Ready for the Written Test?

     Freedom.  You've been waiting forever for your sixteenth birthday.  Your friends are talking about it.  You eagerly anticipate getting behind that wheel.  But first things first.  Before you can start driving, you have to practice.  And in order to practice, you need your Lerner's Permit.  Are you ready for the Learner's Permit Written Test?  What do you need to know?  It is all common knowledge.  Let's fact it; you don't want to fail the test.  You want to be prepared.

     The first step toward driving is a nice long talk with our parents.  Sit down with them and let them know that you understand this is a joint decision, that you are a responsible young adult and you look forward to learning from them.  Driving is a beg responsibility!  It is not something that should be taken lightly or for granted.

     Steven J. Blank, professional driving instructor and author of "The Teen Driver Survival Guide," has prepared a sample Lerner's Permit Written Test.  Take a look below at a few questions selected from his test.  Test your skills--will you pass?  No cheating!  Click here for answers.

Sample Learner's Permit Written Test

1.  When driving your car at night you must dim your headlights:
          a.  when stars are in proper astrological alignment
          b.  within 2 1/2 car lengths
          c.  within 500 feet of an approaching car
          d.  when the approaching driver covers his eyes

2.  Passing is prohibited:
          a.  inside 100 fee of an intersection
          b.  nearing oncoming trains
          c.  on the shoulder
          d.  all of the above

3.  Alcohol is:
          a.  used by all successful people
          b.  the "Breakfast of Champions"
          c.  a depressant
          d.  a stimulant

4.  When driving in fog:
          a.  go to low beams, slow, align on right
          b.  put on high beams to see better
          c.  squint to minimize the glare
          d.  pull over to the side and pray for safe passage

5.  In a blow-out:
          a.  calmly steer off the road and stop
          b.  apply parking break until stopped
          c.  change the radio to a heavy-metal station
          d.  shift into neutral

6.  Centrifugal force is:
          a.  the magnetic pull of guard rails
          b.  pulls cars to the outside of a curve
          c.  pulls cars to the inside of a curve
          d.  both b & c

7.  Solid line--your side:
          a.  means go straight
          b.  means illegal to pass
          c.  apparitions ahead
          d.  road becomes highway ahead

8.  When parked on a downhill:
          a.  point the wheels toward the curb
          b.  place bricks under the wheels
          c.  leave the car in neutral gear
          d. point the wheels away from the curb

9.  Flashing yellow light:
          a.  used to celebrate holidays
          b.  stop for entering traffic
          c.  slow, proceed with caution
          d.  found only at firehouses

10. In a crash with an occupied car:
          a.  stop cars in the middle of the road
          b.  stop, aid, call 911, make a report if injury 
          c.  stop and direct traffic
          d.  get out, debate over the cause of the crash

Answers

     How did you do?  Are you ready?  You can never be too prepared!

     Steven Blank suggests networking with your driving education school to find out where to study and what types of questions will be asked.  Not only does he suggest finding out what types of questions to expect, but also to find out why they ask those questions.   Blank says the biggest mistake teens make before taking this test is that they don't prepare.  He says there "is a methodology in the test.  They often have two real answers and two answers that don't make any sense."  It's a process of elimination in most cases.  Every state has a driving handbook.  This is a great tool for study.  Of course, talking with you driving instructor and your parents can provide you with lots of information as well.  Good luck and happy driving!