Driving in Adverse Conditions

Driving in Adverse Conditions questions with answers

1. Which headlight setting should you use in dense fog?

   1. High beams, because they throw more light
   2. Low beams
   3. Parking lights only
   4. No lights at all, to avoid glare
   Show answer

   Answer B: Low beams

   High beams reflect off the water droplets in fog and bounce glare back at you, while low beams aim downward and light the road without that mirror effect.

2. Why do bridges and overpasses deserve extra caution when temperatures are near freezing?

   1. They lose heat from above and below, so they ice over before the surrounding road
   2. They are always built with a smoother pavement surface that offers less grip than the road
   3. They collect more road salt than the pavement on either side of them
   4. They are always banked toward the outside of a curve, which throws vehicles wide
   Show answer

   Answer A: They lose heat from above and below, so they ice over before the surrounding road

   A bridge deck is exposed to cold air on both surfaces and has no ground beneath it to hold heat, so ice can form there while the connecting road is still only wet.

3. Why is the road often most slippery during the first few minutes of rain after a long dry spell?

   1. Rain washes the pavement completely clean the moment it starts falling
   2. Cold rain hardens the rubber of the tires so that they grip far less
   3. Oil and dust on the surface mix with the water into a slick film
   4. Water raises the temperature of the pavement and softens its surface
   Show answer

   Answer C: Oil and dust on the surface mix with the water into a slick film

   Oil drippings and road dust build up on dry pavement, and the first light rain lifts them into a slippery film before heavier rain washes it away.

4. Your steering suddenly feels light and unresponsive as you drive through standing water. What should you do first?

   1. Ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel pointed straight
   2. Brake hard so that the tires are forced back down onto the pavement
   3. Accelerate so that the tires push the standing water aside and regain grip
   4. Turn the wheel sharply from side to side to test how much grip is left
   Show answer

   Answer A: Ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel pointed straight

   Those symptoms mean the tires are riding on a film of water, and gently lifting off the accelerator lets them settle back onto the pavement. Hard braking or sudden steering while hydroplaning can start a skid.

5. You reach a stretch of road covered by moving flood water of unknown depth. What is the correct decision?

   1. Follow another vehicle through so you can judge the depth
   2. Cross quickly so the vehicle pushes the water aside
   3. Cross slowly in a low gear
   4. Turn around and take another route
   Show answer

   Answer D: Turn around and take another route

   About a foot of moving water is enough to carry away most cars, and the roadbed under the water may already be washed out, so the only safe choice is to turn around.

   Source: weather.gov

6. What should you do about snow and ice on your vehicle before driving?

   1. Clear a small patch of windshield and let the airflow do the rest
   2. Clear the windshield only, since the other glass is optional
   3. Clear all glass, mirrors and lights, and the roof and hood as well
   4. Leave the roof covered so the cabin stays warmer
   Show answer

   Answer C: Clear all glass, mirrors and lights, and the roof and hood as well

   Snow left on the roof or hood slides onto your windshield when you brake and blows into the path of drivers behind you, and covered lights make your vehicle hard to see.

   Source: nhtsa.gov

7. Why should cruise control be switched off on wet, snowy or icy roads?

   1. It uses noticeably more fuel whenever the weather is cold and the roads are wet
   2. It may keep feeding power to a wheel that has started to slip, and cancelling it costs you time
   3. It switches off the antilock braking system and the stability control for as long as it stays engaged
   4. It prevents the headlights and the windshield wipers from operating together
   Show answer

   Answer B: It may keep feeding power to a wheel that has started to slip, and cancelling it costs you time

   Cruise control holds a set speed regardless of grip, so it can add power just as a tire loses traction, and the extra step of cancelling it delays your response.

8. You are driving on an open highway in a strong crosswind. What is the safest adjustment?

   1. Reduce speed and keep a firm grip, expecting gusts on bridges and beside large vehicles
   2. Increase your speed so that you spend less time exposed to the wind on the open road
   3. Steer with one hand only, so that the wheel is free to self-center between the gusts
   4. Follow a large truck closely so that its bulk shelters your own vehicle from the crosswind
   Show answer

   Answer A: Reduce speed and keep a firm grip, expecting gusts on bridges and beside large vehicles

   Gusts hit hardest in open gaps, on bridges and when passing high-sided vehicles, so a lower speed and a firm grip let you correct before you are pushed out of your lane.

9. How should your following distance change in heavy rain?

   1. It should stay the same, because brakes work equally well when wet
   2. It should be shortened so you can see the vehicle ahead more clearly
   3. It matters only at speeds above highway limits
   4. It should be increased well beyond what you use on dry pavement
   Show answer

   Answer D: It should be increased well beyond what you use on dry pavement

   Wet pavement lengthens stopping distance and rain cuts visibility at the same time, so a larger gap gives you the extra seconds needed to see a problem and stop for it.

