PA DMV Practice Permit Test​: In the Vehicle

Essential Vehicle Controls You Must Know

Start with the controls you use every single trip. Even a quick run to the store. The permit test expects you to know what each one does and when to use it safely, whether you’re parallel parking in Philly, navigating one-ways in Reading, or merging onto I-376 with someone riding your bumper.

Steering wheel: yes, it’s obvious. Still tested. Keep both hands positioned for control (the exam cares about control, not style), and remember that smooth steering beats quick, jerky moves—especially on wet roads or winter slush outside Erie.

Pedals are simple, but the questions can be weirdly written. The brake slows or stops the vehicle. The accelerator increases speed. When a question mentions “covering the brake” in traffic or on downhill stretches (think Pittsburgh), it’s really asking if you understand readiness and following distance. Not comfort.

Gear shift comes up more than people expect on a PA permit test. You should know Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and Low. Low matters. It can help with control on steep hills and can add engine braking in snow or slick conditions.

Mirrors are huge in places like Harrisburg, Scranton, and anywhere lane changes happen fast. Adjust your rearview and side mirrors before you move. Not after you’ve already started rolling.

A few reminders you’ll see in a pa dmv practice permit test​ question set:

• Adjust your seat and mirrors before starting out.
• Press the brake pedal before shifting out of Park.
• Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.
  This one trips people up.

Dashboard Warning Lights Explained

Dashboard lights exist to get your attention fast. That’s the whole point. On the permit exam, you’re usually being tested on two things: what the light means, and what you should do next.

Act now.

The check engine light can mean a lot of things. On test questions, the safe answer is usually to have the vehicle checked soon and not ignore it. If it’s flashing, that’s more urgent and you should treat it as serious.

The brake system warning light is not the same as “you used the brake.” It can mean the parking brake is on, brake fluid is low, or there’s a brake system problem. If it comes on while driving, the safest choice is to pull over when it’s safe and get help. Brakes are non-negotiable.

Temperature warnings matter too. If the temperature indicator shows the engine overheating or the needle rises into the danger zone, you should safely pull over and shut off the engine. Waiting until you “get home” is the wrong mindset for exam answers—and it can ruin an engine in real life.

Other symbols that pop up in driver license PA test questions include oil pressure and the battery/charging system light. If a question asks which light can mean “stop as soon as it’s safe,” oil pressure is often the best pick. Fast damage.

Read the color.
Read the wording.

General patterns that show up a lot:

• A steady light often points to “service soon.”
• A flashing light often signals “urgent problem.”
• Red usually means more serious than amber.
  This one trips people up.

Safety Equipment and Legal Requirements in PA

PennDOT wants new drivers to understand what protects you and what the law expects. These questions are usually straightforward. They’re also easy to overthink when you’re tired and just trying to finish the test.

Seat belts come first. Pennsylvania law requires seat belt use, and the safest habit is simple: everyone buckles up, every trip. Even short ones in Lancaster or Bethlehem. Even if you’re “just going around the corner.”

Buckle up.
Every time.

You’ll also see questions about kids and proper restraints. When a question asks what you should do before you start the car, buckling your seat belt (and making sure passengers are buckled) is always a strong answer.

Airbags are supplemental restraints. That word matters. They’re designed to work with seat belts, not replace them. If an option says airbags make seat belts unnecessary, it’s wrong. Fully wrong.

Mirrors and lights show up too. Your vehicle needs a rearview mirror, and depending on the vehicle and visibility, side mirrors may be required. Headlights must work, and you must use them when visibility is poor. In Pennsylvania, headlights are required in tunnels and whenever your wipers are in continuous use—something people miss when it’s raining hard on I-95 near Philadelphia.

A few equipment checks that appear often:

• Make sure headlights, brake lights, and turn signals work.
• Clear snow and ice off windows for full visibility.
• Know where your hazard lights are and when to use them.
  This one trips people up.

One last thing: on the exam, the “best” answer is the safest and most legal choice, not the most convenient. Remember that, and this section becomes a score booster. Quick win.