Ace Your Florida Permit Test: 15 Questions You Need to Know

The Florida Class E Knowledge Exam, better known as the permit test, is your first official hurdle at the driver license office. Passing it proves you have a solid grasp of the state's traffic laws, road signs, and safety rules before you start practicing on the road.

The official test has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly (an 80% score) to pass. [2] The questions are divided into two sections: road signs and road rules. All questions are pulled directly from the Official Florida Driver's Handbook. To help you prepare, we've compiled 15 practice questions that reflect the topics and format you're likely to see.

Florida Permit Practice Test

Read each question carefully and select the best answer. The correct answers and detailed explanations follow below.

1. A 16-year-old driver with a Class E license is restricted from driving between what hours? a) 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. b) 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. c) Midnight and 6 a.m. d) 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

2. What is the minimum following distance you should maintain under ideal conditions? a) One car length for every 10 mph. b) A two-second gap. c) A four-second gap. d) 500 feet.

3. What does a solid yellow line on your side of the road mean? a) You may pass if the way is clear. b) It marks the right edge of the pavement. c) You may not pass. d) You are approaching a stop sign.

4. When parking your vehicle facing uphill on a street with a curb, you should turn your front wheels: a) Straight ahead. b) To the right (toward the curb). c) To the left (away from the curb). d) It doesn't matter.

5. What is the standard speed limit in a residential area in Florida? a) 25 mph b) 20 mph c) 35 mph d) 30 mph

6. A flashing red traffic light at an intersection means: a) The same as a stop sign. b) The light is about to turn green. c) Slow down and proceed with caution. d) The traffic light is out of order.

7. It is illegal for a person 21 years of age or older to drive with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of ____ or higher. a) 0.10% b) 0.05% c) 0.08% d) 0.02%

8. When must you use your headlights? a) Only when it is dark outside. b) Between the hours of sunset and sunrise. c) During any rain, smoke, or fog. d) Both B and C.

9. What does a diamond-shaped sign indicate? a) A regulatory command. b) A warning of existing or possible hazards. c) A route marker. d) A stop sign ahead.

10. In Florida, if you refuse to take a chemical test for alcohol when suspected of DUI, what is the penalty for your first refusal? a) A $500 fine. b) A 90-day jail sentence. c) A one-year license suspension. d) A warning letter.

11. A driver with a learner's license must hold it for how long before being eligible for an intermediate license? a) 6 months b) 3 months c) 12 months d) 9 months

12. When you see a "LANE ENDS, MERGE LEFT" sign, you should: a) Speed up to get ahead of the traffic in the left lane. b) Wait until your lane ends and then merge. c) Move into the left lane as soon as it is safe to do so. d) Stop and wait for an opening.

13. A pentagon-shaped (five-sided) sign indicates: a) A yield sign. b) A railroad crossing. c) A no-passing zone. d) A school zone or school crossing.

14. Who is required to take the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLAC) course? a) Only drivers under 18. b) All first-time driver's license applicants in Florida, regardless of age. c) Only drivers who have had a DUI. d) It is an optional course.

15. What is the correct action when you see a stopped school bus on a two-lane road with its red lights flashing? a) Slow down and pass with caution. b) Stop until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted. c) Stop only if you are behind the bus. d) Honk to alert the driver you are passing.

Answer Key and Explanations

1. d) 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. This is the mandatory driving curfew for 16-year-old drivers under the GDL program. [1, 2]

2. c) A four-second gap. Florida recommends a more conservative following distance than many other states to allow for adequate reaction time.

3. c) You may not pass. A solid yellow line on your side indicates a no-passing zone.

4. c) To the left (away from the curb). This ensures that if the car's brakes fail, it will roll back into the curb and stop, rather than rolling into traffic.

5. d) 30 mph. This is the standard speed limit for residential areas unless a different limit is posted.

6. a) The same as a stop sign. You must come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe.

7. c) 0.08%. This is the standard legal limit. For drivers under 21, the limit is 0.02% under the zero-tolerance policy.

8. d) Both B and C. Florida law requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and any time you are driving in rain, smoke, or fog.

9. b) A warning of existing or possible hazards. These signs alert you to things like curves, slippery roads, or intersections.

10. c) A one-year license suspension. Florida's "Implied Consent" law means refusing a test has its own serious and immediate penalties.

11. c) 12 months. A teen must hold their learner's license for a full year conviction-free, or until they turn 18, before taking the road test. [2, 4]

12. c) Move into the left lane as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not wait until the last minute. Merge early and smoothly.

13. d) A school zone or school crossing. This unique shape is reserved for this purpose to increase driver awareness.

14. b) All first-time driver's license applicants in Florida, regardless of age. The TLAC/DATA course is a mandatory prerequisite for everyone. [2, 4]

15. b) Stop until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted. You must stop for a school bus regardless of your direction of travel on a two-lane road.

How to Guarantee a Passing Score

The best way to prepare is to thoroughly study the Official Florida Driver's Handbook. Read it carefully, paying special attention to GDL restrictions, speed limits, and right-of-way rules. By combining diligent study with practice tests, you'll be well-prepared to ace your knowledge exam.