Driving Test Practice

Alaska: Signals and vehicle controls — Part 1 Practice Test

Questions in this part include: “What must you do before you stop or suddenly decrease your speed?” · “Who else is required to use hand signals to signal a turn?”

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20 questions · About 8 min

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  • Every answer cites its source in the manual
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Alaska Driver Manual" (Revised October 2025), Alaska Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

All 20 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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  1. Instead of depending on mirrors when backing, what should you do?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • Watch the side mirrors and ignore the rear window completely
    • Lean out of the driver’s window and look back at the road
    • Rely only on a rearview camera if your vehicle has one fitted
    • Turn your body and head to the right and look out the rear window
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Turn your body and head to the right and look out the rear window

    The backing instructions say not to depend on mirrors, but to turn your body and head to the right and look out the rear window.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. When backing, where should your left hand be?

    A steering wheel seen from the driver's seat, with the numbers 1 to 12 of a clock face placed around its rim
    • At the top of the steering wheel
    • At the bottom of the steering wheel
    • On the gear shift
    • On the window ledge
    Show answer

    Correct answer: At the top of the steering wheel

    The manual says to place your left hand at the top of the steering wheel when backing.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. When backing, in which direction should you move the steering wheel?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • In the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go
    • Away from the direction you want to go
    • In the direction you want the rear of your vehicle to go
    • Straight until the vehicle has stopped
    Show answer

    Correct answer: In the direction you want the rear of your vehicle to go

    The manual says to move the wheel in the direction you want the REAR of your vehicle to go.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. How should you back your vehicle?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • At a steady moderate speed, looking only at the rear window
    • Slowly, keeping your eyes moving to all sides of your car
    • Quickly, so you spend less time in the roadway
    • Slowly, keeping your eyes fixed straight behind you
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Slowly, keeping your eyes moving to all sides of your car

    The manual says to back slowly and keep your eyes moving to all sides of your car.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. When backing, whom must you always yield to?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • Only vehicles on the street
    • Only people on the sidewalk
    • Only vehicles that are moving faster than you
    • Vehicles or people on the street or sidewalk
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Vehicles or people on the street or sidewalk

    The manual says to always yield to vehicles or people on the street or sidewalk and be prepared to stop when backing.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. What speed does the manual suggest you not exceed when backing?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • 5 mph
    • 10 mph
    • 15 mph
    • 20 mph
    Show answer

    Correct answer: 5 mph

    The manual suggests your speed not exceed 5 mph when backing.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 26 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. How far before a turn must your hand or directional signal be given continuously?

    A blue car signaling right as it nears a side street, with a measuring arrow and a question mark marking the distance to the corner
    • During the last 100 feet
    • During the last 50 feet
    • During the last 200 feet
    • During the last 25 feet
    Show answer

    Correct answer: During the last 100 feet

    The signal must be given continuously during the last 100 feet before turning.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. When may a turn signal be given from farther away than 100 feet before the turn?

    A blue car signaling right as it nears a side street, with a measuring arrow and a question mark marking the distance to the corner
    • Only when you are turning from a one-way street
    • Only when another driver asks you to signal early
    • When traffic conditions or your higher speeds warrant it
    • Never, because the signal must start at exactly 100 feet
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When traffic conditions or your higher speeds warrant it

    The signal may be given from a greater distance when traffic conditions or the higher speeds of your vehicle warrant it.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. What must you do before you stop or suddenly decrease your speed?

    • Sound your horn to warn the drivers behind you
    • Signal your intentions for the benefit of other drivers
    • Turn on your headlights so others can see you
    • Move onto the shoulder of the road first
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Signal your intentions for the benefit of other drivers

    You must never stop or suddenly slow down without signaling your intentions to the other drivers.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. What should you make sure of regarding your turn signals?

