Free Colorado Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official Colorado driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
Smart Review drills only the questions you get wrong. Full-length mock exams in the real format. Progress saved on every device — and the same account unlocks the mobile app.
Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 5
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 3
- Emergencies & Crashes — 3
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 2
- Sharing the Road — 2
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 2
- Safe Driving — 1
- Signaling & Communication — 1
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (5 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
3 are Colorado-specific questions, drawn from the state handbook rather than general road rules.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. A commercial driver in Colorado faces revocation at a BAC over:
- 0.02%
- 0.04%
- 0.08%
- 0.10%
Show answer
Answer: 0.04%
CDL drivers are limited to .04.
2. Give a motorcycle:
- The shoulder
- A full lane
- Half a lane
- No room
Show answer
Answer: A full lane
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.
3. Texting while driving in Colorado is:
- Legal
- A dangerous, illegal distraction
- Legal on freeways
- Fine at stops
Show answer
Answer: A dangerous, illegal distraction
Texting while driving is illegal and dangerous.
4. In a skid, you should look and steer:
- Where you want the car to go
- Down at the pedals
- At the skid
- At oncoming traffic
Show answer
Answer: Where you want the car to go
Look and steer toward your intended path to recover from a skid.
5. Your total stopping distance increases with:
- Lower speed
- Higher speed, wet roads, and slow reactions
- Daylight
- New tires
Show answer
Answer: Higher speed, wet roads, and slow reactions
Speed, poor road conditions, and slow reaction all lengthen your stopping distance.
6. What does this sign mean?
- Road ends
- Merging traffic — be ready to adjust
- No passing
- Added lane
Show answer
Answer: Merging traffic — be ready to adjust
A merge sign warns that another roadway is joining yours; adjust speed/position to merge safely.
7. 'Buzzed' driving after just a couple of drinks is:
- Still impaired driving — reactions and judgment are already affected
- Legal under .08 so it's fine
- Only risky for new drivers
- Perfectly safe
Show answer
Answer: Still impaired driving — reactions and judgment are already affected
Impairment begins with the first drink; 'buzzed' driving is impaired driving.
8. You can be charged with DUI for driving under the influence of:
- Only illegal drugs
- Alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription/OTC medicine that impairs you
- Only if over .08
- Only beer or liquor
Show answer
Answer: Alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription/OTC medicine that impairs you
DUI covers alcohol AND any drug — including prescription or over-the-counter medicine — that impairs driving.
9. The safest speed is one that:
- Is always 10 under
- Matches the fastest car
- Is always the max limit
- Is legal and appropriate for current conditions
Show answer
Answer: Is legal and appropriate for current conditions
Drive a legal speed suited to traffic, weather, and road conditions.
10. What does this orange sign with a bending arrow mean?
- Road closed permanently
- One way
- Merge
- Detour — follow the marked alternate route
Show answer
Answer: Detour — follow the marked alternate route
An orange detour sign directs you along a temporary alternate route.
11. You want to turn left; an oncoming car is going straight through. Who goes first?
- Whoever signals first
- Whoever is larger
- You — left turns have priority
- The oncoming car going straight
Show answer
Answer: The oncoming car going straight
A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight through.
12. A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn:
- Off
- Flashing
- Red
- Green
Show answer
Answer: Red
Yellow means red is coming — stop if you safely can.
13. A blue sign with a fork-and-knife or bed symbol indicates:
- A rest stop closed
- A warning
- A hospital only
- Food or lodging services nearby
Show answer
Answer: Food or lodging services nearby
Blue service signs use symbols for food, lodging, gas, and other services.
14. If your vehicle breaks down on a busy road, you should:
- Get the car off the road if possible, turn on hazards, and stay clear of traffic
- Leave it in the lane and walk away
- Stand in the lane
- Wave your arms in traffic
Show answer
Answer: Get the car off the road if possible, turn on hazards, and stay clear of traffic
Move off the roadway, use hazards, and keep yourself away from moving traffic.
15. When following or passing a motorcycle, you should:
- Pass closely on the right
- Give it a full lane width, just like a car
- Share its lane to save space
- Tailgate to encourage it to speed up
Show answer
Answer: Give it a full lane width, just like a car
A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane. Never crowd or share a lane with one.
16. If your car goes into deep water, you should try to escape:
- Through the trunk
- By waiting for help inside
- Through a window before the car sinks
- After it fills with water
Show answer
Answer: Through a window before the car sinks
Get out through a window quickly, before water pressure makes doors impossible to open.
17. When backing out of a parking space, you should:
- Reverse fast
- Honk and go
- Rely on the mirror
- Look over your shoulder and back slowly, watching for people and cars
Show answer
Answer: Look over your shoulder and back slowly, watching for people and cars
Look behind you and back slowly, watching for pedestrians and vehicles.
18. As you exit a parking lot across a sidewalk, a pedestrian is walking on the sidewalk. You must:
- Speed across quickly
- Honk and continue
- Proceed — sidewalk users must yield to cars
- Yield to the pedestrian before crossing the sidewalk
Show answer
Answer: Yield to the pedestrian before crossing the sidewalk
Vehicles crossing a sidewalk must yield to pedestrians already on it.
19. What does this hand signal mean?
- Right turn
- Left turn
- Speed up
- Stop or slow
Show answer
Answer: Left turn
Left arm straight out = a left turn.
20. Two solid yellow lines between lanes of opposing traffic mean:
- Bike lane
- A turn lane
- Passing allowed both ways
- No passing in either direction
Show answer
Answer: No passing in either direction
Double solid yellow = no passing for traffic in either direction.