Photo: K, Pexels
This free Alabama permit practice test has 30 original multiple-choice questions on the topics in the ALEA Alabama Driver Manual: road signs, traffic laws, school buses, Alabama’s graduated license and hands-free rules, and alcohol limits. The questions are unofficial: they test the same knowledge as the Alabama learner license knowledge test but are not ALEA’s questions. Each answer names the manual chapter to reread if you get it wrong.
Alabama knowledge test: what we know
| Item | Alabama rule (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Questions and pass mark | Ask your driver license office |
| Content | Alabama traffic laws, road signs and safe driving, all from the Alabama Driver Manual |
| Fee | $5 per attempt |
| Languages | English plus Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese; oral exam if you can’t read the test |
| Minimum age for the learner license | 15 |
Ask ALEA for the pass mark, and aim for at least 27 of 30 here before you book. Documents, fees and what happens on test day: Alabama learner license test guide.
Signs, signals and markings (questions 1 to 10)
1. A red, eight-sided sign means:
- A. Come to a complete stop
- B. No entry for trucks
- C. Stop only if cars are coming
- D. Slow down and yield
Answer: A. The octagon is used only for STOP signs. Manual topic: Chapter 5, signs.
2. A round yellow sign with a black X and the letters RR tells you:
- A. Right turns are restricted
- B. You are entering a rural route
- C. A road is closed ahead
- D. A railroad crossing is ahead
Answer: D. The round warning sign stands about 750 feet before the tracks so you have time to slow down and look. Manual topic: Chapter 5, railroad crossings.
3. A yellow, diamond-shaped sign is a:
- A. Regulatory sign you must obey
- B. Warning of a hazard or change ahead
- C. Guide sign showing directions
- D. Recreation area sign
Answer: B. Yellow diamonds warn of curves, merges, intersections and similar conditions. Manual topic: Chapter 5, warning signs.
4. A five-sided sign shaped like a house marks:
- A. A rest area
- B. A no passing zone
- C. A hospital
- D. A school zone or school crossing
Answer: D. The pentagon is the school sign shape. Watch for children and lower speed limits. Manual topic: Chapter 5, sign shapes.
5. A red and white triangle pointing down means:
- A. Yield: slow down and give way, stopping if needed
- B. No U-turns
- C. The road narrows
- D. Stop completely every time
Answer: A. You must let traffic and pedestrians with the right of way go first, and stop if necessary. Manual topic: Chapter 5, regulatory signs.
6. Orange diamond signs warn of:
- A. Work zones, where workers and equipment may be on the road
- B. Truck routes
- C. Scenic routes
- D. School zones
Answer: A. Orange marks construction and maintenance areas. Slow down and follow the posted directions. Manual topic: Chapter 5, signs.
7. A flashing red traffic light means:
- A. Slow down and continue
- B. Stop completely, then go when it is safe
- C. Only emergency vehicles may enter
- D. The light is about to turn green
Answer: B. Treat a flashing red light exactly like a STOP sign. Manual topic: Chapter 5, signals.
8. A flashing yellow arrow for a left turn means:
- A. Left turns are not allowed
- B. You have a protected left turn
- C. Stop and wait for a green arrow
- D. You may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
Answer: D. Oncoming traffic may have a green light, so you must wait for a safe gap. Manual topic: Chapter 5, signals.
9. You are passing on a two-lane road and a solid yellow line appears on your side of the center line. This means:
- A. You may not cross it to pass
- B. Passing is allowed only during the day
- C. You may pass if no one is coming
- D. The lane is ending
Answer: A. A solid yellow line on your side marks a no passing zone. Manual topic: Chapter 5, road markings.
10. Broken white lines between lanes show that:
- A. Lane changes are illegal
- B. The lane is reserved for buses
- C. Traffic in the lanes goes in opposite directions
- D. Traffic in both lanes goes the same way, and you may change lanes when safe
Answer: D. White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction; yellow lines separate opposite directions. Manual topic: Chapter 5, road markings.
