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Safe driving

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

Show all 22 questions with answers

  1. 1 of 22 · Safe driving

    In good weather and road conditions, what is the minimum following distance you should keep?

    • A.At least 2 secondsAnswer
    • B.At least 1 second
    • C.Half a second
    • D.One car length at any speed

    Explanation: Keep at least 2 seconds of space in front in good conditions. It takes time to see a hazard and react before the brakes even begin to work, so a gap measured in seconds grows with your speed.

  2. 2 of 22 · Safe driving

    It is raining heavily and the road is slippery. What following distance should you increase to?

    • A.4 secondsAnswer
    • B.2 seconds
    • C.3 seconds
    • D.1 second

    Explanation: Increase your following distance to 4 seconds in bad weather or on uneven or slippery roads. Stopping takes longer when the tires have less grip.

  3. 3 of 22 · Safe driving

    You are following another vehicle on an unpaved road where dust and gravel are in the air. What following distance is a good idea?

    • A.At least 3 secondsAnswer
    • B.At least 1 second
    • C.Close enough to stay in the vehicle’s tire tracks
    • D.The same as on a paved road: 2 seconds

    Explanation: Keep at least 3 seconds of following distance on an unpaved road where dust or gravel may be in the air. The same applies behind a large vehicle or a motorcycle, and when someone is following close behind you.

  4. 4 of 22 · Safe driving

    Your car has automatic daytime running lights. May you drive at night with only those lights on?

    • A.No — it is illegal to drive at night with daytime running lights or parking lights instead of headlightsAnswer
    • B.Yes, on well-lit city streets
    • C.Yes, if you also turn on the parking lights
    • D.Yes, until 1 hour after sunset

    Explanation: Daytime running lights are not headlights and do not turn on the tail lights, so drivers behind cannot see you. At night you must use your headlights; driving with only parking lights or daytime running lights is illegal.

  5. 5 of 22 · Safe driving

    A driver is tailgating you. What is a good way to protect yourself?

    • A.Slow down slightly to increase the space in front of youAnswer
    • B.Tap your brakes hard to warn the driver
    • C.Speed up to get away from the driver
    • D.Move closer to the vehicle in front so the tailgater cannot cut in

    Explanation: You cannot control the space behind you, but you can add space in front. Slowing down slightly lets you stop more gradually if you have to, so the tailgater is less likely to hit you. You could also change lanes or pull over and let the driver pass.

  6. 6 of 22 · Safe driving

    How far ahead should you scan the road as you drive?

    • A.At least 12 seconds aheadAnswer
    • B.About 2 seconds ahead
    • C.Just past the front of your hood
    • D.Only as far as the vehicle directly in front

    Explanation: New drivers tend to look just in front of the vehicle and miss hazards farther away. Scan at least 12 seconds ahead — about one to two blocks in the city and half a kilometre on the highway — so you have time to prepare.

  7. 7 of 22 · Safe driving

    While driving, how often should you glance at each of your mirrors?

    • A.About every 5 to 8 secondsAnswer
    • B.About once a minute
    • C.Only when you change lanes
    • D.Only when you are backing up

    Explanation: Keep your eyes moving: look well ahead, scan from side to side and check your mirrors, completing the cycle every 5 to 8 seconds. That way you always know what is happening behind and beside you.

  8. 8 of 22 · Safe driving

    Your vehicle has a blind spot detector and a back-up camera. Do you still need to do shoulder checks?

    • A.Yes — these devices do not replace turning your head to lookAnswer
    • B.No — the detector covers the blind spots
    • C.Only when the detector is switched off
    • D.Only at night

    Explanation: Blind spot detectors and cameras can help, but they do not replace a shoulder check or looking behind. Whenever you change direction or road position, turn your head to make sure the blind spot on that side is clear.

  9. 9 of 22 · Safe driving

    During which period must you drive with your headlights on?

    • A.From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunriseAnswer
    • B.Only from sunset to sunrise
    • C.From 1 hour after sunset until 1 hour before sunrise
    • D.Only where there are no street lights

    Explanation: You must use your headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. They help you see, and they help other road users see you.

  10. 10 of 22 · Safe driving

    When must you switch from high beams to low beams?

    • A.Within 150 metres of another vehicle, whether meeting or following itAnswer
    • B.Only within 50 metres of an oncoming vehicle
    • C.Only when you are following another vehicle
    • D.Only when the other driver flashes their lights at you

    Explanation: You must dim your high beams when you are within 150 metres of another vehicle, both when meeting it and when following it. Most people misjudge distance at night, so dim early.

  11. 11 of 22 · Safe driving

    It is daytime, but fog has come in. When does the law require you to turn on your headlights?

    • A.When visibility is reduced to less than 150 metresAnswer
    • B.Only when visibility is less than 10 metres
    • C.Never during the day
    • D.Only on highways

    Explanation: Headlights are also required whenever visibility drops below 150 metres, for example in fog or heavy rain — day or night. Use low beams in these conditions.

  12. 12 of 22 · Safe driving

    Which lights should you use when driving in rain, snow or fog?

