MN DVS MN DVS Special Driving Conditions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the safe following distance a Minnesota driver should maintain at highway speeds on dry roads?
- 1-second rule
- 2-second rule
- 3-second rule (Correct answer)
- 5-second rule
Correct answer: 3-second rule
Minnesota recommends the 3-second rule for following distance at highway speeds on dry roads, allowing adequate reaction and stopping time.
Question 2: How should following distance be adjusted in Minnesota when driving on snow or ice?
- Increase to 6–10 seconds (Correct answer)
- Keep the same 3-second rule
- Decrease to 1 second since tires grip better in snow
- Follow within 1 car length to keep heat from the vehicle ahead
Correct answer: Increase to 6–10 seconds
On snow or ice, stopping distances increase dramatically and drivers should increase following distance to 6–10 seconds to allow for extended braking.
Question 3: In Minnesota, when sharing the road with a snowplow, where should you position your vehicle?
- Pass the plow quickly on the left to avoid snow spray
- Stay behind the plow at a safe distance (Correct answer)
- Follow closely behind the plow to use its cleared path
- Pull off the road and wait for the plow to pass
Correct answer: Stay behind the plow at a safe distance
Stay well behind a snowplow — they throw snow and ice that can instantly obscure windshields, and the road behind them is immediately cleaner.
Question 4: What should a Minnesota driver do when approaching a flooded roadway?
- Proceed slowly through the water — most cars can handle flooding
- Turn around — never drive through flooded roads (Correct answer)
- Accelerate through to minimize time in water
- Test depth with your foot before driving through
Correct answer: Turn around — never drive through flooded roads
Minnesota promotes the 'Turn Around, Don't Drown' message — just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down and 2 feet can sweep a car away.
Question 5: When driving through road construction in Minnesota, what is the fine multiplier for speeding violations in a work zone with workers present?
- 1.5 times the standard fine
- 2 times the standard fine (Correct answer)
- 3 times the standard fine
- There is no fine increase
Correct answer: 2 times the standard fine
Minnesota doubles speeding fines in active work zones where workers are present to protect road crew safety.
Question 6: What is the proper technique for driving on a curve in Minnesota winter conditions?
- Brake in the curve to reduce speed as needed
- Accelerate through the curve to maintain momentum
- Slow down before the curve and maintain steady speed through it (Correct answer)
- Use the left lane for better grip on curves
Correct answer: Slow down before the curve and maintain steady speed through it
Brake and reduce speed before entering a curve, then maintain a steady speed through it to avoid losing traction on slippery winter roads.
MN DVS MN DVS Special Driving Conditions 2
What is the safe following distance a Minnesota driver should maintain at highway speeds on dry roads?