PA Permit Test cheat sheet
PA Permit Test · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road
Pennsylvania's default speed limit on urban and residential roadways is 25 mph unless posted otherwise; rural two-lane highways default to 55 mph.
Maximum speed limit on interstate highways in Pennsylvania is 65 mph unless a higher limit is posted (up to 70 mph on designated turnpike and interstate sections).
Pennsylvania's Basic Speed Rule: a driver must never travel faster than is safe for existing conditions, regardless of the posted limit.
Pennsylvania's point system: 6 points for a speeding conviction of 31 mph or more over the limit; 5 points for 16-30 mph over; 3 points for 1-15 mph over.
Drivers under 18 accumulate a 90-day license suspension at 6 points; adults face a departmental hearing at 6 points and suspension at 11 points.
Pennsylvania's Steer Clear Law (Move Over Law) requires drivers to move to a non-adjacent lane or slow to 20 mph below the posted limit when passing an emergency response area.
Right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection: the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic proceeding straight or turning right; a driver entering a roadway from a driveway or private road must yield to all traffic.
Traffic Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
Red octagon = STOP; red inverted triangle = YIELD; both require a full stop or yield as specified, not merely slowing.
Yellow diamond signs indicate warnings; orange diamond signs indicate construction or work zones; fluorescent yellow-green indicates pedestrian or school warnings.
A flashing red signal is treated as a stop sign: stop, yield, then proceed when clear. A flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.
A steady yellow light means the signal is about to turn red; a driver must stop if it is safe to do so, otherwise clear the intersection.
A solid yellow center line means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is permitted when safe; double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions.
A solid white line marks the right edge of the roadway or separates lanes traveling in the same direction; a broken white line permits lane changes when safe.
A green arrow means the driver may proceed in the direction of the arrow; a red arrow prohibits movement in that direction until the arrow changes.
A pentagon-shaped sign (school zone) and a round sign (railroad advance warning) are unique shapes; a railroad crossbuck is an X-shaped sign at the crossing.
Safe Driving Practices
Pennsylvania's following-distance rule: at speeds under 40 mph, maintain at least 4 seconds; at 40 mph and above, maintain at least 5 seconds.
The three-second (or longer) following distance is measured from when the rear of the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object to when the front of your vehicle reaches it.
Pennsylvania law requires seat belts for the driver and front-seat passengers; children under 8 must be secured in an approved child restraint system.
A driver must use headlights from sunset to sunrise, during precipitation, and whenever visibility is insufficient to see persons or vehicles at 1,000 feet.
Pennsylvania's texting-while-driving ban applies to all drivers; handheld phone use is prohibited for drivers under 18 and in work zones and school zones.
The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for adult drivers in Pennsylvania is 0.08%; for drivers under 21, any measurable amount (0.02% or higher) is a violation.
Implied consent law: a driver lawfully arrested for DUI must submit to chemical testing; refusing results in a minimum 12-month license suspension.
Hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on a film of water; to recover, ease off the accelerator, avoid braking hard, and steer straight until traction returns.
Sharing the Road
Pennsylvania's 4-foot passing law requires motorists to give bicyclists at least 4 feet of clearance when passing.
When passing a pedestrian or bicyclist, a driver may cross a double yellow line only if it is safe and the opposite lane is clear.
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.
School buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm require all traffic to stop; on divided highways, only traffic in the same direction must stop.
Motorcyclists are entitled to a full lane; a driver may not share a lane with a motorcycle or pass within the same lane.
Large trucks have significant blind spots (No-Zones) on all four sides; a driver should avoid lingering alongside a truck and never pass on the right.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, drivers must pull to the right edge of the roadway and stop until it passes.
At railroad crossings, a driver must stop when a train is visible or audible, gates are down, or a flagger signals; never stop on the tracks.
Vehicle Operation and Special Driving Conditions
Pennsylvania requires a vehicle to be inspected annually; a valid inspection sticker must be displayed on the windshield.
In fog, use low-beam headlights, not high beams, because high beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility.
On ice or snow, increase following distance to 8-10 seconds and brake gently; avoid cruise control on slippery surfaces.
If a vehicle begins to skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and ease off the accelerator; do not slam the brakes.
When driving downhill on a steep grade, shift to a lower gear to use engine braking and avoid overheating the brakes.
In a work zone, fines for moving violations are doubled when workers are present; speed limits may be reduced and enforced by camera.
If a tire blows out, grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight; do not brake hard until the vehicle is under control.
Pennsylvania's Junior Driver restrictions: no driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first 6 months, and no more than one non-family passenger under 18 for the first 6 months.
