When should you use your high-beam headlights?

On open roads with no vehicles close by

When following another car at night

Whenever it is dark, regardless of other traffic

If a tire blows out while you are driving, the first thing you should do is:

Hold the wheel firmly and ease off the gas

Brake hard to stop as quickly as you can

Turn on hazard lights and stop in the lane

Steer hard toward the shoulder right away

Free Pennsylvania PennDOT Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 3 2026

25 questions83% to passExplanations includedFree

18Real test questions

83%Pass score

This Practice Test 3 is modeled on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) written knowledge exam, which has 18 questions; to pass you need 15 of 18 correct (83%). These 25 questions rotate through traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way - the core topics the PennDOT 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

When should you check your tire pressure?

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

Inside this test

What's on the Pennsylvania Practice Test 3

The real Pennsylvania knowledge test has 18 questions, and to pass you need 15 of 18 correct (83%). Practice Test 3 is a 25-question set drawn from 52 questions, scored against a practice target of 83%.

Topics in this test's question pool

Road signs 16
Traffic laws 14
Safe driving 7
Emergencies 4
Vehicle equipment 3
Alcohol & drugs 3
Parking 2
Right of way 2
Speed limits 1

52 questions in the pool, 9 of them written specifically for Pennsylvania. 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 right wheels drop off the pavement onto a lower shoulder. Before steering back onto the road, the Pennsylvania manual says to slow to:
- A. Below 45 mph, ideally near 35 mph
- B. Below 55 mph, ideally near 40 mph
- C. Below 25 mph, ideally near 10 mph (correct)
- D. A full stop on the shoulder first
Why: Ease off the gas, straddle the edge, and slow gradually to under 25 mph, preferably close to 10 mph. Then check traffic, signal, and steer gently back on.
Source: official Pennsylvania driver handbook, p.64 (PDF p.68), If Your Vehicle Drifts Off of the Pavement
2. You pulled over for a fire truck with its siren on. Once it passes and you start driving again, how far behind it should you stay in Pennsylvania?
- A. At least 100 feet
- B. At least 300 feet
- C. At least 500 feet (correct)
- D. At least 1,000 feet
Why: After an emergency vehicle passes, Pennsylvania drivers may move again but must keep at least 500 feet behind it. Check that a second emergency vehicle is not coming first.
Source: official Pennsylvania driver handbook, p.59 (PDF p.63), Emergency Vehicles and Situations
3. How do prescription and over-the-counter medications affect driving?
- A. Legal medicines are always safe to drive on
- B. Only prescription drugs can impair driving
- C. Many cause drowsiness - check the label first (correct)
- D. Only if you take more than the dose listed
Why: Many legal medications - including antihistamines, sleep aids, and pain relievers - can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or slowed reactions. Always read warning labels and avoid driving if a medication may impair you.
Source: official Pennsylvania driver handbook
4. What does a sign showing a car with curved skid marks indicate?
- A. Winding road
- B. Slippery when wet (correct)
- C. Sharp curve
- D. Loose gravel ahead
Why: A yellow warning sign with a car and curved skid lines means the road is slippery when wet. Slow down and increase following distance in rain or snow.
Source: Federal MUTCD 11th ed. (Dec 2023) 2C.30
5. You are stopped at a steady red light and no sign prohibits turning. What must you do before you turn right?
- A. Stop fully, then yield to people and cross traffic (correct)
- B. Slow to a crawl, then turn if the way looks clear
- C. Wait for the light to turn green before turning
- D. Honk to warn others, then turn ahead of them
Why: A right turn on red is allowed only after a complete stop and only after yielding to pedestrians and all crossing traffic. A NO TURN ON RED sign takes this option away.
Source: official Pennsylvania driver handbook
6. What does this sign tell you about the bridge ahead?
- A. It is narrower than the road (correct)
- B. It is closed to all traffic
- C. It may be icy in cold weather
- D. It is a toll bridge ahead
Why: The narrow bridge sign warns that the bridge is narrower than the road leading to it. Slow down and watch for oncoming traffic.
Source: p.63 (PDF p.66), Warning signs

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

Pennsylvania PennDOT Test Info

Questions on real test: 18
Passing score: 83%
Correct needed: 15 of 18 correct (83%)
Minimum age: 16 years old
Testing agency: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Official PA PennDOT Website ↗

More Pennsylvania Tests

Study Tip

Don't just aim to pass this Pennsylvania Practice Test 3 once - keep taking it until you score 83% 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 PennDOT exam.