10. You are driving at night on an unlit road using low beams. How should you choose your speed?

    1. At the posted limit, because it already allows for darkness
    2. So you keep pace with the tail lights of the vehicle ahead
    3. So you could stop within the distance your headlights light up
    4. About five miles per hour below the limit regardless of the road
    Show answer

    Answer C: So you could stop within the distance your headlights light up

    Driving faster than you can stop within the lit area is called overdriving your headlights. Anything beyond the beam is invisible until it is too late to react.

11. An oncoming vehicle at night has its high beams on and you are being dazzled. Where should you look?

    1. Toward the right edge of your lane
    2. Straight at the oncoming headlights to keep your bearings
    3. Down at your instrument panel until the vehicle passes
    4. Toward the center line so you stay away from the shoulder
    Show answer

    Answer A: Toward the right edge of your lane

    Looking toward the right edge line keeps you on course while sparing your eyes the worst of the glare. Slow down and do not retaliate with your own high beams.

12. When are you expected to switch from high beams to low beams?

    1. Only when a police officer or road sign instructs you to do so
    2. Whenever you drive faster than 45 mph on any type of road
    3. Only in fog, rain or snow when the road is hard to see
    4. When a vehicle approaches from ahead or you come up behind another vehicle
    Show answer

    Answer D: When a vehicle approaches from ahead or you come up behind another vehicle

    High beams blind other drivers, both those coming toward you and those you follow through their mirrors. Dim them whenever another vehicle is within range.

13. You have just driven through a deep puddle and your brakes feel weak. What should you do?

    1. Shift into neutral and coast until the brake pads are dry
    2. Stop and wait at least ten minutes before driving any farther
    3. Pump the brake pedal hard several times at highway speed to shake off the water
    4. Drive slowly while lightly applying the brakes until they dry and work normally
    Show answer

    Answer D: Drive slowly while lightly applying the brakes until they dry and work normally

    Wet brakes grip poorly and may pull to one side. Gentle braking at low speed generates heat that dries the pads and discs quickly.

14. It is cold and the road looks wet, but you notice the tires of vehicles ahead are throwing up no spray. What does this suggest?

    1. The road has been treated and is safe at normal speed
    2. The surface has frozen and is probably icy
    3. The vehicles ahead have winter tires with deep tread
    4. The water has drained, so traction is back to normal
    Show answer

    Answer B: The surface has frozen and is probably icy

    Water throws spray, but ice does not. A shiny road with no spray in freezing temperatures is a strong sign of black ice, so slow down and avoid sudden inputs.

15. You are starting from a stop on a snowy, icy street and the drive wheels begin to spin. What should you do?

    1. Press the accelerator harder so the tires dig down to the pavement
    2. Turn the steering wheel fully to one side to find fresh snow
    3. Ease off the accelerator and start again more gently
    4. Hold the brake and the accelerator together to warm the tires
    Show answer

    Answer C: Ease off the accelerator and start again more gently

    Spinning tires polish the surface and dig in. Very gentle pressure on the accelerator, and a higher gear if you have one, gives the tires the best chance to grip.

17. You are driving in fog so thick that you can barely see the vehicle ahead. Which pavement marking is the best guide for staying in your lane?

    1. The white edge line on the right side of the road
    2. The yellow center line, so you stay away from the shoulder
    3. The tail lights of the vehicle ahead, following them closely
    4. The reflective lane markers on the left side of the road
    Show answer

    Answer A: The white edge line on the right side of the road

    The right edge line keeps you positioned away from oncoming traffic and is easy to follow at low speed. Following tail lights closely tempts you to drive faster than you can see.

18. The low sun is directly ahead and glare makes it hard to see. What should you do?

    1. Turn on your high beams so that other drivers can see you better through the glare
    2. Look down at the lane line beside your vehicle instead of ahead
    3. Slow down, use the sun visor or sunglasses, and increase following distance
    4. Keep your usual speed so you get out of the glare sooner
    Show answer

    Answer C: Slow down, use the sun visor or sunglasses, and increase following distance

    Sun glare can hide pedestrians, brake lights and signals. Reducing speed and adding space gives you time to react to what you cannot yet see.

19. Your vehicle does not have antilock brakes and you must stop quickly on a slippery road. What is the correct technique?

    1. Press the pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there until the vehicle has stopped
    2. Apply the brakes firmly without locking the wheels, releasing slightly if they lock
    3. Apply the parking brake at the same time as the foot brake for extra force
    4. Shift into neutral first so the engine does not push the vehicle forward
    Show answer

    Answer B: Apply the brakes firmly without locking the wheels, releasing slightly if they lock

    Locked wheels slide and cannot steer. Squeezing the brakes to just short of lockup, and easing off if they lock, gives the shortest stop with control.

