MTO Basic Driving 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How does alcohol affect your ability to drive?
- It impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and reduces coordination (Correct answer)
- It only affects vision, not reaction time
- It improves confidence and alertness in low doses
- It mainly affects passengers more than the driver
Correct answer: It impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and reduces coordination
Alcohol affects the central nervous system, degrading all critical driving skills including judgment, vision, and reaction time.
Question 2: What should you do when an emergency vehicle with sirens and flashing lights approaches from behind?
- Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes (Correct answer)
- Speed up to get out of its way faster
- Continue at your speed and let it pass when there is room
- Stop immediately wherever you are, even in the middle of an intersection
Correct answer: Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
You must yield by pulling to the right and stopping to give emergency vehicles a clear path.
Question 3: What is the minimum safe following distance in ideal conditions for most passenger vehicles?
- 3 seconds (Correct answer)
- 1 second
- 5 seconds
- 2 car lengths
Correct answer: 3 seconds
The 3-second rule gives most drivers enough time to perceive a hazard, react, and brake safely in ideal conditions.
Question 4: What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?
- Slow down and proceed with caution (Correct answer)
- Stop and wait for a green light
- Yield to all oncoming traffic before proceeding
- The intersection is closed — find another route
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
A flashing yellow light warns drivers to slow down and be alert, but does not require a full stop.
Question 5: Under which condition should you increase your following distance beyond 3 seconds?
- When driving in rain, snow, fog, or heavy traffic (Correct answer)
- When driving on a straight, dry highway
- When driving below 30 mph in a residential area
- When another vehicle is tailgating you
Correct answer: When driving in rain, snow, fog, or heavy traffic
Poor weather and heavy traffic increase stopping distances, so extra following distance compensates for reduced traction and visibility.
Question 6: You approach an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals) at the same time as another driver on your right. Who has the right-of-way?
- The driver on your right (Correct answer)
- You, because you arrived first
- The driver going straight over the driver turning
- Whoever has the larger vehicle
Correct answer: The driver on your right
At an uncontrolled intersection, you must yield to the vehicle on your right.
Question 7: What does the term 'hydroplaning' mean?
- Your tires ride on a film of water and lose contact with the road surface (Correct answer)
- Your engine overheats when driving through deep water
- Your brakes lock up when you press them too hard on wet pavement
- Rainwater causes your windshield to fog up unexpectedly
Correct answer: Your tires ride on a film of water and lose contact with the road surface
Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds between the tires and the road, causing a loss of traction and steering control.
MTO Basic Driving 4
How does alcohol affect your ability to drive?