Preparing to drive: Your Vehicle

Question 1

Before you start your engine:

Answer 1

be sure vehicle is in park or neutral.

adjust the seat so you can reach all controls.

adjust all rear-view mirrors so that you can use them without having to lean forward or backward.

move anything that blocks your view of mirrors or roadway.

lock all car doors.

put on your seat belt and make sure all passengers do the same.

Question 2

Equipment Standards:

Answer 2

The equipment on your car must meet certain standards. You may be stopped at any time by law enforcement for a vehicle inspection.

Question 3

Required Equipment: Brakes

Answer 3

Two braking systems. Each must be able to stop the car alone. The parking or emergency brake should be strong enough to hold the car on any hill.

Question 4

Required Equipment: Low Beam Headlights

Answer 4

Show objects 150 feet ahead. Visible from 1,000 feet.

Question 5

Required Equipment: High Beam Headlights

Answer 5

Show objects 450 feet ahead. Visible from 1,000 feet.

Question 6

Required Equipment: Taillights

Answer 6

Two red taillights. Visible from 1,000 feet.

Question 7

Required Equipment: Brake lights

Answer 7

Two red brake lights. Visible from 300 feet in the daytime.

Question 8

Required Equipment: Licensed Plate Light

Answer 8

White light that makes the license plate visible from 50 feet.

Question 9

Required Equipment: Directional Signals

Answer 9

Amber; or white (front) or red (rear). Visible from 500 feet.

Question 10

Required Equipment: Horn

Answer 10

Heard from a distance of 200 feet.

Question 11

Required Equipment: Mirrors

Answer 11

At least one rear-view mirror with view 200 feet to the rear.

Question 12

Required Equipment: Windshield Wiper

Answer 12

In good working order to clear the driver’s view.

Question 13

Required Equipment: Windshields

Answer 13

Must be safety glass and may not be covered or treated with any material that makes the windshield reflective or non transparent. Must be free of any stickers not required by law.

Question 14

Required Equipment: Side and Rear Windows

Answer 14

May not be composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which has a highly reflective or mirrored appearance and reflects more than 25% of the light (side windows) or more than 35% of the light (rear window).

Question 15

Required Equipment: Tires

Answer 15

Should have a minimum tread of at least 3/32 of an inch or greater, and no worn spots showing the ply.

Question 16

Equipment NOT Permitted

Answer 16

Red lights visible from front or blue lights. For emergency/law enforcement vehicles only.

More than two spotlights, cowl or fender lights, fog lights, or other extra lights.

A siren, bell, or whistle.

A very loud muffler (heard from more than 50 feet) or one that emits smoke.

Signs, posters, or stickers on the windshield or windows (except if required by law).

A television that the driver can see.

Headsets/headphones worn by driver while operating a vehicle.

Question 17

Bumper Height Requirements:

Answer 17

Owners of automobiles and pickup trucks are required to have both front and rear bumpers mounted within certain height levels. Height limitations are governed by the net shipping weight of the vehicle, not the modified or altered weight.

Question 18

EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICES:

Answer 18

It is illegal to tamper with, remove, or cause not to work any pollution control device on your vehicle. Tampering will damage your vehicle and can cause increased air pollution, lower gas mileage, less vehicle efficiency, breathing difficulties.

Question 19

Keep Your Car in Good Condition Brakes:

Answer 19

Check to see that the pedal stays well above the floor when you step on it. If the car pulls to one side when you use the brakes or if you hear any scraping or squealing noises, your brakes may need to be repaired.

Question 20

Keep Your Car in Good Condition: lights

Answer 20

Check lights often, replace burned-out bulbs and keep lenses clean.

Question 21

Keep Your Car in Good Condition: Tires

Answer 21

Inspect often for proper inflation/tire pressure, even tread wear, and damage.

Question 22

Keep Your Car in Good Condition: Windows and Windshields

Answer 22

Keep the glass clean inside and out.

Question 23

Keep Your Car in Good Condition: Rear window

Answer 23

If the rear window is covered by or treated with any material that makes it nontransparent, the vehicle must be equipped with side mirrors on both sides that allow the driver a view to the rear of at least 200 feet.

Question 24

Read your vehicle owner’s manual

Answer 24

It is an excellent resource for information specific to your vehicle, such as: what types of fluids your car requires, what dashboard warning lights mean, what your car services intervals are, and more.