TDC - Theoretical Driving Course Exam Theoretical Driving Course Defensive Driving and Road Courtesy 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When driving on a multi-lane highway, which lane should you occupy if you are not overtaking another vehicle?
- The leftmost lane to maintain speed
- The rightmost lane to keep the passing lane clear (Correct answer)
- The center lane for maximum visibility
- Any lane based on personal preference
Correct answer: The rightmost lane to keep the passing lane clear
The right lane is designated for regular travel, while the left lane is reserved for passing. Occupying the left lane unnecessarily blocks faster traffic and is illegal in many jurisdictions.
Question 2: A driver behind you continuously flashes their headlights to pressure you to move faster. The correct response is to:
- Speed up to match their preferred pace
- Flash your brake lights to warn them
- Maintain your safe speed and move right when safe to allow them to pass (Correct answer)
- Slow down significantly to teach them a lesson
Correct answer: Maintain your safe speed and move right when safe to allow them to pass
Yielding to an aggressive driver's pressure by speeding is unsafe and illegal. The correct response is to hold your safe, legal speed and move to the right when it is safe to do so, allowing the aggressive driver to pass.
Question 3: What does the term 'target fixation' mean in the context of defensive driving?
- Focusing on your destination on a GPS device
- The tendency to steer toward whatever you are looking at, including hazards (Correct answer)
- Maintaining a fixed following distance behind one vehicle
- Memorizing road signs along your regular route
Correct answer: The tendency to steer toward whatever you are looking at, including hazards
Target fixation is the dangerous tendency for a driver's vehicle to follow their eyes — meaning if you stare at a hazard such as a pothole or barrier, you are likely to steer toward it instead of away from it.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes 'road courtesy'?
- Always yielding to every vehicle regardless of right-of-way rules
- Driving slowly in all conditions to show consideration for others
- Voluntarily giving consideration to other road users beyond the minimum required by law (Correct answer)
- Using your horn frequently to communicate with other drivers
Correct answer: Voluntarily giving consideration to other road users beyond the minimum required by law
Road courtesy means voluntarily extending consideration and cooperation to fellow road users beyond what traffic law strictly requires, such as allowing merging vehicles in or giving pedestrians extra time to cross safely.
Question 5: When two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at the same time from different roads, which should yield?
- The vehicle traveling at the higher speed
- The vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right (Correct answer)
- The vehicle on the right should yield to the vehicle on the left
- The larger vehicle always has the right of way
Correct answer: The vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right
At an uncontrolled intersection where vehicles arrive simultaneously, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. This 'yield to the right' rule establishes a predictable order to prevent collisions.
Question 6: In defensive driving, 'scanning' refers to:
- Using your rear-view mirror exclusively while reversing
- Continuously moving your eyes to monitor the road ahead, to the sides, and behind (Correct answer)
- Reading road signs at least 100 metres before reaching them
- Keeping your eyes fixed on the vehicle directly in front of you
Correct answer: Continuously moving your eyes to monitor the road ahead, to the sides, and behind
Scanning means actively and continuously moving your eyes — checking mirrors, the road ahead, and peripheral areas — so you gather information about developing hazards before they become emergencies, giving you more time to react.
TDC - Theoretical Driving Course Exam Theoretical Driving Course Defensive Driving and Road Courtesy 1
When driving on a multi-lane highway, which lane should you occupy if you are not overtaking another vehicle?