Topics · Speed and weather

Speed and weather: DMV test questions

Rain, fog and night driving. Here are 46 questions like the ones on the written test, with answers and explanations.

Video lessonDriving in the RainDriving the limit in the rain?

46 questions with answers

1. 1. The limit is 65 mph but there's thick fog. How fast do you go?

   1. 70, to get out of the fog area as fast as possible
   2. A safe speed for conditions, even if far below 65
   3. 65, it's legal
   4. Exactly 55
   Show answer

   Answer: A safe speed for conditions, even if far below 65

   The limit is for perfect conditions. If they aren't, slow down.

2. 2. Your car starts hydroplaning. What do you do?

   1. Accelerate
   2. Slam the brakes
   3. Turn the wheel sharply to regain control
   4. Ease off the gas and avoid hard braking
   Show answer

   Answer: Ease off the gas and avoid hard braking

   Gentle: lift your foot, keep the wheel straight until the tires grip.

3. 3. In fog, which headlights do you use?

   1. None
   2. Hazards only
   3. Low beams
   4. High beams
   Show answer

   Answer: Low beams

   High beams bounce off fog and blind you.

4. 4. You have your high beams on and a car is coming toward you. When do you dim them?

   1. Within about 500 feet of the oncoming car
   2. After it passes
   3. Only if the other driver flashes their lights at you
   4. Never
   Show answer

   Answer: Within about 500 feet of the oncoming car

   Don't blind them. Most states say 500 feet.

5. 5. When is the road slickest in rain?

   1. After two hours of rain
   2. After it stops
   3. In the first minutes of rain
   4. It never changes
   Show answer

   Answer: In the first minutes of rain

   Built-up oil floats up with the first drops.

6. 6. In cold weather, which part of the road freezes first?

   1. Parking lots
   2. Long, flat straightaways
   3. Downhills
   4. Bridges and overpasses
   Show answer

   Answer: Bridges and overpasses

   Bridges have cold air above and below, so they freeze first.

7. 7. If the rear of your car skids, you steer…

   1. Slam the brakes and turn hard
   2. Let go of the wheel
   3. Opposite of where you want to go
   4. Where you want the car to go
   Show answer

   Answer: Where you want the car to go

   Look and steer where you want to go. Smoothly.

8. 8. At night you should drive at a speed that lets you…

   1. Get there fast
   2. Keep the same speed you would drive during the day
   3. Just see the lane lines
   4. Stop within the distance your headlights show
   Show answer

   Answer: Stop within the distance your headlights show

   If you can't see it, you can't stop for it.

9. 9. The «basic speed law» says…

   1. You may always drive the posted limit
   2. It only applies on freeways
   3. You may go 5 mph over the limit
   4. Never drive faster than is safe
   Show answer

   Answer: Never drive faster than is safe

   The sign is the maximum, not a must. You judge what's safe.

10. 10. Water is flowing over the road and you can't tell how deep it is. What do you do?

    1. Cross slowly down the middle
    2. Follow the car ahead
    3. Turn around and find another route
    4. Drive through fast so you don't get stuck
    Show answer

    Answer: Turn around and find another route

    A little moving water can sweep a car away. Turn around, don't drown.

11. 11. At night, an oncoming car's headlights are blinding you. Where do you look?

    1. Straight at its headlights
    2. Close your eyes for a second
    3. Toward the right edge of your lane
    4. At the center line so you stay in your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: Toward the right edge of your lane

    Look at the right edge and keep your lane until it passes.

12. 12. There are strong crosswinds on the highway. What do you do?

    1. Turn on cruise control
    2. Speed up to cut through the wind
    3. Tuck in close behind a big truck to block the wind
    4. Slow down and keep a firm grip on the wheel
    Show answer

    Answer: Slow down and keep a firm grip on the wheel

    Wind pushes you around. Slow down, both hands on the wheel.

13. 13. On a long, dull trip, how do you avoid «highway hypnosis»?

    1. Set cruise control and relax
    2. Drive faster so you get there sooner and can rest
    3. Stare at the center line
    4. Keep your eyes moving and take regular breaks
    Show answer

    Answer: Keep your eyes moving and take regular breaks

    Moving eyes stay awake. And take a break every so often.

