Pass Your Mississippi Permit Test: 15 Practice Questions You Need to Know

The Mississippi DPS written knowledge test is your first official hurdle on the path to a driver's license. It's a 30-question, multiple-choice exam designed to ensure you have a solid grasp of the state's traffic laws, road signs, and safety rules before you start practicing on the road. To pass, you must answer at least 24 questions correctly (an 80% score).

Confidence comes from preparation. All questions are pulled directly from the "Mississippi Driver's Manual". To help you study, we have created this list of 15 practice questions that mirror the topics and format you'll find on the real exam.

Mississippi 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 an intermediate license is under a driving curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on what days? a) Friday and Saturday b) All days of the week c) Sunday through Thursday d) Only on school nights

2. In Mississippi, you must use your headlights: a) Only when it is dark outside. b) When visibility is less than 500 feet. c) From sunset to sunrise. d) Both B and C.

3. When approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing, you must stop at least how far away? a) 10 feet b) 15 feet c) 20 feet d) 30 feet

4. A solid yellow line on your side of the road means: a) You are approaching a stop sign. b) Passing is permitted with caution. c) No passing is allowed from your lane. d) The road is ending ahead.

5. A flashing red traffic light at an intersection should be treated as: a) A yield sign. b) A stop sign. c) A warning that the light will turn green soon. d) A signal to proceed with caution.

6. An eight-sided (octagon) sign always indicates: a) Yield b) A railroad crossing c) Stop d) A school zone

7. In Mississippi, you must signal your intention to turn or change lanes at least how many feet before the maneuver? a) 50 feet b) 100 feet c) 200 feet d) 300 feet

8. When parking your vehicle UPHILL on a street with a curb, you should turn your front wheels: a) Straight ahead. b) Away from the curb (left). c) Toward the curb (right). d) It doesn't matter.

9. What is the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit for a driver 21 years or older in Mississippi? a) 0.10% b) 0.05% c) 0.08% d) 0.02%

10. What does a triangular sign with a red border and white center mean? a) Stop b) Do Not Enter c) Yield d) No Passing Zone

11. A teen driver must hold their learner's permit for a minimum of how long before taking a road test for an intermediate license? a) 6 months b) 9 months c) 12 months d) 18 months

12. When you see an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and siren approaching, you must: a) Speed up to get out of the way. b) Stop immediately in your lane. c) Pull over to the right side of the road and stop. d) Continue driving at a slower speed.

13. A round, yellow sign with a black "X" and "RR" is an advance warning for a: a) Hospital ahead b) An intersection ahead c) A railroad crossing d) A dead-end street.

14. What is the minimum age to obtain a learner's permit in Mississippi? a) 14 years old b) 14 years and 6 months c) 15 years old d) 15 years and 6 months

15. What is the standard speed limit on a rural interstate in Mississippi, unless otherwise posted? a) 55 mph b) 65 mph c) 70 mph d) 75 mph

Answer Key and Explanations

1. c) Sunday through Thursday. The curfew is 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. This is a key GDL rule.

2. d) Both B and C. Mississippi law requires headlights to be on from sunset to sunrise and at any time when visibility is less than 500 feet.

3. a) 10 feet. You must stop at least 10 feet away from a stopped school bus.

4. c) No passing is allowed from your lane. A solid yellow line on your side of the road indicates a no-passing zone for traffic on your side.

5. b) A stop sign. You must come to a complete stop, yield to all traffic and pedestrians, and then proceed when it is safe to do so.

6. c) Stop. The unique octagon shape is reserved exclusively for stop signs to make them easily recognizable.

7. b) 100 feet. Signaling your intention well in advance is crucial for communicating with other drivers.

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

9. c) 0.08%. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher if you are 21 or over. For drivers under 21, Mississippi has a zero-tolerance policy.

10. c) Yield. The inverted triangle shape is the universal symbol for a yield sign, requiring you to slow down and give the right-of-way.

11. c) 12 months. A teen must hold their learner's permit for at least one year before being eligible to take the road test for an intermediate license.

12. c) Pull over to the right side of the road and stop. This is the safe and legal way to clear a path for emergency responders.

13. c) A railroad crossing. This round sign is the advance warning sign placed before a railroad crossing.

14. c) 15 years old. This is the minimum age to begin the GDL process in Mississippi.

15. c) 70 mph. This is the standard maximum speed limit on rural interstates in Mississippi unless a different limit is posted.

How to Guarantee a Passing Score

Your best study tool is the "Mississippi Driver's Manual". Read it thoroughly, 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 written exam.