Free Alaska DMV General Knowledge Test Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Alaska DMV General Knowledge Test practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1According to the Alaska Driver Manual, which driving ability does alcohol impair first?

   1. A.JudgmentCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Hearing
   3. C.Balance
   4. D.Speech

   Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "A person’s judgment is the first ability impaired by drinking alcohol." Judgment is affected before the later physical effects named in the other choices.

   Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 18, FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ALCOHOL

2. 2What can a driver rely on to eliminate alcohol's intoxicating effects after drinking?

   1. A.Drinking black coffee
   2. B.Taking a cold shower
   3. C.Allowing time to passCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Eating a large meal

   Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "Only time will help." Coffee, showers and food may affect how awake someone feels, but do not sober the person up.

   Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 18, FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ALCOHOL

3. 3Why can combining alcohol with other drugs make driving especially dangerous?

   1. A.The substances cancel each other's effects.
   2. B.The combination can increase each drug's effects.Correct answer: B
   3. C.The combination affects vision but not alertness.
   4. D.Prescription drugs prevent alcohol impairment.

   Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "The combination of other drugs and alcohol increases the effects of each individual drug." Combined impairment can be greater; prescription status does not make the combination safe.

   Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 19, DRUGS

4. 4Before driving while taking a newly prescribed medicine, what should you ask your doctor?

   1. A.Whether a meal replaces the need to check side effects
   2. B.Whether the medicine eliminates fatigue while driving
   3. C.Whether its prescription status guarantees driving safety
   4. D.Whether possible side effects could affect drivingCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "When taking prescription medicine, ask your doctor about any possible side effects that relate to driving." Ask specifically about driving effects rather than assuming that a prescription ensures safety.

   Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 19, DRUGS

5. 5Why is holding an infant in an adult's arms an inadequate crash-protection method?

   1. A.The adult may be unable to restrain the infant against crash forces.Correct answer: A
   2. B.The infant is protected only when held above the adult's shoulder.
   3. C.The infant is protected only when facing the windshield.
   4. D.The adult's belt transfers its protection to the held infant.

   Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "Holding your child in your arms will not protect your child." An approved restraint, rather than a person's grip or belt worn by that person, protects the child.

   Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 21, FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SAFETY BELTS

6. 6A child is 10 months old and weighs 22 pounds. Under the manual's child-restraint rule, which restraint is required?

   1. A.A forward-facing seat because the child exceeds 20 pounds
   2. B.A booster seat because the child exceeds 20 pounds
   3. C.A rear-facing seat because the child is under one year oldCorrect answer: C
   4. D.A vehicle belt because the child exceeds infant weight

   Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "less than one year of age or a child one year of age or older who weighs less than 20 pounds shall be properly secured in a rear-facing child safety seat" Being under one year is independently sufficient; exceeding 20 pounds does not remove that condition.

   Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 21, SAFETY BELT USE IS REQUIRED BY LAW

7. 7Who is responsible for ensuring that a 12-year-old passenger is properly restrained in the vehicle?

   1. A.The passenger alone
   2. B.The vehicle's driverCorrect answer: B
   3. C.The vehicle's owner alone
   4. D.The passenger's parent even when absent

   Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "The driver is responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 16 are properly restrained in the vehicle." The responsibility follows the driver transporting the child, rather than only ownership, parenthood, or the child's choice.

   Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 22, CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY

8. 8You need to study a map during a trip and have no passenger to help. What does the manual recommend?

   1. A.Hold the map near the windshield while continuing.
   2. B.Review it only while coasting toward an intersection.
   3. C.Reduce speed and divide attention between map and road.
   4. D.Pull over to a safe location before reviewing it.Correct answer: D

   Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "pull over to a safe location to review the map/directions again." Stopping safely removes the need to divide visual attention while moving.

   Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 24, DISTRACTED DRIVING

9. 9According to the manual's recommended four-second method, how do you check following distance?

   1. A.Time the gap between both vehicles passing the same fixed point.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Count four seconds from when the leading driver's brake lights appear.
   3. C.Keep a fixed four-car-length gap regardless of traffic speed.
   4. D.Allow four seconds between glances at your rearview mirror.

   Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "Watch the back of the vehicle ahead of you pass some definite point." Start counting at that fixed point and finish before your vehicle passes it. The recommendation is not a four-car-length rule.

   Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 27, HOW TO AVOID REAR END COLLISIONS

10. 10When towing a trailer, what following interval does the manual recommend as a minimum starting point?

    1. A.Two seconds
    2. B.Three seconds
    3. C.Four seconds
    4. D.Six secondsCorrect answer: D

    Explanation: The Alaska Driver Manual states: "When towing a trailer or the road surface is wet or slippery, increase the four seconds to six or more." Six seconds is the recommended lower bound for these conditions, rather than the ordinary four-second recommendation.

    Reference: Alaska Driver Manual — Printed p. 27, HOW TO AVOID REAR END COLLISIONS