14. 14. When should you slow down for a curve?

    1. Before you enter the curve
    2. As you exit the curve
    3. In the middle of the curve
    4. No need if it's gentle
    Show answer

    Answer: Before you enter the curve

    Brake on the straight part. Braking mid-curve can make you slide.

15. 15. You're driving through a school zone and children are outside. What do you do?

    1. Keep the street's normal speed limit
    2. Obey the school zone limit and stay alert
    3. Pass quickly so you're not in the way
    4. Honk so the children move out of your way
    Show answer

    Answer: Obey the school zone limit and stay alert

    Kids pop out of nowhere. Go slow and keep your eyes open.

16. 16. Can you get a ticket for driving too slowly?

    1. No, slow is always safe
    2. Only on city streets
    3. Yes, if you block normal traffic
    4. Only if your hazard lights are on
    Show answer

    Answer: Yes, if you block normal traffic

    Crawling on the freeway is dangerous too.

17. 17. On snow or ice, your following distance should be…

    1. The same as always
    2. One car length
    3. Shorter, to follow their tracks
    4. Much longer than normal
    Show answer

    Answer: Much longer than normal

    Stopping on ice takes way longer. Leave plenty of room.

18. 18. The fog is so thick you can barely see. What do you do?

    1. Pull completely off the road and turn on hazards
    2. Turn on high beams to see more
    3. Closely follow the taillights of the car ahead of you
    4. Stop in your lane and wait
    Show answer

    Answer: Pull completely off the road and turn on hazards

    Get fully off the road and wait. Stopped in a lane, you get hit.

19. 19. You're on a residential street and see no speed limit sign. What limit applies?

    1. 55 mph, since there's no sign saying anything else
    2. 15 mph nationwide
    3. Whatever you think is safe, with no maximum
    4. Your state's residential limit, often 25 or 30 mph
    Show answer

    Answer: Your state's residential limit, often 25 or 30 mph

    No sign still means a limit. Many states set 25 or 30 mph on home streets; check your handbook.

20. 20. Is there one maximum speed limit for every freeway in the country?

    1. Yes, but only on interstate highways
    2. Yes, 65 mph nationwide
    3. No, each state sets its own limits
    4. Yes, 55 mph nationwide
    Show answer

    Answer: No, each state sets its own limits

    Years ago it was 55 for everyone. Not anymore. Each state sets its own: read the signs.

21. 21. What does «overdriving your headlights» mean?

    1. Having headlights aimed too high
    2. Driving at night with your headlights off
    3. Going so fast you can't stop within what they light up
    4. Using high beams when another car is coming toward you
    Show answer

    Answer: Going so fast you can't stop within what they light up

    If you see it too late to stop, you were outrunning your headlights.

22. 22. Why should you drive slower with low beams than with high beams?

    1. Low beams blind other drivers on the road more
    2. Low beams light up less of the road ahead
    3. Low beams drain the battery faster at speed
    4. The law says 45 mph or less on low beams
    Show answer

    Answer: Low beams light up less of the road ahead

    Low beams don't reach as far. Less sight, less speed.

23. 23. You're driving into the sun at sunset and it's blinding you. What do you do?

    1. Stay close to the car ahead and follow its lights
    2. Keep going: your eyes adjust in a few seconds
    3. Lower the visor, wear sunglasses, and slow down
    4. Turn on your high beams to see the road better
    Show answer

    Answer: Lower the visor, wear sunglasses, and slow down

    Visor, shades, and a light foot. Clean the windshield too: dirt makes glare worse.

24. 24. It's freezing and the pavement looks wet, but it hasn't rained. What could it be?

    1. Oil: speed up to get past it
    2. Black ice: slow down
    3. Just water; no big deal
    4. Fresh paint: change lanes
    Show answer

    Answer: Black ice: slow down

    Black ice looks like wet pavement. Watch for it in shade, on bridges and overpasses.

25. 25. In snow, how do you start and stop?

    1. Brake hard to test the road
    2. Hit the gas hard so the tires dig in
    3. Start in a high gear with full throttle
    4. Gently and slowly, with no sudden moves
    Show answer

    Answer: Gently and slowly, with no sudden moves

    In snow, everything is gentle: gas, brake, and steering. Use a low gear if your car has one.

