DVSA Adverse Weather Driving 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How should you deal with sun glare when driving?
- Speed up to get out of the sun's path
- Use your sun visor, wear sunglasses, and slow down if visibility is affected (Correct answer)
- Ignore it and keep driving normally
- Flash your headlights to warn others
Correct answer: Use your sun visor, wear sunglasses, and slow down if visibility is affected
Use your sun visor and clean sunglasses to reduce glare. Keep your windscreen clean inside and out, as dirt amplifies glare. Slow down if visibility is seriously affected.
Question 2: What happens to your stopping distance on icy roads?
- It stays the same
- It can be up to 10 times the normal distance (Correct answer)
- It doubles
- It reduces because tyres grip ice well
Correct answer: It can be up to 10 times the normal distance
On icy roads, stopping distances can be up to 10 times greater than in dry conditions. This is why you must reduce your speed dramatically and leave much larger gaps.
Question 3: When driving in fog, which lights should you use?
- Sidelights only
- Dipped headlights and fog lights if visibility is below 100 metres (Correct answer)
- Full beam headlights
- No lights — they reflect off the fog
Correct answer: Dipped headlights and fog lights if visibility is below 100 metres
In fog, use dipped headlights. If visibility drops below 100 metres, you may also use front and rear fog lights. Never use full beam as it reflects off the fog and reduces visibility further.
Question 4: What precaution should you take when driving in heavy rain on a motorway?
- Move to the outside lane for better visibility
- Reduce speed and increase your following distance significantly (Correct answer)
- Drive as close as possible to the vehicle in front for guidance
- Use full beam headlights
Correct answer: Reduce speed and increase your following distance significantly
In heavy rain on a motorway, reduce your speed and at least double your following distance. Spray from other vehicles, especially lorries, can severely reduce visibility.
Question 5: Why is it dangerous to drive through deep standing water?
- It cleans the underside of the car
- Water can enter the engine through the air intake and cause serious damage (Correct answer)
- It improves tyre grip
- It only damages the paintwork
Correct answer: Water can enter the engine through the air intake and cause serious damage
Driving through deep water risks water being sucked into the engine through the air intake, causing hydraulic lock and potentially destroying the engine. It can also affect braking and electrics.
Question 6: What should you do after driving through a flooded area?
- Accelerate hard to dry the brakes
- Test your brakes gently and dry them by pressing lightly while driving slowly (Correct answer)
- Nothing — modern brakes are waterproof
- Stop immediately and wait 30 minutes
Correct answer: Test your brakes gently and dry them by pressing lightly while driving slowly
After driving through water, your brakes may be less effective. Test them gently and dry them by pressing the brake pedal lightly while driving slowly until normal braking is restored.
DVSA Adverse Weather Driving 3
How should you deal with sun glare when driving?