Alaska DMV · Permit Test Prep

Alaska DMV Practice Test 2026

Updated for 2026 · Sourced from the official Alaska handbook

The Alaska DMV knowledge test is a 20-question multiple-choice exam drawn from the official Alaska Driver Manual, covering traffic laws, road signs, and safe-driving practices for the state's challenging conditions. You need 80% (16 out of 20) to pass, and Alaska does not publish a time limit for the test. Alaska is one of the few states that lets eligible drivers take the knowledge test online, and its graduated licensing rules — including a 1 AM to 5 AM curfew and 40 required hours of supervised practice — catch a lot of first-timers off guard. Work through the real, manual-sourced practice questions below, then download DMV Ace for 1,000+ more Alaska-specific questions, progress tracking, and a full explanation on every answer.

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80%Passing score
20Questions on real test
16Correct to pass
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Source: Official Alaska Driver Manual (dmv.alaska.gov)

Topics covered on the Alaska DMV written test

The 20 questions on the real Alaska test are drawn from these chapters of the official Alaska Driver Handbook.

12 free Alaska DMV practice questions

Real Alaska-specific questions sourced from the official Alaska Driver Handbook. Read each one, pick your answer, then check the explanation.

  1. Question 1 · Traffic Signs & Signals

    If a police officer is directing traffic at an intersection with a working traffic light, drivers should:

    • AFollow the officer's directions, which override the traffic signal✓ Correct
    • BObey the traffic signal and disregard the officer's hand signals
    • CStop and wait until the officer moves away from the intersection

    Why: You must follow the directions of a police officer, firefighter, or authorized flag person regardless of signs or signals. An officer's hand directions take precedence over all traffic control devices, including a working traffic light.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 52 · Traffic Signals

  2. Question 2 · Right of Way

    At a four-way stop, who has the right-of-way?

    • AThe vehicle that arrived first, or if two arrive together, the vehicle on the right✓ Correct
    • BThe vehicle on the left always has the right-of-way at a four-way stop
    • CThe largest vehicle has priority regardless of arrival order

    Why: The first vehicle to arrive goes first. When two vehicles arrive at the same time in a position where a collision is possible, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. Always yield to traffic already in the intersection.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 33 · Right of Way Law

  3. Question 3 · Highway Driving

    Before changing lanes on a multilane highway, you should:

    • ACheck your mirrors, signal your intention, and check your blind spots✓ Correct
    • BSpeed up so vehicles behind you cannot close the gap
    • CTurn your steering wheel quickly and move into the new lane

    Why: Before changing lanes you must signal your intention, check your rear-view mirrors and blind spots for other traffic, and move only when it is safe to do so. Alaska law requires a continuous signal during the last 100 feet before a turn or lane change.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 30 · Signaling

  4. Question 4 · Lane Changes & Passing

    You may not pass another vehicle when:

    • AApproaching within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, or narrow bridge✓ Correct
    • BThe vehicle ahead is traveling at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit
    • CYou are on a two-lane road and the center line is dashed yellow

    Why: You may not pass when approaching within 100 feet of, or while traversing, an intersection or railroad crossing, or when approaching within 100 feet of a posted narrow bridge, viaduct, or tunnel. You also may not pass where a solid yellow line is on your side.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 37 · Do Not Pass

  5. Question 5 · Speed Limits

    A driver who travels much slower than the speed limit on a highway:

    • AMay be cited because slow speed can hold back or block the normal flow of traffic✓ Correct
    • BIs always driving legally since they are below the posted speed limit
    • CShould use the left lane so faster drivers can pass on the right

    Why: A driver may not travel at a speed so slow that it holds back or blocks the normal and reasonable flow of traffic. On multilane highways, if you drive slower than other traffic you must use the right-hand lane except when passing.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 29 · Speed Laws

  6. Question 6 · Weather & Visibility

    Night driving can be more difficult than driving during the day because:

    • AVisibility is reduced and it is harder to judge distance and the speed of other vehicles✓ Correct
    • BSpeed limits are lower at night, requiring more frequent braking
    • CHeadlights of oncoming vehicles improve visibility but distract drivers

    Why: At night your range of vision is limited to the area lit by your headlights, so it is harder to judge distances and the speed of other vehicles. Reduce your speed so you can stop within the distance you can see ahead.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 29 · Speed Laws

  7. Question 7 · Pedestrian Laws

    A pedestrian is crossing the street in a crosswalk. As the driver, you must:

    • AYield to the pedestrian and wait until they have safely crossed✓ Correct
    • BSound your horn to alert the pedestrian that you are approaching
    • CProceed slowly and pass behind the pedestrian

    Why: Pedestrians have the right-of-way at marked crosswalks and at intersections. Never force a pedestrian to yield to you, and do not pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk, because it may be stopped for someone you cannot see.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 56 · Pavement Markings

  8. Question 8 · Sharing the Road

    If a crossing guard is directing traffic in a school zone, you must:

    • AFollow the crossing guard's directions, which override signs and signals✓ Correct
    • BObey the traffic signal and proceed if the light is green
    • CStop only if the crossing guard is wearing a reflective vest

    Why: You must follow the directions of a police officer, firefighter, or authorized flag person regardless of signs or signals. A crossing guard acting as an authorized flag person must be obeyed even when the traffic signal shows green.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 52 · Traffic Signals

