You see this sign facing your vehicle after a turn. What danger does it identify?
Correct answer: You are traveling toward opposing traffic in the wrong direction.
WRONG WAY warns that you have entered against the permitted traffic direction. Correct the mistake as quickly and safely as possible; do not continue farther into oncoming traffic.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_11; sign R5-1a: Wrong Way; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What movement does this sign prohibit?
Correct answer: Turning around to travel in the opposite direction.
The U-shaped arrow identifies a U-turn. The sign prohibits that reversal of direction, rather than every possible movement involving a leftward steer.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-4: No U-Turn; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What must a driver in the lane governed by this sign plan to do?
Correct answer: Continue straight through the intersection.
The straight arrow and ONLY identify a through-only lane. A turn signal does not create permission to turn from it.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2b_04; sign R3-5a: Lane Control; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
What traffic change does the joining branch on this sign warn about?
Correct answer: Traffic entering from another road will merge into the roadway.
The joining branch represents merging traffic. Watch for vehicles entering and allow room for a safe merge; do not confuse it with the added-lane symbol.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_08; sign W4-1: Merge; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Compared with a gentle curve warning, what does this sharply bent arrow indicate?
Correct answer: A sharp left turn in the road ahead.
The angular arrow warns of a sharp change in the road direction. Reduce speed before reaching it and follow any posted advisory information.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_01; sign W1-1: Turn; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Which type of intersection is this sign warning you to approach?
Correct answer: A roundabout or circular intersection.
The circular arrows warn of a roundabout ahead. Reduce speed and follow the roundabout entry, lane and right-of-way rules.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009, Figure 2c_09; sign W2-6: Roundabout Ahead; official illustration and description checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Snow starts covering the road while you are driving at the posted limit. What adjustment is appropriate?
Correct answer: Reduce speed to account for the reduced grip.
A posted limit does not promise safe control on a slippery surface. Snow or ice makes steering and stopping more difficult.
Source: NHTSA, Winter Weather Driving Tips; Driving in Winter Weather — The Basics; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You catch up with a slow snowplow. What is the appropriate response?
Correct answer: Stay well back and use caution if passing becomes safe.
Allow a substantial gap behind a working plow. Its slow speed does not make an immediate pass safe.
Source: NHTSA, Winter Weather Driving Tips; Driving in Winter Weather — The Basics; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Which headlights should you select when driving through fog?
Correct answer: Low beams, with fog lights if available.
Low beams help others see your vehicle without the glare produced by high beams in fog. Fog lights may also help if fitted.
Source: National Weather Service, Driving in Fog; Safety tips — low-beam headlights; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
In fog, the car ahead may stop unexpectedly. How should you prepare?
Correct answer: Leave plenty of space behind it.
Extra following distance helps accommodate sudden stops or changes in traffic. Tailgating is especially hazardous when visibility is limited.
Source: National Weather Service, Driving in Fog; Safety tips — following distance; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Water covers the road ahead and you cannot judge its depth. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stay out of the water and choose a safe alternative route.
Floodwater can conceal both strong current and missing pavement. Do not attempt to test a flooded road with your vehicle.
Source: National Weather Service, floodwater driving safety; Floodwater hazard guidance; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Why is the apparent surface of floodwater a poor guide to whether a crossing is safe?
Correct answer: It may hide a washed-out or collapsed roadway.
Floodwater hides what lies underneath, including gaps where the road has failed. Avoid the crossing instead of relying on its appearance.
Source: National Weather Service, floodwater driving safety; Floodwater hazard guidance — hidden road damage; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
For a routine pressure check, what does NHTSA mean by checking tires when they are cold?
Correct answer: The vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours.
Cold inflation pressure is measured after the tires have rested, not simply when the weather is cold. Driving warms tires and can change the reading.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Maintenance — Tire Pressure; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
The low tire-pressure warning stays illuminated while you drive. What should you do?
Correct answer: Inspect the tires and check their pressure as soon as safely possible.
