Minnesota Lanes & Turns practice test
Practice lane markings, turns, passing and merging: 43 questions based on the Minnesota Driver's Manual, 13 of them on Minnesota's own rules.
Key Minnesota facts: Lanes & Turns
U-turns are banned on interstate freeways and near hilltops or on curves where other drivers can't see the vehicle from 1,000 feet. Chapter 3, U-turns, p. 33 Where two or more lanes run each way, a U-turning driver may swing into the far lane and use the shoulder for a moment. Chapter 3, U-turns, p. 33 No passing on a curve or hill without a clear view of at least 700 feet ahead. Chapter 3, Passing, p. 34 A passing driver must return to the right side while still more than 100 feet from oncoming traffic. Chapter 3, Passing, p. 34 With a lane closed ahead and traffic backing up, drivers stay in their lane to the merge point and then take turns. Chapter 4, Late merge (zipper merge), p. 54 Sample Lanes & Turns questions
A U-turn on a curve is illegal if other drivers can't see you from how far away?
2,000 feet 1,000 feet 200 feet 500 feet Show the answer
1,000 feet
The same rule applies near the top of a hill.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, U-turns, p. 33
When lane splitting in moving traffic, what is the top speed a Minnesota motorcyclist may ride?
Show the answer
25 mph
The rider also may not go more than 15 mph faster than the traffic.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 4, Sharing the road with motorcyclists, p. 50
You may not pass on a hill or curve unless you can clearly see ahead for at least how far?
1,000 feet 700 feet 500 feet 300 feet Show the answer
700 feet
Without a 700-foot view, stay in your lane.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, Passing, p. 34
What is lane filtering?
A car using the shoulder to pass stopped traffic A motorcycle moving between lanes of stopped traffic Trucks taking turns at a freeway ramp meter Show the answer
A motorcycle moving between lanes of stopped traffic
It is allowed at no more than 15 mph over the speed of the stopped traffic.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 4, Sharing the road with motorcyclists, p. 50
You need to make a U-turn where the road has at least two lanes each way. What does Minnesota allow?
Turning into the far lane and briefly using the shoulder Driving across the grass median between the roadways Backing up across both lanes to finish the turn Show the answer
Turning into the far lane and briefly using the shoulder
The shoulder may be used for a moment to finish the turn.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, U-turns, p. 33
Traffic is backing up before a lane closure. What does Minnesota's zipper merge ask you to do?
Move over as soon as you see the lane-closed sign Use the shoulder to pass the line of cars Stay in your lane to the merge point, then take turns Show the answer
Stay in your lane to the merge point, then take turns
Late merging in turns keeps both lanes moving and cuts backups.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 4, Late merge (zipper merge), p. 54
When may a transit bus drive on a Minnesota freeway shoulder?
Only at night when traffic is light When main-line traffic is under 35 mph Whenever it is running behind schedule Show the answer
When main-line traffic is under 35 mph
The bus may never go over 35 mph there.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 6, Use of freeway or expressway shoulders by buses, p. 75
You are waiting to turn left on a green light with oncoming traffic. How far into the intersection should you pull?
Stay behind the stop line until clear All the way to the far crosswalk Until you are lined up with the curb line Show the answer
Until you are lined up with the curb line
You may not be able to turn until the light turns yellow.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, Turns, p. 28
At a J-turn, how do you cross a four-lane divided highway from a side road?
Drive straight across both roadways in one move Turn left directly into the far lanes of the highway Turn right, then make a U-turn at the median opening Show the answer
Turn right, then make a U-turn at the median opening
At the U-turn, yield to oncoming traffic before you enter the through lanes.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, J-turns, p. 32
By up to how much can the zipper merge shorten traffic backups?
40 percent 25 percent 75 percent 10 percent Show the answer
40 percent
It also narrows the speed gap between lanes.
Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 4, Benefits of the zipper merge, p. 55
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Minnesota Driver's Manual (June 2026 (cover), English PDF, read 2026-11-09. Page numbers cited are the manual's printed ones (PDF page = printed page + 3). Where the manual is silent, Minnesota Statutes and Rules on revisor.mn.gov are the source. edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
