NC DMV Safe Driving Practices 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Your vehicle starts to skid on a wet road with the rear end sliding to the right. What should you do?
- Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go (Correct answer)
- Brake hard and hold the wheel straight
- Accelerate to regain traction
- Shift into park immediately
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go
Easing off the gas and steering in the direction you want to travel helps the tires regain traction and straighten the vehicle.
Question 2: What does hydroplaning mean?
- Your tires ride on a film of water and lose contact with the road (Correct answer)
- Your engine stalls from water in the intake
- Your brakes overheat on a wet downhill grade
- Your windshield fogs over in heavy rain
Correct answer: Your tires ride on a film of water and lose contact with the road
Hydroplaning occurs when tires lose road contact by riding on top of standing water, eliminating steering and braking control.
Question 3: If your accelerator sticks while driving, what should you do first?
- Shift to neutral and apply the brakes (Correct answer)
- Turn off the ignition and remove the key
- Pump the accelerator while braking hard
- Pull the parking brake as hard as possible
Correct answer: Shift to neutral and apply the brakes
Shifting to neutral disconnects engine power from the wheels so you can brake and steer safely to the roadside.
Question 4: A tire blows out while you are driving on the interstate. What is the correct response?
- Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and slow gradually before pulling off the road (Correct answer)
- Brake as hard as possible immediately
- Steer sharply toward the shoulder
- Accelerate to maintain stability
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and slow gradually before pulling off the road
Holding the wheel steady and slowing gradually prevents loss of control after a blowout, while hard braking can cause a spin.
Question 5: When driving in fog, which lights should you use?
- Low-beam headlights (Correct answer)
- High-beam headlights
- Parking lights only
- Hazard flashers with no headlights
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights
Low beams aim light at the road, while high beams reflect off fog droplets and reduce visibility further.
Question 6: Your brakes fail while driving down a hill. Which action should you try first?
- Pump the brake pedal rapidly to build pressure (Correct answer)
- Turn off the engine immediately
- Swerve side to side to slow down
- Open the door and drag your foot
Correct answer: Pump the brake pedal rapidly to build pressure
Pumping the brake pedal may restore enough hydraulic pressure to slow the vehicle before using the parking brake or a lower gear.
Question 7: If your vehicle's right wheels drift off the pavement onto the shoulder, you should:
- Ease off the gas, keep steering straight, and return to the road when it is safe at a slower speed (Correct answer)
- Jerk the wheel sharply back onto the pavement
- Brake hard while turning left
- Accelerate to climb back over the pavement edge
Correct answer: Ease off the gas, keep steering straight, and return to the road when it is safe at a slower speed
Slowing down and easing back onto the pavement prevents the overcorrection rollovers that occur when drivers yank the wheel.
NC DMV Safe Driving Practices 3
Your vehicle starts to skid on a wet road with the rear end sliding to the right.
What should you do?