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. How far ahead does the manual say most good drivers look while driving?

   Correct answer: About 12 to 15 seconds ahead

   Good drivers look about 12 to 15 seconds ahead, which is the distance they would cover in that time.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Seeing Ahead)

2. 2. How does an object look when viewed in a convex (fisheye) mirror on a large vehicle?

   Correct answer: Smaller and farther away than it really is

   In a convex mirror everything appears smaller than in direct view, and items look more distant than their true position.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (How to Use Mirrors)

3. 3. Which of these is a warning sign of fatigue the manual tells drivers to watch for?

   Correct answer: Not being able to recall the last few miles driven

   Trouble remembering the last few miles, missing exits, and drifting from your lane are among the warning signs that you should stop and rest.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Warning Signs of Fatigue)

4. 4. At highway speeds, roughly what distance does looking 12 to 15 seconds ahead represent?

   Correct answer: About a quarter of a mile

   At highway speed, 12 to 15 seconds of looking ahead works out to about a quarter of a mile.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (How Far Ahead to Look)

5. 5. The manual advises that backing is always dangerous. What is the best general rule about it?

   Correct answer: Avoid backing whenever you can

   Because you cannot see everything behind you, avoid backing whenever you can, and park so you can pull forward when leaving.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Backing Safely)

6. 6. How should you hold the steering wheel to keep control if you hit a pothole or curb?

   Correct answer: Firmly with both hands on opposite sides

   Grip the wheel firmly with both hands placed on opposite sides so it cannot be pulled from your grasp by a bump.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Steering)

7. 7. Why can an empty cargo van be a problem for overhead clearance compared with a loaded one?

   Correct answer: An empty van sits higher than a loaded one

   An empty van rides higher than a loaded one, so clearing a bridge while loaded does not mean you can clear it when empty.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Space Overhead)

8. 8. According to the manual, what is a hazard?

   Correct answer: Any road condition or user that is a possible danger

   A hazard is any road condition or road user that presents a possible danger, which you should spot before it becomes an emergency.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (What Is a Hazard?)

9. 9. Before you begin backing with a helper, what should you and the helper agree on?

   Correct answer: A set of hand signals, especially one meaning stop

   Work out hand signals you both understand before backing, and be sure to agree on a signal that means stop.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Use a Helper)

10. 10. When can mirror adjustment on a tractor-trailer be checked accurately?

    Correct answer: Only when the trailer is straight

    You can judge mirror aim correctly only while the trailers sit straight, so set them before starting the trip.

    Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Mirror Adjustment)

11. 11. Whenever possible, toward which side should you back a commercial vehicle?

    Correct answer: The driver's side

    Back toward the driver's side so you can watch the rear of the vehicle out the side window and see better.

    Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Backing Safely)

12. 12. Using the rule based on vehicle length, how much following distance should you keep behind a 40-foot vehicle at speeds below 40 mph?

    Correct answer: About 4 seconds

    The rule gives one second for each 10 feet of length below 40 mph, so a 40-foot vehicle needs about 4 seconds.

    Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (How Much Space?)