Pennsylvania Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)

The Pennsylvania rules and numbers to know for the PennDOT knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official Pennsylvania driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.

The Pennsylvania test at a glance

Questions on the test: 18
To pass: 15 of 18 correct (83%)
Time limit: We found no published time limit for the Pennsylvania knowledge test.
Minimum permit age: 16 years old
Hold the permit for: 6 months from permit issue date (under 18) before road test
Alcohol limit under 21: 0.02% BAC

Pennsylvania rules and numbers

From the official Pennsylvania handbook (PUB 95 (4-21)); PDF page numbers in brackets.

Rules of the road

Pennsylvania junior license, first 6 months: one non-family passenger under 18. [p.4]
Pennsylvania: the maximum speed limit is 70 mph. [p.39]
Turn signal: 100 ft before the turn under 35 mph; 300 ft at 35 mph or more. [p.48]
Headlights are required when you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead. [p.44]
Dark road at night: no faster than 45 mph to avoid overdriving your headlights. [p.44]
School zone: 15 mph when the sign's lights flash or during posted hours. [p.43]
Stopped school bus with red lights: stop at least 10 feet away. [p.62]
Opposite side of a divided highway: no need to stop for a school bus, but slow down. [p.62]
Not stopping for a school bus: 60-day suspension, 5 points and a fine. [p.62]
After an emergency vehicle passes, stay at least 500 feet behind it. [p.63]
Wet roads: slow by 5 to 10 mph and keep a 5 to 6 second following distance. [p.45]
No passing within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge or tunnel. [p.51]
U-turn: drivers from all directions must be at least 500 feet away. [p.50]
Curb parking: no more than 12 inches from the curb. [p.56]
No parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign or flashing signal. [p.57]
No parking within 50 feet of the nearest rail at a railroad crossing. [p.57]
Passing a bicycle: leave at least 4 feet of space. [p.96]
Below 40 mph on a limited access highway: use hazard flashers. [p.48]
Person riding in an open truck bed: truck limited to 35 mph. [p.63]
Funeral procession: after the lead car clears, others yield until it passes. [p.68]
Junior license curfew: no driving 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. without an allowed exception. [p.7]
Driving around a road-closed sign: 2 points and up to $250 ($500 if responders called). [p.97]

Safe driving & emergencies

Pennsylvania: no sending, reading, or writing texts while driving. [p.97]
Pennsylvania Move Over: use a non-adjacent lane or slow to 20 mph below the limit. [p.59]
Dim to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. [p.44]
Dim to low beams when following another vehicle within 300 feet. [p.44]
Wipers on because of weather = headlights on (daytime running lights are not enough). [p.47]
Pennsylvania following distance: at least 4 seconds. [p.40]
Hydroplaning can start at 35 mph in water only 1/10 inch deep. [p.45]
Orange slow-moving triangle: vehicle designed for 25 mph or less. [p.48]
Horse-drawn buggies often roll backward after stopping - leave plenty of room. [p.63]
Pavement drop-off: slow to under 25 mph (near 10 mph) before steering back on. [p.68]
Work zones: double your following distance. [p.58]
Ages 4 to under 8: federally approved booster seat in any seating position. [p.94]

Alcohol & drugs

Pennsylvania: a BAC of 0.02 or more is DUI for drivers under 21. [p.86]

Rules learners miss most

The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.

At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
Most states: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (a few use 10 feet).
KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.

Now test yourself

Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.

Flashcards Practice test 1 Pennsylvania mock test