Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1 – Edition 10: study guide

Key rules by chapter

A few of the rules from each chapter that come up in our practice questions:

0. Introduction; The Driver's License; Accepted Identification List

• To apply for an instruction permit, the applicant must be at least 14 years old and pass the knowledge exam and vision test.
• A permit holder may drive with a licensed driver who is 21 or older and occupies the seat beside the driver.
• The permit is issued for two years from the date of the passed knowledge exam.

1. Arkansas Law

• Fraudulent use is a Class A misdemeanor; first offense $100 to $500, second offense $250 to $1,000 plus a six-month suspension.
• Arkansas law makes it illegal to drive or ride as a front-seat passenger without a seat belt; it is a primary offense.
• A violation is subject to a fine not to exceed $25, plus court costs or fees.

2. Arkansas Rules and Regulations

• A driver cited for any moving violation in a work zone with workers present pays double the fine, up to $5,000 depending on the violation.
• Yes; holding your phone to call, text, look up directions or scroll counts. If you can't use hands-free, don't use your phone.
• Always obey the flagger's signals; their instructions overrule any other traffic signals or devices.

3. General Driving

• A solid double yellow line means passing is prohibited for vehicles traveling in either direction.
• A driver may cross a solid yellow line to turn into a driveway if there is no opposing traffic approaching.
• A vehicle turning left from an intersecting street or driveway may use the center turn lane to gain access or merge, but not as an acceleration lane.

4. Safe Driving

• Under 18, cell phone use is not allowed, and hands-free devices are not allowed, except in an emergency.
• You should be looking at least fifteen seconds ahead.
• Turn on your signal at least 100 feet before the lane change.

5. See and Be Seen

• The left lane may be used only to overtake and pass, when other lanes are closed or in disrepair, or when preparing to exit on the left.
• Do not turn because an approaching vehicle has its signal on; the driver may turn later or have forgotten it. Wait until they start to turn.
• Turn on headlights ½ hour after sunset until ½ hour before sunrise, any time you cannot see a person or object within 500 feet, and when wipers are needed.

6. Tractor-Trailer Rigs

• A car at 55 mph stops in about 225 feet; a fully loaded tractor-trailer may take more than 335 feet.
• A car can disappear up to 20 feet in front of the cab, on either side of the rig (especially alongside the cab), and up to 200 feet behind the truck.
• A car can disappear up to 20 feet in front of the cab.

7. Sharing the Road with Bicycles and Motorcycles

• Allow more following distance, at least four to six seconds, when following a motorcycle.
• If a lane is marked and signed for bicycle use only, drivers must never use it as a turning lane, passing lane or for parking.
• Research shows that over two-thirds of car/motorcycle accidents are the result of a car driver turning in front of a motorcyclist.

8. Driving Fitness

• You will be arrested for DWI with an alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more in the breath or blood.
• You can be arrested for Underage DUI if your alcohol concentration is 0.02%.
• If involved in a traffic crash or serious traffic offense, you can be charged with DWI with a BAC between 0.04% and 0.08%.

9. Emergencies

• With ABS, press the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep pressing; don't let up when the pedal pushes back.
• Stay off the brake and turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the vehicle to go, correcting as it straightens.
• If anyone is injured or killed or property damage exceeds $1,000, a driver must notify the police immediately.

10. Skills Test Guidelines

• The permit is valid for two years and cannot be renewed or extended for any reason; otherwise you must retake all phases of the exam.
• You are allowed three missed controls before the test is failed.
• Two missed attempts in the same category fail the exam; for example a second rolling stop brings a two-week penalty.

How to study the handbook

Read one chapter, then take a practice test. Every answer explanation names the handbook section it comes from, so when you get one wrong, go back to that section. Pay most attention to exact numbers and to the rules specific to Arkansas, which are where most people lose points.

Third-party sites claim 25 questions / 5-day retake, but these are not official and are not used.