Oregon Practice Test

Oregon Practice Test (35 questions). Correct answers and explanations are noted under each question.

1. 1. Another driver behind you is starting to pass on a two-lane Oregon road. What's the right thing to do?

   1. Speed up so the passer can't complete the pass.
   2. Stay right and adjust your speed to let them complete the pass. (correct)
   3. Flash your high beams to indicate the road ahead is clear.
   4. Move onto the shoulder so the passer can use your lane.

   Why: Stay to the right in your lane and adjust your speed so the passing driver can move back into the right lane safely as soon as possible. Do not use your hands or lights to signal the other driver when to pass; Oregon law specifically prohibits flashing any of your signals at drivers to let them know when to pass.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Being Passed," p.33.

2. 2. An Oregon collision causes a passenger's broken arm but no vehicle damage. What does Oregon require regarding Form 735-32?

   1. A report is required; injury is its own filing trigger. (correct)
   2. Filing is unnecessary because vehicle damage stayed under $2,500.
   3. A report is required only if the broken arm needed hospitalization.
   4. A report is required only after police have filed their report.

   Why: Any injury or death from a collision is its own trigger for the 72-hour Form 735-32 report, independent of the dollar-damage and tow thresholds. A broken arm is plainly an injury, so the report is required even though no vehicle was damaged. The manual is also explicit that a police report does not replace the DMV filing.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Traffic Collisions, Your Responsibilities," p.94.

3. 3. You hit an unoccupied parked vehicle in an Oregon parking lot. What must you do?

   1. Drive away; Oregon has no rule about hitting unoccupied vehicles.
   2. Try to find the owner; if you cannot, leave a note with your name, address, and what happened. (correct)
   3. File a collision report with DMV within 72 hours; no note is needed.
   4. Wait at the parked vehicle until the owner returns, up to 24 hours.

   Why: The manual's rule has two steps. First, try to find the owner. If you cannot, leave a note with your name and address, along with a brief description of what happened. The duty extends beyond vehicles: if you damage property other than a motor vehicle, you must also try to find the owner or someone in charge of the property to notify them of the damage. Driving off without leaving a note violates this rule, even when the vehicle you hit was empty.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Unattended Vehicles," p.94.

4. 4. You hit and injure a domestic animal while driving in Oregon. What must you do?

   1. No obligation: wildlife and pet collisions are not regulated.
   2. Stop, check injuries, and notify the owner or, if not found, law enforcement. (correct)
   3. Drive home, then call your insurance company to report the collision.
   4. Move the injured animal off the road and continue on your way.

   Why: Stop and make a reasonable effort to check injuries. What you can safely do depends on traffic hazards and the animal's behavior. Notify the owner first. If you cannot locate the owner, report the incident to local law enforcement.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Animals," p.75.

5. 5. An Oregon collision results in $2,000 in vehicle damage and one of the vehicles is towed from the scene because of that damage. Is a Form 735-32 report required?

   1. Yes, any tow from the scene triggers reporting.
   2. No, the tow trigger requires damage above $2,500. (correct)
   3. Yes, every Oregon collision is reportable to DMV.
   4. No, only injuries can trigger the report.

   Why: The tow-from-scene trigger combines both a tow AND a damage threshold. Oregon requires reporting when damage to any vehicle is greater than $2,500 AND any vehicle is towed from the scene due to damage. With only $2,000 in damage, the dollar threshold is not met, so the tow alone does not trigger a Form 735-32. The combined trigger is one of the more nuanced parts of the rule. If the damage were $2,501 or more, the tow plus damage combination would have triggered reporting.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Your Responsibilities," p.94.

6. 6. While driving in Oregon, should you hold a small dog in your lap?

   1. Yes. Oregon has no rule against holding a pet while you drive.
   2. No, unless the pet is secured in a harness on your lap.
   3. No. Do not hold a pet in your lap or arms. (correct)
   4. Yes, only if the dog is calm.

   Why: No. The Oregon Driver Manual instructs you not to hold a person, pet, or package in your lap or arms while driving. The instruction appears in the manual's list of distractions to avoid, with no exception for how the animal is secured or how calm it seems. If you must give attention to a pet, pull over to the side of the road and park your vehicle.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Distracted Driving," p.80.

7. 7. In Oregon, what is the minimum distance you must stay from a fire hydrant when parking?

   1. 7 1/2 feet.
   2. 10 feet. (correct)
   3. 15 feet.
   4. 50 feet.

   Why: You may not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. The buffer exists so that a fire crew can deploy a hydrant connection without your vehicle blocking access. The rule applies whether you are in your vehicle or not; sitting in the driver's seat next to a hydrant is still a violation.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "No Parking," p.70.

