Louisiana Driver License: Defensive Driving, Fatigue, Scanning and Following Distance

36 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Defensive Driving, Fatigue, Scanning and Following Distance. Free, no account needed.

1. What percentage of fatal crashes involve alcohol?

Nearly all
Almost half
About a quarter
About one in ten

Answer: B — Almost half

Alcohol figures in almost half of fatal crashes, which is why designating a sober driver matters.

2. A driver notices a car ahead straddling the lane line, weaving and making abrupt stops. What should this driver do?

Speed up to pass and get away quickly
Tailgate closely so the driver notices and corrects
Flash headlights to warn the other driver
Turn right at the nearest corner or take the next exit to avoid the car

Answer: D — Turn right at the nearest corner or take the next exit to avoid the car

Signs like straddling, weaving, wide turns and abrupt stops signal an impaired driver, who should be avoided by turning off at the next corner or exit.

3. An oncoming car suddenly drifts into your lane. What is the recommended response?

Brake hard in your lane and wait
Steer toward the shoulder without signaling or warning
Speed up to get past it before it reaches you
Pull over, sound the horn and flash your lights

Answer: D — Pull over, sound the horn and flash your lights

The guidance for an oncoming car drifting into your lane is to pull over, sound the horn and flash your lights.

4. Where should a suspicious or reckless driver be reported in Louisiana?

The local DMV office
The nearest tow company
*LSP (*577)
911 only

Answer: C — *LSP (*577)

Suspicious or reckless drivers should be reported to police at *LSP (*577).

5. What best describes a defensive driving attitude?

Yielding the right-of-way only when required by law
Driving at the posted speed limit at all times
Reacting quickly once a hazard appears
A proactive attitude that anticipates hazards rather than reacting

Answer: D — A proactive attitude that anticipates hazards rather than reacting

Defensive driving is defined as proactively anticipating hazards rather than merely reacting to them.

6. A driver keeps their eyes moving constantly, taking in the whole roadway ahead and to the sides rather than fixing on one point. Which SIPDE step is this?

Identify
Predict
Sweep, search and scan
Execute

Answer: C — Sweep, search and scan

The first SIPDE step is to sweep, search and scan with the eyes always moving.

7. A driver spots a ball rolling into the street and reasons a child might follow it into the road. Which SIPDE step is this?

Identify
Decide
Execute
Predict

Answer: D — Predict

Predicting which hazards could conflict with the driver, including worst-case scenarios, is the Predict step.

8. Which of the following is one of the four essentials of defensive driving?

Anticipation
Speed
Aggression
Confidence

Answer: A — Anticipation

Anticipation, meaning a safe following distance and expecting others' mistakes, is one of the four essentials alongside alertness, judgment and skill.

9. A driver is undistracted, disciplined, and aware of the blind spot of the vehicle ahead. Which defensive-driving essential does this describe?

Skill
Alertness
Judgment
Anticipation

Answer: A — Skill

Skill is described as being aware of the blind spot of the vehicle ahead, scanning, undistracted and disciplined.

10. A driver feels very angry after an argument just before getting behind the wheel. What is the recommended action?

Let someone else drive
Drive only on familiar local roads
Turn on music to calm down while driving
Drive extra cautiously at a lower speed

Answer: A — Let someone else drive

If a driver is worried, nervous, angry, frustrated or depressed, someone else should drive instead.

11. About how often should a driver take a rest break, and what is the recommended daily driving limit?

Every four hours; ten hours a day
Every three hours; twelve hours a day
Every two hours; six to eight hours a day
Every hour; four to six hours a day

Answer: C — Every two hours; six to eight hours a day

A driver should rest every two hours and drive no more than six to eight hours a day.

12. On a long, monotonous interstate drive at night, a driver's senses dull and their eyes stay fixed on the road without really seeing it. What is this condition called?

Road rage
Highway hypnosis
Perception lag
Target fixation syndrome

Answer: B — Highway hypnosis

Highway hypnosis is boredom-induced dulled senses with eyes fixed on the road, common on long interstate drives.

13. Which hours are specifically identified as ones to limit driving in to reduce drowsy-driving risk?

4 a.m. and noon
Midnight and 6 a.m.
10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
6 p.m. and midnight

Answer: B — Midnight and 6 a.m.

