Massachusetts: Speed and following distance — Part 3 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Which of these must your speed be based on, according to the manual?” · “How does the manual define a thickly settled district?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Massachusetts Driver's Manual" (Revised April 2026), Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
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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Which of these must your speed be based on, according to the manual?
- The number of passengers in your vehicle
- The age of the vehicle you are driving
- Weather conditions and visibility
- How long your trip will take
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Correct answer: Weather conditions and visibility
Your speed must be based on traffic conditions, road conditions, weather conditions and visibility, and pedestrians or bicyclists.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 79)
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If there are poor driving conditions or hazards, what must you do about your speed?
- Keep it at the posted speed limit
- Match the speed of the vehicle ahead
- Raise it to get through the hazard sooner
- Lower it, even if the posted limit is higher
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Correct answer: Lower it, even if the posted limit is higher
You must lower your speed in poor conditions or hazards; it does not matter if the posted limit is higher.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 79)
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Posted speed limits are based on what kind of driving conditions?
- Average driving conditions
- Ideal driving conditions
- Typical rush-hour conditions
- Wet road conditions
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Correct answer: Ideal driving conditions
All speed limits are based on ideal driving conditions, so you must drive slower if conditions are hazardous.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 79)
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What is the minimum speed on the Massachusetts Turnpike?
- 30 mph
- 45 mph
- 55 mph
- 40 mph
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Correct answer: 40 mph
The manual states a minimum speed of 40 mph on the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 79)
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What is the minimum speed in the Boston Harbor tunnels (Callahan, Sumner, and Ted Williams)?
- 10 mph
- 20 mph
- 25 mph
- 35 mph
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Correct answer: 20 mph
There is a minimum speed of 20 mph in the Boston Harbor tunnels.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 79)
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Even where there is no minimum speed, what may a police officer do if a driver is slowing traffic on a state highway?
- Order the driver to follow a police escort
- Ticket every driver in the same lane
- Order the driver to the side of the highway
- Close the highway until traffic clears
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Correct answer: Order the driver to the side of the highway
A police officer may order a driver to the side of a state highway if the driver is slowing traffic.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 79)
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Unless posted otherwise, your speed would not be reasonable and proper in a thickly settled or business district if you drive over what speed?
- 30 mph
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
- 55 mph
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Correct answer: 30 mph
Unless posted otherwise, driving over 30 mph in a thickly settled or business district is not reasonable and proper.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 79)
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Unless posted otherwise, your speed would not be reasonable and proper outside a thickly settled or business district if you drive over what speed?
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
- 55 mph
- 40 mph
Show answer
Correct answer: 40 mph
Unless posted otherwise, driving over 40 mph outside a thickly settled or business district is not reasonable and proper.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 79)
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Unless posted otherwise, your speed would not be reasonable and proper on a highway outside a thickly settled or business district if you drive over what speed?
- 45 mph
- 50 mph
- 60 mph
- 65 mph
Show answer
Correct answer: 50 mph
Unless posted otherwise, driving over 50 mph on a highway outside a thickly settled or business district is not reasonable and proper.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 79 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 79)
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You drive 40 mph in a heavy rainstorm on a highway with a 50 mph speed limit. What can happen?
- Nothing, because you are under the posted limit
- You can be ticketed only if a crash occurs
- You can get a ticket for driving too fast
- You can be ticketed only if you drive below 30 mph
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Correct answer: You can get a ticket for driving too fast
Driving 40 mph in a heavy rainstorm on a 50 mph highway can earn a ticket for driving too fast.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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How does the manual define a thickly settled district?
- An area where buildings are fewer than 200 feet apart for 1/4 mile or more
- An area where buildings are fewer than 500 feet apart for 1/2 mile or more
- An area where buildings are fewer than 100 feet apart for 1 mile or more
- An area where buildings are more than 200 feet apart for 1/4 mile or more
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Correct answer: An area where buildings are fewer than 200 feet apart for 1/4 mile or more
A thickly settled district is an area where buildings are fewer than 200 feet apart for a distance of 1/4 mile or more.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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Some communities have a thickly settled speed limit of what, unless posted otherwise (per M.G.L. c90, Section 17c)?
- 15 mph
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
- 25 mph
Show answer
Correct answer: 25 mph
Some communities have a thickly settled speed limit of 25 mph unless posted otherwise.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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Where are signs posted in communities that have a 25 mph thickly settled speed limit?
- Only at school zones within these towns
- Only on the limited-access highways nearby
- At all entrances to these cities and towns
- Only at the busiest intersections in town
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Correct answer: At all entrances to these cities and towns
Signs are posted at all entrances to cities and towns that have a thickly settled speed limit of 25 mph.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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What is the speed limit on roads near schools?
- 15 mph
- 20 mph
- 25 mph
- 35 mph
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Correct answer: 20 mph
The speed limit on roads near schools is 20 mph.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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How may school zone speed limit signs be posted?
- With flashing red lights during the whole day
- Only on days when it snows or rains
- Only during the first week of the school year
- With flashing yellow lights or for certain hours
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Correct answer: With flashing yellow lights or for certain hours
School zone speed limit signs may have flashing yellow lights or be posted for certain hours of the day.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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What should you be aware of when you drive carefully into a school zone?
- Children crossing the street or riding bicycles
- Trucks making deliveries to the school itself
- Vehicles changing lanes on a nearby highway
- Large trucks backing out of the school lot
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Correct answer: Children crossing the street or riding bicycles
When entering a school zone, be aware of children crossing the street or riding bicycles.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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Who should you look out for when entering a school zone?
- Only police officers on motorcycles
- School safety patrols or crossing guards
- Only parents waiting at the curb
- Only bus drivers loading passengers
Show answer
Correct answer: School safety patrols or crossing guards
The manual says to look out for school safety patrols or crossing guards in a school zone.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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What does the manual say about the speed limit when you are passing?
- You may exceed it by 5 miles per hour
- You may exceed it briefly if the passing lane is clear
- You may exceed it on multiple-lane highways
- You may not exceed it
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Correct answer: You may not exceed it
The manual says you may not exceed the speed limit when passing.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 102 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 102)
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Which of these acts is against the law in Massachusetts?
- Returning used motor oil to the store that sold it to you
- Waiting for vehicles in the travel lane to pass before you pull away from the curb
- Driving on a bet or wager
- Using a crosswalk when one is available to cross the road
Show answer
Correct answer: Driving on a bet or wager
The manual lists driving on a bet or wager among the things it is illegal to do.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 111 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 111)
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Which of these is illegal for a driver?
- Drag racing
- Parking between the white lines of a marked parking space
- Staying at least four feet away from a bicycle while passing it
- Using a crosswalk when one is available to cross the road
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Correct answer: Drag racing
The manual lists drag racing among the things it is illegal to do.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 111 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 111)