Safe Driving Practices

Study questions with answers

12 sample Safe Driving Practices questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. What color is the ABS malfunction lamp on a tractor's instrument panel?

   Correct answer: Yellow

   Tractors, trucks, and buses have yellow ABS malfunction lamps on the instrument panel.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.18.3 - How to Know If Equipped with ABS

2. 2. Within what distance of an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?

   Correct answer: Within 500 feet

   Dim your lights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when following another vehicle within 500 feet.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.11.5 - Night Driving Procedures

3. 3. How fast should you back a commercial vehicle, and in what gear?

   Correct answer: As slowly as possible in the lowest reverse gear

   Always back as slowly as possible and use the lowest reverse gear so you can correct steering errors and stop quickly.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.2.4 - Backing Safely

4. 4. What is the most important reason to inspect your vehicle?

   Correct answer: Safety for you and other road users

   Safety, for yourself and other road users, is the most important reason for inspecting your vehicle.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.1.1 - Why Inspect

5. 5. Which type of manual transmission usually requires double clutching to change gears?

   Correct answer: Unsynchronized manual transmissions

   Most heavy vehicles with unsynchronized manual transmissions require double clutching; synchronized ones do not.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.3.1 - Manual Transmissions

6. 6. Which headlights should you use for the best visibility when driving in fog?

   Correct answer: Low-beam headlights and fog lights

   Use low-beam headlights and fog lights in fog; high beams reflect off the fog and reduce visibility.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.12 - Driving in Fog

7. 7. Which direction should you back toward whenever it is possible?

   Correct answer: Toward the driver's side

   Back toward the driver's side whenever possible so you can watch the rear of the vehicle through the side window.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.2.4 - Backing Safely

8. 8. What does an antilock braking system (ABS) do for you?

   Correct answer: It keeps wheels from locking so you keep control

   ABS keeps your wheels from locking up during hard braking so you can keep the vehicle under control.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.18 - Antilock Braking Systems

9. 9. When should you shift into a low gear before going down a steep grade?

   Correct answer: Before you start down the grade

   Shift the transmission to a low gear before starting down the grade; do not try to downshift after your speed builds up.

   Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.16.2 - Select the Right Gear

10. 10. How far ahead does the manual recommend that good drivers look?

    Correct answer: About 12 to 15 seconds ahead

    Most good drivers look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead of the vehicle.

    Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.4.1 - Seeing Ahead

11. 11. About how far ahead can you see with low-beam headlights at night?

    Correct answer: About 250 feet

    With low beams you can see ahead about 250 feet, so you must keep your speed within that sight distance.

    Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.11.4 - Vehicle Factors

12. 12. At highway speed, roughly how far ahead is 12 to 15 seconds of travel?

    Correct answer: About a quarter of a mile

    At highway speeds, looking 12 to 15 seconds ahead is about a quarter of a mile.

    Source: Oregon Commercial Driver Manual, Section 2.4.1 - Seeing Ahead