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. You must dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle comes within how many feet?

   Correct answer: 500 feet

   Dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet; when following another vehicle, dim within 350 feet.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Using Lights, p. 76

2. 2. What are the three actions a driver can take to avoid or lessen a collision?

   Correct answer: Stop quickly, steer quickly, or accelerate

   The three options to avoid or reduce a crash are stopping quickly, turning quickly, or speeding up out of danger.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Avoiding a Collision, p. 74

3. 3. To be less blinded by an oncoming car's headlights at night, you should do what?

   Correct answer: Look toward the right edge of your lane and the fog line

   Looking slightly to the right at the road edge or fog line helps you avoid glare from oncoming headlights.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Night Driving, p. 77

4. 4. When driving into fog, what headlight setting should you use?

   Correct answer: Low beams

   Use low beams in fog; high beams reflect off the fog and create glare that makes it harder to see ahead.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Fog, Dust and Smoke, p. 77

5. 5. What is the correct way to handle a curve?

   Correct answer: Slow down before entering, then speed up gradually on the way out

   Reduce speed before entering a curve, look through it, and then speed up gradually as you exit.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Curves, p. 30

6. 6. When following another vehicle, within how many feet must you lower your high beams?

   Correct answer: 350 feet

   You must dim high beams within 350 feet of a vehicle you are following to avoid blinding that driver.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Using Lights, p. 76

7. 7. What is the recommended way to see behind you while backing up?

   Correct answer: Turn your head and body to look through the rear window

   Because mirrors don't show everything, turn your head and body to the right and look out the rear window, then back up slowly.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Backing Up, p. 29

8. 8. Your vehicle starts to skid. What should you do?

   Correct answer: Stay off the brakes and steer where you want to go

   In a skid, keep off the brakes and steer in the direction you want to travel, correcting your steering as the vehicle straightens.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Skidding, p. 79

9. 9. Why should you avoid using cruise control on wet roads?

   Correct answer: Wet conditions call for full manual control of speed

   The manual advises against cruise control in wet conditions because you need direct control of your speed to respond to slippery roads.

   Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Rain, p. 77

10. 10. Which describes the correct way to wear a safety belt?

    Correct answer: Keep the lap and shoulder belt snug with no slack

    A safety belt should have no slack in the lap or shoulder portion, and the shoulder strap should never go under your arm or behind your back.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Safety Belts, p. 73

11. 11. An oncoming car drifts into your lane. What is the safest response?

    Correct answer: Pull right, slow down, and warn with your horn or lights

    Steer right, slow down, and warn with horn or lights; never move into the opposing lane, since heading toward the shoulder beats a head-on crash.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Oncoming Traffic, p. 75

12. 12. When is an icy road often the most slippery?

    Correct answer: When the temperature is near the freezing point

    Roads tend to be most slippery when the temperature is near the freezing point rather than well below it.

    Source: Oregon Driver Manual — Snow and Ice, p. 78