RTAC Defensive Driver Test

Defensive Driving Questions, Resha Oylear September 2013
1. Looking ahead while driving means .
a. Thinking about your future
b. Observing potential threats
c. Scanning the road ahead, to the sides, and to the rear of your vehicle
d. Preparing to respond to others mistakes
2. Turns are a dangerous maneuver in driving due to .
a. Vehicles
b. Speed Limit
c. Blind Spots
d. Weather
3. When stopping behind another vehicle, make sure that you can see the behind the back tires of
that vehicle to ensure that you do not get trapped.
a. Mud Flaps
b. Tread
c. Ground
d. Bumper
4. Following distance should be kept to a minimum to prevent others from squeezing in between your bus and the vehicle
in front of you.
a. True
b. False
5. Mirror adjustments should be done adjusting the driver’s seat.
a. After
b. Before
c. While
d. None of the above
6. Always your brake when approaching an intersection.
a. Cover
b. Press
c. Test
d. Use
7. Railroad Crossings without light or crossing arms should be treated as though .
a. A train has passed
b. A train is approaching
c. The tracks are no longer used
d. The tracks are “exempt”
8. Pre-trip inspections need to be performed only one time a day, regardless of how many drivers drive the same vehicle.
a. True
b. False
9. The only way to be 100% sure that you will not have an accident while backing your vehicle is to .
a. Have a spotter
b. Never back up
c. Get out and look for dangers
d. Only back during daylight hours
10. If you discover that your horn does not work during a pre-trip, you must .
a. Get it repaired after your shift
b. Not take the vehicle into service
c. Ask for permission to use the vehicle
d. Keep a greater following distance

11. are obstructions of the drivers view.
a. Blind Spots
b. Mirrors
c. Buildings
d. Large Vehicles
e. All of the above
12. Jaywalkers do not have the right-of-way.
a. True
b. False
13. Turn signals, brake lights, flashers, and headlights are all considered devices.
a. Dangerous
b. Communication
c. Optional
d. Control
14. The white line at a stop sign is only a guide as to where to stop, not a requirement.
a. True
b. False
15. Before pulling into an intersection, the driver must make sure that they can get all the way through the intersection
without .
a. Pulling forward
b. Shifting gears
c. Turning head
d. Stopping
16. A safe following distance is one to two car lengths, regardless of the speed you are traveling.
a. True
b. False
17. Which of the following is not a factor in braking distance
a. Speed vehicle is traveling
b. Amount of pressure on brake pedal
c. Reaction time
d. Daylight
18. The safest position of hands on the steering wheel is .
a. 3 and 9
b. 12 and 6
c. 10 and 2
d. 4 and 8
19. To eliminate blind spots caused by fixed objects, the driver should in their seat until they can see
around the obstruction.
a. Lift up
b. Move
c. Sit
d. Rest
20. Looking out for “stale green lights” means to watch for .
a. Faded lights
b. Lights that have been green for a while
c. Lights that are yellow
d. Lights that just turned green

21. Which is more dangerous, driving while fatigued or driving while texting
a. They are both the same
b. Fatigued driving
c. Texting while driving
d. Neither are dangerous
22. Safe drivers check their mirrors every .
a. Chance they get
b. 5 – 8 seconds
c. So often
d. Time they check their speedometer
23. Daytime headlights are sufficient when it is raining.
a. True
b. False
24. Uses of cell phones, talking to passengers, and/or looking at a map while driving, are all examples
of
which increase the chances of an accident.
a. Motivators
b. Distractions
c. Good habits
d. Best practices
25. When stopping to load/unload a passenger, it is best practice to stop within of the curb.
a. 18 inches
b. 1 – 5 inches
c. 6 – 12 inches
d. 4 feet
26. When being tailgated, for your safety, increase your .
a. Speed
b. Stopping distance
c. Following distance
d. Space to the right
27. Whose job is it to watch out for the pedestrian’s safety
a. The Pedestrian
b. Police
c. The bus driver
d. Their friends
28. When approaching parked cars on the side of the roadway, be prepared for .
a. Opening doors
b. Sudden entry into your lane
c. Small children/animals walking in between cars
d. All of the above
29. Only prescription medicine is acceptable when operating a vehicle. Never take over the counter medicine before
operating a vehicle transporting passengers!
a. True
b. False
30. When driving a vehicle with air bags, keep as distance between you and the air bag as possible,
for your safety.
a. Little
b. Much

31. Hydroplaning is when the tires .
a. Touch the ground, not the water
b. Lose contact with the ground
c. Skid on the pavement
d. Slip off of the car
32. Professional drivers develop unsafe behaviors when they become .
a. Complacent
b. Happy
c. Successful
d. Busy
33. If backing you vehicle is required, always .
a. Get out and look for dangers
b. Warn others with communication devices such as four way flashers
c. Check your mirrors
d. Listen for warning devices from other vehicles
e. All of the above
34. If you must travel directly next to another vehicle, make sure to .
a. Let them know you are there
b. Travel at the same speed
c. Remain Calm
d. None of the above. NEVER travel directly next to another vehicle
35. Vehicles that can seat 16 or more passengers, including the driver, are NOT required to stop at railroad crossings.
a. True
b. False
36. The side Convex mirrors provides the best view of the vehicle.
a. Behind
b. The lane next to
c. In front of
d. None of the above
37. Following distance is the space directly between your vehicle and the .
a. Intersection
b. Curb
c. Vehicle in front of you
d. All of the above
38. Braking for a turn is best done the turn.
a. Through
b. Before
c. After
d. All the way through
39. The greatest responsibility of a driver is the of its passengers.
a. On-time performance
b. Safety
c. Comfort
d. Customer service
40. You are driving defensively when you are .
a. Prepared for other driver’s mistakes
b. Going the speed limit
c. Driving slow
d. Ready for a challenge

41. It is okay to cross over a double yellow line to pass a slow moving vehicle.
a. True
b. False
42. Green lights do not mean “GO”, they mean .
a. Stop
b. Proceed with caution
c. Wait
d. Hurry
43. When traveling behind a vehicle that has left their turn signal on for a long period, you should .
a. Maintain your speed
b. Pass them as soon as possible
c. Honk your horn
d. Increase your following distance and expect the unexpected
44. While driving on a country road you see someone on a bicycle in your lane traveling the same direction as you, you
should .
a. Stay in your lane and pass them
b. Slow down and try to get their attention
c. Slowly pass them by, leaving plenty of space between you and them
d. Stay behind them
e. Both B and C
45. Illinois law now permits motorcycles and bicyclists to proceed through a red light after they have waited a reasonable
time and it has not changed to green.
a. True
b. False
46. If a deer runs out in front of your vehicle, you should .
a. Drive off the road to avoid hitting them
b. Stay in your lane, slowly apply your brake, and hit the deer if it does not get out of the way in time
c. Honk and try to avoid the deer
d. Speed up in hopes that the deer will run away
47. Cell phone usage should be limited to .
a. Use while vehicle is stopped
b. Personal Calls
c. Hands free calling
d. Five minutes or less
48. It is impossible to maintain a space cushion while driving in heavy traffic.
a. True
b. False
49. Controlled intersections are intersections with .
a. Police Officers
b. Lights
c. Stop Signs
d. Yield Signs
e. B, C, and D
50. Motorcycles fit in tight spaces. Drivers must watch out for them especially when .
a. Changing lanes
b. Turning Right
c. There are blind spots
d. Approaching intersections
e. All of the above