8. 8. You wear glasses for driving. What does the Oregon vision test do if you take it while wearing them?

   1. Notes corrective lenses required. (correct)
   2. Disqualifies you from getting a license.
   3. Voids the test result.
   4. Charges an extra fee.

   Why: If you take the vision test while wearing glasses or contact lenses, your driving privilege will indicate that corrective lenses are required, a restriction noted on your license. The vision test itself is free. If you don't pass, DMV gives you a form to take to a licensed vision specialist.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Vision Test," p.1.

9. 9. You're driving on a downtown street in an Oregon city and see a lane painted solid red with the words 'BUS ONLY' marked inside it. May you drive there to bypass slow traffic?

   1. Yes; red lanes are HOV lanes you may use during rush hour.
   2. Yes; red markings show where any vehicle may enter to turn, park, or reach a driveway.
   3. No; the lane is reserved for transit vehicles only. (correct)
   4. No; red pavement marks a fire lane that must stay clear for emergency vehicles.

   Why: A solid red lane is a Transit Only lane, not for cars. Buses, light rail trains, and sometimes bikes travel there; you may not use it to bypass traffic. Striped red lines are different: they show where you may enter the Transit Only lane to turn, park, or enter a driveway. The trap is mixing up the two patterns, so memorize solid versus striped. Not all Transit Only lanes are red, so always look for signs or other markings on the road.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Pavement Markings," p.25.

10. 10. In Oregon, who must wear a safety belt?

    1. All drivers and passengers in all seats. (correct)
    2. Only the driver and front-seat passenger.
    3. Only adults; children are covered by child-seat rules instead.
    4. Only occupants under 18.

    Why: Safety belt use is mandatory in Oregon for all drivers and passengers in all available seating positions. Child passengers must be restrained in approved child safety seats until they are 8 years of age or at least 4 feet 9 inches in height, and the adult lap and shoulder belt fits them correctly; the child-seat rule is how the mandate applies to them, not an exemption from it. The rule carries no front-seat limit and no age cutoff: back-seat passengers and adult occupants must buckle up the same as everyone else.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Safety Belts," p.73.

11. 11. Your vehicle has broken down on the shoulder of an Oregon freeway. The handbook recommends staying in or near the vehicle. On which side?

    1. On the side of the vehicle facing traffic, so drivers can see you.
    2. On the side of the vehicle facing away from traffic. (correct)
    3. Inside the vehicle on the driver's side.
    4. At the rear of the vehicle, nearest the traffic lane, so you can wave drivers around.

    Why: If you have vehicle trouble on a freeway, move to the right shoulder or emergency stopping area and turn on your hazard lights. Then stay in or near your vehicle on the side away from traffic; on a right shoulder, that is typically the passenger side. The hazard lights do the warning. Standing on the traffic side, whether to be seen or to wave drivers around, puts you in the most dangerous position.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Lane Travel - Freeway Driving - Vehicle Trouble," p.35.

12. 12. In Oregon, what is the default speed limit in a residential district when no other speed is posted?

    1. 15 mph
    2. 20 mph
    3. 25 mph (correct)
    4. 55 mph

    Why: Oregon law sets a 25 mph default in residential districts (and in public parks and on permitted ocean shores). The default applies wherever the area meets the statutory definition of a residential district, even if no speed limit sign is posted.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Speed Regulations, Speed Limits," p.19.

13. 13. You are the OWNER of a vehicle involved in a reportable Oregon collision, but a friend was driving and they have not filed a report. What is YOUR obligation?

    1. No obligation: only the driver must file.
    2. You must file the report yourself if the driver fails to report. (correct)
    3. You must call the police, but you have no DMV obligation.
    4. Only if damage to the vehicle exceeded $2,500 and it was towed from the scene.

    Why: If you are the owner of a vehicle involved in a reportable Oregon collision and the driver fails to report it, you as the owner must file the report. The 72-hour clock applies. The reporting obligation does not vanish because the driver is someone else; it cascades to the owner. This is one of the explicit triggers for the report requirement, and a police report does not replace it.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Traffic Collisions, Your Responsibilities," p.94.

14. 14. There's a double yellow centerline ahead with a solid yellow line on your side and a broken yellow line on the oncoming side. May you legally pass?

    1. Yes, because the broken line on the other side authorizes passing for both directions.
    2. No, because the solid line on your side means you are not allowed to pass. (correct)
    3. Yes, because any double yellow line allows passing as long as you proceed with caution.
    4. Yes, but only after waiting for oncoming traffic to clear before crossing the yellow lines.

