Pennsylvania DMV cheat sheet: every number on the permit test

18 questions; 15 correct to pass. If you fail, you can retake the test the following business day.

Every line checked against the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) on September 24, 2026. Print it, or keep it open while you practice.

Test yourself — 20 free questions

Speed limits

70 mph: Maximum speed limit in PennsylvaniaChapter 3 — Speed Limits
15 mph: School zone while the yellow lights flash or during posted timesChapter 2 — School Zone Signals
45 mph: Top speed on a dark road so you don't overdrive low beams (they reach ~250 ft)Chapter 3 — Night Driving
20 mph under: Move Over: slow to at least this far below the limit if you can't change lanesChapter 3 — Emergency Vehicles

Distances

4 seconds: Following distance on dry pavement — 5 to 6 seconds on wet roadsChapter 3 — Space Cushion; Road Conditions
100 / 300 feet: Signal before turning under 35 mph / at 35 mph or moreChapter 3 — Communicating Your Intentions
500 / 300 feet: Low beams within this distance of an oncoming vehicle / a vehicle you followChapter 3 — Headlights
10 feet: Stop at least this far from a school bus with red lights flashing and stop arm outChapter 3 — School Buses
100 feet: No passing within this distance of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge or tunnelChapter 3 — Passing
500 feet: Drivers from every direction must be at least this far away for a U-turnChapter 3 — U-Turns
4 feet: Room to leave when passing a bicycleChapter 3 — Sharing the Road with Bicycles

Parking

12 inches: Park no farther than this from the curbChapter 3 — Parking
15 feet: No parking near a fire hydrantChapter 3 — Parking Regulations
20 feet: No parking near a crosswalk at an intersectionChapter 3 — Parking Regulations
30 feet: No parking near a flashing signal, stop sign or yield signChapter 3 — Parking Regulations
50 feet: No parking near the nearest rail of a railroad crossingChapter 3 — Parking Regulations

Alcohol

.08: DUI blood alcohol level for drivers 21 and olderChapter 4 — Alcohol and the Law
.02: DUI level for drivers under 21 (and school bus drivers)Chapter 4 — Alcohol and the Law
.04: DUI level for commercial vehicle driversChapter 4 — DUI Penalties

Rules people get wrong

Pennsylvania teaches a 4-second following gap, not the 2-second rule many other states use.
Stop for a school bus even when you are coming toward it — the only exception is the opposite side of a divided highway. Failing to stop costs a 60-day suspension, five points and a fine.
Left on red is legal only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding.
After passing, move back only when you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.

Free Pennsylvania practice test with explanations: quizcram.com/pennsylvania-dmv-practice-test

Knowing the numbers is half of it. Can you apply them?

The real test asks these as scenarios. Take the 20 free Pennsylvania questions — each answer explains the rule and cites the handbook section. If you want the full bank and timed practice tests, it’s a one-time $8.99.

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