The guidance specifically calls for limiting driving between midnight and 6 a.m.

14. A driver trying to stay alert on a long drive reaches for a sugary energy drink with caffeine. What effect does the material describe?

No effect on alertness either way
Sustained alertness for the rest of the trip
Short-term alertness followed by more drowsiness
Immediate drowsiness with no initial boost

Answer: C — Short-term alertness followed by more drowsiness

Sugar and caffeine give only short-term alertness and are followed by more drowsiness.

15. Which group is identified as most at risk for drowsy driving?

Retired drivers over 65
Women commuting during rush hour
Commercial truck drivers exclusively
Young men 16 to 29 and shift workers

Answer: D — Young men 16 to 29 and shift workers

Young men 16 to 29 and shift workers are named as most at risk for drowsy driving.

16. A driver realizes they cannot recall the last few miles they drove and keeps yawning repeatedly. What does this indicate?

Normal highway driving fatigue that needs no action
An early symptom of highway hypnosis only, unrelated to drowsiness
A sign of aggressive driving
A warning sign of drowsy driving

Answer: D — A warning sign of drowsy driving

Not recalling the last few miles and repeated yawning are listed among the warning signs of drowsy driving.

17. A driver takes an over-the-counter allergy remedy before a trip. What effect might this have on driving?

Increased alertness similar to caffeine
No effect since it's over-the-counter
Drowsiness
Improved reaction time

Answer: C — Drowsiness

Over-the-counter remedies for headaches, colds, allergies and nerves cause drowsiness.

18. A driver develops a condition involving blackouts and is renewing their license. What is required of them?

They only need to inform their personal doctor
They must immediately surrender their license permanently
They must disclose the condition honestly at licensing
Nothing, since minor conditions need not be reported

Answer: C — They must disclose the condition honestly at licensing

Conditions such as blackouts or fainting must be disclosed honestly at licensing, which may lead to restrictions.

19. A driver who gives up driving due to a medical condition wants an alternative form of identification. What is available to them?

No alternative identification is available
An ID card
A restricted learner's permit
A temporary out-of-state license

Answer: B — An ID card

An ID card is available to those who give up driving.

20. A driver is cut off by a truck driver, then repeatedly follows the truck, flashes lights and yells at the driver, and the situation escalates to a physical confrontation. What is this criminal offense called?

Reckless endangerment only
Road rage
Distracted driving
Aggressive driving

Answer: B — Road rage

Road rage is a criminal offense in which an incident escalates into violence, from confrontation to assault.

21. Another driver is tailgating you closely and clearly wants to pass. What should you do?

Pull right and let them pass
Hold your lane position to assert your right-of-way
Brake abruptly to discourage them
Speed up so they cannot catch you

Answer: A — Pull right and let them pass

When being followed closely, the recommendation is to pull right and let the driver pass.

22. A driver behind you becomes visibly aggressive and continues following you after you've tried to get away. What should you avoid doing?

Stopping at the roadside
Staying calm and keeping distance
Driving to a police station
Going to a busy public place

Answer: A — Stopping at the roadside

If the aggressive driver persists, you should not stop at the roadside; instead drive to a police station or busy public place.

23. A driver is running late and considers speeding to save time. What does the material suggest about this trade-off?

Speeding is safe as long as traffic is light
Speeding saves only minutes while stealing reaction time
Speeding saves significant time with only minor risk
Speeding has no measurable effect on arrival time

Answer: B — Speeding saves only minutes while stealing reaction time

Speeding saves only minutes while stealing the reaction time a driver needs to react to hazards.

24. About how many seconds ahead down the road should a driver be looking?

1 to 2 seconds ahead
A full minute ahead
5 to 10 seconds ahead
20 to 30 seconds ahead

Answer: D — 20 to 30 seconds ahead

Looking 20 to 30 seconds ahead rather than right in front of the car gives time to prepare.

25. A driver approaches a stop sign at an intersection with limited visibility. In what order should they look before proceeding?

