Delaware DMV Permit: Emergencies Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Operating visual screen devices and texting while driving

It is illegal to drive while operating a visual screen device or texting. Performing such actions while driving are prohibited by the law.

Not quite. The answer is low beams

At night, use your low beams in heavy traffic, when following another vehicle, or when meeting another vehicle. Under Delaware law, you must dim your headlights to low beam whenever you're within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following.

Not quite. The answer is rear-end collisions.

A frequent cause of rear-end collisions is tailgating (following too closely). Often the vehicle ahead slows down suddenly, and the tailgater doesn't have enough room to avoid colliding with it. To avoid this, the Delaware Driver Manual recommends that you maintain a three-second following distance under ideal driving conditions and a larger following distance under adverse driving conditions.

Not quite. The answer is hydroplaning.

On a wet road, at speeds of up to 35 mph, modern tires will usually channel water away to maintain contact with the road. However, in deep water at higher speeds, the channeling action of the tires becomes less effective and the tires start to ride on a layer of water like water skis. This is called "hydroplaning." At 50 mph or above, hydroplaning may result in a total loss of braking and steering control. To prevent hydroplaning, make sure your tires have enough tread, keep them properly inflated, and slow down. And always increase your following distance in wet weather.

Not quite. The answer is ease your foot off the gas and carefully steer in the direction in which you want the front of your car to go.

If you start to skid, stay calm, ease your foot off the gas, and carefully steer in the direction in which you want the front of your car to go. Avoid braking, especially if your car is not equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS). The car may possibly overshoot and start to skid in the opposite direction. If so, steer to counteract this as well. This procedure, known as “steering into the skid,” will bring the rear end of your car into line with the front. Once the vehicle is back under your control, straighten the wheels.

Not quite. The answer is adjust your speed and vehicle position to allow the traffic to merge.

If traffic from another roadway is merging onto the roadway you are traveling on, adjust your speed and vehicle position to allow the traffic to merge safely.

Not quite. The answer is High beams are used when traveling behind other vehicles.

You should use high beams when you are driving in open country and there is no traffic in sight. High beams help you see farther ahead, but they can blind the driver of a nearby vehicle. Delaware law requires you to dim your headlights whenever you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following. High beams can also reflect off precipitation, causing glare. Use low beams in fog, rain, or snow.

Not quite. The answer is Keep moving slowly until you can get out of the way.

In heavy traffic, if an emergency vehicle with its siren or flashing lights is right behind you, keep moving slowly until you can get out of the way.

Not quite. The answer is as much as four times.

While you are driving, talking on a cell phone will increase your chances of being in a crash by as much as four times. This is because the conversation is drawing your attention away from your driving. Sending text messages (texting) while driving will increase your chances of being in a crash by as much as eight times.

Not quite. The answer is Back up slowly, turning your steering wheel to the left to aim the back of your vehicle toward the front of the vehicle behind you.

The steps in parallel parking on the right side of the road are as follows. Put on your turn signal to warn other drivers that you intend to park. Signal and stop with the back of your vehicle even with the back of the vehicle in front of the parking space. Back up slowly, turning your steering wheel to the right to aim the back of your car toward the front of the car behind you. As the front of your car clears the back of the car in front of you, turn your wheels sharply to the left and continue backing slowly until the back of your car almost touches the car behind you. Straighten your wheels and pull forward to center your vehicle in the parking space. Put your transmission in Park (for an automatic) or in first gear or Reverse (for a manual). Set the parking brake.

Not quite. The answer is release the gas pedal.

When driving in the rain, avoid hydroplaning by slowing down. If you skid while hydroplaning, release the gas pedal, let your vehicle slow down, and try to regain control of the vehicle. Otherwise, ride out the skid.

Not quite. The answer is signal just after you pass through the intersection.

If you plan to turn beyond an intersection, signal just after you pass through the intersection. If you signal earlier, another driver may think you are turning at the intersection.

Not quite. The answer is passing slower vehicles.

On multilane roads, the leftmost lane is for passing slower vehicles. If you pass on the right, the other driver may have difficulty seeing you and might suddenly change lanes in front of you.

Not quite. The answer is Pull over and stop.

When driving in fog, slow down and use your low-beam headlights. You should also use your fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them. However, if fog closes in completely and visibility is reduced to near zero, pull as far off the road as possible and remain stopped until conditions improve. Remember: If you can't see, you can't drive.

Not quite. The answer is Reduce your speed.

Reduce your speed before you enter a curve so you can avoid braking in the curve. Braking in a curve can cause a skid.

Not quite. The answer is Pull over to the right and stop.

Under Delaware law, if an emergency vehicle with flashing lights or sounding a siren is approaching, you must get clear of any intersection, yield the right-of-way, pull over to the right, and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Source: Responding to Approaching Emergency Vehicles, Move Over Laws, Some Important Delaware Laws, Section Four – Rules of the Road, Delaware Driver Manual

Not quite. The answer is Yes, you must signal for at least 300 feet before you turn.

Whenever you intend to turn or change lanes, communicate your intention well in advance. Under Delaware law, if you intend to turn or change lanes, you must start to signal at least 300 feet in advance. You must signal even if you don't see any other vehicles around. The vehicle you don't see could end up being the most dangerous. Also, pedestrians or other drivers could be caught off guard by a sudden turn or lane change. [Signaling, Some Important Delaware Laws, Section Four – Rules of the Road, Delaware Driver Manual],

Source: 21 Del. C. § 4155

Not quite. The answer is do all of the above.

A driver under the influence of alcohol is more likely to drive too fast or too slowly, change lanes frequently, and fail to dim the headlights. Even more crucially, a drunk driver may be less alert in an emergency and may take too long to brake. Such mistakes may endanger the driver and others.

Not quite. The answer is toward the right edge of the road

If an oncoming vehicle has its high-beam headlights on, don't stare at the lights. Look toward the right edge of the road to prevent being temporarily blinded.

Not quite. The answer is low-beam headlights

High beams reflect off rain, fog, and falling snow. This will make it even harder for you to see where you are going. For better visibility under such weather conditions, keep your vehicle's headlights on low beam.