Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Which lights should you use when driving very slowly or stopped in a spot where you may surprise traffic?

   Correct answer: Your four-way emergency flashers

   Use the four-way emergency flashers when you are driving very slowly or stopped to alert other drivers.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.5.1 - Signal Your Intentions

2. 2. What should you do with a turn signal after completing a turn if it does not self-cancel?

   Correct answer: Turn it off yourself once the turn is done

   If your signals do not cancel by themselves, you must turn them off yourself once the turn is finished.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.5.1 - Signal Your Intentions

3. 3. When should you activate your turn signal before making a turn?

   Correct answer: Well before you begin the turn

   Signal early, well before you turn, so other drivers know your intentions and don't try to pass you.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.5.1 - Signal Your Intentions

4. 4. If a hill or curve blocks other drivers from seeing your stopped vehicle, what should you do with the rearmost triangle?

   Correct answer: Move it back beyond the obstruction, up to 500 feet

   Move the rear-most triangle back beyond the hill or curve so warning is provided within 500 feet of the vehicle.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.5.2 - Communicating Your Presence

5. 5. Should you signal other drivers when it appears safe for them to pass you?

   Correct answer: No, you should never wave other drivers past

   You should never wave others past or direct traffic; doing so could cause a crash and leave you responsible.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.5.1 - Signal Your Intentions

6. 6. What color should a turn signal light be when it faces forward on the vehicle?

   Correct answer: Amber or white facing forward

   Turn signal lights facing forward should be amber or white.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.1.5 - Seven-step Inspection Method

7. 7. How can you warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down?

   Correct answer: Lightly tap the brake pedal to flash the lights

   A few light taps on the brake pedal will flash your brake lights and warn following drivers.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.5.1 - Signal Your Intentions

8. 8. Within what time must you put out warning devices after stopping on a road or shoulder?

   Correct answer: Within ten minutes

   If you must stop on a road or shoulder, you must put out your emergency warning devices within ten minutes.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.5.2 - Communicating Your Presence

9. 9. What is the correct way to signal and change lanes in a large vehicle?

   Correct answer: Signal before you move and change lanes slowly

   Put your turn signal on before changing lanes and change lanes slowly and smoothly so others can react.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.5.1 - Signal Your Intentions

10. 10. How should you hold reflective triangles while walking out to set them up?

    Correct answer: Keep them between you and the oncoming traffic

    Hold the triangles between yourself and oncoming traffic so approaching drivers can see you.

    Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.5.2 - Communicating Your Presence

11. 11. When a white stop line is painted before railroad tracks, where must the front of a school bus remain while stopped?

    Correct answer: Behind the painted line

    The front of the school bus must stay behind the painted white stop line while stopped at the crossing.

    Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.15.2 - Warning Signs and Devices

12. 12. During a walk-around inspection, what color should the reflectors and marker lights be at the rear of the vehicle?

    Correct answer: Red at the rear, amber toward the front

    At the rear the reflectors and marker lights should be red; toward the front and along the sides they are amber.

    Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.1.5 - Seven-step Inspection Method