Montana MVD Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   Only one kind of sign has this shape. What is the shape called?

   • ADiamond
   • BOctagon (8 sides)
   • CHexagon (6 sides)
   • DPentagon (5 sides)
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Octagon (8 sides)

   The eight-sided octagon is used only for STOP signs, so you can recognize it even from behind or when it is covered with snow.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Why should you never try to beat a train to a crossing?

   • AA train cannot stop quickly; at 60 mph it may need a mile or more
   • BTrains must yield to cars at crossings
   • CTrain engineers can steer around cars
   • DTrains always slow down at crossings
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A train cannot stop quickly; at 60 mph it may need a mile or more

   Trains are very heavy and need a long distance to stop. A train at 60 mph may take a mile or more.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which numbered marking separates lanes going in the same direction and allows lane changes when it is safe?

   • AMarking 5
   • BMarking 6
   • CMarking 2
   • DMarking 1
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Marking 5

   A broken white line (marking 5) separates lanes moving the same way. You may change lanes across it when safe.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AOne sharp curve to the right is ahead
   • BA series of curves is ahead
   • CThe road is slippery ahead
   • DLanes shift ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A series of curves is ahead

   The road has three or more curves in a row. Slow down and stay in your lane.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You reach this sign. You cannot see a train, but you hear a train horn. What should you do?

   • ADrive onto the tracks to get a better look
   • BStop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed
   • CHonk your horn and keep going
   • DCross quickly before the train arrives
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Stop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed

   Never try to beat a train. Trains cannot stop quickly. Stop before the tracks and cross only when you are sure it is safe.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What is hydroplaning?

   • AWhen a tire slowly loses air
   • BWhen water gets into your engine
   • CWhen your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road
   • DWhen your brakes overheat on a long hill
   Show answer

   Answer: C. When your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road

   At higher speeds on wet roads, tires can ride up on water. You then lose steering and braking control.

7. Question 7 of 25

   The gates at a railroad crossing are coming down. What should you do?

   • ASpeed up and go under the gates
   • BStop on the tracks until the gates rise
   • CStop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing
   • DDrive around the gates if you cannot see a train
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Stop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing

   Never drive around or under lowered or lowering gates. Wait until they are fully up.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Car A and Car B reach this intersection, which has no signs or signals, at about the same time. Which car must yield?

   • AWhichever car is going faster
   • BCar B
   • CNeither car; both may go at once
   • DCar A
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Car A

   At an uncontrolled intersection, if two cars arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Car B is on Car A's right, so Car A must yield.

9. Question 9 of 25

   A pedestrian with a white cane or a guide dog is waiting to cross. What should you do?

   • AStop and let the person cross, without honking
   • BWave the person across from far away
   • CHonk so the person knows you are there
   • DDrive around the person
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop and let the person cross, without honking

   Pedestrians who use white canes or guide dogs have the right-of-way. Do not honk at a blind pedestrian.

10. Question 10 of 25

    While you wait to turn left, why should you keep your front wheels pointed straight ahead?

    • ATo keep your tires from wearing out
    • BSo your turn signal keeps working
    • CSo you can turn faster when the way is clear
    • DSo you are not pushed into oncoming traffic if you are hit from behind
    Show answer

    Answer: D. So you are not pushed into oncoming traffic if you are hit from behind

    Keep your wheels straight until it is safe to turn. If your wheels are turned and someone hits you from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming cars.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Which headlights should you use in fog?

    • ALow beams
    • BHigh beams
    • CNo lights, to reduce glare
    • DParking lights only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Low beams

    High beams reflect off fog and cause glare. Low beams help you see and help others see you.

12. Question 12 of 25

    An angry driver makes rude gestures and shouts at you. What should you do?

    • AStay calm, avoid eye contact, and do not respond
    • BSpeed up to get in front of the driver
    • CBrake suddenly to teach the driver a lesson
    • DGesture back
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stay calm, avoid eye contact, and do not respond

    Do not challenge an aggressive driver. Stay calm, ignore the gestures, and give the driver space.

