Pennsylvania DMV Cheat Sheet

Correct answer: The "High Rate" penalties, even if your BAC is lower than those levels

If you are involved in a crash resulting in bodily injury, death, or property damage, you face the "High Rate" penalties rather than the "General Impairment" penalties, even if your BAC is lower.

Correct answer: $500

A driver who refuses a chemical test must pay a refusal restoration fee: $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for a third or later offense — in addition to other restoration fees.

Correct answer: $1,000 for the first offense

Adults, even parents, convicted of knowingly and intentionally supplying alcohol to minors face a fine of at least $1,000 for the first offense and $2,500 for each additional offense, plus up to a year in jail.

Correct answer: 5 days

If the police do not investigate such a crash, you must send a Driver’s Accident Report Form (AA-600) to PennDOT within 5 days.

Correct answer: 3 months

If your vehicle was uninsured for 31 days or longer, your registration is suspended for 3 months; if you operated or allowed operation of the vehicle without insurance, your driving privilege is also suspended for 3 months.

Correct answer: 5 days

If a police officer notices faulty equipment on your vehicle, you may be required to fix it within 5 days to avoid a citation.

Correct answer: A motor-driven cycle with an automatic transmission and 50 CC’s or less, or a three-wheeled motorcycle with an enclosed cab

A Class C license holder is authorized to drive a motor-driven cycle with an automatic transmission and a cylinder capacity of 50 CC’s or less, or a three-wheeled motorcycle with an enclosed cab. A regular motorcycle still requires Class M.

Correct answer: A mandatory six months, with three chances to pass per learner’s permit

You must wait the mandatory six months from your permit issue date before taking the Road Test. You have three chances with each learner’s permit to pass the Road Test before it expires.

Correct answer: No more than three

After the first six months, the limit increases to no more than three passengers under 18 who are not immediate family — but this increased limit does not apply to a junior driver who has ever been at fault in a crash or convicted of a driving violation.

Correct answer: When the driver turns 18 years of age

A junior driver’s license automatically becomes a regular driver’s license when you turn 18. You may also apply earlier (using form DL-59) after holding the junior license one year with an approved training course and a clean, crash-free record.

Correct answer: 50 feet

You may not stop, stand, or park within 50 feet of the nearest rail at a railroad crossing.

Correct answer: Toward the right (toward the edge of the road)

When parking downhill or uphill without a curb, turn your wheels to the right so that if the vehicle rolls it heads toward the side of the road, not into traffic.

Correct answer: 24 feet long and 8 feet wide

For the road test you must park your vehicle midway between two uprights in a space that is 24 feet long and 8 feet wide.

Correct answer: Be operated by or for the transportation of the person with a disability

The second legal condition is that the vehicle must be operated by, or used for the transportation of, the disabled person or severely disabled veteran named on the placard or plate.

Correct answer: About a 6-second gap, or about a block of clear space

To travel across an intersection with a two-way stop on a 30 mph street, you need about a 6-second gap in both directions, or about a block of clear space to the right and left.

Correct answer: About a 9-second gap

When turning left from a minor onto a major street, allow about a 9-second gap between you and any vehicle approaching from the right, and make sure cross-street traffic is stopped.

Correct answer: Not enter the roundabout — pull to the side and wait

Do not enter the roundabout when emergency vehicles are approaching; pull to the side. If you are already in the roundabout, exit and then pull to the side. Never stop in the roundabout.

Correct answer: 35 mph

You can hydroplane at speeds as low as 35 mph when water is only 1/10 of an inch deep. Worn tires make it worse, and driving slower reduces the risk.

Correct answer: Pressing and releasing the brakes repeatedly (pumping them)

Without ABS, press and release the brakes repeatedly. Pumping slows the vehicle while keeping it under control; slamming the brakes can lock the wheels and cause a skid. With ABS, hold firm, continuous pressure and do not pump.

Correct answer: Hold the steering wheel tightly and stay off the brake

After a blowout, hold the steering wheel tightly, stay off the brake (braking can cause a skid), and slowly take your foot off the gas. Steer smoothly to a safe spot before stopping.

Correct answer: In the front seat when a passenger-side air bag is present

Children under age 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Never install a rear-facing seat in the front seat if an air bag is present, because the deploying air bag can strike the seat with deadly force.

Correct answer: A YIELD sign — slow down and prepare to stop if a train is approaching

You should treat the railroad crossbuck sign as a YIELD sign: slow down and prepare to stop if you see or hear a train approaching.

Correct answer: The highest speed you should travel around that curve under ideal conditions

An advisory speed sign may be used with any diamond-shaped warning sign to show the highest speed you should travel — for example, around a sharp curve ahead.

Correct answer: The broken line is on your side of the road and it is safe

With a combination of a solid and a broken yellow centerline, you may pass if the broken line is on your side of the road and conditions are safe, but you may not pass when the solid yellow line is on your side.

Correct answer: On the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a barrier or median

The only exception is when you are on the opposite side of a divided highway (separated by a barrier, guide rail, or median). Then you do not have to stop, but you should reduce speed and drive with caution.