Which pair correctly describes Alaska's headlight-dimming distances for an oncoming vehicle and a vehicle ahead of you?
Correct answer: At least 500 feet oncoming and 300 feet when following.
Dim before coming within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and 300 feet of a vehicle traveling ahead in the same direction. Low beams reduce glare for those drivers.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Lighting law, items 3-4; printed p. 55; PDF p. 67 ↗
In daylight, blowing snow cuts visibility to about 800 feet. What does Alaska's lighting rule require?
Correct answer: Turn on the headlights.
Headlights are required during the day when weather or similar conditions reduce visibility to 1,000 feet or less. Parking lights alone are not for a moving vehicle.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Lighting law, item 2; printed p. 55; PDF p. 67 ↗
Which headlight setting should you use while driving through fog?
Correct answer: Low beams.
The handbook recommends low beams in fog, rain, snow, or dust. Bright light reflected back toward you can make the scene harder to see.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Safety suggestions for lighting equipment, item 2; printed p. 55; PDF p. 67 ↗
A moose suddenly runs into your path. What response does Alaska's handbook recommend?
Correct answer: Brake firmly while avoiding a sudden swerve.
Firm braking can reduce impact speed. A sudden swerve may turn the encounter into a collision with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a fixed object.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Animals; printed p. 60; PDF p. 72 ↗
The road has damp patches on a freezing morning. Which location may become slippery before the surrounding road?
Correct answer: A bridge or shaded stretch.
Bridges and shaded or protected areas can become slippery first and stay slippery longer. Anticipate the change before reaching them.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Skids - Prevention, item 4; printed p. 61; PDF p. 73 ↗
Your car begins to skid on ice. Which action should you avoid?
Correct answer: Sudden braking and large, abrupt steering corrections.
Abrupt braking or oversteering can worsen the loss of grip or send the car into another skid. Stay calm and avoid overcorrecting.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Recovery from skid; printed p. 61; PDF p. 73 ↗
Floodwater covers the road ahead, and you cannot judge its depth. What is the best response?
Correct answer: Turn around safely and use another route.
Floodwater can conceal a damaged road or be deep enough to move the vehicle. Do not enter a flooded roadway merely because another vehicle did.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Flooding; printed p. 72; PDF p. 84 ↗
A tire suddenly blows out at road speed. What should you do first?
Correct answer: Concentrate on steering and slow gradually without hard braking.
Maintain directional control and let the vehicle slow gradually. Once under control, brake gently and move fully off the pavement when safe.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Emergencies - Tire blows out; printed p. 66; PDF p. 78 ↗
The accelerator remains stuck and the car keeps pulling forward. Which gear selection helps remove engine power from the wheels while you control the car?
Correct answer: Neutral.
The handbook includes shifting to neutral, braking, and concentrating on steering in its jammed-accelerator response. Neutral disconnects the engine's driving force so you can work toward a safe stop.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Emergencies - Accelerator jammed; printed p. 66; PDF p. 78 ↗
Your car develops a problem, but you can still move it safely. Where should you place it before stopping?
Correct answer: With all four wheels off the traveled part of the highway, if possible.
Clear the traveled roadway as fully as safely possible. A disabled car left partly in the lane exposes approaching drivers to a sudden obstacle.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Emergencies - Disabled vehicle; printed p. 66; PDF p. 78 ↗
Your car becomes stuck on railroad tracks before any warning lights activate. What should you do?
Correct answer: Get everyone out and clear of the tracks, then call 911 and the posted railroad emergency number.
Do not stay in a vehicle stuck on the tracks. From a safe location, notify 911 and the railroad through the posted ENS number; give the crossing identification and say the tracks are blocked.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Railroad crossings: Vehicle stuck; Emergency Notification System; printed p. 59; PDF p. 64 ↗
Your right wheels drop off the pavement. The car is still controllable. What is the best response?
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator, keep a firm grip, and return slowly when nearby traffic is clear.
First regain stable control and slow down. The manual advises waiting until no cars are in the immediate vicinity before returning to the pavement at a slow speed.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Safety tips: Wheels off roadway; printed p. 67; PDF p. 79 ↗
Your service brakes fail. Which pair of controls does the Alaska manual identify to help slow the car?
Correct answer: Apply the parking brake gradually and shift to a lower gear.
The manual directs drivers with failed service brakes to use the parking brake and shift to a lower gear. Keep steering under control while seeking a safe place to stop.
Source: Alaska Driver Manual, Rev. 10/2025 - Emergencies: Brakes fail; printed p. 66; PDF p. 78 ↗
An Alaska 511 urgent report says your planned road has no winter maintenance. What is the prudent decision?
Correct answer: Delay the trip or choose an open, maintained route after checking conditions.
DOT&PF strongly discourages travel on unmaintained winter roads, which may be impassable with no emergency assistance available. Check current reports and forecasts rather than rushing into adverse conditions.
Source: Alaska DOT&PF - Winter Driving Tips; No Winter Maintenance, forecasts, and Wait it out ↗
