MS DMV Vehicle Operation and Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the proper way to use mirrors while driving on the highway?
- Check mirrors only when changing lanes
- Glance at mirrors every 5–8 seconds to monitor surroundings (Correct answer)
- Focus only on the road ahead to avoid distraction
- Use only the rearview mirror and ignore side mirrors
Correct answer: Glance at mirrors every 5–8 seconds to monitor surroundings
Regularly scanning mirrors every 5–8 seconds keeps you aware of surrounding traffic and reduces dangerous blind spots.
Question 2: When towing a trailer, stopping distances will:
- Decrease because the extra weight adds momentum
- Stay the same if tires are properly inflated
- Increase significantly due to the additional weight (Correct answer)
- Be unaffected if the trailer has its own brakes
Correct answer: Increase significantly due to the additional weight
Towing increases total vehicle weight, which requires substantially longer braking distances even with trailer brakes equipped.
Question 3: What should you do if an oncoming driver fails to dim their high beams at night?
- Flash your high beams repeatedly until they respond
- Look toward the right edge of the road to avoid being blinded (Correct answer)
- Slow down and look directly at the headlights to judge distance
- Stop the vehicle and wait for them to pass
Correct answer: Look toward the right edge of the road to avoid being blinded
Looking toward the right edge of your lane helps you stay on course while avoiding the blinding effect of the oncoming headlights.
Question 4: The 'two-second rule' for following distance means:
- You must stop completely every two seconds in heavy traffic
- Your vehicle should pass a fixed point two seconds after the car ahead (Correct answer)
- You check mirrors every two seconds
- You must maintain exactly two car lengths at all speeds
Correct answer: Your vehicle should pass a fixed point two seconds after the car ahead
After the car ahead passes a fixed point, at least two seconds should elapse before your vehicle reaches that same point.
Question 5: When is it legal to back up on a Mississippi highway or freeway?
- When you miss your exit and traffic is light
- Only if a law enforcement officer directs you to do so
- It is never permitted on a highway or freeway (Correct answer)
- When your hazard lights are activated
Correct answer: It is never permitted on a highway or freeway
Backing up on highways or freeways is extremely dangerous and is prohibited under Mississippi traffic law.
Question 6: Which technique helps prevent fatigue on a long drive?
- Keep the heater on high to stay warm and relaxed
- Stop every two hours to rest, walk, and refresh (Correct answer)
- Drive faster to reach your destination sooner
- Drink caffeinated beverages continuously throughout the trip
Correct answer: Stop every two hours to rest, walk, and refresh
Taking regular breaks every two hours combats driver fatigue more effectively than stimulants or other compensatory measures.
Question 7: If your vehicle starts to overheat, what should you do first?
- Add cold water to the radiator immediately
- Turn on the heater to draw heat away from the engine (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to increase airflow to the engine
- Turn off all electrical accessories to reduce load
Correct answer: Turn on the heater to draw heat away from the engine
Turning on the heater transfers heat from the engine into the passenger cabin, helping cool the engine temporarily.
MS DMV Vehicle Operation and Control 3
What is the proper way to use mirrors while driving on the highway?