20. In slow summer traffic the temperature gauge climbs into the red. What should you do first?

    1. Turn off the air conditioner and turn on the heater to draw heat from the engine
    2. Pull over, open the hood immediately and remove the radiator cap to release the pressure
    3. Rev the engine in neutral so the cooling fan spins faster
    4. Turn on the air conditioner at full power to cool the engine bay
    Show answer

    Answer A: Turn off the air conditioner and turn on the heater to draw heat from the engine

    The heater core acts as an extra radiator, and shutting off the air conditioner reduces engine load. If the gauge keeps climbing, pull over and shut off the engine, and never open a hot radiator cap.

21. How much should you normally reduce your speed on a road covered with packed snow compared with dry conditions?

    1. By about one tenth
    2. By about one quarter
    3. By about half
    4. Not at all, if the vehicle has snow tires
    Show answer

    Answer C: By about half

    Packed snow roughly doubles the distance needed to stop, so a common guideline is to cut speed by about half. On ice, slow to a crawl.

22. Why should you dim the instrument panel and keep interior lights off when driving at night?

    1. Interior lights drain the battery much faster than the headlights and could stall the engine
    2. Dashboard lights reflect off the rear window and dazzle the drivers behind you
    3. Bright light inside the vehicle reduces your ability to see the dark road ahead
    4. Interior light makes the headlights automatically switch to low beam
    Show answer

    Answer C: Bright light inside the vehicle reduces your ability to see the dark road ahead

    Your eyes adapt to the brightest light they see. A bright cabin keeps them from adjusting to the darkness outside and creates reflections on the windshield.

23. Which combination best reduces the chance of hydroplaning?

    1. Wider tires, higher tire pressure and holding a steady highway speed
    2. Cruise control, lower tire pressure and staying in the center of the lane
    3. New wiper blades, high beams and a slightly higher speed to shed water
    4. Good tread depth, correct tire pressure and lower speed in the rain
    Show answer

    Answer D: Good tread depth, correct tire pressure and lower speed in the rain

    Tread channels water away, correct pressure keeps the tire's shape, and lower speed gives the tire time to push water aside. Hydroplaning can begin at surprisingly modest speeds.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

24. Rain is heavy enough that you have your windshield wipers running. What else should you switch on?

    1. Your headlights, so you can see and others can see you
    2. Your hazard lights, so traffic behind knows you are slowing for the rain
    3. Your high beams, because they cut through falling rain better than low beams
    4. Your interior dome light, so the instruments stay easy to read in the gloom
    Show answer

    Answer A: Your headlights, so you can see and others can see you

    Rain heavy enough to need wipers also cuts how far away you can be seen, so the headlights belong on. Many states write this into law as a wipers on, lights on rule.

25. At roughly what speed can hydroplaning begin when a lot of water is lying on the road?

    1. Only above about 70 mph, where air pressure lifts the tire off the road
    2. Only when the vehicle is traveling well above the posted speed limit
    3. At speeds as low as about 35 mph
    4. At any speed above about 10 mph, even crossing a wet parking lot
    Show answer

    Answer C: At speeds as low as about 35 mph

    With enough water and less than perfect tread, a tire can start to ride on the water at around 35 mph, well below normal highway speeds.

26. What do the grooves in a tire tread do on a flooded road surface?

    1. They soak up water and hold it until the tire leaves the wet section of road
    2. They give the water a way to escape so the tread can touch the road
    3. They cool the tire by letting air circulate through the rubber at highway speed
    4. They make the tire quieter, which is why a worn tire still grips well in rain
    Show answer

    Answer B: They give the water a way to escape so the tread can touch the road

    Tread grooves pump water out from under the tire so rubber can meet pavement. A worn tread moves less water, so hydroplaning starts sooner.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

27. You cannot avoid a wide puddle that covers only the right half of your lane. What should you expect?

    1. Nothing unusual will happen, so hold your speed and drive straight through it
    2. The car will be pushed away from the water, so steer toward the puddle to correct
    3. The brakes will lock on that side, so you should brake hard while in the water
    4. The water can tug the vehicle toward that side, so slow before it and grip the wheel
    Show answer

    Answer D: The water can tug the vehicle toward that side, so slow before it and grip the wheel

    Water dragging on the tires of one side only pulls the vehicle that way. Reduce speed before you reach it and hold the wheel firmly.

28. How much moving water is generally enough to float and carry away most passenger vehicles?

    1. About three feet, roughly up to the middle of the side windows
    2. About two feet, roughly the height of the door handles on most cars
    3. Only water deep enough to reach the roof line of the vehicle
    4. About one foot
    Show answer

    Answer D: About one foot

    About a foot of moving water will float most cars, and even less will stall an engine. That is why the rule is to turn around instead of judging the depth.

