MN DMV Winter Driving and Adverse Weather Conditions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Minnesota, when driving on icy roads, you should:
- Accelerate quickly to maintain momentum
- Brake hard to test traction
- Reduce speed significantly and increase following distance (Correct answer)
- Pump the gas pedal to warm the engine
Correct answer: Reduce speed significantly and increase following distance
On icy roads in Minnesota, you should substantially reduce your speed and greatly increase your following distance to allow for the extended stopping distances required.
Question 2: What is 'black ice' as it relates to driving in Minnesota?
- A black-colored road surface that provides extra grip
- A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road that is extremely slippery (Correct answer)
- Ice that forms only at night
- Ice with a black chemical treatment used for de-icing
Correct answer: A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road that is extremely slippery
Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice on the pavement that is nearly invisible and extremely dangerous because drivers often cannot see it.
Question 3: In Minnesota, when your vehicle begins to skid on ice or snow, you should:
- Brake hard to stop the vehicle
- Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of the skid
- Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want to go (Correct answer)
- Increase speed to regain traction
Correct answer: Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want to go
When skidding, ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, which helps regain traction and control.
Question 4: In Minnesota, before driving in winter weather, you must clear snow and ice from:
- Only the windshield
- Only the windshield and rear window
- All windows, lights, mirrors, roof, and license plates (Correct answer)
- Only the front windows and headlights
Correct answer: All windows, lights, mirrors, roof, and license plates
Minnesota requires drivers to clear all windows, mirrors, lights, and license plates of snow and ice before driving; snow left on the roof can fly off and endanger other drivers.
Question 5: When should you use your low-beam headlights while driving in heavy snow in Minnesota?
- Never — high beams provide more light in snow
- Always — low beams reduce glare from snowflakes (Correct answer)
- Only at night
- Only when visibility is under 100 feet
Correct answer: Always — low beams reduce glare from snowflakes
In heavy snow, use low-beam headlights because high beams reflect off snowflakes and reduce visibility, while low beams illuminate the road better.
Question 6: In Minnesota, what does it mean when roads are described as 'snow-packed'?
- Roads are completely blocked by drifts
- Roads are covered with a layer of packed, compacted snow (Correct answer)
- Roads have fresh, loose snow that is easy to drive through
- Roads have been treated with sand and salt
Correct answer: Roads are covered with a layer of packed, compacted snow
Snow-packed roads are covered with a compressed layer of snow that can be extremely slippery, especially at lower temperatures when it doesn't melt.
MN DMV Winter Driving and Adverse Weather Conditions 1
In Minnesota, when driving on icy roads, you should: