Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This free Alaska permit practice test has 25 original multiple-choice questions drawn from the topics in the Alaska Driver Manual: signs, Alaska’s speed and parking rules, school buses, winter and moose driving, the instruction permit and provisional license, and alcohol laws. The questions are unofficial: they test the same knowledge as the DMV’s Class D knowledge test, but they are not the DMV’s questions. The real test is shorter (20 questions), so this set gives you extra practice on the facts that trip learners up.
Alaska knowledge test: key facts
| Item | Alaska rule (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Questions | 20, per the DMV’s sample knowledge test page |
| Pass mark | 16 correct (80%) |
| Time | 25 minutes |
| Where | At a DMV office, or online through KnowTo Drive if you are 16 or older ($11.50 per online attempt) |
| Content | Traffic laws, safe driving practices and highway sign recognition from the Alaska Driver Manual |
| Minimum permit age | 14 |
To match the real pass mark, aim for 20 of 25 (80%) here, and more to be safe. Test rules and documents: Alaska permit test, including taking it online.
Signs and signals (questions 1 to 6)
1. A red, eight-sided sign means:
- A. Come to a complete stop
- B. Yield to cross traffic
- C. Do not enter
- D. Slow down for a hazard
Answer: A. Only STOP signs are octagons. Manual topic: signs.
2. A yellow diamond sign showing a moose warns you that:
- A. The road is closed in winter
- B. Moose may cross the road in this area
- C. Hunting is allowed nearby
- D. There is a wildlife viewing area
Answer: B. Animal crossing signs mark areas where large animals often cross. Slow down and scan the roadsides. Manual topic: signs and animals on the road.
3. An orange triangle on the back of a vehicle means:
- A. It is a school vehicle
- B. It is an emergency vehicle
- C. It carries hazardous materials
- D. It is a slow-moving vehicle
Answer: D. The slow-moving vehicle emblem marks farm equipment and other vehicles that travel well below normal speeds. Manual topic: slow-moving vehicles.
4. A flashing yellow left-turn arrow means:
- A. Stop, then turn
- B. Left turns are banned
- C. You have a protected left turn
- D. Turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
Answer: D. It is a permissive turn; oncoming traffic may have a green light. Manual topic: traffic lights.
5. When may you pass another vehicle on a two-lane road?
- A. On a hill if you drive faster
- B. On the right shoulder if the driver ahead is slow
- C. Whenever a solid yellow line is on your side
- D. Only where the line on your side is broken and you can complete the pass safely
Answer: D. Alaska forbids passing on the right shoulder, on hills and curves without a clear view, and when a solid yellow line is in your lane. Manual topic: passing.
6. You must not pass within how many feet of an intersection or railroad crossing?
- A. 50 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. 200 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: B. The same 100-foot rule applies near a posted narrow bridge, viaduct or tunnel. Manual topic: passing.
Speed, space and parking (questions 7 to 12)
7. Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit in an Alaska residential district?
- A. 15 mph
- B. 20 mph
- C. 25 mph
- D. 35 mph
Answer: C. Alaska’s limits are 15 mph in alleys, 20 mph in business districts and school zones, 25 mph in residential districts and 55 mph elsewhere unless posted. Manual topic: speed laws.
8. What following distance does the Alaska Driver Manual recommend in normal conditions?
- A. 2 seconds
- B. 3 seconds
- C. 4 seconds
- D. 6 seconds
Answer: C. Use four seconds normally, and six or more on wet or slippery roads. Manual topic: following distance.
9. How far before a turn must you signal?
- A. Only once you start turning
- B. 50 feet
- C. 25 feet
- D. Continuously for the last 100 feet
Answer: D. Signal continuously for at least the last 100 feet before you turn. Manual topic: signaling.
10. You must not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 20 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: B. Other Alaska distances: 20 feet from a crosswalk, 30 feet from a stop sign and 50 feet from a railroad crossing. Manual topic: parking.
11. When must your headlights be on in Alaska?
- A. Only in snow
- B. Only between midnight and 5 a.m.
- C. Only on highways
- D. From half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and when you can’t see 1,000 feet ahead
Answer: D. Long dark winters make this rule matter. Manual topic: headlights.
12. When following another vehicle at night, dim your high beams within:
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 300 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: C. Dim within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following and within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. Manual topic: headlights.
School buses, emergency vehicles and wildlife (questions 13 to 17)
13. A school bus is stopped with red lights flashing and stop arm out on an undivided two-way road. You must:
- A. Stop before reaching it and stay stopped until the arm is retracted, the red lights stop and the bus moves or the driver signals you on
- B. Pass slowly on the left
- C. Stop only if you are behind it
- D. Honk and continue
Answer: A. Traffic in both directions stops on an undivided road. Manual topic: school buses.
14. When does traffic coming toward a stopped school bus NOT need to stop?
- A. When no children are visible
- B. On a highway with separated roadways and two or more lanes in each direction
- C. When the bus is stopped for less than one minute
- D. On any road with two lanes
Answer: B. Drivers on the opposite separated roadway may continue with care. Traffic behind the bus must still stop. Manual topic: school buses.
