MS DMV Vehicle Operation and Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When driving on a slippery road and your rear wheels begin to skid, you should:
- Brake hard and steer straight
- Steer into the skid and ease off the gas (Correct answer)
- Steer away from the skid and accelerate
- Apply the parking brake gently
Correct answer: Steer into the skid and ease off the gas
Steering into the direction of a rear-wheel skid helps realign the vehicle while easing off the gas reduces wheel spin.
Question 2: What does 'hydroplaning' mean when driving in rain?
- The engine overheats from rain exposure
- Tires lose contact with the road surface due to a water layer (Correct answer)
- Water enters the fuel system
- Windshield wipers fail to clear rain effectively
Correct answer: Tires lose contact with the road surface due to a water layer
Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds between the tires and road, causing loss of traction and steering control.
Question 3: When parallel parking, you should first position your vehicle:
- Directly behind the target space bumper-to-bumper
- Alongside the car in front of the space, about 2 feet away (Correct answer)
- In front of the space facing the curb
- Diagonally in front of the space
Correct answer: Alongside the car in front of the space, about 2 feet away
Proper parallel parking begins by pulling alongside the car in front of the target space, approximately 2 feet away and even with it.
Question 4: On a steep downhill grade, the best way to control speed is to:
- Shift to a lower gear and use engine braking (Correct answer)
- Keep the transmission in neutral to reduce wear
- Press the brake pedal continuously at full force
- Accelerate briefly then coast to manage speed
Correct answer: Shift to a lower gear and use engine braking
Downshifting to a lower gear uses engine braking to help control speed and prevents brake overheating on steep grades.
Question 5: What is the safest action if your accelerator pedal sticks while driving?
- Turn off the ignition immediately
- Shift to neutral, apply brakes, and pull safely off the road (Correct answer)
- Pump the gas pedal repeatedly to free it
- Press harder on the accelerator to break it loose
Correct answer: Shift to neutral, apply brakes, and pull safely off the road
Shifting to neutral disengages the engine from the drive wheels, allowing you to brake and safely stop without losing steering.
Question 6: When driving through a curve, you should:
- Accelerate through the curve to maintain momentum
- Brake in the middle of the curve for control
- Reduce speed before entering and accelerate gently while exiting (Correct answer)
- Steer sharply at the last moment to follow the curve
Correct answer: Reduce speed before entering and accelerate gently while exiting
Slowing before a curve and gradually accelerating while exiting helps maintain vehicle stability and control throughout the turn.
Question 7: If your power steering suddenly fails while driving, you should expect:
- The steering wheel to lock completely
- Much greater effort required to steer the vehicle (Correct answer)
- Automatic activation of the ABS system
- The vehicle to drift automatically to the right
Correct answer: Much greater effort required to steer the vehicle
Without power steering assistance, you can still steer but must apply significantly more physical force to turn the wheel.
MS DMV Vehicle Operation and Control 2
When driving on a slippery road and your rear wheels begin to skid, you should: