Alabama: Freeway driving — Part 1 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Backing is prohibited on controlled access highways such as freeways and expressways, except for whom?” · “If you must change lanes on a freeway to pass or leave it, what should you do?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Alabama Driver Manual" (November 2024), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division.
All 18 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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Backing is prohibited on controlled access highways such as freeways and expressways, except for whom?
- Any driver who has missed an exit
- Drivers on the right shoulder only
- Emergency vehicles performing their duties
- Vehicles with their hazard lights on
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Correct answer: Emergency vehicles performing their duties
Backing on freeways and expressways is prohibited except for emergency vehicles performing their duties.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 66 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 66)
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Which description of a freeway does the manual give?
- A multi-lane, controlled access, divided highway
- A two-lane highway with traffic signals at each crossing
- A one-way street with parking on both sides
- A divided highway with stop signs at every cross street
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Correct answer: A multi-lane, controlled access, divided highway
The manual describes freeways as multi-lane, controlled access, divided highways.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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Which of these is true of freeways, according to the manual?
- Cross traffic enters at every interchange
- There are stop signs at every ramp
- There are no stops and cross traffic
- Traffic must stop at each exit to yield
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Correct answer: There are no stops and cross traffic
The manual states there are no stops and cross traffic on the freeways.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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Among other things, safe use of freeways requires that you do what?
- Drive well below the speed of traffic
- Keep pace with traffic and stay alert
- Stay in the left lane at all times
- Stop to rest every few miles on the roadway
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Correct answer: Keep pace with traffic and stay alert
Safe freeway use requires keeping pace with traffic and staying alert.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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What must slower moving vehicles on a freeway do?
- Stay in the left lane
- Stop on the shoulder
- Use the center lane only
- Keep to the right
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Correct answer: Keep to the right
Vehicles traveling less than the normal speed of traffic must keep to the right.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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What does the manual say about cutting from one lane to another on a freeway?
- It is the best way to keep pace with traffic
- It is allowed only in the left lane
- It is a dangerous practice
- It is required when traffic slows down
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Correct answer: It is a dangerous practice
The manual calls cutting from one lane to another a dangerous practice.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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On a freeway, how should you choose your lane?
- Pick the lane moving at the pace you prefer and stay in it
- Move to whichever lane has the fewest vehicles at each moment
- Keep changing lanes to stay ahead of traffic
- Stay in the lane closest to the exit you need
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Correct answer: Pick the lane moving at the pace you prefer and stay in it
The manual says to choose the lane moving at the pace you prefer and stay in it.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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If you must change lanes on a freeway to pass or leave it, what should you do?
- Signal only after you have started moving over
- Speed up first so other drivers must let you in
- Sound your horn and move over quickly
- Check traffic carefully and signal well in advance
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Correct answer: Check traffic carefully and signal well in advance
You must check traffic carefully and signal well in advance of the move.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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If your vehicle has a mechanical breakdown on a freeway, where should you park?
- In the right lane with your hazard lights on
- Entirely off the traveled portion of the freeway
- Partly on the shoulder and partly in the right lane
- In the acceleration lane of the next entrance ramp
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Correct answer: Entirely off the traveled portion of the freeway
The manual says to park entirely off the traveled portion.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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After a breakdown on a freeway, what does the manual say to do if at all possible?
- Stay with your vehicle
- Walk along the freeway to find a phone
- Flag down a passing driver for a ride
- Leave the vehicle and cross to the median
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Correct answer: Stay with your vehicle
The manual says to stay with your vehicle if at all possible.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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Which actions are the distress signals the manual describes for a freeway breakdown?
- Place a red cloth on the roof, turn on the high beams and sound the horn
- Close the hood and trunk, switch off all lights and stand behind the vehicle
- Open the trunk, raise the hood and tie a white cloth to a door handle or antenna
- Open all the doors, flash the headlights and keep the engine running at idle
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Correct answer: Open the trunk, raise the hood and tie a white cloth to a door handle or antenna
The manual lists an open trunk, a raised hood (weather permitting) and a white cloth on a door handle or antenna as distress signals.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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When is parking permitted on a freeway?
- When you stop briefly to read a map
- Only in a case of emergency
- When you are on the right-hand shoulder
- When you need to rest during a long trip
Show answer
Correct answer: Only in a case of emergency
Other than in an emergency, parking is not permitted on the freeway.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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As you approach and enter the acceleration lane, what should you do about your speed?
- Slow down to a crawl until the through lanes are completely empty
- Keep a speed well below that of vehicles in the through lanes
- Stop at the end of the lane and wait for a gap
- Increase speed to match that of vehicles in the through lanes, if possible
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Correct answer: Increase speed to match that of vehicles in the through lanes, if possible
You increase speed to match the vehicles in the through lanes, if possible.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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What should you do after you see an opening while on the entrance ramp?
- Stop at the end of the ramp and wait until freeway traffic stops for you
- Merge quickly while sounding your horn to warn the drivers in the through lanes
- Activate your turn signal and merge smoothly with the other traffic
- Switch on your hazard lights and force your way into the through lanes
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Correct answer: Activate your turn signal and merge smoothly with the other traffic
The manual says to watch for an opening, signal and merge smoothly.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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When should you come to a full stop in the acceleration lane?
- Only when it is absolutely necessary
- Whenever traffic in the through lanes is heavy
- Whenever you cannot find an opening right away
- Whenever the lane ahead is clear
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Correct answer: Only when it is absolutely necessary
You must not stop in the acceleration lane unless it is absolutely necessary.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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According to the manual, when drivers on the freeway do not allow room for those entering, what must you do?
- Force your way into the lane
- Speed up and cut in front of them
- Sound your horn to claim the right of way
- Yield to them
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Correct answer: Yield to them
Freeway drivers should allow room, but entering drivers must yield if they do not.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 76)
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When a YIELD sign is in place at an entrance ramp with no acceleration lane, what must entering traffic do?
- Speed up and merge before the sign
- Obey the YIELD sign and stop if necessary
- Force their way into the traffic stream
- Keep going because freeway traffic must give way
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Correct answer: Obey the YIELD sign and stop if necessary
Entering traffic must obey the YIELD sign and stop if necessary instead of forcing its way in.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 77 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 77)
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What is an interchange?
- Two highways crossing at different levels, with separate connecting roads for transferring traffic
- Two highways crossing at the same level, with traffic signals controlling each movement
- A short one-way ramp leading from a freeway to the intersecting local roadway
- A multi-lane road that joins two freeways at the same level without any ramps
Show answer
Correct answer: Two highways crossing at different levels, with separate connecting roads for transferring traffic
An interchange is the intersection of two highways at different levels with separate connecting roads.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 77 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 77)