Oncoming high beams are dazzling you. What is the handbook’s safer response?
Correct answer: Dim your own lights and guide your view toward the right side of the road.
Avoid staring into glare or reducing night vision with dark glasses. Maintain a controlled course and a safe speed.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 55, physical PDF page 65: Oncoming glare ↗
What is the best way to reduce the chance of hydroplaning on a rain-covered road?
Correct answer: Reduce speed so the tires have a better chance to maintain contact with the pavement.
Water can separate tires from the road. Lower speed is a basic precaution; sudden control changes and close following increase the danger.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 60, physical PDF page 70: Hydroplaning prevention ↗
Your car begins to skid. Which action is likely to make control harder to recover?
Correct answer: Applying the brakes suddenly and hard.
The handbook warns against sudden braking during a skid. Stay controlled and avoid abrupt inputs that demand more traction than the tires can provide.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 60, physical PDF page 70: Skid control ↗
A tire suddenly blows out while you are moving. What is the appropriate initial response?
Correct answer: Hold control of the steering, ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking.
A sudden brake application or steering change can worsen a blowout. Maintain control and reduce speed gradually before leaving the roadway safely.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 77, physical PDF page 87: Tire blowout ↗
Your car becomes disabled on an interstate but can still coast safely. What should you try to do?
Correct answer: Get completely out of the travel lanes where safe and turn on the emergency flashers.
Warn other traffic and move away from it when possible. Do not create a second hazard by standing or working in a travel lane.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 56, physical PDF page 66: Breakdown warning ↗
On an 80-mph interstate, you approach a stationary police vehicle displaying emergency lights. No temporary limit, flagger or sign-board direction applies. What reduction does current law specify depending on whether you can move lanes?
Correct answer: To 60 mph if able to move lanes, or 40 mph if unable, with further slowing if safety requires.
The interstate rule is 20 below the posted limit when able to move lanes, otherwise half the posted limit. Also follow the move-over and direction requirements; these figures do not override a need to go slower.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, 61-8-388, subsection (1)(a) and (2); current official text reviewed September 29, 2026 ↗
A stationary emergency scene has a temporary speed limit and a flagger directing your lane. Which instructions should guide you?
Correct answer: Reduce cautiously to the temporary limit and follow the flagger’s directions.
Current law gives the temporary posted limit and traffic directions priority. A lane change does not eliminate the need to reduce speed.
Source: Montana Code Annotated 2025, 61-8-388, subsections (1) and (2); current official text reviewed September 29, 2026 ↗
An animal suddenly enters your path and you cannot avoid it without a sharp swerve into oncoming traffic. What is the safer response?
Correct answer: Brake under control and avoid the dangerous sharp swerve.
The handbook warns that a sharp animal-avoidance swerve can cause a head-on collision or rollover. Look for additional animals after seeing one.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 61, physical PDF page 71: Wildlife and other animals ↗
A bridge follows a section of road that looks merely wet on a cold day. What should you anticipate?
Correct answer: The bridge may be icy even when the nearby road is not.
Bridges lack the ground’s insulation and can freeze differently. Adjust speed before reaching a potentially slippery surface.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 60, physical PDF page 70: Slippery roads, bridges ↗
You leave pavement for loose gravel. How should your driving change?
Correct answer: Slow down and allow more room to stop or turn.
Gravel and dirt provide less traction than pavement. Lower speed and greater margins reduce skidding and stopping risks.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 59, physical PDF page 69: Rural roads ↗
During an emergency stop in an ABS-equipped car, you feel the brake pedal pulse. What should you generally do?
Correct answer: Keep firm pressure on the brake and follow the vehicle’s ABS instructions.
Pulsation can be normal ABS operation. The handbook calls for keeping pressure on the pedal rather than repeatedly releasing it.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 78, physical PDF page 88: Stopping quickly with ABS ↗
The accelerator sticks and the engine continues pulling the car faster. Which action separates engine power from the wheels while you brake?
Correct answer: Shift into Neutral, keep your eyes on the road and apply steady braking.
Neutral lets you brake without continued driving force. Pull off safely, then shut down the engine; do not sacrifice steering attention to reach under the dashboard.
Source: Montana Driver Manual, Revised April 2024, printed page 77, physical PDF page 87: Gas pedal sticks ↗
