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 should reduce your speed before entering a curve because:

   Correct answer: Hard braking after entry may cause tires to lose traction

   Slowing before the curve lets you keep traction; braking hard after you enter can cause the tires to lose their grip.

   Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Speed Management, Curves

2. 2. In fog, heavy rain, or snow, which headlights should you use?

   Correct answer: Low beams

   Use low beams in fog, rain, or snow; high beams reflect off the moisture and create glare that makes seeing harder.

   Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Night Driving

3. 3. You should switch on your high-beam headlights when:

   Correct answer: There are no oncoming vehicles

   Use high beams when no oncoming vehicles are near; they let you see about twice as far as low beams.

   Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Night Driving

4. 4. On a long trip, how often does the manual suggest stopping to help avoid fatigue?

   Correct answer: Every 100 miles or two hours

   Planning a stop about every 100 miles or every two hours helps keep you alert on long drives.

   Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Fatigue

5. 5. When you are angry or upset, the manual suggests that the safest choice is to:

   Correct answer: Take time to calm down before driving

   Strong emotions interfere with attention and judgment, so it is best to cool off or let someone else drive before you get on the road.

   Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Emotions

6. 6. When backing your vehicle straight to the rear, you should mainly:

   Correct answer: Turn and look through the rear window

   Turn and look directly through the rear window while backing; mirrors do not show the area right behind the vehicle.

   Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Backing Up

7. 7. At night on unfamiliar roads, the manual recommends increasing your following distance by:

   Correct answer: At least two additional seconds

   Add at least one second for night driving, and at least two additional seconds on unfamiliar roads at night.

   Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Night Driving

8. 8. The manual recommends placing your hands on the steering wheel at roughly which positions?

   Correct answer: Left near 9 and right near 3 o'clock

   Keeping the left hand around 7 to 9 o'clock and the right around 3 to 5 o'clock reduces strain and lowers injury risk from an air bag.

   Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Steering, Hand-to-Hand Steering

9. 9. At the first sign of rain, snow, or ice, you should:

   Correct answer: Reduce your speed

   Reduce speed as soon as conditions turn slippery, because tires grip less well and it takes longer to stop or turn safely.

   Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Speed Management, Slippery Roads

10. 10. You must dim your high beams for an oncoming vehicle when you are within:

    Correct answer: 500 feet

    You must lower the high beams once an oncoming vehicle is 500 feet or more away, to keep from blinding its driver.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Night Driving

11. 11. Which of the following is an example of aggressive driving?

    Correct answer: Following the car ahead too closely

    Behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and ignoring traffic controls are all forms of aggressive driving.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Aggressive Driving

12. 12. You begin to feel drowsy while driving. The best response is to:

    Correct answer: Pull off to rest or take a short nap

    When drowsiness sets in, leave the road at the nearest exit or rest stop for a brief 15-to-20-minute nap, or settle in somewhere to rest overnight.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual — Fatigue, Ways to Avoid Fatigue