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. At speeds between 46 and 70 mph, how many seconds of following distance does Virginia suggest?

   Correct answer: Four seconds

   The manual recommends a four-second gap in that range. The two-, three-, and four-second rule does not protect you once you exceed 70 mph.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Following Distance

2. 2. When another driver is tailgating you, the safest response is to:

   Correct answer: Change lanes or gently slow to let them pass

   Avoid braking hard. If you can, shift into a different lane, or lightly tap the brake pedal to flash your lights and ease off speed, nudging the tailgater to go around.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Following Distance

3. 3. In heavy fog, Virginia advises drivers to use:

   Correct answer: Low-beam headlights

   Use low-beam headlights in heavy fog, since high beams reflect off the fog and back into your eyes. Slow down and follow the road-edge markings.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Fog

4. 4. Why are roads often most slippery during the first half-hour of rainfall?

   Correct answer: Oil on the surface mixes with the water

   Early rain mixes with oil and grime on the pavement, creating a slick film until enough water washes it away. Slow down and watch for ponded water.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Rain

5. 5. Virginia recommends placing your hands on the steering wheel at which clock positions?

   Correct answer: 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock

   Sit straight but relaxed, keep your hands near 8 and 4 o'clock, and grip the wheel using your fingers and thumbs instead of your palms.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Hand Position

6. 6. The best way to check for a vehicle hidden in your blind spot before changing lanes is to:

   Correct answer: Turn your head and glance over your shoulder

   Mirrors cannot show the blind spot fully. Turn your head and glance over your shoulder to be sure the lane is clear before you move over.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Blind Spots

7. 7. Vehicles that have antilock brakes should be operated by:

   Correct answer: Never pumping the brake pedal

   With antilock brakes you should never pump the pedal. Read the owner's manual and practice so you understand how the system works before you rely on it.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Antilock Brakes

8. 8. When you meet an oncoming vehicle at night, you should switch your high beams to low beams to:

   Correct answer: Avoid blinding the other driver

   Switch to low beams any time you approach oncoming traffic so you don't blind the other driver, and also within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Night Driving

9. 9. If your right wheels drift off the pavement onto the shoulder, you should:

   Correct answer: Slow gradually and steer back on smoothly

   Do not panic or jerk the wheel. Ease off the gas, look where you want to go, and steer gently back onto the road once you have slowed.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Over-Correcting

10. 10. Over-correcting while driving typically happens when a driver:

    Correct answer: Turns the wheel more sharply than necessary

    Over-correcting is turning the wheel more sharply than needed, which can slide the rear wheels toward the outside of the turn and cause a loss of control.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Over-Correcting

11. 11. When backing your vehicle, the most reliable way to see behind you is to:

    Correct answer: Turn and look through the rear window

    Because mirrors give an incomplete view, twist your head and shoulders toward the right and gaze out the back window, backing slowly while checking each side.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Backing

12. 12. Experienced drivers try to keep their eyes focused how far ahead while searching the road?

    Correct answer: About 20 to 30 seconds ahead

    Skilled drivers scan roughly 20 to 30 seconds ahead, about one city block, and keep their eyes moving instead of fixing on one point.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Searching