Michigan Driver License: Emergencies, Weather and Freeways

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Emergencies, Weather and Freeways. Free, no account needed.

1. What percentage of traffic fatalities does the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimate involve aggressive driving behavior?

40 percent
25 percent
90 percent
66 percent

Answer: D — 66 percent

NHTSA attributes about two-thirds of traffic fatalities to aggressive behavior behind the wheel.

2. Another driver is tailgating you closely and gesturing angrily. What is the safest response?

Match their pace and gesture back to show you won't be intimidated
Brake firmly to signal your annoyance
Speed up to put distance between your vehicles
Get out of the way, avoid eye contact, and ignore the gestures

Answer: D — Get out of the way, avoid eye contact, and ignore the gestures

The safe response to an aggressive driver is to yield space, avoid engaging, and involve police only if needed.

3. You are driving behind another vehicle that has been driving aggressively, and that driver crashes further down the road. What should you do?

Stop at a safe distance and report what you saw
Continue on your way since you were not involved
Follow the other vehicles involved to get their information
Pull alongside the wreck to offer a ride

Answer: A — Stop at a safe distance and report what you saw

A witness to a crash caused by aggressive driving should stop safely nearby and report what happened.

4. Approaching an intersection, you're unsure whether another driver is going to stop or proceed. What should you do?

Flash your headlights to signal them to stop
Accelerate through before they can react
Sound your horn continuously until they move
Let them go first

Answer: D — Let them go first

When another driver's intentions at an intersection are unclear, yielding and letting them go first avoids a collision.

5. Snow piles at an intersection block your view of cross traffic. What should you do?

Reverse and find another route
Edge forward slowly until you can see
Roll down your window and listen for traffic instead
Proceed at normal speed since you have the right-of-way

Answer: B — Edge forward slowly until you can see

When view is blocked by obstructions like snow piles, creeping forward slowly lets you see cross traffic before committing.

6. What is the largest motorcycle engine size that is banned from Michigan freeways?

50 cc
500 cc
124 cc
250 cc

Answer: C — 124 cc

Small-displacement motorcycles of 124 cc or less are banned from freeways along with mopeds, bicycles, and ATVs.

7. When entering a freeway from an acceleration lane, whose responsibility is it to adjust speed and position to merge safely?

The merging driver
It is shared equally with no one primarily responsible
Whoever is traveling faster
The freeway traffic already in the lane

Answer: A — The merging driver

State law places the burden on the driver entering or exiting the freeway to adjust to fit the flow of traffic.

8. On a two-lane freeway, in which of these situations is it appropriate to drive in the left lane?

To pass, exit left, let someone merge, or in heavy congestion
Whenever traffic in the right lane is going slightly slower
Anytime you prefer a smoother ride
Only when towing a trailer

Answer: A — To pass, exit left, let someone merge, or in heavy congestion

The right lane is the default on a two-lane freeway; the left lane is for passing, exiting left, letting traffic merge, heavy congestion, or roadside emergency vehicles.

9. During posted hours, how many occupants must a vehicle have to use an HOV lane?

Two or more
Occupancy doesn't matter, only vehicle type
One is sufficient if driving a fuel-efficient vehicle
Three or more

Answer: A — Two or more

HOV lanes require at least two occupants during their posted hours, though they're open to everyone at other times.

10. You realize you've missed your freeway exit. What should you do?

Carefully back up to the exit if traffic allows
Use the median crossover to turn around
Go to the next exit and come back
Stop on the shoulder and wait for a gap to cross traffic

Answer: C — Go to the next exit and come back

Backing up, turning around, or using the median crossover (reserved for emergency and maintenance vehicles) is unsafe and prohibited; continue to the next exit instead.

11. While using cruise control, you tap the accelerator lightly to speed up briefly. Does this cancel the system?

Yes, but only above a certain speed
No, acceleration doesn't cancel it, but the brake does
Yes, any pedal input cancels cruise control
No, only the clutch can cancel it

Answer: B — No, acceleration doesn't cancel it, but the brake does

Pressing the accelerator does not disengage cruise control; only pressing the brake pedal cancels it.

12. An oncoming vehicle drifts into your lane and a collision seems likely. Which direction should you look for an escape route?

Right
Left, across the center line
Onto the road's center line
Straight ahead, accelerating past it

Answer: A — Right

The recommended escape route from an oncoming vehicle in your lane is to the right, not left.

13. Why should you avoid steering left to escape an oncoming vehicle that has drifted into your lane?

It is illegal to cross the center line under any circumstance
Left turns increase your stopping distance
The other driver may return to the proper lane
Left lanes are reserved for passing only

Answer: C — The other driver may return to the proper lane

Steering left risks colliding with the other driver as they correct back into their own lane.

14. In freezing weather, which parts of the roadway tend to ice over first?

Wide intersections
Freshly paved roads
Bridges and underpasses
Open straightaways with full sun exposure

Answer: C — Bridges and underpasses

The manual singles out bridges and underpasses as the first parts of the road to freeze.

15. During a rainstorm, when are roads generally at their slickest?

In the first half hour of rain
Immediately as rain stops and roads begin drying
Only during freezing rain
After several hours of steady rain

Answer: A — In the first half hour of rain

Roads are most slippery early in a rainstorm because accumulated oil hasn't washed away yet.

