Colorado: Signals and vehicle controls — Part 2 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “After starting the vehicle, what should you check to be sure it does not need maintenance?” · “How should your grip on the steering wheel be?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Colorado Driver Handbook" (DR 2337, January 2025), Colorado 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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Where should your right foot be before starting the vehicle?
- On the accelerator
- On the floor beside the pedals
- On the brake
- On the clutch only
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Correct answer: On the brake
No matter the make and model, your right foot should be on the brake before starting the vehicle.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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After starting the vehicle, what should you check to be sure it does not need maintenance?
- Indicator lights and gauges
- The tire tread depth only
- The windshield glass only
- The glove compartment contents
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Correct answer: Indicator lights and gauges
The handbook says to check indicator lights and gauges.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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Before moving the vehicle, what should you check for?
- Only traffic directly ahead of the vehicle
- Only vehicles in the opposite lane of traffic
- Only pedestrians on the right side of the road
- Traffic or pedestrians to the sides and behind
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Correct answer: Traffic or pedestrians to the sides and behind
Look for a safe path and check for traffic or pedestrians to the sides and behind.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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How should you press the accelerator when moving the vehicle?
- Firmly, with your whole foot flat on the pedal
- Gently, ball of the foot on the pedal and heel on the floor
- Gently, with your heel on the pedal and toes on the floor
- Quickly, with the ball of your foot lifted off the floor
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Correct answer: Gently, ball of the foot on the pedal and heel on the floor
Press gently with the ball of your foot on the pedal and the heel on the floor.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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What should you do first when stopping the vehicle?
- Check your mirrors for traffic to the rear
- Shift the vehicle into the park position
- Press the brake pedal as hard as you can
- Turn on the hazard lights before braking
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Correct answer: Check your mirrors for traffic to the rear
The first step in stopping is to check your mirrors for traffic to the rear.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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How should you press the brake pedal to stop the vehicle?
- In quick pumping motions until it stops
- With sudden hard pressure at the last moment
- With steady pressure until the vehicle stops
- With light taps while the vehicle coasts down
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Correct answer: With steady pressure until the vehicle stops
Press with steady pressure until the vehicle comes to a stop.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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In which direction is the steering wheel always turned?
- Opposite to the direction you want to go in reverse
- The direction you want the vehicle to move
- Toward the center of the road
- In the direction of the car behind you
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Correct answer: The direction you want the vehicle to move
The wheel is always turned the way you want the vehicle to move, forward or in reverse.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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Which hand positions give better vehicle control?
- 10 and 2 o’clock positions only
- 12 and 6 o’clock positions only
- 1 and 7 o’clock positions only
- 3 and 9 o’clock or 4 and 8 o’clock
Show answer
Correct answer: 3 and 9 o’clock or 4 and 8 o’clock
The handbook recommends the 3 and 9 or the 4 and 8 o’clock positions.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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How should your grip on the steering wheel be?
- Tight and strong, using the palms of your hands
- Loose and relaxed, using only one hand at a time
- Firm but gentle, using fingers rather than palms
- Firm, with your wrists resting on the wheel
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Correct answer: Firm but gentle, using fingers rather than palms
Grip firm but gentle, with fingers rather than palms.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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What should you never do with your hands when turning the steering wheel?
- Grip the inside of the wheel
- Keep your thumbs up along the face of the wheel
- Hold both hands on the outside of the wheel
- Use your fingers to hold the wheel
Show answer
Correct answer: Grip the inside of the wheel
The handbook says never to grip the inside of the steering wheel when turning it.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 6)
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Why should you check behind your vehicle before you get in to back up?
- Children and small objects cannot be seen from the driver's seat
- The rear lights must be checked before the engine starts
- Other drivers expect you to walk around your vehicle
- Your mirrors cannot be adjusted once you are seated
Show answer
Correct answer: Children and small objects cannot be seen from the driver's seat
The manual says children and small objects cannot be seen from the driver's seat, so you check behind the vehicle first.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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To back up safely, where do you grasp the steering wheel with your left hand?
- At the 3 o'clock position
- At the 6 o'clock position
- At the 12 o'clock position
- At the 9 o'clock position
Show answer
Correct answer: At the 12 o'clock position
The manual says to grasp the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position with your left hand.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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When backing up, where do you place your right arm and where do you look?
- On the door window frame, looking only in your side mirrors while you reverse
- On the back of the passenger seat, looking over your shoulder through the rear window
- On the steering wheel, looking only at the rear view mirror as you reverse
- On the dashboard, looking straight ahead through the windshield as you reverse
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Correct answer: On the back of the passenger seat, looking over your shoulder through the rear window
The manual says to place your right arm on the back of the passenger seat and look directly over your shoulder through the rear window.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What do your mirrors NOT show you when you are backing up?
- The cars traveling far behind your vehicle
- The signs on the far side of the road
- The hood of your own vehicle
- The area immediately behind your vehicle
Show answer
Correct answer: The area immediately behind your vehicle
The manual warns that your mirrors do not show the area immediately behind your vehicle.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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If your vehicle has a rear view camera, how should you use it when backing up?
- In addition to checking over your shoulder and using your mirrors
- Instead of checking over your shoulder or using your mirrors
- Only when it is dark outside and visibility is poor
- Only when backing up with a trailer attached
Show answer
Correct answer: In addition to checking over your shoulder and using your mirrors
The manual says to use the rear view camera in addition to checking over your shoulder and using your mirrors.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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Before backing up, what do you do with your foot and the gear shift?
- Press the accelerator, then shift to reverse
- Place your foot on the brake and shift to neutral
- Place your foot on the brake and shift to reverse
- Release the brake and shift to park
Show answer
Correct answer: Place your foot on the brake and shift to reverse
The manual says to place your foot on the brake and shift to reverse.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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How should you accelerate when backing up?
- Quickly, to clear the area fast
- Gently, smoothly and slowly
- Firmly, to stay ahead of traffic
- Only in short sudden bursts
Show answer
Correct answer: Gently, smoothly and slowly
The manual says to accelerate gently, smoothly and slowly when backing up.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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When backing up, which way should you steer?
- Slightly in the direction the front of the vehicle should move
- Sharply away from the direction the rear should move
- Straight, with the wheels centered until you stop
- Slightly in the direction the rear of the vehicle should move
Show answer
Correct answer: Slightly in the direction the rear of the vehicle should move
You steer slightly in the direction the rear of the vehicle should move.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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If you are backing up while turning, what should you also do?
- Make quick checks to the front and sides
- Turn on your hazard lights and sound the horn continuously
- Shift to neutral and coast through the turn
- Stop and shift to drive between each turn
Show answer
Correct answer: Make quick checks to the front and sides
The manual says that when backing up while turning, you make quick checks to the front and sides.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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Until when should you continue looking to the rear when backing up?
- Until the vehicle has moved one car length
- Until the rear wheels reach the street
- Until you come to a complete stop
- Until the front of the vehicle clears the curb
Show answer
Correct answer: Until you come to a complete stop
The manual says to continue looking to the rear until coming to a complete stop.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)