26. 26. In the mountains, a sign says snow chains are required. What do you do?

    1. Keep going, but slower than everyone else
    2. Keep going if the chains are in your trunk
    3. Put chains on before going on, or don't go
    4. Turn on hazards and keep going very carefully
    Show answer

    Answer: Put chains on before going on, or don't go

    If chains are required, put them on. Some states accept snow tires or 4WD; check your handbook.

27. 27. On a long, steep mountain downgrade, how do you control your speed?

    1. Keep your foot on the brake the whole way
    2. Use a low gear and brake only when needed
    3. Coast in neutral to save gas
    4. Turn the engine off and brake lightly
    Show answer

    Answer: Use a low gear and brake only when needed

    Riding the brakes all the way down overheats them. Let the engine help.

28. 28. On a narrow mountain road, two cars can't fit side by side. Who must yield?

    1. The car going downhill
    2. The car going uphill
    3. The bigger vehicle
    4. The last one to reach the narrow part
    Show answer

    Answer: The car going downhill

    Many handbooks say the downhill car yields, since backing up is easier for it. Check yours.

29. 29. In extreme heat, what do you watch on your tires?

    1. Only the tread; heat doesn't change the pressure at all
    2. Correct pressure, checked when the tires are cold
    3. Overinflate them in case the heat shrinks them
    4. Nothing: heat only affects the engine
    Show answer

    Answer: Correct pressure, checked when the tires are cold

    An underinflated tire in heat overheats and can blow. Check it cold, using the door sticker.

30. 30. According to the National Weather Service, how much water can float many cars?

    1. Only when water reaches the windows
    2. None: cars are too heavy
    3. About 1 foot (12 inches)
    4. About 3 feet
    Show answer

    Answer: About 1 foot (12 inches)

    6 inches can make you lose control, and 1 foot floats many cars. Turn around, don't drown.

31. 31. There's wildfire smoke or dust on the highway, but you can still see some. What do you do?

    1. Turn on high beams to cut through the smoke and see farther
    2. Slow down, use low beams, and leave more space
    3. Speed up to get out of the area fast
    4. Stay close to the car ahead so you don't lose it
    Show answer

    Answer: Slow down, use low beams, and leave more space

    Smoke and dust act like fog. If it gets so bad you can't see, get off the road.

32. 32. In many states, if you use your wipers because of rain, you must also…

    1. Turn on your high beams
    2. Slow down to 45 mph
    3. Turn on your headlights
    4. Turn on your hazard lights
    Show answer

    Answer: Turn on your headlights

    Wipers on, headlights on. That way others see you. The exact rule varies by state.

33. 33. On a freeway you see a MINIMUM speed sign. What does it mean?

    1. Don't go slower than that if conditions allow
    2. You may go slower if your hazards are on
    3. It's the limit for the left lane only
    4. It's the recommended speed for heavy trucks only
    Show answer

    Answer: Don't go slower than that if conditions allow

    Too slow is dangerous too. Only go below it if weather or traffic call for it.

34. 34. The limit is 65, but everyone is going 75. What do you do?

    1. Go 50 so it's clear you respect the law
    2. Go 75 to keep up with the flow of traffic
    3. Obey the limit and use the right lanes
    4. Drive 65 in the left lane so the others have to slow down
    Show answer

    Answer: Obey the limit and use the right lanes

    Going with the flow won't get you out of a ticket. Do the limit and keep right, kiddo.

35. 35. In many states, a speeding ticket in a work zone with workers present…

    1. Only applies to trucks
    2. Doesn't apply at night
    3. Costs the same as anywhere else
    4. Can cost double
    Show answer

    Answer: Can cost double

    Many states double fines when workers are present. Go slow and stay sharp there.

36. 36. If you enter a curve too fast, the car tends to go…

    1. Straight backward
    2. Toward the inside of the curve
    3. Nowhere, if you have new tires
    4. Toward the outside of the curve
    Show answer

    Answer: Toward the outside of the curve

    Too fast in a curve, the car wants to go straight and runs off. Slow down before it.

37. 37. At night you see two small glowing spots at the side of the road. What do you do?