16. What commonly causes a vehicle to hydroplane?

Heavy braking on dry pavement
Worn tires, low tire pressure, or excessive speed
Overinflated tires and slow speeds
New tires and cold weather

Answer: B — Worn tires, low tire pressure, or excessive speed

Hydroplaning occurs when tires ride on top of water, which is more likely with worn tires, underinflated tires, or excessive speed.

17. What most commonly causes a vehicle to skid?

Worn windshield wipers
Driving too slowly for conditions
Overinflated tires
Turning too quickly or stopping suddenly

Answer: D — Turning too quickly or stopping suddenly

Most skids result from turning too sharply or braking abruptly rather than from tire or wiper condition.

18. A vehicle without ABS is braking hard on a slick road and the wheels lock up. What should the driver do?

Pump the accelerator to regain traction
Turn the steering wheel sharply to break the skid
Release the brake and reapply it
Keep the brake pedal pressed firmly to the floor

Answer: C — Release the brake and reapply it

Without ABS, locked wheels mean losing steering control, so the driver should release and reapply brake pressure, known as threshold or controlled braking.

19. Under normal driving conditions, how many seconds of following distance should you keep behind the vehicle ahead?

1 to 2 seconds
12 seconds
3 to 4 seconds
8 to 10 seconds

Answer: C — 3 to 4 seconds

A 3- to 4-second gap, measured by counting from when the lead vehicle passes a fixed point, is the recommended normal following distance.

20. By what time after sunset must headlights be turned on?

Only once it is fully dark, regardless of time
One half-hour after sunset
Immediately at sunset
One hour after sunset

Answer: B — One half-hour after sunset

Headlights are required starting one half-hour after sunset and until one half-hour before sunrise.

21. An oncoming driver won't dim their high beams. Where should you look to avoid being blinded?

Straight down at the dashboard
At the right edge of the road
Directly at the oncoming headlights
At your rearview mirror

Answer: B — At the right edge of the road

Looking at the right edge of the road, rather than into the glare, keeps you oriented in your lane without being blinded.

22. Your car breaks down on the shoulder of a busy road. What is generally the safest course of action?

Stay in the car, belted, until help arrives
Raise the hood and stand in front of the vehicle so you are visible
Get out and stand well away from the vehicle
Walk to the nearest exit for help

Answer: A — Stay in the car, belted, until help arrives

Remaining inside the vehicle with the seatbelt fastened is generally the safest option while waiting for help.

23. After being involved in a crash, what must you never do?

Move a drivable vehicle off the roadway
Help secure medical aid for the injured
Exchange insurance information
Drive away from the scene

Answer: D — Drive away from the scene

Leaving the scene of a crash is illegal and can result in fines and jail time, unlike moving a drivable vehicle or exchanging information, which are required.

24. A deer suddenly appears in the road and a collision is unavoidable. What should you do?

Accelerate to pass before it moves
Stay in your lane and brake firmly
Swerve sharply to avoid it
Brake and steer toward the shoulder simultaneously

Answer: B — Stay in your lane and brake firmly

The manual says not to veer: stay in your lane, brake firmly, hold the wheel with both hands and come to a controlled stop.

25. Are deer whistles mounted on a vehicle an effective way to prevent deer collisions?

Yes, they are proven to scare deer away
No, they are a gimmick with no proven effect
Only when combined with flashing high beams
Only at highway speeds above 55 mph

Answer: B — No, they are a gimmick with no proven effect

Deer whistles, along with flashing high beams and honking, are described as gimmicks rather than effective prevention.

26. You get a flat tire while driving alone at night in an unfamiliar area. What is the safer choice?

Change the tire immediately on the roadside
Call a friend to come change it while you wait roadside
Wait inside the car with hazards on until morning
Drive slowly to a lit gas station

Answer: D — Drive slowly to a lit gas station

Driving slowly on the flat to a lit, populated station is safer than stopping to change a tire alone on a dark roadside.

27. Why should you never turn the ignition key to the 'lock' position while the vehicle is moving?

It will trigger the car alarm
It will drain the battery
The steering wheel will lock
It disables the headlights

Answer: C — The steering wheel will lock

Turning the ignition to lock while the vehicle is moving locks the steering.

28. A carjacker confronts you and demands your vehicle. What is the recommended response?

Give up the car without a fight and note a description of the person
Fight to keep control of the vehicle
Lock the doors and refuse to get out
Drive away as fast as possible

Answer: A — Give up the car without a fight and note a description of the person

The recommended response to a carjacker demanding the vehicle is to give it up without resistance and remember details for police.

29. An officer signals you to pull over after dark. Once stopped, what should you turn on inside the vehicle?

Your four-way hazard flashers
Nothing; leave the interior dark
The interior lights
The high-beam headlights

Answer: C — The interior lights

At dusk or in the dark, the manual says to turn on the interior lights once stopped.

30. During a traffic stop, when should you reach for your license and registration?

Only when asked, after telling the officer where they are
Only after the officer has explained the reason for the stop
Immediately, before the officer approaches
Only after the officer has returned to their vehicle

Answer: A — Only when asked, after telling the officer where they are

Keep both hands empty on the wheel and take out your license, registration and insurance only when asked, saying where they are first.