Michigan safe driving practice questions
2 questions below test Michigan’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Michigan Department of State handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The Michigan permit knowledge test has 50 questions in total and needs 35 correct (70%) to pass.
Michigan law
2 questions on Michigan’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. Michigan seat-belt law requires which occupants to wear a properly fastened safety belt?
- AOnly rear-seat passengers
- BOnly the driver
- Each operator and front-seat passenger
- DOnly passengers under 16
Answer: Each operator and front-seat passenger. MCL 257.710e requires each operator and front seat passenger of a motor vehicle on a street or highway to wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt (with listed vehicle/medical exceptions).
Source: Michigan Compiled Laws — MCL 257.710e
2. While operating a motor vehicle in Michigan, an individual generally may not:
- AUse a mounted GPS that is already set
- Hold or use a mobile electronic device
- CAdjust the heater
- DWear sunglasses
Answer: Hold or use a mobile electronic device. MCL 257.602b states that, except as otherwise provided, an individual shall not hold or use a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
Source: Michigan Compiled Laws — MCL 257.602b
Sources for the Michigan 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 Michigan items above for 12 questions in total.
1. 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
2. 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
3. Before backing out of a parking space, the safest practice is to:
- ASound the horn continuously
- BRely only on the backup camera
- Walk around the vehicle and check behind it
- DBack out quickly to reduce exposure
Answer: Walk around the vehicle and check behind it. Small children and low obstacles sit below the sightline of mirrors and many cameras. Checking behind the vehicle first is the only reliable method.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Basic control — backing
More Michigan topics
Other Michigan 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 Michigan rules
Statutes and handbooks change. Michigan Department of State is authoritative for Michigan safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Michigan Department of StateCommon questions
About Michigan safe driving rules and this practice set.