Free Maryland Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official Maryland driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Safe Driving — 5
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 4
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 2
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 2
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 2
- Emergencies & Crashes — 1
- Sharing the Road — 1
- Signaling & Communication — 1
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 1
- Vehicle Equipment — 1
Heaviest on Safe Driving (5 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
Every question here applies nationwide.
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 pedestrian is in a crosswalk as you approach. You must:
- Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian
- Proceed if you get there first
- Honk so they hurry
- Only stop if a signal tells you to
Show answer
Answer: Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian
Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
2. A flashing red light at a railroad crossing means:
- Go if you don't see a train
- Stop — a train is approaching; do not cross
- The crossing is closed permanently
- Slow and proceed
Show answer
Answer: Stop — a train is approaching; do not cross
Flashing red at a crossing means stop and wait; never try to beat a train.
3. When turning at an intersection, watch especially for:
- Trucks only
- Only cars
- Pedestrians crossing the road you're turning onto
- Nothing
Show answer
Answer: Pedestrians crossing the road you're turning onto
Pedestrians may be crossing the street you turn into — yield to them.
4. 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.
5. On a divided highway, an emergency vehicle approaches from behind on your side. You should:
- Pull to the right and stop until it passes
- Cross the median
- Stop in the left lane
- Speed up
Show answer
Answer: Pull to the right and stop until it passes
Pull to the right edge and stop; don't cross a median.
6. Before you start driving, you should:
- Adjust your seat, mirrors, and GPS
- Send your texts
- Call a friend
- Eat a full meal
Show answer
Answer: Adjust your seat, mirrors, and GPS
Set up seat, mirrors, and navigation before you move — not while driving.
7. A diamond-shaped sign with a truck on a downhill grade warns of:
- A truck stop
- A steep hill where trucks may move slowly
- A weigh station
- A no-truck zone
Show answer
Answer: A steep hill where trucks may move slowly
It warns of a steep downgrade; watch for slow-moving trucks.
8. Good drivers keep their eyes:
- Moving — scanning far ahead, mirrors, and to the sides
- Closed briefly
- Fixed on the car ahead
- On their phone
Show answer
Answer: Moving — scanning far ahead, mirrors, and to the sides
Keep your eyes moving; scan far ahead and check mirrors regularly to spot hazards early.
9. You should check tire tread and pressure:
- Only if flat
- Never
- Regularly, for safe traction and handling
- Only at sale
Show answer
Answer: Regularly, for safe traction and handling
Check tires regularly — proper tread and pressure keep you safe.
10. A flashing red traffic light means:
- Yield to the left only
- Stop, then proceed when safe — treat it like a stop sign
- The signal is broken — proceed normally
- Slow down but do not stop
Show answer
Answer: Stop, then proceed when safe — treat it like a stop sign
Flashing red = treat it exactly like a stop sign: full stop, then go when it's safe.
11. On a wet road at higher speeds your tires can ride on a film of water. This is called:
- Drifting
- Traction control
- Hydroplaning
- Oversteer
Show answer
Answer: Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning — reduce speed in the rain to keep your tires gripping the road.
12. Drivers are at higher risk of falling asleep:
- In parking lots
- Midday
- Late at night and early morning
- During rush hour
Show answer
Answer: Late at night and early morning
Drowsy-driving crashes peak late at night and in the early morning hours.
13. You must stop and give information after a crash that involves:
- Only at night
- Injury, death, or property damage
- Only your own car
- Only injuries
Show answer
Answer: Injury, death, or property damage
Stop and exchange information for any crash involving injury, death, or property damage.
14. As your speed increases, the distance needed to stop:
- Increases sharply
- Only matters at night
- Decreases
- Stays the same
Show answer
Answer: Increases sharply
Higher speed means a much longer stopping distance — roughly quadrupling when you double your speed.
15. When following another vehicle closely at night, you should:
- Flash your brights
- Use high beams
- Turn off your lights
- Use low beams to avoid blinding the driver ahead
Show answer
Answer: Use low beams to avoid blinding the driver ahead
Dim to low beams within 300 feet when following, so you don't blind the driver ahead.
16. What does this sign mean?
- Right lane closed
- Road ends
- No right turn
- Sharp curve to the right ahead
Show answer
Answer: Sharp curve to the right ahead
A curved-arrow warning sign means the road curves to the right ahead — slow down.
17. As blood alcohol level rises, a driver's ability to:
- Improves
- Steadily worsens — judgment, coordination, and reaction decline
- Only affects vision
- Stays the same until .08
Show answer
Answer: Steadily worsens — judgment, coordination, and reaction decline
The more you drink, the worse your driving ability becomes — there is no safe amount before driving.
18. Keeping a space cushion around your car is important because it:
- Is required by law only
- Saves fuel
- Gives you time and room to avoid trouble
- Looks good
Show answer
Answer: Gives you time and room to avoid trouble
Space in front, back, and to the sides gives you options to avoid a crash.
19. Looking well ahead while driving lets you:
- Go faster
- Relax
- Skip mirror checks
- Spot and plan for hazards early
Show answer
Answer: Spot and plan for hazards early
Scanning far ahead gives you time to react to developing hazards.
20. When entering an interstate from an on-ramp, you should:
- Use the acceleration lane to reach highway speed, then merge into a gap
- Merge slowly below traffic speed
- Stop and wait for a gap
- Enter from the shoulder
Show answer
Answer: Use the acceleration lane to reach highway speed, then merge into a gap
The acceleration lane lets you match highway speed so you can merge smoothly into a gap.