    Source: weather.gov

29. Why is standing water across a road dangerous even when it looks shallow?

    1. It cools the tires enough that the rubber loses its grip on the pavement
    2. It can hide a washed out roadbed, a deep hole or a missing cover
    3. It always contains chemicals that damage the brake pads within a few seconds
    4. It reflects sunlight upward and makes the road markings impossible to follow
    Show answer

    Answer B: It can hide a washed out roadbed, a deep hole or a missing cover

    You cannot see the surface under the water, and floods commonly wash the roadbed away or lift covers off drains.

    Source: weather.gov

30. You must cross a stretch of water lying across the road that you know is shallow. What is the right technique?

    1. Slow down before you reach it and cross steadily in a low gear
    2. Keep your normal speed so momentum carries the vehicle through quickly
    3. Brake hard as you enter, then accelerate strongly once the wheels are wet
    4. Stop in the middle to check the depth, then drive out as fast as you can
    Show answer

    Answer A: Slow down before you reach it and cross steadily in a low gear

    Slow before the water, then keep a steady low speed so you do not throw water over the engine or lose steering. Test the brakes gently once you are through.

31. You are driving at night through heavy falling snow. Which headlight setting works better and why?

    1. High beams, because more light always means you can see further in any weather
    2. Parking lights only, because they throw far less glare back at you in snow
    3. Low beams, because high beams bounce off the falling flakes back at you
    4. Hazard lights instead of headlights, because they are easier to see in snow
    Show answer

    Answer C: Low beams, because high beams bounce off the falling flakes back at you

    Falling snow reflects light the way fog does, so high beams build a white wall of glare while low beams still give a usable view.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

32. Your tires drop into deep slush that has built up between the travel lanes. What should you do?

    1. Accelerate briskly so the wheels climb out of the slush onto clean pavement
    2. Ease off the accelerator and grip the wheel, since slush tugs the vehicle
    3. Brake firmly right away so the slush cannot build any more speed under you
    4. Turn the wheel sharply toward the clear lane to get out of the slush at once
    Show answer

    Answer B: Ease off the accelerator and grip the wheel, since slush tugs the vehicle

    Slush grabs at the tires and can pull the vehicle sideways. Reduce power gently, hold the wheel firmly and avoid sudden steering or braking.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

33. In near freezing weather, which part of an otherwise clear road is most likely to still be icy?

    1. A long straight section crossing an open field in full sunlight
    2. A south facing slope that has been in the sun since early morning
    3. The middle of a wide intersection where many vehicles have passed
    4. A shaded dip under trees or beside a rock cut
    Show answer

    Answer D: A shaded dip under trees or beside a rock cut

    Sun clears most of the road, but shaded hollows never warm up and can hold ice long after the rest of the pavement is dry.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

34. What does black ice usually look like from the driver seat?

    1. A white crust that stands out clearly against the darker pavement around it
    2. A rough gray film that scatters your headlight beams in every direction
    3. A patch of pavement that simply looks wet or slightly glossy
    4. A row of ridges you can feel through the steering long before you reach it
    Show answer

    Answer C: A patch of pavement that simply looks wet or slightly glossy

    Black ice is clear, so you see the dark road through it and read it as a wet patch. In freezing weather, treat any wet looking patch as ice.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

35. You find that the road surface has turned to sheet ice. What speed is appropriate?

    1. A crawl, slow enough that you could stop without braking hard
    2. Half the posted limit, the standard reduction for any winter surface
    3. The posted limit, provided the vehicle has antilock brakes and traction control
    4. Whatever speed the vehicle ahead is using, while staying in its tracks
    Show answer

    Answer A: A crawl, slow enough that you could stop without braking hard

    Ice can cut grip to a fraction of normal, so stopping takes many times the usual distance and only a crawl leaves any margin.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

36. You realize your tires are running on ice. Which set of inputs is safest?

    1. Firm braking, a quick lane change, and a burst of power to regain grip
    2. Hard braking first, then steering once the vehicle has slowed to a walk
    3. Gentle steering, no sudden braking, and no sudden acceleration
    4. Sharp steering corrections, with the brake held lightly the whole time
    Show answer

    Answer C: Gentle steering, no sudden braking, and no sudden acceleration

    Whatever grip is left is used up at once by any sudden input, so every movement of wheel, brake and accelerator must be slow and small.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

37. Rain is falling and the outside temperature reads close to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Why is that dangerous?

