Alabama safe driving practice questions
2 questions below test Alabama’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Alabama Law Enforcement Agency handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The Alabama permit knowledge test has 30 questions in total and needs 24 correct (80%) to pass.
Alabama law
2 questions on Alabama’s own safe driving rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. While operating a motor vehicle on an Alabama public road, street, or highway, you may not use a wireless telecommunication device to:
- AMake a voice call by dialing a number
- Write, send, or read a text-based communication
- CUse a pre-programmed GPS already set
- DUse the vehicle radio
Answer: Write, send, or read a text-based communication. Alabama Code §32-5A-350(b) prohibits operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless telecommunication device to write, send, or read a text-based communication (with limited emergency and parked-shoulder exceptions).
Source: Code of Alabama — §32-5A-350(b)
2. While driving with an Alabama Stage II restricted license, you:
- AMay text at red lights
- BMay use any device hands-free or handheld
- CMay use a handheld phone for calls only
- Must not use any handheld communication devices
Answer: Must not use any handheld communication devices. ALEA’s Graduated Driver License synopsis states a Stage II licensee must not use any handheld communication devices while driving.
Source: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver License — Stage II handheld devices
Sources for the Alabama items above
Applies everywhere
Safe driving rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the Alabama items above for 12 questions in total.
1. Another driver is following you far too closely. The safest response is to:
- ABrake sharply to warn them
- Increase your following distance and let them pass
- CSpeed up to outrun them
- DTurn on your hazard lights and stop
Answer: Increase your following distance and let them pass. Adding space ahead gives you room to slow gradually rather than brake hard. Move over when you safely can and let them by.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — aggressive drivers
2. When must low-beam headlights be turned on in most jurisdictions?
- AWhenever driving above 45 mph
- BOnly during heavy snowfall
- From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise
- DOnly when driving on dark rural roads
Answer: From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Headlights must be used from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Lighting requirements — headlights
3. What is the best way to set a safe following distance?
- AFollow closely so other drivers cannot merge
- BMatch the vehicle ahead bumper-to-bumper
- CStay one car length behind at every speed
- Use a time gap and add more time in poor conditions
Answer: Use a time gap and add more time in poor conditions. A time-based gap adapts to speed. Increase it for rain, darkness, heavy vehicles, motorcycles, or limited visibility.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
More Alabama topics
Other Alabama rules with their own questions
Safe driving elsewhere
Safe driving rules in other states
Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current Alabama rules
Statutes and handbooks change. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is authoritative for Alabama safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Alabama Law Enforcement AgencyCommon questions
About Alabama safe driving rules and this practice set.