Vehicle Handling

What should you do if you feel your vehicle starting to skid on ice?

• AEase off the accelerator, steer gently in the direction you want to go, and avoid braking✓
• BAccelerate to escape the ice
• CSteer sharply in the opposite direction to the skid and brake hard until the wheels grip again
• DBrake hard immediately

Answer: Braking or harsh steering on ice locks wheels and worsens the skid. You must ease off power, steer smoothly where you want to go, and avoid sudden inputs.

What is aquaplaning?

• AA cornering technique used in racing to carry more speed through a wet bend
• BWhen brakes overheat
• CDeliberately driving through deep standing water to clean out the tyre treads
• DYour tyres lose contact with the wet road surface and skid uncontrollably✓

Answer: Aquaplaning occurs when tyres cannot disperse water fast enough and ride on a water film, losing all grip. To avoid it, maintain proper tyre tread depth and reduce speed in heavy rain.

What should you do if you experience aquaplaning?

• ABrake hard
• BSound your horn
• CSteer sharply
• DEase off the accelerator, do not brake, maintain steering, and allow the car to slow naturally✓

Answer: Braking or sharp steering during aquaplaning causes a skid. You must ease off power and let the car slow naturally until tyres regain grip.

How should you drive around a bend at the correct speed?

• ACarry your speed in and brake hard partway through the bend if you need to
• BMaintain constant speed through the bend
• CAccelerate into the bend for better grip
• DBrake before the bend, turn steadily, and accelerate gently after✓

Answer: The correct technique is brake-turn-accelerate: brake before the bend while the road is straight (tyres have better grip), turn steadily through the bend, and accelerate gently after to maintain momentum.

What is 'wheel spin'?

• AA deliberate driving technique used to warm the tyres and improve grip before setting off
• BTurning a corner
• CThe wheels rotating faster than the road surface, causing loss of traction and skidding✓
• DNormal driving

Answer: Wheel spin occurs when you accelerate too hard, causing wheels to spin without gaining traction. This happens on ice or loose gravel and causes loss of control.

How should you avoid wheel spin on slippery surfaces?

• APull away in the lowest gear available and keep the engine revs high
• BTurn the steering wheel to full lock before you pull away
• CAccelerate hard from a standstill to carry momentum through the slippery patch
• DAccelerate smoothly and gently to maintain traction✓

Answer: Gentle, smooth acceleration allows the engine's power to be distributed to the wheels without overwhelming traction. Hard acceleration causes wheel spin and loss of control.

What is oversteer?

• AThe rear of the vehicle slides out and loses traction, causing the car to turn more sharply than intended✓
• BApplying too much force to the steering wheel, so that the power steering pump cannot keep up with the input
• CSteering when turning a corner
• DParking incorrectly

Answer: Oversteer (or 'fishtailing') occurs when the rear loses grip on slippery surfaces. The car turns more sharply than the steering input intended, which can cause a skid.

What is understeer?

• AThe front of the vehicle loses traction and the car continues straight despite steering input✓
• BSteering too little
• CReversing
• DTurning a corner slowly

Answer: Understeer ('ploughing') occurs when the front tyres lose grip on a slippery bend. The car continues forward regardless of steering input, which is very dangerous.

How should you steer and brake while cornering?

• ABrake and steer at the same time so the weight stays on the front wheels
• BSteer sharply into the corner first and then brake once you are past the apex
• CBrake before the corner, then steer and accelerate gently✓
• DBrake in the middle of the corner to scrub off any excess speed

Answer: The correct technique is separate: brake while the road is straight to reduce speed, then steer smoothly through the corner, then accelerate gently. Braking while cornering reduces traction.

What should you do if your vehicle starts to hydroplane on standing water?

• AEase off the accelerator, do not brake, maintain course, and allow wheels to regain traction✓
• BSteer sharply towards the nearside and brake firmly to force the tyres back down onto the road surface
• CBrake immediately
• DAccelerate

Answer: Hydroplaning requires the same response as aquaplaning: ease off power, avoid braking or sharp inputs, and wait for grip to return. Braking or steering worsens the skid.

How does wind affect your vehicle handling?

• AHandling stays the same
• BIt only affects motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles, because a car is far too heavy for the wind to move
• CSide winds can push your vehicle off course, especially on motorways or when passing large vehicles✓
• DWind improves braking

Answer: Side winds, especially from HGVs, can push your car across lanes without warning. You should grip the steering wheel firmly and be prepared to make small corrections.

What should you do if your brakes suddenly fail while driving?