    1. The rain can freeze on contact and glaze the road with ice
    2. Rain at that temperature is much heavier and floods the drains far faster
    3. Cold rain makes tires expand, raising the pressure above the safe limit
    4. Water that cold makes headlight glass crack, which cuts your night vision
    Show answer

    Answer A: The rain can freeze on contact and glaze the road with ice

    Near freezing, rain landing on cold pavement can turn to a glaze of ice almost at once, so a road that looks merely wet may have no grip at all.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

38. Compared with dry pavement, how much room does a vehicle need to stop on packed snow?

    1. About the same, because antilock brakes make up the difference
    2. Slightly less, because cold rubber grips the surface more firmly
    3. About ten percent more, which a normal following gap already covers
    4. Several times as much
    Show answer

    Answer D: Several times as much

    Grip on packed snow is a fraction of that on dry pavement, so stopping distance grows several times over. Antilock brakes help you steer, not stop shorter.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

39. Should you drive with your hazard lights flashing while moving in fog?

    1. No, they hide your turn signals and suggest you are stopped
    2. Yes, they are the brightest lights on the vehicle and cut through fog best
    3. Yes, but only when your speed is above the posted minimum on the highway
    4. Yes, they replace the headlights and reduce the glare thrown back at you
    Show answer

    Answer A: No, they hide your turn signals and suggest you are stopped

    Hazard lights on a moving vehicle tell other drivers you are stopped or disabled, and they cancel out your turn signals just when clarity matters most.

    Source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov

40. Why is passing another vehicle a bad idea in dense fog?

    1. Fog makes the engine lose power, so the pass takes much longer than usual
    2. Fog condenses on the road and makes the passing lane far more slippery
    3. You cannot see far enough ahead to know the passing lane is clear
    4. Your turn signals cannot be seen once fog has settled on the lenses
    Show answer

    Answer C: You cannot see far enough ahead to know the passing lane is clear

    A pass needs a clear view of the road well beyond the vehicle you are overtaking, and fog takes exactly that away.

    Source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov

41. You are driving through patchy fog on a highway. What should you be ready for?

    1. A steady loss of visibility that continues for the rest of the trip
    2. Sudden dense banks where visibility drops within a few car lengths
    3. Fog that only ever forms on the crest of a hill and never in a valley
    4. Warmer air that dries the pavement and gives you extra grip inside the fog
    Show answer

    Answer B: Sudden dense banks where visibility drops within a few car lengths

    Patchy fog can go from clear to nearly blind in a moment, so keep your speed low enough that a sudden bank does not leave you without room.

    Source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov

42. A dust storm is blowing across the highway ahead of you. What is the recommended response?

    1. Slow to about half the limit and follow the tail lights of the car in front
    2. Leave the road if you can, park well clear and take your foot off the brake
    3. Stop in the right lane with the hazard lights and headlights turned on
    4. Speed up so that you get through the dust before it thickens any further
    Show answer

    Answer B: Leave the road if you can, park well clear and take your foot off the brake

    Get well off the pavement, switch the lights off and keep your foot off the brake, so drivers still on the road do not follow your tail lights off the highway.

43. Smoke from a nearby fire is drifting across the highway. What should you do?

    1. Turn on the high beams so that the smoke is lit up further ahead of you
    2. Open the windows so you can hear traffic that you are no longer able to see
    3. Slow down, use low beams, and close the windows and vents
    4. Keep your speed and steer by the center line until you are past the smoke
    Show answer

    Answer C: Slow down, use low beams, and close the windows and vents

    Smoke cuts visibility like fog and can make your eyes water. Low beams, a much lower speed and closed vents protect both your view and the air in the car.

44. You are passing a large truck on an open highway in a strong crosswind. What should you expect?

    1. A push toward the truck, then a push the other way as you clear it
    2. A steady pull to the right that lasts until you are well past the trailer
    3. No wind effect at all, because the truck blocks the gusts completely
    4. The steering will go light and the front tires will lose contact with the road
    Show answer

    Answer A: A push toward the truck, then a push the other way as you clear it

    The truck shelters you as you go by and then releases you into the full gust, so the load on the steering changes twice during the pass.

45. Where is a strong crosswind most likely to hit you suddenly?

    1. In the middle of a town where buildings stand on both sides of the street
    2. In a deep cut through a hillside with high banks on either side of you
    3. Under a long overpass that shelters the roadway from the weather above
    4. Coming out of a tunnel or a cut onto an open bridge
    Show answer

    Answer D: Coming out of a tunnel or a cut onto an open bridge

    Gusts arrive the moment you leave shelter, which is why bridge approaches and the ends of cuts and tunnels catch drivers out.

46. Which vehicle is most affected by a strong side wind?

    1. A small low sedan carrying four passengers and a full trunk
    2. A sports car with wide tires traveling at highway speed
    3. A motorcycle carrying no luggage on a road sheltered by trees
    4. A van or a car towing a tall trailer
    Show answer

    Answer D: A van or a car towing a tall trailer

    Wind pushes against the side area of a vehicle, so tall boxy shapes and trailers are moved far more than low heavy ones.

