DKT - Driver Knowledge Test Car Driver Knowledge Test – Defensive Driving 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended minimum following distance behind the vehicle in front under normal conditions?
- One second for every 10 km/h of speed
- A fixed gap of at least one car length
- A three-second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead (Correct answer)
- Stay as close as possible to reduce wind drag
Correct answer: A three-second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead
A three-second gap gives you enough time to perceive a hazard and brake safely. In adverse conditions such as rain or poor visibility, this gap should be increased further.
Question 2: When an aggressive driver tailgates you, the safest defensive response is to:
- Brake sharply to warn them to back off
- Speed up to create more distance ahead
- Move to a safer lane or pull over when safe to let them pass (Correct answer)
- Match their speed and maintain your position
Correct answer: Move to a safer lane or pull over when safe to let them pass
Engaging with an aggressive driver escalates risk. The safest option is to remove yourself from the situation by changing lanes or pulling over, allowing them to pass.
Question 3: When driving at night, you should use high-beam headlights:
- At all times to maximise your vision
- Only when there are no oncoming vehicles or vehicles ahead (Correct answer)
- Whenever you are travelling above 80 km/h
- Only in built-up areas with street lighting
Correct answer: Only when there are no oncoming vehicles or vehicles ahead
High beams greatly improve your vision at night, but must be switched to low beam when an oncoming vehicle approaches or when following another vehicle, to avoid blinding other drivers.
Question 4: You are approaching an intersection with a green light. A defensive driver should:
- Accelerate through quickly to clear the intersection
- Maintain speed and assume all other drivers will obey the signals
- Cover the brake and scan for vehicles that may run the red light (Correct answer)
- Honk to warn cross-traffic before entering
Correct answer: Cover the brake and scan for vehicles that may run the red light
A green light gives you the right of way but not guaranteed safety. Covering the brake and scanning for red-light runners is a core defensive habit at intersections.
Question 5: Driver fatigue is best managed by:
- Opening the windows and turning up the radio to stay alert
- Drinking two cups of coffee and continuing to drive
- Stopping for a rest break of at least 15–20 minutes when feeling drowsy (Correct answer)
- Switching lanes frequently to stay mentally engaged
Correct answer: Stopping for a rest break of at least 15–20 minutes when feeling drowsy
Only genuine rest eliminates fatigue. Stimulants and distractions provide only brief relief and do not restore reaction time or judgment. Stopping is the only safe choice.
Question 6: When merging onto a freeway, you should:
- Stop at the end of the ramp and wait for a large gap
- Match the speed of freeway traffic and merge smoothly when safe (Correct answer)
- Always give way to all freeway traffic regardless of your speed
- Flash your headlights to signal freeway drivers to make room
Correct answer: Match the speed of freeway traffic and merge smoothly when safe
Using the acceleration lane to match freeway traffic speed allows you to merge smoothly with minimal disruption. Stopping on a ramp or merging at a much lower speed creates a dangerous speed difference.
DKT - Driver Knowledge Test Car Driver Knowledge Test – Defensive Driving 1
What is the recommended minimum following distance behind the vehicle in front under normal conditions?