Pass the Test: 15 Questions You'll Likely See on the Oklahoma Permit Exam

The first major hurdle on your path to an Oklahoma driver's license is the written permit test. This exam is designed to ensure you have a strong grasp of Oklahoma's traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving principles before you even start the engine.

Depending on where you take it, the test format can vary slightly. The test offered online or at a tag agency consists of 20 questions, and you need to answer at least 15 correctly to pass. [4, 9] Other versions may have 50 questions, requiring 40 correct answers (an 80% passing score). [8, 25] To help you prepare for whatever format you encounter, we’ve created 15 practice questions that cover the essential topics you need to know.

Permit Test Practice Questions

1. When parking your vehicle on a hill with a curb, facing downhill, you should turn your front wheels: a) Straight ahead. b) Towards the curb. c) Away from the curb. d) It doesn't matter.

Answer: b) Towards the curb. Explanation: Turning your wheels toward the curb ensures that if your brakes fail, the car will roll into the curb and stop, rather than into moving traffic. A good way to remember is "Up, Up, and Away" for uphill parking, which means you do the opposite for downhill.

2. In Oklahoma, a person with a learner's permit is allowed to drive between what hours? a) Anytime with a licensed driver. b) 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. c) 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. d) Only during daylight hours.

Answer: c) 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Explanation: Oklahoma's GDL laws restrict learner's permit holders to driving between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and they must always be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat. [5, 19]

3. What is the meaning of a flashing red traffic light? a) Slow down and proceed with caution. b) The light is about to turn green. c) Stop completely, then proceed when safe. d) Stop and wait for the light to stop flashing.

Answer: c) Stop completely, then proceed when safe. Explanation: A flashing red light is treated the same as a stop sign. You must come to a full stop, yield the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians, and proceed only when the way is clear.

4. According to the Oklahoma Driver's Manual, what is the minimum safe following distance you should maintain behind another vehicle? a) One car length for every 10 mph. b) Two seconds. c) Three seconds. d) Four seconds.

Answer: c) Three seconds. Explanation: To determine this, watch the vehicle ahead of you pass a fixed object (like a signpost). Then, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three." If you pass the object before you finish counting, you are too close. Increase this to four or five seconds in bad weather.

5. This sign (an orange diamond with a person holding a flag) indicates: a) Pedestrian crossing ahead. b) A school zone. c) Road work or a flagger ahead. d) A survey crew at work.

Answer: c) Road work or a flagger ahead. Explanation: Orange is the color for construction and maintenance warning signs. This symbol specifically warns of a flagger controlling traffic in a work zone ahead. You must slow down and be prepared to stop.

6. For a driver with an intermediate license, what are the passenger restrictions? a) No passengers are allowed. b) Only family members are allowed. c) You may carry one non-household passenger. d) There are no passenger restrictions.

Answer: c) You may carry one non-household passenger. Explanation: An intermediate license holder can drive with one passenger who does not live in their home. They can carry more than one passenger if those passengers are family members or if a licensed driver aged 21 or older is in the front seat. [5, 33]

7. In Oklahoma, when must you use your headlights? a) Only from sunset to sunrise. b) When visibility is less than 500 feet. c) When using your windshield wipers. d) Both B and C are correct.

Answer: d) Both B and C are correct. Explanation: Oklahoma law requires you to use your headlights whenever visibility is less than 500 feet and anytime you are using your windshield wipers due to weather conditions. It is also required from sunset to sunrise.

8. If two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time, who has the right-of-way? a) The vehicle on the left. b) The vehicle on the right. c) The vehicle that arrived first. d) The larger vehicle.

Answer: b) The vehicle on the right. Explanation: At an uncontrolled intersection (without signs or signals), the law states that the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the driver on the right.

9. A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means: a) You are in a passing zone. b) You are approaching an intersection. c) Do not pass. d) The road is narrowing.

Answer: c) Do not pass. Explanation: A solid yellow line on your side of the road indicates that it is unsafe to pass. You must stay in your lane. If the line is dashed on your side, passing is permitted when safe.

10. To be eligible for an intermediate license in Oklahoma, a teen must have held a learner's permit for at least: a) 3 months. b) 6 months. c) 9 months. d) 12 months.

Answer: b) 6 months. Explanation: A teen driver must hold their learner's permit for a minimum of six months and meet all other requirements before they can apply for an intermediate license. [5, 11]

11. This road sign (a round yellow sign with a black 'X' and 'RR') means: a) Hospital ahead. b) Crossroads ahead. c) Railroad crossing ahead. d) Road ends.

Answer: c) Railroad crossing ahead. Explanation: This is the advance warning sign for a railroad crossing. When you see it, slow down, look, and listen for a train, and be prepared to stop.

12. What is the maximum speed limit on Oklahoma rural interstates, unless otherwise posted? a) 65 mph. b) 70 mph. c) 75 mph. d) 80 mph.

Answer: c) 75 mph. Explanation: The maximum speed limit on many rural sections of Oklahoma interstates is 75 mph. However, you must always obey the posted speed limit, as it can change based on road and traffic conditions.

13. When you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching with its lights and siren active, you must: a) Speed up to get out of the way. b) Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. c) Continue driving at a slow speed. d) Stop immediately, regardless of your position on the road.

Answer: b) Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. Explanation: The law requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles. You should immediately pull as far to the right as possible and come to a complete stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

14. Before you can get an intermediate license, you must complete how many hours of supervised driving? a) 30 hours, with 5 at night. b) 40 hours, with 10 at night. c) 50 hours, with 10 at night. d) 60 hours, with 15 at night.

Answer: c) 50 hours, with 10 at night. Explanation: The Oklahoma GDL program requires 50 hours of certified behind-the-wheel practice, including 10 hours of nighttime driving, before you can take the road test for your intermediate license. [5, 22]

15. A conviction for reckless driving will add how many points to your Oklahoma driving record? a) 2 points. b) 3 points. c) 4 points. d) 6 points.

Answer: c) 4 points. Explanation: Reckless driving is a serious offense. A conviction will result in 4 points being added to your driving record. [3, 15]

How to Study: These questions are a great starting point. The best preparation is to thoroughly read the Oklahoma Driver's Manual. [4] Pay close attention to sections on traffic signs, signals, right-of-way rules, and speed limits. Good luck!