    • A.Low beam headlightsAnswer
    • B.High beam headlights, to see farther
    • C.Parking lights only
    • D.Hazard lights while moving

    Explanation: Use low beams in rain, snow and fog. High beams reflect off the water droplets or snowflakes back into your eyes and make it harder to see.

  13. 13 of 22 · Safe driving

    What does it mean to “overdrive your headlights”?

    • A.Driving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights light upAnswer
    • B.Using high beams when other vehicles are near
    • C.Leaving your headlights on after parking
    • D.Driving with headlights that are aimed too high

    Explanation: You overdrive your headlights when you go too fast to stop within the distance they light up — at night or in fog, rain or snow. It is especially dangerous on a curve. Slow down so you can always stop within the distance you can see.

  14. 14 of 22 · Safe driving

    On a wet highway your steering suddenly feels very light — your tires are hydroplaning. What should you do?

    • A.Ease off the accelerator and keep driving straight; do not brakeAnswer
    • B.Brake hard until the tires grip again
    • C.Steer sharply toward the shoulder
    • D.Accelerate to push through the water

    Explanation: Hydroplaning means the tires are floating on a film of water, so steering and braking do not work. Decelerate and drive straight — never brake. To prevent it, check tire tread and pressure and slow down in heavy rain.

  15. 15 of 22 · Safe driving

    On a cold day near freezing, which part of the road is likely to ice up before the rest?

    • A.Bridges and overpassesAnswer
    • B.Sunny, open stretches of highway
    • C.Roads through tunnels
    • D.Freshly paved roads

    Explanation: Bridges and overpasses tend to form ice before other road surfaces. Be suspicious of asphalt that looks shiny and black — it may be black ice — and remember that shaded areas and intersections can stay icy too.

  16. 16 of 22 · Safe driving

    On a long trip that takes more than one day, when is tiredness most likely to affect you?

    • A.On the second dayAnswer
    • B.In the first hour of the first day
    • C.Only if you drive after midnight
    • D.Never, if you drink coffee

    Explanation: Fatigue is one of the leading causes of crashes, and on a long trip it is most likely to catch up with you on the second day. Start out well rested, take breaks, and do not drive too far at one time.

  17. 17 of 22 · Safe driving

    After a long time on an unchanging highway, you become unaware of your surroundings. What is this called, and how can you help prevent it?

    • A.Highway hypnosis — turn off the cruise control and keep scanning systematicallyAnswer
    • B.Highway hypnosis — set the cruise control so you can relax
    • C.Tunnel vision — stare at the centre of the lane
    • D.Road rage — drive faster to reach your destination sooner

    Explanation: This is highway hypnosis. You can help avoid it by turning off the cruise control, scanning systematically and using strategies to stay awake, such as taking breaks and keeping fresh air in the car.

  18. 18 of 22 · Safe driving

    According to the studies cited in the driver’s guide, drivers talking on a cellphone lose about how much of what is going on around them visually?

    • A.About 50 per centAnswer
    • B.About 5 per cent
    • C.Almost nothing, if they use a hands-free phone
    • D.About 10 per cent

    Explanation: Drivers talking on a cellphone lose about 50 per cent of what is going on around them visually. Even when you are stopped at an intersection or slowed in traffic, you are still driving — leave your phone alone.

  19. 19 of 22 · Safe driving

    What lowers the amount of alcohol in your blood?

    • A.Only timeAnswer
    • B.Drinking strong coffee
    • C.Taking a cold shower
    • D.Eating a large meal

    Explanation: Only time can sober you up or lower your blood alcohol content. Food, coffee, cold showers and exercise do not speed up how fast your body gets rid of alcohol.

  20. 20 of 22 · Safe driving

    According to Transport Canada, about how long does it take the body to go from a blood alcohol content of .08 back to zero?

    • A.About 6 hoursAnswer
    • B.About 1 hour
    • C.About 2 hours
    • D.About 30 minutes, if you eat something

    Explanation: Transport Canada states that at a BAC of .08 it takes about 6 hours for the body to process the alcohol and return to zero. Someone who drank late at night may still be impaired the next morning.

  21. 21 of 22 · Safe driving

    You have taken a medication and had one small drink. What should you know about the combination?

    • A.Many drugs greatly increase impairment even with small amounts of alcoholAnswer
    • B.A small drink cancels out the drowsiness from the medication
    • C.Only illegal drugs react with alcohol
    • D.Over-the-counter medicines never affect driving

    Explanation: Many drugs, including some medications, greatly increase impairment when combined with even small amounts of alcohol. If there is any doubt about your ability to drive safely, leave the driving to someone else.

  22. 22 of 22 · Safe driving

    The label on a cold medicine you have taken says it may cause drowsiness or dizziness. What should you do?

    • A.Do not drive — take the bus or get someone else to driveAnswer
    • B.Drive, but open a window to stay alert
    • C.Drive only on short trips close to home
    • D.Drink coffee to cancel the effect, then drive

    Explanation: Over-the-counter medicines can make you drowsy and slow your reaction time, and the effects can last for hours. If the label warns of drowsiness or dizziness, do not drive — take the bus or ask a friend to drive you.