    Why: When the line on your side of the centerline is solid yellow, you may not pass. The broken yellow line on the other side gives passing permission to traffic in that direction, not to you. The rule is always read from your own side of the centerline outward.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Pavement Markings," p.22.

15. 15. You're stopped at a railroad crossing in Oregon and the gate has just started to lower. What may you do?

    1. Drive around it quickly before it fully lowers.
    2. Wait until the gate is fully up and the lights stop flashing. (correct)
    3. Drive under the gate if your vehicle clears.
    4. Proceed across the tracks if you do not see a train approaching.

    Why: It is against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate, whether the gate is down, being lowered, or being raised. The gate is operating because a train is approaching or has just passed, and trying to beat it is one of the most common ways drivers are killed at crossings. Wait until the gate is fully up and the lights have stopped flashing. Activated flashing red lights themselves require you to stop, even if you cannot yet see the train.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Railroad Crossings," p.64.

16. 16. Most regulatory signs (other than the red prohibitive ones) use which color scheme?

    1. Black words or symbols on a white background. (correct)
    2. Black symbols on yellow, marking hazards ahead.
    3. Green panels with route numbers and exit destinations.
    4. Blue panels listing nearby food, gas, and lodging services.

    Why: Regulatory signs that tell you what to do, like speed limits, lane use, and one-way arrows, are rectangular with black words or symbols on a white background. The color tells you the category before you read the words. Yellow is for warning signs. Green is for guide and information signs. Blue points to motorist services. Memorize the color, not just the wording.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Regulatory Signs – Other," p.8.

17. 17. How close to a fire-station driveway entrance may you park in Oregon, on the SAME side of the street as the driveway?

    1. 10 feet.
    2. 15 feet. (correct)
    3. 50 feet.
    4. 75 feet.

    Why: You may not park within 15 feet of a fire-station driveway entrance on the same side of the street, or within 75 feet on the opposite side. The opposite-side number is wider because emergency vehicles often need room to swing across the road on exit. Two distances, one rule: 15 feet same-side, 75 feet opposite-side. Don't confuse this with the 10-foot fire-hydrant rule, which is a separate fire-safety distance with its own threshold.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "No Parking," p.71.

18. 18. Within what distance of an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams in Oregon?

    1. Within 100 feet.
    2. Within 500 feet. (correct)
    3. Within 1,000 feet.
    4. Within 350 feet.

    Why: If you're using your high beams, you must dim them when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet. When following another vehicle, dim them within 350 feet (headlight glare in their rearview mirror can blind the driver ahead). The trap here is mixing up the two distances. When you're required to dim, other auxiliary lights such as fog lights must also be off; those extra lights make it difficult for oncoming drivers to see.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Hazardous Conditions, Using Lights," p.76.

19. 19. At 60 mph in ideal conditions, the Oregon handbook says the total distance from when you recognize a hazard to when your vehicle stops is approximately what?

    1. About 50 feet.
    2. More than 300 feet. (correct)
    3. About one car length per 10 mph.
    4. About 100 feet.

    Why: At 60 mph, the distance from the point you recognize a hazard and apply the brakes to where your vehicle stops is greater than the length of a football field, which is over 300 feet. The exact stopping distance depends on road and weather conditions, vehicle weight, reaction time, and brake quality, but the football-field benchmark is the handbook's shorthand for how much room you actually need at highway speeds.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Stopping Distances," p.29.

20. 20. You're 19 years old and driving in Oregon. What blood alcohol concentration will cause you to fail an Oregon BAC test?

    1. 0.08% or more, the same threshold as drivers 21 and older.
    2. Any amount, but only if you also fail field sobriety tests.
    3. Any amount, only after a prior DUII conviction.
    4. Any amount, because Oregon's zero-tolerance law applies to all drivers under 21. (correct)

    Why: Oregon's Implied Consent section sets a zero-tolerance rule for drivers under 21: any measurable blood alcohol concentration fails the chemical test. The 0.08% per-se threshold applies only to drivers 21 and older. The under-21 rule is unconditional. It does not require failed field sobriety tests, a prior conviction, or visible impairment to trigger a failed test.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Dangerous Driving Behaviors - Impaired Driving," p.83.

21. 21. Which of the following daily activities does the Oregon handbook specifically call out as DANGEROUS to do while driving?

    1. Singing along with music.
    2. Eating or drinking. (correct)
    3. Talking with a passenger.
    4. Adjusting the air conditioning.