Traffic Laws and Rules of the Road
Pennsylvania's default speed limit on urban and residential roadways is 25 mph unless posted otherwise; rural two-lane highways default to 55 mph.
Maximum speed limit on interstate highways in Pennsylvania is 65 mph unless a higher limit is posted (up to 70 mph on designated turnpike and interstate sections).
Pennsylvania's Basic Speed Rule: a driver must never travel faster than is safe for existing conditions, regardless of the posted limit.
Pennsylvania's point system: 6 points for a speeding conviction of 31 mph or more over the limit; 5 points for 16-30 mph over; 3 points for 1-15 mph over.
Drivers under 18 accumulate a 90-day license suspension at 6 points; adults face a departmental hearing at 6 points and suspension at 11 points.
Pennsylvania's Steer Clear Law (Move Over Law) requires drivers to move to a non-adjacent lane or slow to 20 mph below the posted limit when passing an emergency response area.
Right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection: the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic proceeding straight or turning right; a driver entering a roadway from a driveway or private road must yield to all traffic.
Traffic Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
Red octagon = STOP; red inverted triangle = YIELD; both require a full stop or yield as specified, not merely slowing.
Yellow diamond signs indicate warnings; orange diamond signs indicate construction or work zones; fluorescent yellow-green indicates pedestrian or school warnings.
A flashing red signal is treated as a stop sign: stop, yield, then proceed when clear. A flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.
A steady yellow light means the signal is about to turn red; a driver must stop if it is safe to do so, otherwise clear the intersection.
A solid yellow center line means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is permitted when safe; double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions.
A solid white line marks the right edge of the roadway or separates lanes traveling in the same direction; a broken white line permits lane changes when safe.
A green arrow means the driver may proceed in the direction of the arrow; a red arrow prohibits movement in that direction until the arrow changes.
A pentagon-shaped sign (school zone) and a round sign (railroad advance warning) are unique shapes; a railroad crossbuck is an X-shaped sign at the crossing.
Safe Driving Practices
Pennsylvania's following-distance rule: at speeds under 40 mph, maintain at least 4 seconds; at 40 mph and above, maintain at least 5 seconds.
The three-second (or longer) following distance is measured from when the rear of the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object to when the front of your vehicle reaches it.
Pennsylvania law requires seat belts for the driver and front-seat passengers; children under 8 must be secured in an approved child restraint system.
A driver must use headlights from sunset to sunrise, during precipitation, and whenever visibility is insufficient to see persons or vehicles at 1,000 feet.
Pennsylvania's texting-while-driving ban applies to all drivers; handheld phone use is prohibited for drivers under 18 and in work zones and school zones.
The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for adult drivers in Pennsylvania is 0.08%; for drivers under 21, any measurable amount (0.02% or higher) is a violation.
Implied consent law: a driver lawfully arrested for DUI must submit to chemical testing; refusing results in a minimum 12-month license suspension.
Hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on a film of water; to recover, ease off the accelerator, avoid braking hard, and steer straight until traction returns.
Sharing the Road
Pennsylvania's 4-foot passing law requires motorists to give bicyclists at least 4 feet of clearance when passing.
When passing a pedestrian or bicyclist, a driver may cross a double yellow line only if it is safe and the opposite lane is clear.
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.
School buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm require all traffic to stop; on divided highways, only traffic in the same direction must stop.
Motorcyclists are entitled to a full lane; a driver may not share a lane with a motorcycle or pass within the same lane.
Large trucks have significant blind spots (No-Zones) on all four sides; a driver should avoid lingering alongside a truck and never pass on the right.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, drivers must pull to the right edge of the roadway and stop until it passes.
At railroad crossings, a driver must stop when a train is visible or audible, gates are down, or a flagger signals; never stop on the tracks.
Vehicle Operation and Special Driving Conditions
Pennsylvania requires a vehicle to be inspected annually; a valid inspection sticker must be displayed on the windshield.
In fog, use low-beam headlights, not high beams, because high beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility.
On ice or snow, increase following distance to 8-10 seconds and brake gently; avoid cruise control on slippery surfaces.
If a vehicle begins to skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and ease off the accelerator; do not slam the brakes.
When driving downhill on a steep grade, shift to a lower gear to use engine braking and avoid overheating the brakes.
In a work zone, fines for moving violations are doubled when workers are present; speed limits may be reduced and enforced by camera.
If a tire blows out, grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight; do not brake hard until the vehicle is under control.
Pennsylvania's Junior Driver restrictions: no driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first 6 months, and no more than one non-family passenger under 18 for the first 6 months.