Indiana Car / Permit practice
Safe Driving Practices
Following distance, scanning, blind spots, using your lights, and the habits that prevent crashes and keep you in control.
Questions reviewed against the official Indiana driver handbook · July 7, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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. To reduce glare from an oncoming vehicle's headlights at night, where should you direct your gaze?
Correct answer: Toward the right edge of the road
Avoid looking straight into oncoming lights; instead focus toward the right edge of the road.
2. Studies cited by Indiana say that going 18 hours without sleep impairs a driver about as much as what?
Correct answer: A blood alcohol level of .08
Research shows 18 hours awake leaves a driver as impaired as one with a .08 blood alcohol level, the legal limit.
3. Which of the following best describes distracted driving?
Correct answer: Any activity taking your eyes, hands, or mind away from driving
It is anything behind the wheel that pulls your eyes, hands, or attention away from the task of driving.
4. If your rear wheels start sliding sideways in a skid, what is the correct first response?
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer toward where the rear is sliding
Take your foot off the gas and gently guide the wheel the same way the back end is drifting, without turning too far.
5. Under Indiana law, a driver commits aggressive driving by doing how many of the listed dangerous actions during one continuous episode of driving?
Correct answer: At least three
Aggressive driving is defined as committing at least three of the listed dangerous actions in one continuous episode of driving.
6. When driving in fog, which headlight setting should you use?
Correct answer: Low beams, which light the road better in fog
Use low beams in fog; they light the road and objects ahead better than high beams, which reflect back.
7. Which factor most increases the chance of hydroplaning on a wet road?
Correct answer: Higher speed
Hydroplaning risk rises with speed; slowing down helps keep your tires in contact with the road.
8. Many rollover crashes happen when a driver reacts to an emergency by doing what?
Correct answer: Overcorrecting the steering in a panic
Panicked overcorrection of the steering is a leading cause of rollovers, especially at highway speeds.
9. After driving through deep water or puddles, how can you help dry your brakes?
Correct answer: Gently pump the brakes to dry them
Gently pumping the brakes after passing through water helps dry them so they work properly.
10. When a vehicle with anti-lock brakes must stop hard, the driver should do what?
Correct answer: Apply firm, steady pressure and keep steering
With ABS, keep firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal and steer normally; do not pump the brakes.
11. If your wheels drift onto the shoulder, what is the correct way to get back on the road?
Correct answer: Ease off the gas, slow down, then return to the road gradually
Do not jerk back onto the pavement; ease off the gas, slow down, and return to the road gradually.
Source: Indiana Driver's Manual, Ch. 8 (Driving off the Pavement)
12. During good defensive driving, how should your hands be placed on the steering wheel?
Correct answer: Both hands on the wheel
Keeping both hands on the wheel is part of safe control; failing to do so can count against you on a skills exam.
Source: Indiana Driver's Manual, Ch. 1 (Driving Skills Exam)
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Every Indiana question is written from the official Indiana driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free