    Why: The handbook explicitly calls out a list of dangerous distractions: removing clothing, applying makeup, texting, reading, eating or drinking. These take your eyes off the road. The pattern is any activity that pulls hand or eye focus from the driving task. Eating and drinking specifically often surprise students because they seem innocuous, but they require both hand and eye attention.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Dangerous Driving Behaviors / Distracted Driving," p.80.

22. 22. What is the minimum age to apply for an Oregon instruction permit?

    1. 14.
    2. 15. (correct)
    3. 16.
    4. 18.

    Why: You must be at least 15 years old to apply for an instruction permit in Oregon. The instruction permit is the first stage of the graduated license process and lets the holder drive when supervised by a qualified adult. A driver license requires age 16. Applicants under 18 must also have held an instruction permit for at least 6 months and have 100 hours of supervised driving experience, or 50 hours plus an ODOT-approved traffic safety education course.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual 2026-2027, How to Apply, p.88.

23. 23. What category of information do yellow diamond-shaped signs convey?

    1. Possible hazards or changes in road conditions ahead (correct)
    2. Required actions, such as stopping or yielding
    3. Routes, distances, and exit information
    4. Services available at the next exit

    Why: Yellow diamond signs are warning signs. They alert you to a possible hazard or a change in road conditions ahead, but do not by themselves require any action. Each sign category in Oregon uses a distinct color and shape pairing, so confusing warning signs with regulatory, route, or service signs is a common error on this topic.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Warning Signs," p.10.

24. 24. An automated flagger device with red and yellow lights is in use at an Oregon work zone. How should you treat it?

    1. Treat it as advisory only: automated devices have no enforcement authority.
    2. Obey the lights and stop arm as you would a flagger. (correct)
    3. Proceed when the yellow light is flashing and the arm is down.
    4. Stop only when workers are visible near the device.

    Why: The manual states that automated flagger devices have the same duties as a flagger. The red and yellow lights and stop arm function the way a flagger's signals do: stop when the red light is on and the arm is down, and proceed when the yellow light is flashing and the arm is up. Treat the device exactly as you would a human flagger directing traffic.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Work Zones," p.59.

25. 25. What color marks construction and work zone signs in Oregon?

    1. Orange (correct)
    2. Yellow
    3. Red
    4. Green

    Why: Construction and work zone signs and devices use orange. When you see orange, you are approaching road work: slow down, watch for workers, and expect changes in lane configuration. Yellow is reserved for general warning signs (curves, pedestrian crossings, animal crossings); orange is the cue for temporary work zones specifically.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Work Zones," p.59.

26. 26. You're following a school bus in Oregon. The bus arrives at a railroad crossing and stops, even though no train is visible and no signal is flashing. Why?

    1. The driver is being overly cautious; this is not required.
    2. School buses must always stop at railroad tracks. (correct)
    3. The bus is making a routine stop to check for passengers.
    4. Only buses with red lights flashing must stop, and this one isn't.

    Why: All school buses, hazmat vehicles, and some school activity vehicles must stop at railroad tracks regardless of whether a train is visible. Be prepared to stop when following these vehicles. The rule exists because of the catastrophic consequence of being struck by a train when carrying children or hazardous materials; the law requires this extra caution by default.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Railroad Crossings, Light Rail & Street Cars," p.63.

27. 27. You're driving into thick fog on an Oregon road. Which lights should you use?

    1. High beams, because they cut through fog better.
    2. Low beams, because high beams cause glare in fog. (correct)
    3. Hazard lights only.
    4. Parking lights only, because they reduce glare in fog.

    Why: Use low beams in fog, dust, smoke, or any area of low visibility. Light from high beams reflects off the suspended particles in the air, causing glare and making it harder, not easier, to see ahead. Low beams direct light down at the road and reduce backscatter.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Fog, Dust and Smoke," p.77.

28. 28. You're making a left turn across light rail tracks at an Oregon intersection with a dedicated left-turn signal. What should you do?

    1. Turn as soon as you get any green signal.
    2. Wait for the proper left-turn signal before turning across the tracks. (correct)
    3. Stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail before crossing, as you would at a freight railroad crossing.
    4. Turn on the green arrow even if a light rail train is approaching.

    Why: At an intersection with light rail tracks and a left-turn signal, wait for a proper signal before making your left turn over the tracks. When turning where there are tracks, look both ways for streetcars or trains, signal your turn, and make sure it is safe. The manual separately cautions never to turn in front of an approaching light rail train or streetcar unless it is safe to do so.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Travelling Around Streetcars & Light Rail Trains," p.66.

29. 29. Which of these is NOT one of Oregon's mandatory minimum auto-insurance coverages?