48. A strong wind is blowing across an open stretch of road. Besides the gusts, what else should you watch for?

    1. Branches, dust and loose objects blown into your path
    2. Pavement that expands in the wind and forms ridges across the lanes
    3. Traffic signals that switch to flashing yellow whenever it is windy
    4. Headlights that dim because the wind cools the engine and the alternator
    Show answer

    Answer A: Branches, dust and loose objects blown into your path

    High wind strips branches, litter and dust onto the roadway and can push other vehicles out of their lane, so scan much further ahead than usual.

49. Why does a dirty windshield matter much more at night than during the day?

    1. Dirt freezes at night and can crack the glass when the defroster is used
    2. Wipers cannot clear a dirty windshield once the outside air turns cold
    3. Dust and streaks scatter oncoming light and increase glare
    4. A dirty windshield makes the headlights aim lower than they were set to
    Show answer

    Answer C: Dust and streaks scatter oncoming light and increase glare

    Film and streaks on the glass spread every oncoming headlight into a star of glare, so clean the inside as well as the outside before a night trip.

50. You leave a brightly lit service area onto a dark rural road. Why should you slow down for a while?

    1. The engine needs time to warm up again after idling in the lit area
    2. Headlights take about a minute to reach their full brightness after a stop
    3. Your eyes need time to adjust, so at first you see less
    4. Tires are cold after the stop and cannot grip until they have warmed up
    Show answer

    Answer C: Your eyes need time to adjust, so at first you see less

    Eyes take a few minutes to adapt from bright light to darkness, and during that time you can see much less than your headlights actually show.

51. About how far ahead do low beam headlights let you see on a dark road?

    1. About 500 feet, the same distance as a good set of high beams
    2. About 250 feet
    3. About 100 feet, roughly the length of three parked cars end to end
    4. About 1000 feet, which is why night speed limits are left unchanged
    Show answer

    Answer B: About 250 feet

    Low beams light roughly 250 feet of road, and high beams roughly 350 to 500 feet, which sets the limit on a safe night speed.

52. Your low beams light about 250 feet of road, but at your speed you would need more than that to stop. What is that called?

    1. Driving with the high beams on when a vehicle is close ahead of you
    2. Riding the brakes, because you must slow down again immediately
    3. Driving without enough contrast between the road and the shoulder
    4. Overdriving your headlights
    Show answer

    Answer D: Overdriving your headlights

    When your stopping distance is longer than the stretch of road your headlights show, you cannot react to anything you finally see. Slow down until you can.

53. Why are pedestrians and cyclists a special risk on unlit streets at night?

    1. Dark clothing can make them invisible until they are very close
    2. They are legally required to walk facing traffic, which puts them in your lane
    3. Street lighting makes their shadows fall in a way that hides the curb line
    4. They usually move faster at night, so they cross the roadway more quickly
    Show answer

    Answer A: Dark clothing can make them invisible until they are very close

    A person in dark clothing reflects almost no light and may not appear until they are inside your stopping distance, so cut your speed where people may be about.

54. In most states, when are headlights required apart from times of poor visibility?

    1. From about half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise
    2. Only between midnight and dawn, when most streets have no lighting at all
    3. Only on roads without street lighting, whatever the time of day happens to be
    4. Only when the vehicle is being driven above the posted minimum speed limit
    Show answer

    Answer A: From about half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise

    Most states require lights from about half an hour after sunset until about half an hour before sunrise, and some simply say sunset to sunrise; lights are also required whenever visibility is poor.

55. Why is dusk one of the harder times of day to drive?

    1. Headlights reach only half as far in the hour before it is fully dark
    2. The failing light blurs shapes into the background
    3. Tires cool quickly at dusk and lose a noticeable amount of their grip
    4. Traffic signals dim automatically at dusk to save power on the network
    Show answer

    Answer B: The failing light blurs shapes into the background

    In fading light there is not enough contrast to pick objects out, yet it is not dark enough for headlights to do the work, so pedestrians and cyclists disappear.

56. The sun is low behind you and shining into the eyes of oncoming drivers. What should you do?

    1. Use your high beams so oncoming drivers can pick you out against the sun
    2. Move to the left side of your lane so the sun is not directly behind your car
    3. Turn on your headlights and expect oncoming drivers not to see you
    4. Sound your horn at each intersection to warn drivers who are facing the sun
    Show answer

    Answer C: Turn on your headlights and expect oncoming drivers not to see you

    Drivers facing the low sun may not see you at all, so make yourself as visible as possible and give way rather than insisting on your right of way.

57. Low sun is shining onto the signal ahead and you cannot tell which light is lit. What should you do?

    1. Assume the signal is green if the vehicles beside you are still moving
    2. Sound the horn and cross the intersection without slowing down at all
    3. Speed up so you spend as little time as possible in the intersection
    4. Slow down and be ready to stop until you can be sure
    Show answer

    Answer D: Slow down and be ready to stop until you can be sure

    An unreadable signal has to be treated as one that may be red, so approach slowly enough to stop while you work out what it shows.