    1. Turn on high beams and speed up to get past before it moves
    2. Slow down: it may be an animal about to cross
    3. Quickly move into the opposite lane
    4. Nothing: they're probably road reflectors
    Show answer

    Answer: Slow down: it may be an animal about to cross

    Eyes that shine in your headlights are animals. And where there's one deer, there's usually another.

38. 38. It's night and you have your high beams on. A car appears far ahead, coming toward you. What do you do?

    1. Keep the high beams so you can see it better
    2. Flash your lights until it dims its own
    3. Turn your lights off for a moment
    4. Switch to low beams
    Show answer

    Answer: Switch to low beams

    High beams blind the other driver. Switch to low beams before you're within about 500 feet of a car coming toward you.

39. 39. It's night and the oncoming car has its high beams on. It's blinding you. Where do you look?

    1. Straight at its headlights, to see how close it is
    2. Close your eyes for a second
    3. Turn on your high beams so it feels the same
    4. At the right edge of your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: At the right edge of your lane

    Don't look straight into the headlights. Look toward the right edge of your lane and watch the other car out of the corner of your eye. Turning on your high beams only makes it worse.

40. 40. You drive into very thick fog. What do you do?

    1. Turn on your high beams to see farther
    2. Turn on just your hazard lights and keep going the same
    3. Slow down and turn on your low beams
    4. Keep going the same and follow the center line
    Show answer

    Answer: Slow down and turn on your low beams

    In fog, drive slowly with your low beams on and more following distance. High beams reflect off the fog and blind you.

41. 41. It's raining and you're behind another car. What do you do?

    1. Pass it so you're not behind it
    2. Keep the same distance as on a dry road
    3. Stay close and follow its tire tracks
    4. Slow down and leave more space
    Show answer

    Answer: Slow down and leave more space

    Rain makes the road slippery and you need more distance to stop. Drive slower and leave more space between you and the car ahead.

42. 42. It's raining and there's a big puddle in your lane. What do you do?

    1. Slow down and steer around it if you can
    2. Go through it fast so you don't get stuck
    3. Slam on the brakes in the water
    4. Swerve into the oncoming lane without looking
    Show answer

    Answer: Slow down and steer around it if you can

    Standing water can make your car ride on top of the water. That's called hydroplaning. Go slowly and, if you can, steer around it without leaving your lane.

43. 43. At night you're using your high beams and you're getting closer to a car ahead. What do you do?

    1. Flash your lights so it moves over
    2. Turn your headlights off for a moment
    3. Switch to low beams
    4. Keep the high beams on to see it better
    Show answer

    Answer: Switch to low beams

    High beams blind the driver ahead through the mirror. When you're within about 300 feet (about 90 meters) behind another car, use your low beams. Also when someone is coming toward you within 500 feet.

44. 44. It starts raining during the day and you're turning on your wipers. What do you do with your lights?

    1. Nothing: it's daytime
    2. Turn on your high beams
    3. Turn on your low beams
    4. Turn on only your hazard lights
    Show answer

    Answer: Turn on your low beams

    If you use your wipers because of rain, fog or snow, the law requires your low-beam headlights, even during the day. That way others can see you better.

45. 45. You're driving at night on a dark street with your low beams on. How fast should you go?

    1. With high beams you can go faster even if someone's coming
    2. Faster, to get out of the dark sooner
    3. Same as daytime: headlights light up plenty
    4. Slower, so you can stop within what your headlights light up
    Show answer

    Answer: Slower, so you can stop within what your headlights light up

    At night you see much less. Drive slower, so you can stop within the distance your headlights light up: a person crossing mid-block, especially in dark clothes, can appear suddenly.

46. 46. On the freeway the fog gets so thick you can barely see. What do you do?

    1. Stop in your lane with your hazard lights on
    2. Turn on your high beams to see more
    3. Stay close to the taillights ahead to guide you
    4. Pull off the road where it's safe and turn on your hazard lights
    Show answer

    Answer: Pull off the road where it's safe and turn on your hazard lights

    In fog: slow down, use low beams (high beams reflect back and cause glare) and increase your following distance. If it gets too thick to drive safely, pull off the road, away from the lanes, and turn on your hazard lights. Never stop in your lane.