    1. Bodily Injury and Property Damage liability.
    2. Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
    3. Uninsured Motorist coverage.
    4. Comprehensive coverage. (correct)

    Why: Oregon law sets three minimum coverages every driver must carry: Bodily Injury and Property Damage liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and Uninsured Motorist coverage. Comprehensive coverage, which pays for theft, fire, and vandalism damage to your own vehicle, is optional. It is commonly bundled into policies, but the state does not require it.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Mandatory Insurance," p.93.

30. 30. You're approaching an Oregon roundabout. What's the entry rule?

    1. Stop at the entry line, then merge into traffic.
    2. Yield to traffic inside and exiting the roundabout, then merge during a gap. (correct)
    3. Accelerate to merge with circulating traffic at speed.
    4. Traffic entering the roundabout has the right of way over circulating traffic.

    Why: Before entering a roundabout, you must yield to traffic already inside the circle as well as to traffic exiting the roundabout. Wait for a gap and merge. Roundabouts are not stop-controlled at entry; you only stop if needed to yield. Once inside, do not stop unless you must, and follow the counterclockwise flow to your exit.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Roundabouts," p.43.

31. 31. May you make a U-turn at or on an Oregon railroad crossing?

    1. Allowed if no train is currently approaching.
    2. Prohibited at or on any railroad crossing. (correct)
    3. Allowed only at gated railroad crossings.
    4. Allowed only if no warning lights are flashing.

    Why: No. The Oregon Driver Manual's U-turn list flatly prohibits U-turns "at or on a railroad crossing," with no exception for whether a train is approaching, whether the crossing is gated, or whether warning lights are flashing. The other items on the same list (signalized intersections without a permitting sign, mid-block locations within city limits, low-visibility stretches inside or outside city limits, and any location signed or marked against U-turns) are restrictions of their own; the railroad-crossing entry stands on its own and is unconditional. A U-turn into a crossing also risks getting trapped on the tracks, which is exactly the outcome the rule prevents.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "U-Turns," p.41.

32. 32. During what date range are studded tires generally allowed on Oregon roads?

    1. October 1 through April 30.
    2. November 1 through March 31. (correct)
    3. Year-round, with no restrictions.
    4. Only during declared winter storms.

    Why: Studded tires are generally allowed in Oregon from November 1 through March 31. Outside that window they damage the road surface and are restricted. The handbook also encourages drivers to use alternatives like chains or non-studded traction tires (snow-rated tires bearing the mountain/snowflake emblem) because studded tires accelerate wear on Oregon highways. Specific chain or traction-tire requirements during winter conditions are posted on TripCheck.com.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Chains and Traction Tires," p.79.

33. 33. What is the "blind spot" referenced in the Oregon Driver Manual?

    1. The area in front where the hood blocks your view.
    2. The area around your vehicle that mirrors cannot cover. (correct)
    3. The area covered by the rearview mirror.
    4. The area directly behind your vehicle that you check by looking out the rear window.

    Why: Your blind spot is the area around your vehicle that you cannot see from the driver's seat even with the use of your mirrors. The handbook calls this out specifically because mirrors do not cover everything; the only way to clear a blind spot before a lane change is to glance over your shoulder in the direction you are moving.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Changing Lanes," p.30.

34. 34. You're parking UPHILL against a curb in Oregon. Which direction should your front wheels be turned?

    1. Toward the curb.
    2. Toward the travel lane. (correct)
    3. Straight ahead (no turn).
    4. Toward the edge of the road.

    Why: When parking uphill against a curb, turn your wheels toward the travel lane. If your parking brake fails and the vehicle starts to roll backward, the tires catch against the curb and stop the rollaway. The Oregon manual prescribes turning the front wheels (in addition to setting the parking brake and leaving the vehicle in gear or Park) as the redundancy that prevents a runaway downhill.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Parking on Hills," p.69.

35. 35. After coming to a complete stop at a red light in Oregon, in which of these situations is a turn against the red light NOT allowed?

    1. Turning left from a one-way road onto another one-way road in the direction of traffic.
    2. Turning left from a one-way road onto a two-way road. (correct)
    3. Turning right onto a two-way road.
    4. Turning right onto a one-way road running in your direction of travel.

    Why: Oregon lets you make several turns against a red light after a complete stop, unless a sign forbids it: a right turn on red, a left turn from a one-way road onto another one-way road, and a left or right turn from a two-way road onto a one-way road. The one combination among these choices that Oregon does not allow on red is a left turn from a one-way road onto a two-way road. The manual states it directly: "It is illegal to execute a left turn onto a two-way road against a red light." For that turn you must wait for green. Always obey any posted "No Turn on Red" sign as well.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Turns," p.39.