2026 Study Guide for DMV Florida (From actual answer sheet from 2023 FL DMV test)

What should you adjust before starting your engine

Seat, mirrors, head restraint, and fasten seat belt

Equipment requirements for windshields and side windows

Must be safety glass; windshield required; no excessive tint or obstructions

What are bumper height requirements

They vary by vehicle weight; not the same for every vehicle

What must you do when hauling material that could fall or blow off

Secure the load so nothing can fall or blow onto the roadway

How do you mark a load extending more than 4 feet

Daytime: red flag | Night: red lights or reflectors

Why is drowsy driving dangerous

It slows reaction time, affects judgment, and can cause falling asleep

What should you do if another driver threatens you

Do not engage; stay in vehicle, call 911, go to a safe public place

Three categories of distracted driving

Visual, Manual, Cognitive

Why is texting one of the most dangerous distracted driving behaviors?

It involves all three distractions at once (Visual, Manual, Cognitive/Sight, touch, thought)

Can anyone drink and drive safely

No, alcohol impairs everyone

What is affected first by alcohol: judgment or vision

Judgment

What can happen if you don't wear a seat belt in a crash

Ejection, serious injury, or death

What age must children be in a car seat or booster

Car seat: birth-5 | Car seat or booster through age 5

Who is charged if a front passenger under 18 isn't belted

The driver

What does a single broken white line mean

Lane changes are allowed

Double solid yellow vs double solid white lines

Yellow: no passing either direction | White: do not cross

Solid yellow line to right of center means

Passing allowed with caution

What do traffic sign colors indicate

Red: stop | Orange: construction | Yellow: warning | Green: guide | Blue: services | Brown: recreation

Who goes first at a four way stop?

FIRST vehicle to stop; tie goes to the right

Meaning of red light vs flashing red light

Red: fully stop | Flashing red: stop then proceed when safe

When may you turn right on red?

Always after a full stop UNLESS posted otherwise (AKA "No turn on Red")

Green arrow with red light means

X

<- X

You may turn in the arrow's direction only

What does a flashing yellow light mean

Proceed WITH caution

Train approaching at ungated crossing — what do you do

Stop and wait

What happens to impact force when speed doubles or triples

Double speed = 4× force | Triple speed = 9× force

Residential speed limit unless posted

30 mph

Maximum speed on limited access highways

70 mph

Can you get a ticket for driving too slowly? Yes or No?

Yes

Steps for a smooth stop

Ease off accelerator, brake gently, stop smoothly

What arm signals for turns and stops

Left: arm straight out | Right: arm up | Stop: arm down

How far before a turn must you use your turning signal?

At least 100 feet

When can you use a three-point turn? Where shouldn't you?

Use on narrow roads; never on curves, hills, or highways

What is an open intersection

An intersection without signs or signals; yield to vehicle on right

When may you drive in the left lane of a road with two lanes? With four lanes?

Two lanes: passing | Four lanes: faster traffic

What does it mean if you see red reflectors on the lane lines facing you? What should you do?

You're going the wrong way — turn around

Recommended safe following distance

3-4 seconds (Or 1 car distance per 10mph being driven)

When should you increase following distance

Rain, fog, night, or heavy traffic

What are blind spots

Areas not visible in mirrors

How do you check blind spots

Turn head and look over shoulder

Where is passing unlawful and unsafe?

Hills, curves, intersections, solid lines

When can you stop in an acceleration lane

Only for emergencies or traffic conditions

What if you miss your exit on a highway

Go to the next exit; never back up

Where should you move if your car breaks down

To the shoulder or right side of the road

Farthest distance you can park from curb

12 inches

If you have a manual transmission, what gear should you put the car in when parking downhill? Uphill? What if you have an automatic transmission?

Manual: downhill reverse, uphill first | Automatic: park

Where is parking prohibited

Intersections, crosswalks, sidewalks, fire hydrants

Which way should you turn your wheels when parking uphill along a curb? Which way should you turn them where there is not a curb? Which way should you turn them if parking downhill?

Uphill curb: toward curb | Uphill no curb: away | Downhill: toward curb

Must motorists stop for pedestrians? Yes or No?

Yes

What if you see a pedestrian with a white cane?

Stop and yield completely

Minimum distance when passing a cyclist?

3 feet

What to do when turning right with a bike lane on the right?

Yield to cyclists

Do motorcycles have same rights as cars? Yes or No?

Yes

Can you share a lane with a motorcyclist? Yes or No?

No

When a school bus is stopped to unload children on a highway divided with a raised barrier, are vehicles traveling in the opposite direction required to stop? Yes or No?

No

When a school bus stops to unload children, are vehicles traveling in the same direction required to stop? Yes or No?

Yes

What to do when children or crossing guards are present

Stop and yield

What if an emergency vehicle approaches from behind

Pull over and stop (Technically only for cops, any emergency vehicle just pull over for space and stop if necessary)

What does the Move Over law require you to do?

Move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles ON THE ROAD OR ON ROAD SHOULDERS

What is the "No-Zone?"

Blind Spots (Mainly associated with trucks)

When must headlights be used

Sunset to sunrise or when visibility is poor

High beams — approaching from rear distance, Dim lights within...

Dim within 300 feet

High beams — oncoming vehicle distance, Dim lights within...

Dim within 500 feet

What lights to use in rain/fog daytime, High or Low Beam?

Low-beam headlights

What should you do on wet roads?

Slow down to prevent hydroplaning

Right wheels off pavement — what to do

Ease off gas and steer back slowly

What to do during a skid

Steer in direction of skid; ease off pedals

Emergency braking: conventional vs ABS

Conventional: pump brakes | ABS: steady pressure

What to do during a tire blowout

Grip wheel, ease off gas, pull over

Minor crash blocking traffic — what must you do

Move vehicles off roadway

Hit parked car and can't find owner — what do you do

Leave note and report to police

Penalties for leaving crash scene with injury/death

Felony, fines, prison, license revocation

What is required under No-Fault Law

PIP and PDL insurance

How to reinstate license after No-Fault suspension

Get insurance and pay reinstatement fees

Penalty for no insurance when at fault

License suspension and fines

Learner's license time restrictions

First 3 months: daytime only; then until 10 PM

Driving limits under 17 and under 18

Under 17: 11 PM-6 AM | Under 18: 12 AM-6 AM

When can you be charged with DUI

Impairment or BAC 0.08 or higher

Penalty for refusing DUI tests

License suspension

Consequences of racing on highways

Fines, jail, license revocation

Required driving hours for Class E

50 hours (10 at night)

Must you report medical issues to FLHSMV? Yes or No?

Yes

Why take a Basic Driver Improvement course

Dismiss ticket, reduce points, insurance benefits

What maneuvers are on the driving exam

Parking, backing, turning, lane changes, obeying signs