DVSA Adverse Weather Driving 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In wet conditions, how much longer can your overall stopping distance be compared to dry conditions?
- The same distance
- At least double (Correct answer)
- Three times as long
- Half as long
Correct answer: At least double
In wet conditions, your overall stopping distance can be at least double that of dry conditions. This is because reduced tyre grip on a wet road surface increases braking distance significantly.
Question 2: What is aquaplaning?
- Driving through a puddle
- When your tyres lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water (Correct answer)
- When water enters the engine
- Skidding on ice
Correct answer: When your tyres lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water
Aquaplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the tyres and the road surface, causing the tyres to lose grip. The steering becomes very light and unresponsive.
Question 3: When should you use rear fog lights?
- Whenever it is dark
- When visibility is seriously reduced, generally below 100 metres (Correct answer)
- In light rain
- Whenever you use dipped headlights
Correct answer: When visibility is seriously reduced, generally below 100 metres
Rear fog lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced to below 100 metres. Using them in lighter conditions dazzles drivers behind and can mask your brake lights.
Question 4: What should you do if you encounter black ice on the road?
- Brake firmly to stop quickly
- Keep your speed steady, avoid sudden braking or steering (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to drive through it
- Turn the steering wheel sharply
Correct answer: Keep your speed steady, avoid sudden braking or steering
On black ice, you should avoid sudden braking, acceleration, or steering. Keep a steady speed and steer gently. If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator and steer into the skid.
Question 5: When driving at night, when should you dip your headlights?
- Only on motorways
- When following or meeting other traffic to avoid dazzling them (Correct answer)
- Only when it's raining
- Never — always use full beam
Correct answer: When following or meeting other traffic to avoid dazzling them
You must dip your headlights when meeting oncoming vehicles and when following another vehicle, to avoid dazzling their driver through their mirrors.
Question 6: What effect can strong crosswinds have on your vehicle?
- They improve fuel economy
- They can blow your vehicle off course, especially on exposed roads (Correct answer)
- They have no significant effect on cars
- They only affect lorries
Correct answer: They can blow your vehicle off course, especially on exposed roads
Strong crosswinds can blow your vehicle off course, especially on exposed stretches like bridges, viaducts, and open moorland. High-sided vehicles, motorcycles, and cyclists are particularly vulnerable.
DVSA Adverse Weather Driving 1
In wet conditions, how much longer can your overall stopping distance be compared to dry conditions?