Roadwise States Arizona Driving lessons Required equipment & vehicle checks Arizona driving lesson · Vehicle Equipment & Occupant Safety
Required equipment & vehicle checks A 3-minute lesson from the Arizona course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Vehicle Equipment & Occupant Safety
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 19, 21, 22 You are responsible for making sure the vehicle you drive is safe. A well-maintained car costs less to run and gives you an extra safety margin when something goes wrong. Arizona law lists equipment that must work every time you drive.
Must be in working order: Brakes Speedometer Turn signals Windshield (intact) Horn Tires in good condition Seat belts Driver and front passenger side windows Emergency flashers Handbook p. 19 ↗ Know the rule
Before starting, adjust your seat, steering wheel, rearview and outside mirrors. Before moving, check that your turn signals and brakes work.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Know the rule
Tire pressure: find the recommended psi (usually on the door jamb) and check it with a tire pressure gauge, adding or releasing air as needed.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Penny test Put Lincoln's head into a tire groove where the tread looks lowest. Part of his head should be covered by tread; if not, it may be time to replace the tire.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Brake requirements: Every motor vehicle needs brakes in good working condition Cars and trucks must have both a foot brake and a parking brake Each set of brakes must apply to at least two wheels A motorcycle needs at least one brake, applied by hand or foot The rules also list trailers of 3,000 lbs. or more gross weight Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
Every motor vehicle needs a working muffler in constant operation. A muffler "cut-out," bypass or similar device is illegal.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ 1967 Model year and newer that must have an exhaust emissions system
Handbook p. 22 ↗ Know the rule
You need a windshield without cracks and windshield wipers in good working condition. Window tint is legal only within limits set by Arizona law.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ Know the rule
A vehicle must be loaded so none of its load can drop, sift, leak or otherwise escape (A.R.S. 28-1098.A).
Handbook p. 21 ↗ 30 days Time to fix a vehicle that fails an emissions inspection and get a re-check
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Put it into practice
Before a trip to Flagstaff, you notice your front tire's tread doesn't reach Lincoln's head in the penny test. Replace the tire before you go — worn tires are unsafe, especially in monsoon rain and high-country snow.
A useful reminder Brakes: two systems (foot and parking) for cars and trucks, and each must work on at least two wheels.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Before putting your vehicle in motion, which two things should you check to be sure they are working? Oil level and coolant Wipers and washer fluid Turn signals and brakes Tire pressure and tread Answer: Turn signals and brakes
Before putting the vehicle in motion, check your turn signals and brakes to ensure they are in working order.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ What is the 'penny test' used to check? Battery charge Tire tread depth Brake fluid level Headlight alignment Answer: Tire tread depth
Placing a penny in a tire groove checks tread depth; if part of Lincoln's head is covered, the tread is still adequate.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Under Arizona law, each set of brakes on a vehicle must apply to how many wheels, at minimum? Two wheels Only one wheel All four wheels Three wheels Answer: Two wheels
Each set of brakes must apply to at least two wheels.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ What must cars and trucks have, in addition to a foot brake? A backup camera A spare tire A parking brake An anti-lock brake system Answer: A parking brake
Cars and trucks must have both a foot brake and a parking brake.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ What is illegal to install on your vehicle's muffler system? An exhaust clamp A cut-out or bypass A catalytic converter A heat shield Answer: A cut-out or bypass
It is against the law to use a muffler 'cut-out,' bypass, or similar device.
Handbook p. 22 ↗ If your vehicle fails an emissions inspection, you are given 60 days to fix the problem and have a follow-up re-check. True False Answer: False
False. A vehicle that does not pass its emission inspection gets 30 days to have the problem fixed and re-checked.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Previous lesson ID cards, Travel ID, replacements & titles Next lesson Seat belts & child restraints More in Vehicle Equipment & Occupant Safety About the source Roadwise’s Arizona course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 19, 21, 22. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Arizona’s MVD. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.