CDT Special Driving Conditions Training 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When teaching mountain driving, which braking technique should a CDT instructor emphasize for long descents?
- Continuous light brake pressure throughout the descent
- Engine braking with periodic firm brake applications (Correct answer)
- Pumping the brakes rapidly every few seconds
- Using the parking brake in combination with foot brakes
Correct answer: Engine braking with periodic firm brake applications
Using a lower gear for engine braking on long descents, supplemented by brief firm brake applications, prevents brake fade caused by overheating.
Question 2: A student driver's vehicle begins to spin on black ice. The instructor should immediately coach the student to:
- Counter-steer aggressively in the opposite direction of the skid
- Steer in the direction of the skid and avoid braking (Correct answer)
- Steer in the direction of the skid and apply steady throttle
- Apply full brakes and turn the wheel sharply toward the shoulder
Correct answer: Steer in the direction of the skid and avoid braking
Steering into the skid and avoiding brake input allows the tires to re-engage the road surface and helps recover vehicle control.
Question 3: Which condition most significantly reduces the effectiveness of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) on ice?
- Driving at highway speeds above 55 mph
- Loose gravel or deep snow over ice (Correct answer)
- Cold temperatures below 32°F
- Extended idle time before driving
Correct answer: Loose gravel or deep snow over ice
ABS performs poorly when tires encounter loose material over ice because the system cannot find consistent traction to modulate.
Question 4: When instructing a student on driving in high crosswinds, which vehicle type requires the earliest compensatory steering adjustment?
- Compact sedans
- SUVs and minivans
- High-profile vehicles such as vans, RVs, and box trucks (Correct answer)
- Low-profile sports cars
Correct answer: High-profile vehicles such as vans, RVs, and box trucks
High-profile vehicles have large surface areas that catch wind force, making them most susceptible to lateral displacement and requiring earlier steering corrections.
Question 5: A student driving in heavy rain at night notices the painted lane markings are nearly invisible. The best instructor guidance is to:
- Increase speed to clear the rain-obscured zone faster
- Use raised pavement markers (RPMs) and road edges as reference points (Correct answer)
- Follow directly behind another vehicle at a close distance
- Activate high beams to increase lane visibility
Correct answer: Use raised pavement markers (RPMs) and road edges as reference points
Raised pavement markers reflect headlight beams and remain visible when painted lines are obscured by rain glare.
Question 6: Which student behavior indicates a correct understanding of safe following distance in fog?
- Maintaining the same 3-second gap used in clear conditions
- Increasing following distance until stopping distance equals what can be seen (Correct answer)
- Halving speed and halving following distance equally
- Following the vehicle ahead at exactly the fog visibility distance
Correct answer: Increasing following distance until stopping distance equals what can be seen
Safe following distance in fog must ensure the driver can stop completely within the visible range ahead, requiring a much longer gap than normal conditions.
Question 7: When teaching a student to navigate a low-water crossing after a storm, which factor is MOST critical to assess before entering?
- The posted speed limit on the road leading to the crossing
- Whether the water is moving or standing still (Correct answer)
- The time of day and available sunlight
- The vehicle's fuel level before crossing
Correct answer: Whether the water is moving or standing still
Moving water exerts significantly more force on a vehicle than still water, greatly increasing the risk of the vehicle being swept away even at shallow depths.
CDT Special Driving Conditions Training 3
When teaching mountain driving, which braking technique should a CDT instructor emphasize for long descents?