PA DMV Vehicle Operation and Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When driving on a slippery road and your rear wheels start to skid, you should:
- Steer in the opposite direction of the skid
- Steer in the same direction the rear is sliding (Correct answer)
- Apply the brakes firmly
- Accelerate to regain traction
Correct answer: Steer in the same direction the rear is sliding
To correct a rear-wheel skid, steer in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding to realign the wheels.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of anti-lock brakes (ABS)?
- To stop the vehicle faster than regular brakes
- To prevent wheels from locking up during hard braking (Correct answer)
- To reduce brake pad wear
- To automatically apply brakes in emergencies
Correct answer: To prevent wheels from locking up during hard braking
ABS prevents wheel lockup during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
Question 3: When driving through a deep puddle, what should you do afterward?
- Accelerate quickly to dry the brakes
- Lightly apply the brakes several times to dry them (Correct answer)
- Avoid braking for at least one mile
- Pull over and inspect the vehicle
Correct answer: Lightly apply the brakes several times to dry them
Lightly pumping the brakes after driving through water helps dry them and restores normal braking performance.
Question 4: When should you use your vehicle's low-beam headlights instead of high-beams?
- On empty rural highways at night
- When an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet (Correct answer)
- When driving faster than 55 mph
- When fog or rain reduces visibility below 500 feet
Correct answer: When an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet
Pennsylvania law requires switching to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet to avoid blinding the other driver.
Question 5: What does 'overdriving your headlights' mean?
- Using high beams unnecessarily
- Driving faster than you can stop within the distance your headlights illuminate (Correct answer)
- Driving with only one headlight working
- Turning on headlights during daylight hours
Correct answer: Driving faster than you can stop within the distance your headlights illuminate
Overdriving headlights means traveling at a speed where you cannot stop before reaching the edge of your headlight illumination.
Question 6: When parallel parking, which wheel should you curb first?
- Front right
- Rear right (Correct answer)
- Front left
- Rear left
Correct answer: Rear right
When parallel parking, the rear right wheel is positioned against the curb first as you reverse into the space.
Question 7: What is the safest action if your accelerator sticks while driving?
- Turn off the ignition immediately
- Shift to neutral and apply brakes, then pull off the road (Correct answer)
- Pump the accelerator rapidly
- Downshift through all gears quickly
Correct answer: Shift to neutral and apply brakes, then pull off the road
Shifting to neutral disengages engine power, allowing you to brake safely and pull off the road.
PA DMV Vehicle Operation and Control 2
When driving on a slippery road and your rear wheels start to skid, you should: