Montana: Signals and vehicle controls — Trip Planning and Vehicle Checks Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “According to the manual, what is the best way to save on fuel and prolong the life of your car?” · “What does the manual say to do if other drivers are frequently flashing their headlights at you?”
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
- Keyboard: press 1 to 4 to answer and Enter for the next question
Questions are original and based on the official manual "Montana Driver Manual" (Revised April 2024), Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division.
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.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
According to the manual, what is the best way to save on fuel and prolong the life of your car?
- Use it as little as possible
- Warm it up for several minutes before each trip
- Drive it at a steady high speed on the highway
- Take only long trips instead of short ones
Show answer
Correct answer: Use it as little as possible
The manual says the best way to save fuel and prolong the life of a car is to use it as little as possible.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 12
-
Which trip-planning tip does the manual give to cut down on the number of trips you need to take?
- Run each errand as a separate trip
- Drive to the farthest place first every time
- Plan and combine your errands
- Skip the list of places you need to go
Show answer
Correct answer: Plan and combine your errands
The manual advises planning and combining errands, which cuts down on the number of trips.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 12
-
Why does the manual advise avoiding driving during heavy traffic?
- It always makes the trip shorter in distance
- It causes extra wear and tear on you and the vehicle
- It prevents the engine from warming up
- It lowers the air pressure in the tires
Show answer
Correct answer: It causes extra wear and tear on you and the vehicle
The manual says heavy traffic causes extra wear and tear on the driver and the vehicle.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 12
-
According to the manual, whose duty is it to make certain that the vehicles they drive are safe to operate?
- The duty of the vehicle dealer
- The duty of the county courthouse
- The duty of the nearest police officer
- The duty of drivers
Show answer
Correct answer: The duty of drivers
The manual states that it is the duty of drivers to make certain their vehicles are safe to operate.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 12
-
Which of these is a sign that you should have a mechanic check your brakes?
- The brake pedal feels firm and quiet
- The brake lights come on when you stop
- The brakes stop the vehicle smoothly
- The brake pedal goes to the floor
Show answer
Correct answer: The brake pedal goes to the floor
The manual says to have a mechanic check the brakes when they make a lot of noise, smell funny, or the pedal goes to the floor.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 12
-
From where should you check that your turn signals, brake lights, taillights, and headlamps are operating properly?
- From the driver seat while moving
- From outside the vehicle
- From the dashboard indicator lights only
- From a seat in the back of the vehicle
Show answer
Correct answer: From outside the vehicle
The manual says the lights should be checked from outside the vehicle.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 12
-
According to the manual, what does driving with headlights on all the time do?
- Makes the headlight bulbs last much longer
- Lets you drive without using your turn signals
- Helps other drivers see your vehicle day and night
- Saves fuel during long trips on the highway
Show answer
Correct answer: Helps other drivers see your vehicle day and night
The manual says driving with headlights on all the time helps other drivers see your vehicle both day and night.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 12
-
What may an out-of-line headlight do?
- Blind other drivers
- Turn off the brake lights
- Drain the battery faster
- Make the horn quieter
Show answer
Correct answer: Blind other drivers
The manual says an out-of-line headlight can shine where it does not help you and may blind other drivers.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 12
-
What does the manual say to do if other drivers are frequently flashing their headlights at you?
- Switch to your high beams
- Have a mechanic check your headlights
- Turn your headlights off
- Drive with only your parking lights on
Show answer
Correct answer: Have a mechanic check your headlights
The manual says that if other drivers flash their headlights at you frequently, a mechanic should check your headlights.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 12
-
What should you do if the glass of your windshield is damaged?
- Cover the damage with a decal
- Keep driving until the damage spreads
- Wipe the damage with a clean cloth
- Have the windshield replaced
Show answer
Correct answer: Have the windshield replaced
The manual says to have the windshield replaced if the glass is damaged, since damaged glass blocks your view and breaks more easily.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
What should you do about snow and ice on your vehicle before you drive?
- Remove it from all windows
- Remove it from the windshield only
- Wait for it to melt as the engine warms
- Clear a small hole on the driver side
Show answer
Correct answer: Remove it from all windows
The manual says to remove snow and ice from all windows before you drive to clear your view of the road.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
What can worn or bald tires increase?
- Your fuel economy
- Your braking power
- Your stopping distance
- Your steering control on wet roads
Show answer
Correct answer: Your stopping distance
The manual says worn or bald tires can increase stopping distance and make turning more difficult when the road is wet.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
What do unbalanced tires and low tire pressure cause?
- Slower tire wear and better fuel economy
- Shorter stopping distance and easier steering
- Faster tire wear and reduced fuel economy
- Better traction on wet roads and ice
Show answer
Correct answer: Faster tire wear and reduced fuel economy
The manual says unbalanced tires and low pressure cause faster tire wear, reduce fuel economy, and make the vehicle harder to steer and stop.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
Worn tires increase the chance of having what during a trip?
- A blow out
- A dead battery
- A stuck horn
- A burned-out headlight
Show answer
Correct answer: A blow out
The manual says worn tires can cause hydroplaning and increase the chance of having a blow out during a trip.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
When should you check the tire air pressure with an air pressure gauge?
- Right after a long drive on the highway
- When the tires are hot
- Only when the tread looks worn
- When the tires are cold
Show answer
Correct answer: When the tires are cold
The manual says to check tire air pressure with a gauge when the tires are cold.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
Where does the manual tell you to look for the proper tire pressure?
- On the side of the road sign
- In the vehicle owner’s manual
- On the license plate
- On the rearview mirror
Show answer
Correct answer: In the vehicle owner’s manual
The manual says to check the vehicle owner’s manual for the proper tire pressure.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
When you check tire tread with a penny, what shows that the tire is unsafe and must be replaced?
- The tread does not come at least to Lincoln’s head
- The tread covers all of Lincoln’s head
- The penny will not fit into the tread at all
- The tread is wet when you check it with a penny
Show answer
Correct answer: The tread does not come at least to Lincoln’s head
The manual says that if the tread does not come at least to Abraham Lincoln’s head, the tire is unsafe and must be replaced.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
What should you do if the vehicle bounces, the steering wheel shakes, or the vehicle pulls to one side?
- Drive faster to smooth the ride
- Wait to see if it goes away
- Have a mechanic check it
- Turn off the engine while moving
Show answer
Correct answer: Have a mechanic check it
The manual says to have a mechanic check the vehicle when it bounces, the steering wheel shakes, or it pulls to one side.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
What should you do if the vehicle is hard to turn or does not turn when the steering wheel is first turned?
- Have the headlight aim adjusted
- Have a mechanic check the steering
- Have the wiper blades replaced
- Have the exhaust system repainted
Show answer
Correct answer: Have a mechanic check the steering
The manual says to have the steering checked by a mechanic when the vehicle is hard to turn or does not turn at first.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13
-
If the vehicle keeps bouncing after a bump or after you stop, what may you need?
- New wiper blades for the windshield
- A new muffler and exhaust pipe
- New brake lights and taillight bulbs
- New shocks or other suspension parts
Show answer
Correct answer: New shocks or other suspension parts
The manual says that a vehicle that keeps bouncing may need new shocks or other suspension parts, and a mechanic should check it.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 13