NC DMV Vehicle Operation and Control 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does it mean to 'cover the brake' while driving?
- Hold your foot just above the brake pedal, ready to press it (Correct answer)
- Rest your foot lightly on the brake pedal at all times
- Use the parking brake to slow down
- Press the brake and gas at the same time
Correct answer: Hold your foot just above the brake pedal, ready to press it
Covering the brake means positioning your foot over the pedal to reduce reaction time without actually braking.
Question 2: When making a right turn at an intersection, you should begin the turn from:
- The lane closest to the right curb (Correct answer)
- The center lane
- Any available lane
- The left lane if it is less crowded
Correct answer: The lane closest to the right curb
Right turns must begin and end in the lane nearest the right edge of the roadway.
Question 3: Which of the following helps you maintain a safe following distance in normal conditions?
- Keeping at least a two-second gap behind the vehicle ahead (Correct answer)
- Staying one car length behind at any speed
- Following closely so others cannot cut in
- Matching the speed of the car beside you
Correct answer: Keeping at least a two-second gap behind the vehicle ahead
A minimum two-second following distance gives you time to react to the vehicle ahead.
Question 4: If your vehicle starts to skid on ice, you should:
- Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go (Correct answer)
- Brake hard to stop the skid
- Steer opposite the direction of the skid and accelerate
- Hold the wheel perfectly straight regardless of direction
Correct answer: Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go
Steering toward your intended path helps the tires regain traction and straighten the vehicle.
Question 5: When parking uphill next to a curb, you should turn your front wheels:
- Away from the curb (Correct answer)
- Toward the curb
- Straight ahead
- In either direction as long as the parking brake is set
Correct answer: Away from the curb
Wheels turned away from the curb will catch on it and stop the car if it rolls backward.
Question 6: What is the main purpose of anti-lock brakes (ABS) during an emergency stop?
- To keep the wheels from locking so you can continue steering (Correct answer)
- To stop the car in half the normal distance
- To eliminate the need to press the brake pedal firmly
- To automatically steer the car around obstacles
Correct answer: To keep the wheels from locking so you can continue steering
ABS prevents wheel lockup, allowing you to steer while braking hard.
Question 7: With ABS-equipped brakes, the correct technique in an emergency stop is to:
- Press the brake pedal firmly and hold it down (Correct answer)
- Pump the brake pedal rapidly
- Tap the brake lightly several times
- Apply the parking brake first
Correct answer: Press the brake pedal firmly and hold it down
ABS does the pumping automatically, so you should apply firm, steady pressure.
NC DMV Vehicle Operation and Control 3
What does it mean to 'cover the brake' while driving?