Left, right and left again
Straight ahead only, then proceed
Right only, since oncoming traffic matters most
Right, left, right again

Answer: A — Left, right and left again

When stopped at an intersection, the recommended check is look left, right and left again.

26. Traveling at 60 mph, approximately how much distance does it take to stop, and how far ahead should a driver be able to see?

359 feet to stop; see at least 400 feet ahead
123 feet to stop; see 150 feet ahead
158 feet to stop; see 200 feet ahead
268 feet to stop; see 300 feet ahead

Answer: A — 359 feet to stop; see at least 400 feet ahead

At 60 mph, stopping takes about 359 feet, and a driver needs to see at least 400 feet ahead.

27. A driver wants to change lanes on the highway. What size gap should they look for in the target lane before moving over?

4- to 5-second gap
1- to 2-second gap
10-second gap
Any gap larger than one car length

Answer: A — 4- to 5-second gap

To change lanes safely, a driver should find a 4- to 5-second gap before signaling and moving over.

28. A driver wants to check for vehicles in their blind spot before changing lanes. What should they do in addition to checking the mirrors?

Slow down abruptly to let the other vehicle appear in the mirror
Flash their turn signal early and merge without further checks
Turn their head and look over their shoulder briefly
Rely solely on the side mirror, since it shows the blind spot

Answer: C — Turn their head and look over their shoulder briefly

Checking the blind spot requires turning the head and looking over the shoulder, without looking too long.

29. According to Society of Automotive Engineers research, how should side mirrors be set relative to the center mirror's view?

Set to show only the lane directly behind the vehicle
Angled downward to see the rear tires
Angled inward to show more of the vehicle's own body
As far outward as possible so their view just overlaps the center mirror's

Answer: D — As far outward as possible so their view just overlaps the center mirror's

The recommended setting is side mirrors as far outward as possible so their view just overlaps the center mirror's view.

30. When properly adjusted using the recommended mirror-setting method, when should a passing car first appear in the side mirror?

Before it leaves the center mirror's view
After it has fully left the center mirror's view
Only once it enters the driver's direct forward view
Simultaneously with entering peripheral vision, never before

Answer: A — Before it leaves the center mirror's view

With mirrors properly set, a passing car should appear in the side mirror before leaving the center mirror.

31. A driver sees a hazard and it takes about ¾ to 1 second before they even begin to recognize what they saw. What is this interval called?

Reaction distance
Perception distance
Braking distance
Total stopping distance

Answer: B — Perception distance

Perception distance is the travel from seeing a hazard to recognizing it, about ¾ to 1 second for an alert driver.

32. A vehicle traveling at 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes needs to make a full stop after recognizing a hazard. What is the approximate total stopping distance?

At least 268 feet
158 feet
123 feet
55 feet

Answer: A — At least 268 feet

The total stopping distance at 50 mph, combining perception, reaction and braking distance, is at least 268 feet.

33. A driver doubles their speed from 20 to 40 mph. What happens to impact and braking distance?

They become nine times greater
They double
They become four times greater
They remain about the same

Answer: C — They become four times greater

Doubling speed from 20 to 40 mph makes impact and braking distance four times greater.

34. On wet pavement or in bad weather, how many seconds of following distance should a driver maintain instead of the usual three seconds?

Three seconds, no change needed
Two seconds
Six seconds
Four seconds

Answer: D — Four seconds

Four seconds of following distance is recommended in bad weather or on wet pavement.

35. A driver is following a motorcycle on a road with gravel patches. What extra precaution regarding following distance applies?

No extra distance, since motorcycles are smaller
The same distance, but with headlights dimmed
Extra distance, since the motorcycle may fall
Less distance, since motorcycles stop faster

Answer: C — Extra distance, since the motorcycle may fall

Motorcycles need more following distance because they can fall, especially on wet, icy, gravel or metal surfaces.

36. A driver stops behind another vehicle on a hill. What extra caution regarding following distance is recommended?

None, hills don't affect following distance
Pull as close as possible to prevent others from cutting in
Only relevant for manual transmission vehicles
Leave extra space since the vehicle ahead may roll back

Answer: D — Leave extra space since the vehicle ahead may roll back

When stopped on a hill, extra following distance is needed since the vehicle ahead may roll back.