Skip to content
AB
← Back to practice

Practice session

Safe driving

Loading…

Every question on this page

The whole pool, with the answer and the explanation for each one. Practise first, then read through anything you were unsure of.

Show all 14 questions with answers

  1. 1 of 14 · Safe driving

    Under normal road and weather conditions, what is the minimum following distance behind the vehicle ahead?

    • A.2 secondsAnswer
    • B.1 second
    • C.1 car length
    • D.6 seconds

    Explanation: Stay at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle ahead: when its rear passes a fixed mark, count; if you reach the mark before you finish, you are too close. Increase the gap when conditions are less than ideal. The rule works at any speed.

  2. 2 of 14 · Safe driving

    What minimum following distance is recommended for drivers of large vehicles such as motor homes?

    • A.4 secondsAnswer
    • B.2 seconds
    • C.3 seconds
    • D.10 seconds

    Explanation: Heavier vehicles need more room to stop, so drivers of large vehicles such as motor homes should keep a minimum 4-second following distance instead of 2 seconds.

  3. 3 of 14 · Safe driving

    When driving in an urban area, how far ahead should you look?

    • A.At least 12 to 15 seconds aheadAnswer
    • B.About 2 to 3 seconds ahead
    • C.Just past the hood of your vehicle
    • D.At least 40 seconds ahead

    Explanation: In urban areas, look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead; in rural areas, at least 20 to 25 seconds. This visual lead time gives you time to spot and respond to hazards before you reach them.

  4. 4 of 14 · Safe driving

    How often should you glance in your rear view mirrors while driving?

    • A.Every 8 to 12 secondsAnswer
    • B.Only before changing lanes
    • C.About once a minute
    • D.Only when a vehicle is honking behind you

    Explanation: Check behind you every 8 to 12 seconds — about once a block in the city — and also whenever you expect to slow down or stop, so you know what is behind you.

  5. 5 of 14 · Safe driving

    A driver is following you too closely. What should you do?

    • A.If it is safe, slow down slightly to encourage them to pass, and leave more space ahead of youAnswer
    • B.Tap your brakes repeatedly to warn them
    • C.Speed up to get away from them

    Explanation: If someone tailgates you and it is safe, reduce your speed just enough to encourage them to pass. If they still do not pass, widen the space between you and the vehicle ahead so you can stop gradually if you must.

  6. 6 of 14 · Safe driving

    Besides at night, when must you turn on your headlights?

    • A.Whenever you cannot clearly see 150 metres aheadAnswer
    • B.Only when it is raining heavily
    • C.Only on highways with a speed limit over 80 km/h

    Explanation: Turn your headlights on at night and at any time you cannot clearly see 150 metres in front of you. Daytime running lights are not enough: they are dimmer and leave your tail-lights off.

  7. 7 of 14 · Safe driving

    At night, you must switch to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within what distance?

    • A.300 metresAnswer
    • B.100 metres
    • C.50 metres
    • D.1 kilometre

    Explanation: Dim to low beams within 300 metres of an oncoming vehicle — even on a divided highway — and within 150 metres when you are following another vehicle, so you do not blind the other driver.

  8. 8 of 14 · Safe driving

    An oncoming vehicle’s headlights are dazzling you at night. Where should you look?

    • A.Slightly down and to the right edge of your lane until it passesAnswer
    • B.Directly at the oncoming headlights to judge their distance
    • C.At the centre line, and switch on your high beams

    Explanation: Do not stare into oncoming lights. Look slightly down and toward the right edge of your lane until the vehicle passes, and slow down if the glare makes the road hard to see.

  9. 9 of 14 · Safe driving

    Why should you use low beams rather than high beams in fog or smoke?

    • A.High beams reflect back at you and create glareAnswer
    • B.High beams drain the battery faster in cold weather
    • C.Low beams make your vehicle look larger to other drivers

    Explanation: In fog, smoke and rain, high beams bounce off the water droplets or particles and throw glare back at you. Low beams light the road without blinding you; if you still cannot see, move well off the road and wait.

  10. 10 of 14 · Safe driving

    Your tires start to hydroplane on a wet road. What should you do?

    • A.Do not brake; ease off the accelerator and steer where you want the front of the vehicle to goAnswer
    • B.Brake hard to regain grip
    • C.Accelerate to push through the water

    Explanation: Hydroplaning means the tires have lost contact with the road. Braking can make you lose control; instead release the accelerator to let the vehicle slow, and look and steer where you want to go.

  11. 11 of 14 · Safe driving

    Why should you not use cruise control when roads may be icy?

    • A.On ice it keeps applying the accelerator, and you could lose controlAnswer
    • B.It uses more fuel in cold weather
    • C.It is illegal to use cruise control between November and March

    Explanation: Do not use cruise control when weather and road conditions are poor. When the tires hit ice, the system keeps feeding power to the wheels and you could lose control; keep your own foot in charge of the speed.

  12. 12 of 14 · Safe driving

    In cold weather, which road surface tends to form slippery patches before others?

    • A.Bridge decks and overpassesAnswer
    • B.Sunny stretches of open road
    • C.Freshly sanded roads

    Explanation: Bridge decks and overpasses freeze more readily than other road surfaces, and shaded areas can stay icy after the sun has melted the rest. Avoid unnecessary lane or speed changes on them.

  13. 13 of 14 · Safe driving

    You start to feel tired on a long drive. What should you do?

    • A.Stop in a safe place for a rest and walk aroundAnswer
    • B.Turn up the heat and keep going
    • C.Drive faster to finish the trip sooner

    Explanation: Fatigue slows your reactions and impairs judgement, and can lead you off the road or into oncoming traffic. When you feel tired, stop for a rest and walk around; a warm, comfortable vehicle makes drowsiness worse.

  14. 14 of 14 · Safe driving

    What makes up your total stopping distance?

    • A.Perception distance + reaction distance + braking distanceAnswer
    • B.Braking distance only
    • C.Reaction distance + following distance

    Explanation: Total stopping distance is the ground covered while you notice the danger, while you move your foot to the brake — about three-quarters of a second each on average — and while the brakes slow the vehicle. Road conditions, fatigue and worn brakes or tires all lengthen it.