Special Driving Conditions Flashcards
6 cards from real CALIFORNIA DMV practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Special Driving Conditions flashcards as text
When driving in heavy fog in California, you should use:
Answer: Low-beam headlights or fog lights
Low-beam headlights or dedicated fog lights project light downward and forward without reflecting back into your eyes in foggy conditions.
When driving in rain after a long dry spell in California, roads become especially dangerous because:
Answer: Oil and grease mix with water to create slippery conditions
After dry periods, oil and grease accumulate on road surfaces; when first wetted, this mixture creates extremely slippery conditions before rain washes it away.
What is hydroplaning and when does it occur?
Answer: Loss of tire traction when tires ride on a layer of water rather than the road surface
Hydroplaning occurs when tires travel faster than water can be displaced, causing them to ride on a film of water and lose contact with the road.
To prevent or recover from hydroplaning in California, you should:
Answer: Ease off the accelerator and hold the steering wheel straight
To recover from hydroplaning, gradually ease off the gas without braking and keep the steering wheel steady until the tires regain road contact.
When driving in strong crosswind conditions in California, the greatest danger is:
Answer: Being pushed out of your lane, especially on bridges or in high-profile vehicles
Strong crosswinds can push vehicles — especially trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles — sideways, making lane control difficult, particularly on exposed bridges.
When driving through standing water of unknown depth in California, you should:
Answer: Never drive through standing water of unknown depth
You should never attempt to drive through standing water of unknown depth — just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down and 12 inches can carry a vehicle.