The warning generally means at least one tire is significantly underinflated. Appearance alone may not reveal the problem; measure and correct pressure.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Tire Pressure Monitoring System — symbol illuminates; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
The tread has worn down level with the built-in treadwear indicators. What is the appropriate action?
Correct answer: Replace the worn tire.
The indicators show that tread is worn to its replacement level. Air pressure and cosmetic products cannot restore worn tread.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Maintenance — Tire Tread; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
A tire has deep tread because the car is rarely used. Does that alone prove the tire is safe indefinitely?
Correct answer: No; tire materials can deteriorate with age and storage conditions.
Tire aging occurs over time, including during storage and infrequent use. Follow manufacturer guidance and evaluate age as well as tread and damage.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Aging — What is tire aging? / Should I replace my tires?; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
How should you choose coolant for cold-weather vehicle preparation?
Correct answer: Use coolant meeting the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
Check the coolant level, condition and manufacturer requirements. Also address leaks or deteriorated hoses before travel.
Source: NHTSA, Winter Weather Driving Tips; Preparing Your Vehicle — Cooling System; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You are carrying a large object on a trailer. How should it be secured?
Correct answer: Tie the object directly to the vehicle or trailer with suitable restraints.
Large objects need direct securement with suitable rope, netting or straps. Weight alone does not prevent movement during braking, bumps or a collision.
Source: NHTSA, Drive Safe: Secure Your Load; Tips for Securing Your Cargo Properly; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
The cargo you want to carry exceeds what the vehicle or trailer can safely handle. What should you do?
Correct answer: Reduce the load or arrange suitable transport.
NHTSA advises against excessive loads. Restraints do not increase the vehicle’s safe load capacity.
Source: NHTSA, Drive Safe: Secure Your Load; Tips for Securing Your Cargo Properly; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Is the triangular painted zone between a highway and an exit ramp a suitable breakdown parking area?
Correct answer: No; do not stop or park in that painted zone.
The painted triangle is not a safe parking bay. Choose a safer location away from traffic if the vehicle can be moved.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; ASSESS — Find a Safe Place; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
A flat tire leaves you exposed beside fast traffic, but the car can safely reach an off-ramp. What does Maryland’s guidance say to consider?
Correct answer: Reaching the safer location, even if it may damage the tire or rim.
If safely possible, getting farther from moving traffic can be more important than avoiding wheel damage. This is a situational safety judgment, not permission to drive a vehicle that cannot be controlled.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, What to do in a Roadside Emergency; ASSESS — Find a Safe Place; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Why should you avoid slamming on the brakes as a tire blows out?
Correct answer: A sudden braking reaction can make the unstable vehicle harder to control.
NHTSA warns against overreacting with sudden braking or abrupt throttle release. Stabilize the car and reduce speed in a controlled way.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Tire Blowouts — avoiding overreaction; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Does the basic control procedure change completely depending on whether a front or rear tire blows out?
Correct answer: No; controlled steering and gradual slowing are needed in either case.
The sensations can differ, with more steering force from a front failure and more body movement from a rear failure. NHTSA gives the same basic control steps for both.
Source: NHTSA, TireWise; Tire Blowouts — front versus rear; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
You feel sleepy and repeatedly drift onto a rumble strip. What should this tell you?
Correct answer: Stop at a safe place to address fatigue instead of pushing on.
Lane drifting and hitting rumble strips can signal drowsiness. Treat them as a warning to stop safely, not as a device that makes continued sleepy driving acceptable.
Source: NHTSA, Drowsy Driving; Tips to Drive Alert — signs of drowsiness; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
Where it is safe and permitted to move over near roadway workers, why should you do so?
Correct answer: To leave more room between your vehicle and the work activity.
Maryland’s Highway Safety Office encourages leaving room for roadway workers. Move only when safe; creating another conflict does not improve work-zone safety.
Source: Maryland Highway Safety Office, Work Zone Safety; Maryland State Highway Administration; checked September 15, 2026. ↗
