically reminds drivers that all vehicles, including AWD, need more stopping time and space.
Source: Wisconsin DOT official guidance; Winter driving — all-wheel drive and stopping distance; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Pairs of broken yellow lines outline a lane whose traffic direction can change. What kind of lane is this?
Correct answer: A reversible lane controlled for different traffic directions.
Reversible lanes change their permitted direction to manage traffic. Read the lane-control signals before entering; the markings do not allow simultaneous opposing use.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, BDS126, 2026; printed page 36 (PDF page 40); 4J Pavement markings — reversible lanes. ↗
