MTO Basic Driving 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should you do if your accelerator pedal becomes stuck while driving?
- Shift to neutral, apply brakes steadily, and pull safely off the road (Correct answer)
- Turn off the ignition while the vehicle is moving
- Pump the brake pedal rapidly and steer toward the shoulder
- Immediately apply the parking brake to stop the vehicle
Correct answer: Shift to neutral, apply brakes steadily, and pull safely off the road
Shifting to neutral disengages the engine from the wheels, allowing you to brake safely and steer to the side.
Question 2: What is the correct hand position recommended for steering by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?
- 10 and 2 o'clock
- 9 and 3 o'clock (Correct answer)
- 8 and 4 o'clock
- 12 o'clock with one hand
Correct answer: 9 and 3 o'clock
NHTSA now recommends 9 and 3 o'clock because it keeps hands away from the airbag deployment zone.
Question 3: When driving through a work zone (construction zone), you should:
- Obey all posted speed limits and be prepared for sudden stops (Correct answer)
- Drive at normal speed since workers are protected by barriers
- Use your horn to alert workers of your presence
- Pass slower vehicles quickly to reduce time spent in the zone
Correct answer: Obey all posted speed limits and be prepared for sudden stops
Work zones require reduced speed and extra alertness because workers, equipment, and lane changes are unpredictable.
Question 4: A broken white line between lanes on a highway means:
- Lane changing is allowed when safe (Correct answer)
- Passing is prohibited
- The lane is reserved for HOV vehicles
- You must stay in your lane at all times
Correct answer: Lane changing is allowed when safe
Broken white lines separate traffic moving in the same direction and indicate that lane changes are permitted when safe.
Question 5: What is the safest way to check your blind spot before changing lanes?
- Quickly turn your head and glance over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move (Correct answer)
- Rely solely on your side-view mirrors
- Ask a passenger to check for you
- Slow down sharply before moving over
Correct answer: Quickly turn your head and glance over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move
Mirrors have blind spots, so a quick shoulder check is essential to confirm no vehicle is alongside you.
Question 6: If you are involved in a minor collision with no injuries and the vehicles are drivable, what should you do first?
- Move vehicles out of traffic, exchange information, and report to police if required (Correct answer)
- Leave the scene quickly to avoid confrontation
- Wait in the roadway until police arrive, even if it blocks traffic
- Call your insurance company before speaking to the other driver
Correct answer: Move vehicles out of traffic, exchange information, and report to police if required
Moving drivable vehicles out of traffic prevents secondary crashes and is required by law in many states.
Question 7: When driving in fog, which lights should you use?
- Low-beam headlights or fog lights (Correct answer)
- High-beam headlights for maximum illumination
- Parking lights only to avoid blinding others
- No lights — they reflect off the fog and reduce visibility
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights or fog lights
High beams reflect off fog particles back at the driver; low beams or fog lights direct light downward for better visibility.
MTO Basic Driving 3
What should you do if your accelerator pedal becomes stuck while driving?