58. After an hour on a hot highway your tire pressure reads higher than it did in the morning. What should you do?

    1. Let air out until the reading matches the figure on the door placard
    2. Add air, because heat makes the rubber expand and the tire go soft
    3. Stop and let the tires cool for an hour, then let out the extra air
    4. Nothing, because pressure rises when tires heat up
    Show answer

    Answer D: Nothing, because pressure rises when tires heat up

    Air expands as the tire warms, so a hot reading is normally above the cold setting. Bleeding air off would leave the tire underinflated once it cooled.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

59. Why is an underinflated tire especially risky on a long drive in hot weather?

    1. It rolls with less friction, so the vehicle takes much longer to slow down
    2. It pulls the vehicle to one side and wears the steering linkage out quickly
    3. It flexes more, builds up heat and can fail at speed
    4. It raises the vehicle slightly, which changes the aim of the headlights
    Show answer

    Answer C: It flexes more, builds up heat and can fail at speed

    A soft tire flexes on every rotation, and that flexing makes heat that the hot road and high speed add to until the tire can come apart.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

60. Why is a wet road at night harder to read than the same road in daylight?

    1. The wet surface reflects light away and swallows the lane markings
    2. Headlights lose about half their brightness whenever the air is damp
    3. Wet pavement absorbs the beam and reflects it directly back into your eyes
    4. Rain drops on the road magnify the markings and make them look further away
    Show answer

    Answer A: The wet surface reflects light away and swallows the lane markings

    A film of water sends your headlight beam onward instead of back to you, so lines, edges and people in dark clothing almost disappear.

61. You are the first driver on a road just after a storm. What should you plan for?

    1. Traffic signals that have all reset themselves to a flashing green display
    2. Branches, mud and other debris hidden around the next bend
    3. Pavement markings that have been washed away for the whole length of the route
    4. Speed limits that are automatically halved for the day after a storm
    Show answer

    Answer B: Branches, mud and other debris hidden around the next bend

    Storm debris lands where nobody has cleared it yet, often just beyond a curve or a crest, so reduce speed and look much further ahead.

62. You are driving on a road covered with a layer of wet fallen leaves. What should you expect?

    1. Better grip than bare pavement, because the leaves soak the water up
    2. As little grip as on ice, plus hidden markings and hidden holes
    3. No change in grip, but a slight increase in the noise from the tires
    4. Extra grip when braking, and reduced grip only while you accelerate
    Show answer

    Answer B: As little grip as on ice, plus hidden markings and hidden holes

    Wet leaves are as slippery as ice and they hide the lane lines and any potholes underneath, so slow well before curves and stops.

63. Loose gravel has been swept into the middle of your lane on a downhill bend. Which controls are affected most?

    1. The parking brake, which cannot hold the vehicle on a loose surface
    2. The wipers, which cannot clear the dust thrown up by the gravel
    3. The horn, which cannot be heard above the noise of the loose gravel
    4. Steering and braking, since the loose stones roll under the tires
    Show answer

    Answer D: Steering and braking, since the loose stones roll under the tires

    Gravel rolls between rubber and pavement, so the tires can neither turn the vehicle nor slow it as they would on a clean surface.

64. You drive onto a section where the top layer has been milled off and the surface is grooved. How will it feel?

    1. The brakes will grab suddenly, so you should hold the pedal down firmly
    2. The engine will lose power, so you should change to a lower gear at once
    3. The steering may wander, so hold the wheel firmly and slow down
    4. The vehicle will float as if on water, so you should steer with small jerks
    Show answer

    Answer C: The steering may wander, so hold the wheel firmly and slow down

    Grooves cut into the pavement tug at the tires and make the steering feel restless. A firm grip and a lower speed keep the vehicle tracking straight.

65. In a work zone one lane sits an inch or two lower than the lane beside it. How should you change lanes?

    1. Straddle the ridge for a moment so both front wheels climb it together
    2. Change lanes quickly with a sharp turn so the wheels cross the edge at once
    3. Slow down and cross the edge at a shallow angle, holding the wheel firmly
    4. Brake hard while crossing so the vehicle settles before it reaches the lane
    Show answer

    Answer C: Slow down and cross the edge at a shallow angle, holding the wheel firmly

    A vertical edge between lanes can catch a tire and jerk the steering. Crossing slowly at a shallow angle lets the wheel climb without grabbing.

66. Heavy trucks have worn deep ruts into a highway lane and rain has filled them. What is the danger?

    1. The ruts keep the tires straight, so the steering will lock in position
    2. Water in the ruts cools the brakes so much that they stop working
    3. The ruts channel the water away and leave the lane completely dry
    4. Water collects in them, so the tires can lose contact with the road
    Show answer

    Answer D: Water collects in them, so the tires can lose contact with the road

    Ruts hold standing water long after the rest of the lane has drained, which makes them the most likely place to start hydroplaning.

67. Fresh snow covers the road and earlier vehicles have left clear tracks. What line is usually best?

    1. The untouched snow at the edge, where the surface has not been polished
    2. The existing tracks, where more of the tire can reach the surface
    3. The center of the road, away from the tracks and from the shoulder alike
    4. Whatever line lets you keep the same speed you were using before the snow
    Show answer

    Answer B: The existing tracks, where more of the tire can reach the surface

    Running in the cleared tracks puts more rubber on the road surface than ploughing through loose snow, provided the tracks have not turned to polished ice.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

68. Which of these is part of preparing a vehicle for winter driving?

    1. Fitting good tires and using washer fluid that will not freeze
    2. Lowering the tire pressure well below the placard figure for more grip
    3. Letting the fuel level run low so the extra weight does not slow you down
    4. Turning off the antilock brakes so the wheels can cut through the snow
    Show answer

    Answer A: Fitting good tires and using washer fluid that will not freeze

    Winter readiness means tread, battery, wipers, antifreeze and washer fluid rated for the cold, plus a reasonable amount of fuel in the tank.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

69. What is worth carrying in the vehicle during a winter trip?

    1. A blanket, a flashlight, a scraper and a small shovel
    2. A container of hot water for pouring over a frozen windshield
    3. A set of spare fuses and a spare set of headlight bulbs only
    4. Extra weight in the trunk to keep the front tires firmly loaded
    Show answer

    Answer A: A blanket, a flashlight, a scraper and a small shovel

    A winter kit keeps you warm and visible if you are stopped for hours, and lets you clear glass and dig the wheels out. Hot water can crack cold glass.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

70. Your vehicle is stuck in deep snow and you run the engine for heat while waiting for help. What must you check?

    1. That the parking brake is off so the rear brakes do not freeze on
    2. That the headlights are off so the battery is not drained during the wait
    3. That the exhaust pipe is clear of snow
    4. That the windows are fully closed so no cold air can get into the cabin
    Show answer

    Answer C: That the exhaust pipe is clear of snow

    Snow packed around the tailpipe pushes exhaust back into the cabin, and carbon monoxide can kill without warning. Clear the pipe and crack a window open.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

71. The inside of your windshield keeps fogging up on a cold, damp day. What clears it best?

    1. Wiping it with your hand while you keep driving at a reduced speed
    2. The defroster with the air conditioning on, which dries the air
    3. Recirculated cabin air with the heater turned to its highest setting
    4. Opening only the rear windows so that damp air is drawn out backward
    Show answer

    Answer B: The defroster with the air conditioning on, which dries the air

    Fog on the inside is moisture from the cabin air. The air conditioner dries that air, and the defroster warms the glass, so together they clear it and keep it clear.

72. A truck passes you in heavy rain and its spray blanks out your windshield. What should you do?

    1. Brake hard at once, since you can no longer see the road ahead of you
    2. Hold the wheel steady, ease off slightly and let the wipers clear it
    3. Steer toward the shoulder immediately so you are out of the traffic lane
    4. Turn on the high beams so the light cuts through the spray more quickly
    Show answer

    Answer B: Hold the wheel steady, ease off slightly and let the wipers clear it

    The blackout lasts a second or two. Keeping your line and easing off is far safer than braking hard or steering blind toward the shoulder.

73. A snow squall cuts visibility to almost nothing while you are on a highway. What must you not do?

    1. Slow down gradually while watching the mirror for the traffic behind you
    2. Turn on the low beams so that other drivers can pick you out sooner
    3. Increase the gap to the vehicle ahead until you can see it clearly again
    4. Stop in a travel lane and wait for the squall to blow through
    Show answer

    Answer D: Stop in a travel lane and wait for the squall to blow through

    A vehicle stopped in a lane in a whiteout is invisible until someone hits it. Slow gradually and keep moving until you can leave the roadway completely.

    Source: nhtsa.gov

74. Visibility drops suddenly and you decide to leave the highway. What is the safest way to do it?

    1. Take the next exit or a wide pull off, well clear of the traffic lanes
    2. Stop on the paved shoulder with the interior light on so you can be seen
    3. Make a U turn across the median and drive back to the last town you passed
    4. Slow to walking pace in the right lane until the weather improves again
    Show answer

    Answer A: Take the next exit or a wide pull off, well clear of the traffic lanes

    Get right off the traveled way, and off the shoulder too if you can, because vehicles in poor visibility often drift onto the shoulder.