15. On a four-lane road you approach a stationary emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights on the shoulder. You must:
- A. Move to the lane away from it if safe; if not, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed
- B. Flash your headlights and pass
- C. Keep your speed and lane
- D. Stop in your lane
Answer: A. This is Alaska’s move-over rule (AS 28.35.185). On a two-lane road, slow down. Manual topic: emergency vehicles.
16. A moose suddenly steps onto the road ahead. What does the manual advise?
- A. Brake firmly but do not swerve
- B. Swerve into the other lane
- C. Speed up to pass it
- D. Turn off your headlights
Answer: A. Swerving can put you into oncoming traffic, a tree or a pole. Most moose crashes happen at dawn and dusk. Manual topic: animals on the road.
17. You hit and kill a moose. You must:
- A. Take the meat home
- B. Leave the scene and say nothing
- C. Report it only if your car is damaged
- D. Notify a State Trooper or Fish and Wildlife officer as soon as possible
Answer: D. Big game killed or injured by a vehicle is state property. Manual topic: animals on the road.
Winter and emergencies (questions 18 and 19)
18. Your car starts to skid on ice. What does the manual say to do?
- A. Steer sharply the other way
- B. Lock the wheels with the brake
- C. Stay calm, turn the front wheels in the direction of the skid and don’t brake suddenly
- D. Brake hard
Answer: C. Don’t oversteer or overcorrect. As you regain control, slow down by gently pressing and releasing the brake. Manual topic: skids.
19. You may not follow a fire truck responding to an emergency closer than:
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 300 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: D. You also may not park within 500 feet of stopped fire apparatus with flashing lights. Manual topic: emergency vehicles.
Alcohol (questions 20 and 21)
20. What alcohol rule applies to Alaska drivers under 21?
- A. There is no special rule
- B. Driving after consuming any amount of alcohol is an offense
- C. The limit is 0.05%
- D. The limit is 0.08%, the same as adults
Answer: B. Adults are limited to 0.08%; minors may not drive after consuming alcohol at all. Manual topic: alcohol and minors.
21. Under Alaska’s implied consent law, refusing a chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest:
- A. Has no consequences
- B. Means the DUI charge is dropped
- C. Only matters for commercial drivers
- D. Is a separate offense that can be charged alongside DUI
Answer: D. Refusal leads to two criminal charges, DUI and Refusal, which the court can treat separately. Manual topic: implied consent.
Alaska permit and provisional license rules (questions 22 to 25)
22. Who may supervise an Alaska instruction permit holder?
- A. A licensed driver at least 21 with at least 1 year of experience, in the front passenger seat
- B. Any licensed driver aged 18 or older
- C. A sibling with a provisional license
- D. Any adult passenger
Answer: A. The supervisor must also be experienced in the same type of vehicle. Manual topic: instruction permits.
23. How many hours of certified driving does an Alaska teen need before a provisional license?
- A. 20 hours
- B. 30 hours
- C. 40 hours
- D. 50 hours
Answer: C. At least 40 hours, including 10 in progressively challenging conditions such as darkness or bad weather. Manual topic: provisional license.
24. An Alaska provisional license holder may not drive between:
- A. 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless an exception applies
- B. 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- C. 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- D. Midnight and 6 a.m.
Answer: A. Exceptions include driving with a parent, guardian or licensed person 21 or older, and driving for work. Manual topic: provisional license.
25. Which passenger may ride with a provisional driver when no adult is in the car?
- A. Two classmates
- B. A cousin aged 19
- C. The driver’s brother or sister
- D. A friend aged 17
Answer: C. Provisional drivers may carry only a parent or legal guardian, siblings, or people 21 and older. Breaking a restriction means a $200 penalty and 2 points. Manual topic: provisional license.
How did you do?
- 23 to 25: ready. The real test needs 16 of 20.
- 20 to 22: that matches the real 80% mark, but you have little margin. Reread the topics you missed.
- Below 20: study the manual again, especially speed laws, parking distances and the provisional rules.
After the permit: Alaska 40-hour supervised driving certification, Alaska provisional license rules and Alaska road test tasks and automatic fails.
Common questions
How many questions are on the Alaska permit test?
20, and you need 16 correct, per the DMV’s sample knowledge test page. You get 25 minutes.
Can I take the Alaska permit test online?
Yes, through KnowTo Drive if you are an Alaska resident aged 16 or older. You need a computer with a webcam. If you are 14 or 15, plan to test at a DMV office.
What happens if I fail?
At a DMV office you can retake it the next day. Online, you get up to four more tries the same day.
Are these the official DMV questions?
No. They are original, unofficial practice questions based on the Alaska Driver Manual.
Is winter driving on the test?
Skids, headlights and animals on the road are all in the manual. See driving in Alaska winter conditions and moose country.
Where can I practice for other states?
See the US permit practice tests hub. The full Alaska route: learning to drive in Alaska.
Sources
- Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, “Alaska Driver Manual” (dmv.alaska.gov)
- Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, “Instruction Permit”, “Provisional License” and “Sample Knowledge Test” (dmv.alaska.gov)
- KnowTo Drive, “Alaska Online Knowledge Test FAQ” (ak.knowtodrive.com)