MO Permit Questions

Space cushion at a stop light

Enough room to see the rear tires of the vehicle ahead touching the pavement (protects you if rear-ended or if they stall).

Maximum legal distance from a curb when parallel parking

18 inches (one and a half feet).

Standard "space cushion" following distance for normal conditions

The 3-second rule.

Right-of-way protocol at an uncontrolled intersection

The driver on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.

Stopping for a school bus on a two-lane road

Drivers approaching from BOTH directions must come to a complete stop.

Distance a school bus flashes amber lights before a stop

500 feet.

Minimum continuous distance to signal a turn or lane change

100 feet.

Immediate action if your car begins to hydroplane

Take your foot off the accelerator and let the vehicle slow down naturally (do not slam on the brakes).

Markings inside a shared center turn lane

Alternating left-turn arrows (used by traffic from both directions strictly to initiate left turns).

Right-of-way at a roundabout intersection

Vehicles currently inside the circular traffic loop have absolute priority.

Direction to turn front wheels when parking uphill WITH a curb

Sharply away from the curb (turn the steering wheel to the left so the tires catch the curb if it rolls).

Proper method for checking blind spots before a lane change

Turn your head and look briefly over your shoulder in the direction you intend to move.

Meaning of a solid yellow line on your side of the center road marking

Passing is strictly prohibited on your side of the road.

When you are legally required to use headlights

From a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and anytime windshield wipers are in continuous use.

Immediate action if your accelerator pedal sticks down

Shift the transmission into Neutral (N) and apply the brakes smoothly.

Safest braking technique when navigating a sharp curve

Slow down to a safe speed before entering the curve, then accelerate slightly as you exit.

Meaning of an eight-sided (octagonal) red sign

Stop sign: requires a complete cessation of vehicle movement behind the line.

How to manage speed on an interstate acceleration ramp

Increase your speed on the ramp to match the actual flow of highway traffic before merging smoothly.

The expansive blind spots located around large commercial trucks

The "No-Zone".

Safest handling for a sudden tire blowout

Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, ease off the gas pedal, and brake gently only after the vehicle slows down.

Meaning of a flashing red traffic light signal

Treat it exactly like a standard stop sign—come to a full stop and yield the right-of-way before proceeding.

Headlight setting for dense fog, heavy rain, or falling snow

Low beam headlights (high beams reflect off the moisture and blind you with glare).

Proper recovery if your right wheels drift onto a soft shoulder

Ease off the gas, grip the wheel firmly, brake gently, and steer smoothly back onto the road once the car slows down.

Right-of-way when making a left-hand turn against oncoming traffic

Oncoming traffic traveling straight through the intersection has absolute priority.

Standard legal speed limit on a rural Missouri state highway

55 mph (unless signs indicate otherwise).

Emergency vehicle approaching from behind while you are in an intersection

Drive completely through the intersection first, then pull over tightly to the right and stop.

Meaning of a single, broken (dashed) white center line

Separates lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, and lane changes are permitted.

Why it is dangerous to cut closely in front of a commercial truck

Heavy trucks take significantly longer to come to a complete stop due to their immense weight.

Duty when approaching a railroad crossing with no gates or flashing signals

Slow down, look both ways, listen carefully, and yield to any oncoming rail traffic.

Hand signal to indicate that your vehicle is slowing down or stopping

Extend your left arm out the window and point it downward with your palm facing the rear.