13. Question 13 of 25

    When is the road often most slippery in the rain?

    • AIn the first minutes after rain starts
    • BJust after the rain stops and the sun comes out
    • CAfter it has rained for many hours
    • DOnly at night
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In the first minutes after rain starts

    When rain begins, it mixes with oil and dirt on the road and makes a slick film. Slow down right away.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Where is this pennant-shaped sign placed?

    • AOn the right side of the road
    • BOnly on freeway on-ramps
    • COver the middle of the road
    • DOn the left side of the road
    Show answer

    Answer: D. On the left side of the road

    The yellow pennant is posted on the left side of two-lane roads, where you look before passing. It marks the start of a no-passing zone.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which of these makes your stopping distance longer?

    • AA wet or icy road
    • BDriving more slowly
    • CTires with deep tread
    • DPaying full attention
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A wet or icy road

    Wet, snowy and icy roads give your tires less grip, so it takes longer to stop. Slow down and leave more space.

16. Question 16 of 25

    In freezing weather, which part of the road often ices over first?

    • ALong straight roads in the sun
    • BRoads in the middle of town
    • CBridges and overpasses
    • DUphill sections facing the sun
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Bridges and overpasses

    Cold air flows above and below bridges and overpasses, so they freeze before other parts of the road.

17. Question 17 of 25

    You are involved in a minor crash. What must you do?

    • AWait in your car until the other driver leaves
    • BStop at the scene
    • CDrive home and call your insurance company
    • DLeave if the damage looks small
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stop at the scene

    If you are in a crash, you must stop, no matter how small the damage is.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASlow down before you reach the curve
    • BBrake hard in the middle of the curve
    • CMove to the left lane
    • DSpeed up to get through the curve
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down before you reach the curve

    Slow down before the curve, not in it. Braking hard in a curve can make you skid.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Which signs use this round shape?

    • AHospital signs
    • BRailroad crossing advance warning signs
    • CSpeed limit signs
    • DSchool zone signs
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Railroad crossing advance warning signs

    In the United States the circle shape is used for the railroad advance warning sign.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATurn around here
    • BLeft turns are not allowed here
    • CU-turns are not allowed here
    • DSharp curve ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. U-turns are not allowed here

    A red circle with a slash means the action shown is not allowed. Here you may not make a U-turn.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA school crossing guard is ahead
    • BA flagger is ahead; slow down and follow the flagger's signals
    • CA pedestrian crossing is ahead
    • DA parade is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A flagger is ahead; slow down and follow the flagger's signals

    A flagger controls traffic in a work zone with a STOP/SLOW paddle or a flag. Obey the flagger's directions.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

    • AThe light is about to turn green
    • BStop only if other cars are coming
    • CStop completely, then go when it is safe
    • DSlow down and go with care without stopping
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stop completely, then go when it is safe

    A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then go when the way is clear.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Another car is passing you on a two-lane road. What should you do?

    • AStay centered in your lane and slow down slightly if needed
    • BMove toward the center line
    • CSpeed up so the other car cannot pass
    • DBrake hard
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stay centered in your lane and slow down slightly if needed

    When someone passes you, keep to your lane and ease off slightly so they can get back in safely. Never speed up.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Where are a large truck's blind spots, or No-Zones?

    • AIn front, behind and along both sides
    • BTrucks have no blind spots because the driver sits up high
    • COnly on the left side
    • DOnly directly behind it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In front, behind and along both sides

    Large trucks and buses have big blind spots on all four sides. Do not stay in them.

25. Question 25 of 25

    An emergency vehicle (1) is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. What should you do in Car 2?

    • AKeep your speed and lane
    • BStop behind the police car
    • CSpeed up to get past quickly
    • DMove over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Move over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down

    Move Over laws require you to change to a lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle when safe, or slow down if you cannot.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.