Arizona Permit Test cheat sheet
Arizona Permit Test · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road
Arizona default urban speed limit is 25 mph unless a sign posts a different limit; rural two-lane highways default to 55 mph.
Right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection belongs to the vehicle that arrives first; simultaneous arrival gives right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic, including bicycles and motorcycles, unless a protected green arrow is displayed.
Arizona's basic speed law requires driving at a speed reasonable and prudent for existing conditions, even below the posted limit.
Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of a railroad crossing, intersection, or bridge, and on curves or hills where the view is obstructed.
Arizona's Move Over law: on multi-lane roads, move one lane away from stopped emergency, tow, or utility vehicles; if unable, slow to a safe speed.
Arizona's point system suspends a driver at 8 points in 12 months; a red-light or stop-sign violation carries 2 points.
Following distance rule: use the three-second gap in good conditions, increasing to four or more seconds when wet, dark, or following large vehicles.
Arizona permits a right turn on red after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it; left on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
Traffic Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
Red octagon = stop; red inverted triangle = yield; red circle with slash = prohibited action.
Yellow diamond = warning of a condition ahead; yellow pentagon = school zone or school crossing.
Orange = construction or work zone; fluorescent yellow-green = pedestrian, bicycle, or school warning.
A flashing red signal is treated as a stop sign; a flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.
A steady yellow light means the signal is about to turn red; stop if it is safe, otherwise clear the intersection.
Solid yellow center lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; a broken yellow line permits passing when safe.
Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions; a broken line on your side permits passing.
White lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction; a solid white line marks the right edge or a lane you should not cross.
A shared center turn lane marked by solid and broken yellow lines is used only for left turns and is limited to about 300 feet before the turn.
Safe Driving Practices and Hazard Awareness
Total stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance grows directly with speed.
The three-second rule applies to following distance; add one second for each adverse condition (rain, darkness, heavy load).
Hydroplaning begins at roughly 35 mph on wet pavement; ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking to regain traction.
Arizona dust storms (haboobs): pull off the road completely, turn off lights, set the parking brake, and take your foot off the brake pedal.
In fog or heavy rain, use low-beam headlights; high beams reflect back and reduce visibility.
Arizona law requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is under 500 feet due to weather.
If a tire blows out, hold the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight before braking gently.
If your brakes fail, pump the pedal, downshift, and use the parking brake gradually; steer toward an uphill grade or open shoulder.
At a railroad crossing with flashing lights or a lowered gate, stop and wait; never stop on the tracks.
Sharing the Road
Arizona law requires passing a bicyclist with at least three feet of clearance; if not possible, wait until it is safe.
Bicycles on the roadway are vehicles with the same rights and duties as cars; they may ride two abreast in some conditions.
Arizona's Safe Passing law also applies to horse-drawn vehicles, horses, and other vulnerable road users.
Motorcyclists are entitled to a full lane; a car may not share the lane with a motorcycle.
When a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a physical median.
Pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk have the right-of-way; drivers must yield and may not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
Large trucks have significant no-zones: directly behind, along both sides, and in front; if you cannot see the driver's mirrors, they cannot see you.
Blind pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog always have the right-of-way at any intersection.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the right and stop until it passes.
Alcohol and Drug Awareness
Arizona's per se limit for drivers 21 and older is 0.08% BAC; for commercial drivers it is 0.04%.
Arizona has a zero-tolerance law: drivers under 21 with any measurable alcohol (0.00% limit) face license suspension.
Arizona's Impaired Driving law (DUI) can be charged even below 0.08% if driving is impaired to the slightest degree.
A first DUI conviction in Arizona carries up to 10 days in jail, fines, license suspension, and required ignition interlock.
Arizona's Extreme DUI applies at 0.15% BAC or higher and carries harsher penalties, including longer jail time and higher fines.
Arizona's Super Extreme DUI applies at 0.20% BAC or higher and carries the most severe misdemeanor penalties.
Alcohol is eliminated at roughly one standard drink per hour; coffee, cold showers, and food do not speed up elimination.
Arizona's implied consent law: refusing a breath or blood test after arrest results in license suspension, even without a conviction.
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including marijuana, can support a DUI charge if they impair driving.
Vehicle Requirements
Arizona requires liability insurance: minimum $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 property damage.
Arizona requires proof of insurance when registering a vehicle, and driving uninsured can result in a license and registration suspension.
Headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is under 500 feet; both headlights and taillights must work.
Arizona requires working seat belts in all seating positions; front-seat occupants and all children under 16 must be buckled.
Children under 8 years old and under 4'9" tall must use a child safety seat or booster seat in the rear seat when available.
Arizona does not require a motorcycle helmet for riders 18 and older, but all riders under 18 must wear one.
Vehicles must pass emissions testing in Maricopa and Pima counties (and parts of Pinal) before registration renewal.
Tires must have at least 1/16 inch of tread depth; Arizona law also requires functioning brakes, horn, and mirrors.
Windshield wipers, defroster, and turn signals must be in working order; a cracked windshield in the driver's view can fail inspection.
Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road
Arizona's default urban speed limit is 25 mph unless signed otherwise; rural two-lane highways default to 55 mph.
Right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection goes to the first vehicle to arrive; if two arrive together, the vehicle on the right goes first.
A left-turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic, including cyclists and motorcyclists, unless a protected green arrow is shown.
Arizona's basic speed law requires a speed reasonable and prudent for conditions, even below the posted limit.
Passing is prohibited within 100 feet of a railroad crossing, intersection, or bridge, and on curves or hills with limited visibility.
Arizona's Move Over law: move one lane away from stopped emergency, tow, or utility vehicles; if unable, slow to a safe speed.
Arizona suspends a driver at 8 points in 12 months; a red-light or stop-sign violation carries 2 points.
Use a three-second following gap in good conditions, increasing to four or more seconds in wet, dark, or heavy-traffic conditions.
A right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it; left on red is allowed only from one one-way street onto another.
Traffic Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
Red octagon = stop; red inverted triangle = yield; red circle with slash = prohibited action.
Yellow diamond = warning of a condition ahead; yellow pentagon = school zone or school crossing.
Orange = construction or work zone; fluorescent yellow-green = pedestrian, bicycle, or school warning.
A flashing red signal is treated as a stop sign; a flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.
A steady yellow light means the signal is about to turn red; stop if it is safe, otherwise clear the intersection.
Solid yellow center lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; a broken yellow line permits passing when safe.
Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions; a broken line on your side permits passing.
White lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction; a solid white line marks the right edge or a lane you should not cross.
A shared center turn lane marked by solid and broken yellow lines is used only for left turns and is limited to about 300 feet before the turn.
Safe Driving Practices and Hazard Awareness
Total stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance grows directly with speed.
The three-second rule applies to following distance; add one second for each adverse condition (rain, darkness, heavy load).
Hydroplaning begins at roughly 35 mph on wet pavement; ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking to regain traction.
Arizona dust storms (haboobs): pull off the road completely, turn off lights, set the parking brake, and take your foot off the brake pedal.
In fog or heavy rain, use low-beam headlights; high beams reflect back and reduce visibility.
Arizona law requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is under 500 feet due to weather.
If a tire blows out, hold the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight before braking gently.
If your brakes fail, pump the pedal, downshift, and use the parking brake gradually; steer toward an uphill grade or open shoulder.
At a railroad crossing with flashing lights or a lowered gate, stop and wait; never stop on the tracks.
Sharing the Road
Arizona law requires passing a bicyclist with at least three feet of clearance; if not possible, wait until it is safe.
Bicycles on the roadway are vehicles with the same rights and duties as cars; they may ride two abreast in some conditions.
Arizona's Safe Passing law also applies to horse-drawn vehicles, horses, and other vulnerable road users.
Motorcyclists are entitled to a full lane; a car may not share the lane with a motorcycle.
When a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a physical median.
Pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk have the right-of-way; drivers must yield and may not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
Large trucks have significant no-zones: directly behind, along both sides, and in front; if you cannot see the driver's mirrors, they cannot see you.
Blind pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog always have the right-of-way at any intersection.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the right and stop until it passes.
Alcohol and Drug Awareness
Arizona's per se limit for drivers 21 and older is 0.08% BAC; for commercial drivers it is 0.04%.
Arizona has a zero-tolerance law: drivers under 21 with any measurable alcohol (0.00% limit) face license suspension.
Arizona's Impaired Driving law (DUI) can be charged even below 0.08% if driving is impaired to the slightest degree.
A first DUI conviction in Arizona carries up to 10 days in jail, fines, license suspension, and required ignition interlock.
Arizona's Extreme DUI applies at 0.15% BAC or higher and carries harsher penalties, including longer jail time and higher fines.
Arizona's Super Extreme DUI applies at 0.20% BAC or higher and carries the most severe misdemeanor penalties.
Alcohol is eliminated at roughly one standard drink per hour; coffee, cold showers, and food do not speed up elimination.
Arizona's implied consent law: refusing a breath or blood test after arrest results in license suspension, even without a conviction.
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including marijuana, can support a DUI charge if they impair driving.
Vehicle Requirements
Arizona requires liability insurance: minimum $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 property damage.
Arizona requires proof of insurance when registering a vehicle, and driving uninsured can result in a license and registration suspension.
Headlights must be on from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is under 500 feet; both headlights and taillights must work.
Arizona requires working seat belts in all seating positions; front-seat occupants and all children under 16 must be buckled.
Children under 8 years old and under 4'9" tall must use a child safety seat or booster seat in the rear seat when available.
Arizona does not require a motorcycle helmet for riders 18 and older, but all riders under 18 must wear one.
Vehicles must pass emissions testing in Maricopa and Pima counties (and parts of Pinal) before registration renewal.
Tires must have at least 1/16 inch of tread depth; Arizona law also requires functioning brakes, horn, and mirrors.
Windshield wipers, defroster, and turn signals must be in working order; a cracked windshield in the driver's view can fail inspection.