  9. Question 9 · Accidents & Emergencies

    You are driving and hear a siren from an emergency vehicle approaching behind you. You should:

    • APull to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle passes✓ Correct
    • BSpeed up to clear the intersection ahead before the emergency vehicle arrives
    • CMaintain your speed and stay in your lane to avoid sudden lane changes

    Why: Yield to an approaching emergency vehicle by pulling to the right edge of the road and stopping until it has passed. Failing to yield to an authorized emergency vehicle carries 6 points on your Alaska driving record.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 12 · Driver's License Point Assignment

  10. Question 10 · Parking Rules

    You may park or stop along the shoulder of a freeway:

    • AOnly in a genuine emergency — routine stops on the freeway shoulder are prohibited✓ Correct
    • BWhenever you need to make a phone call or check directions
    • CAt any time as long as you turn on your hazard lights

    Why: Except in an emergency, parking is prohibited on the paved portion of the highway, the shoulders, or anywhere within the right-of-way. If your vehicle is disabled, move it so that all wheels are off the traveled portion of the road.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 58 · Highways

  11. Question 11 · Turns & Intersections

    At a railroad crossing with gates, you must always:

    • AObey all signals and signs, and never drive around or under lowered gates✓ Correct
    • BProceed quickly if you do not see a train approaching from either direction
    • CStop only when the warning lights are actively flashing

    Why: Never drive around lowered gates. If the gates are down, stay in place and do not cross the tracks until the gates are raised. It is against the law to drive around or under crossing gates.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 58 · Railroad Crossings

  12. Question 12 · DUI Laws

    What is the only way to reduce your blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?

    • ATime — the body must metabolize the alcohol✓ Correct
    • BDrinking strong coffee and getting fresh air
    • CTaking a cold shower and eating a large meal

    Why: After drinking, there is nothing you can do but wait. Black coffee, fresh air, food, or a cold shower might wake you up, but they will not sober you up. Only time allows the liver to burn off and eliminate the alcohol from your body.

    Source: Alaska Driver Handbook, page 18 · Facts You Should Know About Alcohol

988+ more Alaska practice questions in the app

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Alaska-specific rules to know

A few traffic rules that are particular to Alaska and frequently show up on the test.

How to get your Alaska driver's license

The knowledge test is one step in Alaska's licensing process. Here's how the path typically works for a new driver.

  1. Check the age and eligibility requirements

    Eligibility in Alaska: 14 for an instruction permit; 16 for a provisional license (after holding the permit at least 6 months). Have your proof of identity, residency, and any required parental consent ready.

  2. Study the official handbook

    Read the Official Alaska Driver Manual (dmv.alaska.gov) and practice with DMV Ace until you're consistently scoring above 80%.

  3. Pass the knowledge test

    The Alaska written test has 20 questions, and you need 16 correct (80%) to pass. Permit/licensing fee: $15 for an instruction permit.

  4. Build supervised driving experience

    Hold your permit for the period Alaska requires and log supervised driving hours with a licensed adult before you schedule the road test.

  5. Pass the road test and get licensed

    After you pass the behind-the-wheel road test, Alaska issues your driver's license — often an intermediate/provisional license first for younger drivers.

Steps are a general guide — always confirm the current process with your local Alaska DMV office.

How DMV Ace prepares you for the Alaska test

  • 1,000+ Alaska-specific questions

    Every question is sourced from the official Alaska Driver Handbook — same wording style, same topic mix as the real test.

  • Explanations on every answer

    Right or wrong, you see exactly why — with a handbook page citation so you can dig deeper.

  • Hard Questions module

    A curated bank of the trickiest Alaska questions — the ones most testers fail. Master these and you're ready.

  • Smart progress tracking

    See exactly which topics you've mastered and which need work. A pass-readiness score tells you when you're truly ready for the Alaska DMV.

Alaska DMV permit test — common questions

How many questions are on the Alaska DMV permit test?

The Alaska knowledge test has 20 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 16 correctly (80%) to pass. Alaska does not publish an official time limit, so work carefully through each question.

What's the passing score for the Alaska permit test?

80% — meaning you can miss no more than 4 of the 20 questions. The minimum passing score is 80% for Alaska knowledge tests, and the threshold is the same for first-time testers and retakes.

What's the minimum age to get a permit in Alaska?

You can apply for an instruction permit at age 14, which is younger than most states. The permit is valid for two years and may be renewed once. You can then apply for a provisional license at 16 after holding the permit for at least six months.

Can I take the Alaska knowledge test online?

Yes. Alaska is one of the few states that lets eligible applicants take the official knowledge test online after practicing with the state's online sample test. Check dmv.alaska.gov for current eligibility and instructions.

How many times can I retake the Alaska test if I fail?

If you do not pass, you may retake the knowledge test. Always check dmv.alaska.gov or with your local DMV office for any waiting period and the current procedure for scheduling a retake.

How much does an Alaska permit cost?

The instruction permit fee is $15. Other fees apply later for the provisional and standard driver license. Confirm current fees at dmv.alaska.gov before you go.

What is the Alaska provisional license night curfew?

Provisional license holders may not drive between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older, or when driving to or from work. Violating the restriction carries a $200 fine and points on your record.

How many supervised driving hours does Alaska require?

Applicants under 18 must complete at least 40 hours of supervised driving before getting a provisional license, including at least 10 hours in progressively more challenging conditions such as night driving or poor weather.

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Practice tests for other states

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