A freeway lane is marked with a white diamond symbol and HOV signs. Who may drive in it?

Vehicles carrying the posted number of people

Only trucks and other large commercial vehicles

Only police and emergency vehicles on a call

Any driver who wants to pass slow traffic

When driving in heavy rain, you should:

Use low beams and leave more following distance

Use cruise control to keep a steady, safe speed

Use high-beam headlights to see better

Turn on hazard lights and drive at normal speed

Free Alabama DMV Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 1 2026

25 questions80% to passExplanations includedFree

—Real test questions

—Pass score

This Practice Test 1 is modeled on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) written knowledge exam, whose length the agency does not publish; to pass you need a pass mark the DMV does not publish (our practice tests use 80%). These 25 questions rotate through traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way - the core topics the DMV tests most heavily. Every question includes an explanation, so you learn the rule behind each answer - not just whether you got it right.

Question 1 of 25

A driver ahead holds their left arm straight out of the window like this. What does it mean?

Tip: Press 1-4 to select, Enter to submit, F to flag

Inside this test

What's on the Alabama Practice Test 1

The DMV does not publish how many questions are on the real Alabama knowledge test. Practice Test 1 is a 25-question set drawn from 53 questions, scored against a practice target of 80%.

Topics in this test's question pool

Road signs 20
Traffic laws 15
Safe driving 5
Emergencies 4
Right of way 4
Parking 3
Speed limits 1
Alcohol & drugs 1

53 questions in the pool, 11 of them written specifically for Alabama. Each attempt shows 25 in a new order.

Sample questions from this test, with answers

Want to test yourself first? Take the test above before reading these. Every answer below is checked against the source shown.

1. Your car stalls on railroad tracks, you cannot move it, and a train is coming. After getting out, which way should you walk?
- A. Away from the train, along the tracks
- B. Stay inside and wait for help
- C. Back to the car to try again
- D. Alongside the tracks toward the train (correct)
Why: Leave the vehicle and walk beside the tracks in the direction the train is coming from. When the train hits the car, debris flies forward, away from you.
Source: official Alabama driver handbook, p.75 (PDF p.77), Driving Emergencies
2. When you must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights in Alabama, stop at least how far from the bus?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 20 feet (correct)
- D. 50 feet
Why: Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus showing flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. Stay stopped until the arm is pulled in and the red lights go off.
Source: official Alabama driver handbook, p.62 (PDF p.64), School Buses
3. What is the safest way to check your blind spot before changing lanes?
- A. Check your rearview mirror, then signal and go
- B. Check both side mirrors only
- C. Glance over your shoulder toward the new lane (correct)
- D. Trust your car's blind-spot warning light
Why: Mirrors have blind spots. Always glance over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move before changing lanes, in addition to checking your mirrors.
Source: official Alabama driver handbook
4. Who must yield when a pedestrian is crossing at a marked crosswalk?
- A. The pedestrian, since cars cannot stop quickly
- B. The driver must yield to the pedestrian (correct)
- C. Whoever reached the crosswalk first
- D. The driver, but only at a traffic signal
Why: Drivers must always yield to pedestrians who are crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Pedestrian safety is the highest priority.
Source: official Alabama driver handbook
5. When parking uphill with a curb, which direction do you turn your front wheels?
- A. Toward the curb (right)
- B. Away from the curb (left) (correct)
- C. Straight ahead, parallel to the curb
- D. Either way, if the parking brake is set
Why: When parking uphill with a curb, turn your wheels away from the curb (left). If the car rolls backward, it hits the curb and stops. Downhill: turn toward the curb.
Source: official Alabama driver handbook
6. When driving in heavy rain, you should:
- A. Use high-beam headlights to see better
- B. Use low beams and leave more following distance (correct)
- C. Turn on hazard lights and drive at normal speed
- D. Use cruise control to keep a steady, safe speed
Why: In rain, use low-beam headlights (high beams reflect off rain), reduce speed, and increase following distance to at least 4-6 seconds. High beams can reduce visibility in rain.
Source: official Alabama driver handbook

More Alabama facts, the full requirements table and the printable PDF are on the Alabama permit practice test page.

Alabama DMV Test Info

Questions on real test: Not published by the DMV
Passing score: Not published
Correct needed: a pass mark the DMV does not publish (our practice tests use 80%)
Minimum age: 15 years old
Testing agency: Department of Motor Vehicles

Official AL DMV Website ↗

More Alabama Tests

Study Tip

Don't just aim to pass this Alabama Practice Test 1 once - keep taking it until you score 80% or higher two or three times in a row. Read the explanation after every question, even the ones you get right, to lock in the rule before your DMV exam.