Safe Driving & Conditions — Texas DPS Practice Questions

40 questions in this content area. 8 are published in full below with worked explanations.

1. Another driver wants to pass you. What should you not do?

ALet them pass.
Slow down, brake or speed up to block them.
CKeep a steady speed.

Why B is correct

Do not intentionally slow down, slam on your brakes or speed up to keep someone from passing or entering your lane.

2. At 60 mph, how much is your field of vision reduced?

ATo about two-thirds.
To about one-fifth.
CIt is not reduced.

Why B is correct

Stationary vision is 180 degrees or more; at 20 mph about 2/3, at 40 mph about 2/5, at 60 mph about 1/5.

3. At night you are following another car. Within what distance must you switch to low beams?

300 feet.
B100 feet.
C500 feet.

Why A is correct

Use low beams when following within 300 feet of another vehicle.

4. To avoid road rage, how should you use your horn?

AHold it until the other driver moves.
BNever use it at all.
Tap it; do not hold it down.

Why C is correct

Should you need to use the horn, tap it; do not hold it down. Do not confront other drivers.

5. To fight highway hypnosis on a long trip, how often should you stop?

AAbout every four hours or every 200 miles.
At least every two hours or 100 miles.
COnly when you feel sleepy.

Why B is correct

Stop at least every two hours or every 100 miles, walk around, keep your eyes moving, and do not drive more than eight hours a day.

6. What happens to your field of vision as your speed increases?

AIt gets wider.
BIt stays about the same; only your stopping distance changes.
It narrows; at 60 mph it is about one-fifth of what it is when stopped.

Why C is correct

Speed reduces your field of vision: about 2/3 at 20 mph, 2/5 at 40 mph, and 1/5 at 60 mph.

7. You are pulled over by police. What should you do once you are stopped?

AGet out and walk to the police car.
BSearch the glove box for your license and insurance right away.
Stay in the car with your hands visible on the steering wheel.

Why C is correct

Remain in the car, keep both hands in sight on the steering wheel, and tell the officer where your documents are before reaching for them.

8. Your car breaks down and you cannot get it off the road. What should you do first?

AStay in the car with seat belts on.
BStand behind the car to wave traffic around it.
Get everyone out of the car and off the road.

Why C is correct

If you can’t get the car off the road, get everyone out and off the road and use warning devices for oncoming traffic.

Watch the lesson

6:05Texas Safe Driving & Conditions: five situations explainedFive real situations acted out, answered and explained from the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7).Free account to watch

32 more Safe driving questions

Answers and explanations for these are in the study app.

A front tire blows out at highway speed. What should you do?
About how far does it take to stop from 60 mph with good brakes on dry, level pavement?
About how long does it take the average driver to think, react and apply the brakes?
About how many feet does it take to stop from 30 mph on dry, level pavement?
About how many feet does it take to stop from 70 mph?
According to the Texas handbook, what happens to crashes when drivers react half a second slower because of distractions?
After pulling over for police, what does the Texas handbook suggest you turn on?
An officer asks for consent to search your car without probable cause. What may you do?
An oncoming car is 500 feet away at night. What should your headlights be on?
An oncoming car’s headlights are blinding you. Where should you look?
Another driver is trying to merge into your lane. What should you avoid?
At night or in bad weather, how fast should you drive?
How much water can float many cars?
In good conditions at 30 mph or less, what following time does the Texas handbook give as the minimum?
In winter the road is clear. Where may you still find ice?
Is it an offense to give a false name to an officer who has lawfully detained you?
What does signing a traffic citation mean in Texas?
What does the Texas handbook say the law requires of drivers in defensive driving?
What following interval does the Texas handbook call the best practice for a beginning driver?
What penalty range can a street racing conviction carry in Texas?
When must you use your headlights in Texas?
When should you avoid wearing sunglasses while driving?
Which of these is part of defensive driving?
With chains or snow tires on icy pavement, how fast can you drive?
You are driving 55 mph in good weather. What following gap does the Texas handbook give?
You are stopped by police at night. What does the handbook suggest?
You are unsure a car signaling you to stop is a real police vehicle. What may you do?
Your brakes fail. What should you do?
Your car begins to skid. What should you do?
Your car stalls in floodwater. What should you do?
Your phone buzzes with a text while you are driving. What does Texas law say?
Your right wheels drop off the pavement. What should you do?

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