Right of way, turns and speed (questions 11 to 17)
11. You and another driver reach a four-way stop at the same time. The other car is on your right. You should:
- A. Go first because you are on the left
- B. Both go at once
- C. Go first if you signal first
- D. Let the car on your right go first
Answer: D. When two drivers arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Manual topic: Chapter 6, right of way.
12. How far before a turn must you signal in Alabama?
- A. 50 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. 200 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: B. Give your turn signal at least 100 feet before you turn so others can react. Manual topic: Chapter 3, signaling.
13. You are turning left on a green light (no arrow) and a car is coming toward you. You must:
- A. Turn quickly before it arrives
- B. Turn only after the light turns red
- C. Yield to the oncoming car and turn when it is safe
- D. Expect it to stop for you
Answer: C. Left-turning drivers yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Manual topic: Chapter 6, right of way.
14. Unless another limit is posted, what is the top speed in an Alabama urban district?
- A. 25 mph
- B. 30 mph
- C. 35 mph
- D. 45 mph
Answer: B. Alabama’s statutory limit in urban districts is 30 mph. The manual also lists 35 mph on unpaved roads and 45 mph on county paved roads. Manual topic: Chapter 6, speed limits.
15. When you pass a bicycle going the same way, you must leave at least:
- A. 1 foot
- B. 2 feet
- C. 3 feet
- D. 6 feet
Answer: C. Alabama requires at least three feet of space between your vehicle and the bicycle. Manual topic: Chapter 3, sharing the road.
16. The two-second rule helps you to:
- A. Judge when to signal
- B. Check your mirrors
- C. Keep a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead
- D. Time a yellow light
Answer: C. Pick a fixed object; you should reach it no sooner than two seconds after the car ahead passes it. Leave more room in bad conditions. Manual topic: Chapter 4, following distance.
17. You may not cross the center line to pass on a hill or curve unless you can see clearly ahead for at least:
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 300 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: D. The manual sets a clear passing distance of at least 500 feet on curves and hills. Manual topic: Chapter 6, passing.
School buses, emergency vehicles and railroads (questions 18 to 21)
18. A school bus stops ahead with red lights flashing on a two-lane road. How close may you stop to it?
- A. No closer than 5 feet
- B. No closer than 20 feet
- C. Stop only if children are visible
- D. You may pass slowly instead
Answer: B. Traffic from either direction must stop at least 20 feet from the bus on an undivided road. Manual topic: Chapter 6, school buses.
19. Flashing amber lights on a school bus mean:
- A. You may pass on the left
- B. The bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children
- C. The bus has broken down
- D. The bus is about to pull away
Answer: B. Amber lights are the pre-warning. In rural areas they come on at least 300 feet before the stop. Manual topic: Chapter 6, school buses.
20. An ambulance with lights and siren is coming up behind you. You should:
- A. Stop in your lane immediately
- B. Speed up to stay ahead of it
- C. Move into the left lane
- D. Pull over to the right edge, clear of intersections, and stop until it passes
Answer: D. Yield to emergency vehicles by moving right and stopping. Manual topic: Chapter 6, emergency vehicles.
21. You may not park within how many feet of a railroad crossing in Alabama?
- A. 15 feet
- B. 20 feet
- C. 30 feet
- D. 50 feet
Answer: D. The manual sets 50 feet from the nearest rail. The fire hydrant distance is 15 feet. Manual topic: Chapter 3, parking.
Alcohol and drugs (questions 22 to 24)
22. What is the alcohol limit for an Alabama driver under 21?
- A. 0.02%
- B. 0.05%
- C. 0.08%
- D. 0.10%
Answer: A. Drivers under 21 face a 0.02% limit; the adult limit is 0.08%. Manual topic: Chapter 4, alcohol.
23. Under Alabama’s implied consent law, by driving on Alabama roads you have agreed to:
- A. Let police search your phone
- B. Take a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked
- C. Carry a breath tester in your car
- D. Pay any ticket without a hearing
Answer: B. Refusing a lawful chemical test has its own license penalties. Manual topic: Chapter 4, implied consent.
