Delaware safe driving practice questions
5 questions below test Delaware’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The Delaware permit knowledge test has 32 questions in total and needs 26 correct (81%) to pass.
Delaware law
5 questions on Delaware’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. After the first six months of a Delaware Level One Learner’s Permit, the holder may drive unsupervised between:
- A9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only
- BMidnight and 6 a.m. only
- 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (and needs supervision from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with listed exceptions)
- DAnytime with no night limit
Answer: 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. (and needs supervision from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., with listed exceptions). The Delaware Driver Manual states that after the first six months of Level One authority, the permit holder may drive unsupervised between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and may drive between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. only when under supervision (with exceptions for church, work, and school activities on school property).
Source: Delaware Driver Manual — GDL: Level One Learner’s Permit Restrictions
2. A Delaware Level One Learner’s Permit holder shall not operate a motor vehicle while using:
- A cellular telephone, text messaging device, or similar electronic device
- BGPS with voice only
- CClimate controls
- DA radio only
Answer: A cellular telephone, text messaging device, or similar electronic device. The Delaware Driver Manual’s Level One restrictions state the permit holder shall not operate a motor vehicle while using a cellular telephone, text messaging device, or similar electronic device.
Source: Delaware Driver Manual — GDL: Level One Learner’s Permit Restrictions
3. Delaware’s cell-phone law for drivers generally means that while driving you:
- AMay text at red lights
- BMay use any handheld device under 25 mph
- CMay hold the phone for calls
- May not use hand-held cell phones or text; hands-free talk is allowed after dialing/activating the device
Answer: May not use hand-held cell phones or text; hands-free talk is allowed after dialing/activating the device. The Delaware Driver Manual states Delaware law prohibits hand-held cell phones and texting while driving; those who wish to talk must use a hands-free device, and drivers may dial or activate/deactivate wireless equipment then put the device down.
Source: Delaware Driver Manual — Cell Phone/Hand-Held Electronic Device Use While Driving
4. Delaware guidance in the driver manual states children under age 4 AND 40 pounds should ride in:
- AA seat belt alone
- A harnessed car seat
- CNo restraint if in the back seat
- DA lap belt only
Answer: A harnessed car seat. The Delaware Driver Manual’s child-restraint guidance states children under age 4 AND 40 pounds are to ride in a harnessed car seat, and children in belt-positioning booster seats remain there until reaching the manufacturer height/weight maximum.
Source: Delaware Driver Manual — Using Safety Belts And Child Restraints
5. According to the Delaware Driver Manual, a child under the age of 12 or under 5’5” generally:
- Should not occupy the front passenger seat of a vehicle
- BNeeds no restraint
- CMay ride unbelted over 40 mph
- DMust ride in the front seat
Answer: Should not occupy the front passenger seat of a vehicle. The Delaware Driver Manual states a child under the age of 12 or under 5’5” should not occupy the front passenger seat of a vehicle (with certain code exceptions noted).
Source: Delaware Driver Manual — Using Safety Belts And Child Restraints
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 Delaware items above for 15 questions in total.
1. Maintaining a space cushion around your vehicle mainly gives you:
- AFreedom from signalling
- BBetter fuel economy
- Time and room to react to a hazard
- DA higher legal speed limit
Answer: Time and room to react to a hazard. Open space on all sides means a sudden hazard can be met with a steering or braking option instead of a collision.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — space cushion
2. To reduce glare from an oncoming vehicle's headlights at night, you should look:
- AInto your rear-view mirror
- BDirectly at the oncoming headlights
- Toward the right edge of your lane
- DDown at your dashboard
Answer: Toward the right edge of your lane. Shifting your gaze to the right edge line keeps you oriented in your lane while the bright lights pass out of your direct vision.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Night driving — glare
3. 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
More Delaware topics
Other Delaware 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 Delaware rules
Statutes and handbooks change. Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for Delaware safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Delaware Division of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About Delaware safe driving rules and this practice set.