• APump the brake pedal and look for an escape route
• BUse the handbrake gently while steering to a safe place
• CTurn off the engine
• DBoth A and B✓

Answer: Pump the brake pedal first (may restore pressure), look for an escape route, use the handbrake gently to avoid locking the wheels, and steer toward a safe place to stop. Both actions are needed for safety.

What should you do if you feel your vehicle starting to skid on a wet road?

• ATurn the steering wheel sharply the other way to straighten up
• BAccelerate to regain control
• CSteer in the direction the rear of the car is sliding✓
• DBrake hard immediately

Answer: If skidding, steer gently in the direction the rear is sliding. Do not brake hard or steer sharply, as this will worsen the skid. Reduce speed by easing off the accelerator and regain control before continuing.

How should you brake on a slippery road?

• ABrake hard and firmly so the wheels lock and scrub off speed
• BBrake gently and smoothly with more time and distance✓
• CUse the handbrake instead, so the front wheels keep their grip
• DUse the accelerator instead of braking

Answer: On slippery roads, brake gently and smoothly to avoid wheel lockup and skidding. Increase your following distance and reduce speed. Allow much more stopping distance than on dry roads. ABS brakes help but still require smooth pressure.

What effect does increasing your speed have on steering control?

• ANo effect on steering at all, because power steering compensates for speed
• BIt improves steering control, because faster wheels grip the road better
• CReduces steering response and control, making the vehicle less stable✓
• DIt only affects motorcycles, which are much more sensitive to road speed

Answer: Higher speeds reduce steering control and vehicle stability, particularly on curves. This is especially true in wet conditions or on poor road surfaces. Speed must be reduced to maintain safe control.

When should you use dipped headlights rather than full beam?

• AOn motorways only
• BWhen meeting oncoming vehicles or when close behind another vehicle✓
• CDuring daylight hours only
• DFull beam is always the better choice

Answer: Use dipped headlights when meeting oncoming vehicles (within about 200 metres) or when close behind another vehicle (within about 60 metres). Full beam can blind other drivers and is dangerous.

What is the correct technique for reversing your vehicle?

• AReverse slowly, check all mirrors and blind spots, use smooth steering inputs✓
• BSound your horn continuously throughout the manoeuvre so that anyone behind hears you
• CReverse quickly to finish faster
• DLook forward through the windscreen and rely on the mirrors alone to guide you

Answer: Reverse slowly and carefully, checking all mirrors and over your shoulder for blind spots. Use gentle steering inputs to avoid sharp movements. Always be prepared to stop. Never reverse at speed.

How should you navigate a sharp bend safely?

• ABrake hard while you are actually turning to keep the speed down through it
• BMaintain a high speed into the bend and steer sharply to stay on line
• CSlow down before the bend, then accelerate gently as you straighten✓
• DKeep the accelerator pressed steadily the whole way through the bend

Answer: Slow down before entering a sharp bend (not during it), take the bend at a safe speed with smooth steering, and gently accelerate as you exit. Braking or accelerating hard during a bend risks skidding.

What is the proper way to steer a vehicle?

• AOnly when turning
• BWith both hands, using 'hand-over-hand' or push-pull technique for normal driving✓
• CWith one hand at all times
• DUsing the heel of your foot on the pedals

Answer: Use both hands on the steering wheel for control and safety. For normal driving, use the push-pull method (left hand pushes as right hand pulls, or vice versa). For sharper turns, hand-over-hand technique may be used.

What should you do if your vehicle hydroplanes (aquaplanes)?

• ABrake firmly until you feel the tyres bite through the water again
• BUse the handbrake
• CEase off the accelerator and steer straight until grip returns✓
• DSteer sharply

Answer: If aquaplaning occurs, ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly straight ahead. Do not brake hard or steer sharply, as this will worsen the loss of grip. Grip will return as water drains away.

How does tyre condition affect vehicle handling?

• AOnly matters in winter
• BWorn or damaged tyres can reduce grip, increase stopping distance, and affect stability✓
• COnly affects speed
• DTyre condition has no effect

Answer: Worn or damaged tyres significantly reduce grip, increase stopping distances, and affect vehicle handling and stability. Tyres must have at least 1.6mm tread depth. Check tyres regularly for wear and damage.

What should you do if your vehicle develops a puncture while driving?

• APull over to the side of the road slowly and carefully✓
• BContinue driving at a steady speed until you reach a garage
• CChange the tyre where the vehicle stops, even in the middle of the road
• DBrake hard immediately and steer towards the nearside kerb

Answer: If you get a puncture, ease off the accelerator, slow down gradually, and pull over carefully to the side of the road (or hard shoulder on motorways). Only then should you change the tyre in a safe location.