By the ChowChow Labs editorial team · Updated November 7, 2026 · How we check our content
Short answer: Write these on one page and review them daily. They are easy points once you know them.
Parking clearances
| Keep at least | From |
|---|---|
| 15 feet | A fire hydrant |
| 20 feet | A crosswalk at an intersection |
| 30 feet | The approach to a stop sign, yield sign or roadside signal |
| 50 feet | The closest rail at a railroad crossing |
Headlights
| Distance | What to do |
|---|---|
| Under 1,000 feet of clear view | Headlights on, any time of day |
| Oncoming car under 500 feet | Switch to low beams |
| Following a car under 300 feet | Switch to low beams |
Default speed limits
| Where | Limit, unless posted |
|---|---|
| Urban district | 30 mph |
| Alley | 15 mph |
Gaps and signals
- Following time: at least 2 seconds at 30 mph or less, 4 seconds above 30 mph, and more in poor conditions. New drivers do well to use 4 seconds everywhere.
- Signal early: turn your signal on 100 feet or more before you turn.
Insurance
The Texas minimum liability limits are written as 30/60/25: $30,000 for one person, $60,000 for two or more, and $25,000 for property damage.
Checked against the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7, revised January 2026). Laws change, so check Texas DPS for the current rules before you rely on a number. Sources: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapters 3, 7, 8 and 9.
Check yourself
Try these 12 questions from our free mock exams, then tap Show answer. For more, take the rules of the road practice test.
Question 1 · Signaling, Passing & Turning
You plan a turn on a public street. For at least how far before turning should you signal?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. Only while turning
- D. 25 feet
Show answer
Answer: B. 100 feet
Turn on your signal 100 feet or more ahead of the turn, early enough to communicate without misleading other drivers.
Question 2 · Parking
You want to park near a fire hydrant. What minimum clearance is required?
- A. 3 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 8 feet
- D. 5 feet
Show answer
Answer: B. 15 feet
Hydrants need a 15-foot clear zone around them. Firefighters need access even when a space looks convenient.
Question 3 · Parking
You are considering parking near an intersection crosswalk. What minimum clearance should you keep from that crosswalk?
- A. 20 feet
- B. 5 feet
- C. 10 feet
- D. 12 feet
Show answer
Answer: A. 20 feet
Parking is banned closer than 20 feet to a crosswalk at a corner, because parked cars there hide people crossing.
Question 4 · Parking
You want to park on the approach to a roadside stop sign. What minimum clearance applies?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 30 feet
- C. 15 feet
- D. 10 feet
Show answer
Answer: B. 30 feet
The handbook prohibits standing or parking within 30 feet on the approach to a stop sign, yield sign, flashing signal, or traffic control signal.
Question 5 · Parking
You are looking for parking near a railroad crossing. How far from the nearest rail must you stay?
- A. At least 5 feet
- B. At least 50 feet
- C. At least 10 feet
- D. At least 15 feet
Show answer
Answer: B. At least 50 feet
Keep a parked car 50 feet or more from the closest rail, so it never blocks a crossing or a driver's view of a train.
Question 6 · Speed & Following Distance
On a dry road in good conditions at 25 mph, what minimum following time does the handbook recommend?
- A. 1 second
- B. No gap if traffic is light
- C. Half a second
- D. 2 seconds
Show answer
Answer: D. 2 seconds
At 30 mph or less on a good road, two seconds is the minimum gap. New drivers do better with four seconds, and any driver should add time when conditions get worse.
Question 7 · Speed & Following Distance
On a dry road in good conditions at 45 mph, what minimum following time does the handbook recommend?
- A. 2 seconds
- B. 1 second
- C. 4 seconds
- D. The same distance as a parked car
Show answer
Answer: C. 4 seconds
Above 30 mph, maintain at least four seconds under good conditions and more when conditions worsen.
Question 8 · Speed & Following Distance
You drive a passenger car in an urban district with no different limit posted. What general maximum applies?
- A. 45 mph
- B. 30 mph
- C. 70 mph
- D. 15 mph
Show answer
Answer: B. 30 mph
The general urban district limit is 30 mph unless a different lawful limit is posted. Conditions may require slower driving.
Question 9 · Speed & Following Distance
You enter an alley without a different speed limit sign. What general maximum applies?
- A. 15 mph
- B. 45 mph
- C. 30 mph
- D. 25 mph
Show answer
Answer: A. 15 mph
The general maximum in an alley is 15 mph. Watch for people, driveways, and limited visibility.
Question 10 · Night, Weather & Hazards
At night, an oncoming car is now closer than 500 feet. What should you do with your high beams?
- A. Keep high beams on until it passes
- B. Switch to low beams
- C. Turn off all lights
- D. Flash high beams continuously
Show answer
Answer: B. Switch to low beams
Drop to low beams once oncoming traffic is closer than 500 feet, so you do not dazzle the other driver.
Question 11 · Night, Weather & Hazards
You are following another vehicle within 300 feet at night. Which headlights should you use?
- A. Parking lights only
- B. Low beams
- C. High beams
- D. No lights if its taillights are visible
Show answer
Answer: B. Low beams
Use low beams when following within 300 feet. High beams can glare in the other driver's mirrors.
Question 12 · Night, Weather & Hazards
Daytime weather makes vehicles indistinct beyond 700 feet. What does the visibility rule require?
- A. Turn on headlights because visibility is less than 1,000 feet
- B. Use headlights only after sunset
- C. Use only hazard lights while moving
- D. Wait until visibility falls below 50 feet
Show answer
Answer: A. Turn on headlights because visibility is less than 1,000 feet
Headlights are required any time you cannot clearly make out people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead, day or night.
Next: Texas rules for teen drivers. Who must ride with you, night driving, passengers, phones and alcohol.