Pennsylvania sharing the road practice questions
3 questions below test Pennsylvania’s own sharing the road law, each with the statute or Pennsylvania Department of Transportation handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on sharing the road 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 sharing the road rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. When a Pennsylvania school bus has flashing red lights and stop arms activated, approaching drivers must stop at least:
- A20 feet before the bus
- B5 feet before the bus
- 10 feet before the bus
- D15 feet before the bus
Answer: 10 feet before the bus. 75 Pa.C.S. §3345(a) requires drivers to stop at least ten feet before reaching a school bus with flashing red lights and activated side stop signal arms.
Source: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75 — §3345(a)
2. On a Pennsylvania highway with separate roadways, if a school bus with red signals is on a different roadway you:
- AMust always stop
- Need not stop
- CMust slow to 15 mph only
- DMust stop only at night
Answer: Need not stop. 75 Pa.C.S. §3345 states that on highways divided into separate roadways, drivers need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus with actuated red signal lights that is on a different roadway.
Source: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75 — §3345
3. If you cannot change lanes when passing a Pennsylvania emergency response area, you must pass at no more than:
- A25 mph under the posted limit
- B10 mph under the posted limit
- C15 mph under the posted limit
- 20 mph under the posted limit
Answer: 20 mph under the posted limit. 75 Pa.C.S. §3327 requires changing to a nonadjacent lane when possible; otherwise you must pass at a speed no more than 20 mph less than the posted speed limit and reasonable for safely passing.
Source: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75 — §3327
Sources for the Pennsylvania items above
Applies everywhere
Sharing the road rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national sharing the road bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the Pennsylvania items above for 13 questions in total.
1. When passing a bicyclist on a narrow road, you should:
- ASound your horn as you pass
- BExpect the cyclist to ride on the shoulder
- CPass closely so you clear the lane quickly
- Slow down and pass leaving generous space
Answer: Slow down and pass leaving generous space. Cyclists may swerve to avoid debris or a pothole. Slow down, wait for a safe gap, and give as much space as you would another vehicle.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Sharing the road — bicycles
2. On a two-lane road without a median, a school bus stops with flashing red lights. You must:
- Stop in both directions until the lights stop flashing
- BSlow down to 15 mph and pass carefully
- CStop only if traveling behind the bus
- DHonk your horn and proceed
Answer: Stop in both directions until the lights stop flashing. When a school bus stops with red lights flashing on an undivided road, drivers in both directions must stop until children are clear and lights stop.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Special rules — school buses
3. How much of a traffic lane may a motorcycle need?
- The full lane
- BNo more than half a lane
- COnly the left tire track
- DOnly the shoulder
Answer: The full lane. Motorcyclists may use the full lane and may change position to improve visibility or avoid hazards. Do not crowd them.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Sharing the road — motorcycles
More Pennsylvania topics
Other Pennsylvania rules with their own questions
Sharing the road elsewhere
Sharing the road rules in other states
Sharing the road 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 sharing the road rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Pennsylvania Department of TransportationCommon questions
About Pennsylvania sharing the road rules and this practice set.