Pennsylvania safe driving practice questions
3 questions below test Pennsylvania’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Pennsylvania Department of Transportation handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The Pennsylvania permit knowledge test has 18 questions in total and needs 15 correct (83%) to pass.
Pennsylvania law
3 questions on Pennsylvania’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. In Pennsylvania, which occupants of an ordinary passenger car must wear a properly fastened seat belt?
- AOnly the driver
- Driver and front-seat occupants
- COnly passengers under 18
- DOnly rear-seat passengers
Answer: Driver and front-seat occupants. 75 Pa.C.S. §4581 requires each driver and front seat occupant of a covered passenger car, truck, or motor home to wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety seat belt system.
Source: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75 — §4581
2. While a vehicle is in motion on a Pennsylvania highway, a driver may not use an interactive mobile device to:
- AUse the radio
- BAdjust climate controls
- CActivate a voice call by selecting a contact
- Send, read, or write a text-based communication
Answer: Send, read, or write a text-based communication. 75 Pa.C.S. §3316 prohibits operating a motor vehicle while using an interactive mobile device to send, read, or write a text-based communication while the vehicle is in motion, with a narrow emergency-services exception.
Source: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75 — §3316
3. Pennsylvania motorcycle helmet rules generally require protective headgear, except that a rider 21 or older need not wear a helmet if the rider:
- AIs riding only on private property
- BIs traveling under 30 mph
- CHas any motorcycle learner permit
- Has been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two full calendar years, or completed an approved motorcycle rider safety course
Answer: Has been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two full calendar years, or completed an approved motorcycle rider safety course. 75 Pa.C.S. §3525 requires protective headgear, with exceptions including a person 21 or older licensed to operate a motorcycle for not less than two full calendar years, or who completed an approved motorcycle rider safety course.
Source: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75 — §3525
Sources for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania items above for 13 questions in total.
1. How often should you check your mirrors in normal driving?
- AAbout once a minute
- BOnly when slowing down
- Every 5 to 8 seconds
- DOnly before changing lanes
Answer: Every 5 to 8 seconds. Frequent mirror checks keep you aware of vehicles approaching or sitting in your blind areas before a situation develops.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — visual search
2. Under ideal driving conditions, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
- A10 seconds
- B1 second
- 3 seconds
- D5 seconds
Answer: 3 seconds. The 3-second rule provides a baseline buffer for reaction and stopping distance under normal, dry weather conditions.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
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 Pennsylvania topics
Other Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania rules
Statutes and handbooks change. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is authoritative for Pennsylvania safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Pennsylvania Department of TransportationCommon questions
About Pennsylvania safe driving rules and this practice set.