24. Which is the only thing that sobers a person up?
- A. A cold shower
- B. Eating a meal
- C. Time
- D. Coffee
Answer: C. The body removes alcohol at a fixed rate. Nothing speeds it up. Manual topic: Chapter 4, alcohol.
Alabama license, GDL and phone rules (questions 25 to 28)
25. At 15, an Alabama learner license holder may drive only with:
- A. Any licensed driver of any age
- B. A parent, legal guardian, or licensed driver 21 or older (or a licensed or certified driving instructor) in the front seat
- C. Any passenger aged 16 or older
- D. No one, during daylight
Answer: B. From your 16th birthday any licensed driver may sit beside you. Manual topic: Chapter 1, learner license.
26. A 16-year-old on an Alabama Stage II license may carry how many passengers who are not family?
- A. None
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 4
Answer: B. The GDL limit is one passenger besides parents, legal guardians and family members. Manual topic: Chapter 1, graduated driver license.
27. Without an allowed exception, an Alabama Stage II driver may not drive between:
- A. Midnight and 6 a.m.
- B. 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- C. 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- D. 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Answer: A. Exceptions include a parent or guardian in the car, work, and school or religious events. Breaking a GDL rule extends the restricted period by 6 months. Manual topic: Chapter 1, graduated driver license.
28. Under Alabama’s hands-free law, what is the fine for a first conviction?
- A. $25
- B. $50
- C. $100
- D. $150
Answer: B. Fines are $50, $100 and $150 for first, second and third convictions within 24 months, with 1, 2 and 3 points. GDL drivers may not use any handheld device at all. Manual topic: Chapter 1, hands-free law.
Points, night driving and equipment (questions 29 and 30)
29. When must you dim your high beams?
- A. Within 100 feet of any vehicle
- B. Only when the other driver flashes you
- C. Only in towns
- D. Within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet when following another vehicle
Answer: D. Headlights are also required from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Manual topic: Chapter 7, night driving.
30. How many points does Alabama add for passing a stopped school bus?
- A. 2
- B. 3
- C. 4
- D. 5
Answer: D. Passing a stopped school bus carries 5 points. Collecting 12 points in 2 years leads to a 60-day suspension. Manual topic: Chapter 2, point system.
How did you do?
- 27 to 30: you know the manual well. Reread any chapter you missed, then book your test.
- 22 to 26: close. Focus on the chapters named in your wrong answers, especially Chapter 1 (GDL) and Chapter 6 (traffic laws).
- Below 22: read the Alabama Driver Manual cover to cover before you try again.
Next steps once you pass: Alabama 50-hour driving verification and driver ed and Alabama road skills test checklist.
Common questions
How many questions are on the Alabama permit test?
Ask at your driver license office for the number of questions and the pass mark, and treat other figures you see online as unofficial.
Can I take the Alabama permit test in Spanish?
Yes. ALEA offers it in Spanish and ten other languages, plus English. See permit tests in other languages.
Are these the real ALEA questions?
No. These are original, unofficial practice questions based on the Alabama Driver Manual.
What age can I take the Alabama permit test?
15, for the learner license. Bring the documents and the $5 test fee listed in the learner license test guide.
Is the hands-free law on the test?
It is in the manual, so it can be. Learn the GDL handheld ban too: Alabama hands-free law and point system and Alabama GDL rules for 16 and 17 year olds.
Where can I practice other states’ tests?
See the US permit practice tests hub. The full Alabama route is in learning to drive in Alabama.
Sources
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Alabama Driver Manual” (November 2024 edition) (alea.gov)
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Graduated Driver License” (alea.gov)
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Document Requirements and Fees” and “Driver License Point System” (alea.gov)
- Alabama Legislature, “SB301 (2023 Regular Session), hands-free driving” (alison.legislature.state.al.us)