    • They are switched on at all times while the vehicle is moving
    • They are replaced by hand signals whenever it is snowing
    • They flash faster than the signals of other vehicles
    • They are clean and free from dust, dirt, ice, or snow
    Show answer

    Correct answer: They are clean and free from dust, dirt, ice, or snow

    The manual says to be sure turn signals are clean and free from dust, dirt, ice, or snow.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. When does the manual say you should use hand signals?

    • Only when your turn signal lights stop working at night
    • Whenever you are driving on a road with more than two lanes
    • When bright sun or a line of cars behind you could hide your turn signal
    • Only when you are turning at an intersection with a traffic light
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When bright sun or a line of cars behind you could hide your turn signal

    Hand signals are used when the sun is shining brightly or a line of cars following you could obscure your turn signal light.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. What does Alaska law require you to do with your directional signal light after you use it?

    • Cancel the signal light
    • Leave it on until you reach the next intersection
    • Leave it flashing for 100 feet after the turn
    • Turn it off only if a vehicle is behind you
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Cancel the signal light

    Alaska law requires you to cancel your directional signal light after you use it.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. Why is it a problem to leave a directional signal on after you have finished turning?

    • It signals other drivers that you plan to stop suddenly ahead
    • Other drivers may think your headlights are not working
    • It tells pedestrians that they may cross in front of you
    • Other drivers think you are still turning and may pull in front of you
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Other drivers think you are still turning and may pull in front of you

    An unintended signal still means you are turning to other drivers, who might turn or drive across in front of you.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. Who else is required to use hand signals to signal a turn?

    • Pedestrians who are crossing the street
    • Bicyclists
    • Only drivers of vehicles without turn signals
    • Passengers riding in the front seat
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Bicyclists

    The manual states that bicyclists are also required to use hand signals to signal a turn.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. In the hand signals shown in the manual, how does a driver signal a left turn?

    • The left arm held straight out to the side
    • The left arm bent straight up at the elbow
    • The left arm pointing downward
    • The left arm pulled inside and resting on the door
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The left arm held straight out to the side

    The manual shows a left turn signaled with the driver’s arm extended straight out the window.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  16. In the hand signals shown in the manual, how does a driver signal a right turn?

    • The left arm held straight out to the side
    • The left arm pointing downward
    • The left arm bent upward at the elbow
    • The left arm pulled inside and resting on the door
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The left arm bent upward at the elbow

    The manual shows a right turn signaled with the driver’s arm bent upward out the window.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  17. In the hand signals shown in the manual, how does a driver signal to stop or slow?

    • The left arm held straight out to the side
    • The left arm pointing downward
    • The left arm bent upward at the elbow
    • The left arm pulled inside and resting on the door
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The left arm pointing downward

    The manual shows a stop or slow signal with the driver’s arm pointing downward out the window.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 30 · Open this page in the manual

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  18. What can signaling for turns help prevent?

    • Head-on collisions
    • Collisions with pedestrians
    • Rear end collisions
    • Skids on icy roads
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Rear end collisions

    The manual says signaling for turns can prevent rear end collisions.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 32 · Open this page in the manual

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  19. Before moving into the left lane to pass, what should you signal?

    A blue car behind a slower red car on a two-lane road, with a dashed arrow curving into the left lane.
    • A right turn
    • A left turn
    • A stop or slow signal
    • Nothing until you are beside the vehicle
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A left turn

    The manual says to check your rear vision mirror and signal a left turn to the left lane.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 36 · Open this page in the manual

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  20. When you return to the right lane after passing, what should you do with your signal?

    A blue car in the left lane of a two-lane road with a broken yellow center line, passing a red car in the right lane, with the road ahead clear
    • Signal a right turn and leave it on for 100 feet
    • Signal a left turn and leave it on until you are in the lane
    • Use no signal, because you already signaled to pass
    • Signal a right turn, then cancel the signal light
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Signal a right turn, then cancel the signal light

    You signal a right turn to return to the right lane and be sure to cancel the signal light.

    Source: Alaska Driver Manual (Revised October 2025), page 36 · Open this page in the manual

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