Basic Driving Skills

Question 1

What conditions would require an increase in following distance?

Answer 1

1. Road conditions
2. Vehicle conditions
3. Your physical/mental condition
4. Traffic conditions
5. Lighting conditions
6. Weather conditions

Question 2

How far should the following distance be for cars, taxi, limo, ambulance or van?

Answer 2

2 seconds

Question 3

How far should follow distance be for bus, trucks or other heavy vehicles?

Answer 3

5 seconds

Question 4

What are risks that come with travelling faster than the traffic flow?

Answer 4

1. You wont be able to maintain a safe follow distance
2. You increase your chances of making a wrong decision. More lane changes = greater chance of a mistake
3. You’ll tire more quickly

Question 5

What are risks that come with travelling slower than the traffic flow?

Answer 5

1. Increased chance of collision with vehicles behind/beside you.

Question 6

What is the best way to deal with tailgaters?

Answer 6

1. Allow them to pass

2. Use 4-way flashers when driving slowly up or down a hill

Question 7

How much distance should be between two large commercial vehicles

Answer 7

60m/200ft

Question 8

When should the red triangle sign be used?

Answer 8

When driving machinery that travels at less than 40 KM/h.

Question 9

What is a danger zone?

Answer 9

The section of road the vehicle travels before it can come to a complete stop.

Question 10

What factors can increase the danger zone?

Answer 10

1. Increased speed

2. Poor road conditions

Question 11

How can you decrease the danger zone?

Answer 11

1. Reducing speed

2. Removing foot from accelerator and covering brake pedal with foot when approaching a potential hazard.

Question 12

What is the wheelbase?

Answer 12

The distance between the wheels on the front and back of a vehicle

Question 13

What is the off-track?

Answer 13

The difference between the path of the wheels on the front of a vehicle, and the path of the wheels on the back of a vehicle when making a turn. The greater the distance between the two wheels, the greater the off-track.

Question 14

What forces work against the vehicle while making a turn?

Answer 14

Inertia and traction

Question 15

What is intertia

Answer 15

The tendency for moving objects to continue moving forward in a straight line.

Question 16

How does inertia affect turning?

Answer 16

The faster you are going, the more inertia tries to pull the vehicle in a straight line

Question 17

How does traction affect turning?

Answer 17

If you turn too quickly, and apply brakes, you may loose traction, causing skid, roll over or jackknife.

Question 18

What should you do when entering a curve to prevent traction loss?

Answer 18

Reduce speed before entering a curve, and use a speed that doesnt require you to brake, and instead allows you to apply gradual power.

Question 19

What should you do when curving right?

Answer 19

Keep the front wheels close to the centre line, so the rear wheels dont go off the pavement.

Question 20

What should you do when curving left?

Answer 20

Keep the front wheels close to the shoulder, so the rear wheels dont go into the other lane.

Question 21

What are some risks to making sharp right turns?

Answer 21

The back wheels may scrape the curb, or even leave the road. This could cause damage to the wheels, or injure pedestrians and cyclists.

Question 22

What should you check for when making a right turn?

Answer 22

Check to make sure there are no cyclists, pedestrians or other vehicles before making the turn.

Question 23

What is the most dangerous point when making a right turn?

Answer 23

When your front wheels have made the turn and your back wheels havent.

Question 24

What steps should be used when making a sharp right turn?

Answer 24

1. Position the vehicle 1-2 meters from the curb on the approach to the intersection.
2. Drive straight until the curb line of the side street can be seen through the front entrance door (bus).
3. Enter the turn at slow speeds. This allows you to turn the wheels more slowly, which will let you make a smoother turn using less energy.

Question 25

What steps should you take while approaching a round-about?

Answer 25

1. Slow down as you approach the circle
2. Yield to any traffic in the circle
3. If another vehicle arrives at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right
4. Go around the traffic circle in a counter-clockwise motion.

Question 26

What are some tips to reduce the risk of crashing when backing up?

Answer 26

1. Avoid backing up whenever possible
2. If you must, plan ahead to minimize distance
3. Be certain the area you are backing up into is clear
4. Use a guide to help you. If there is no guide, get out of the vehicle, and do a complete walk around. Do this step every vehicle length.
5. Sound the horn at least once for every vehicle length.
6. Back the vehicle out of traffic, rather than into traffic.

Question 27

Which side should you use when backing up the vehicle?

Answer 27

The view side as opposed to the blind side.

Question 28

Where are the blind spots on a large vehicle?

Answer 28

Directly in front, and behind, as well as on each side

Question 29

What is the speed limit when approaching emergency vehicles stopped with lights on?

Answer 29

For posted speeds over 80, reduce to 70. For posted speeds below 80, reduce to 40.

Question 30

Where is air turbulence displaced from on a large vehicle

Answer 30

The front, sides and back

Question 31

What should you do if you see an animal on the road?

Answer 31

Leave a wide margin while you drive around an animal

Question 32

If you don’t have time to stop, what should you do if an animal is directly in front of you?

Answer 32

Brake firmly, and steer to strike the animal at an angle. Let up on the brake just before hitting the animal.

Question 33

What should you do before driving in ice, sleet or snow?

Answer 33

Get out and check the road. At a slow speed, test the steering and brakes for control.

Reduce speed and apply chains

Avoid moving the steering wheel in an erratic manor.

Question 34

How far away should you turn off high beams when approaching another vehicle?

Answer 34

150 m