Wisconsin Driver License: Weather, Rural Roads, Avoiding Crashes and Emergencies

26 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Weather, Rural Roads, Avoiding Crashes and Emergencies. Free, no account needed.

1. In bad weather, what effect do worn, bald tires have?

They cut traction but shorten stopping distance
They prevent hydroplaning at low speeds
They cut traction and lengthen stopping distance
They grip wet pavement better than tires with tread

Answer: C — They cut traction and lengthen stopping distance

Bald tires cut traction and lengthen stopping distance, which is dangerous in bad weather. The document also states hydroplaning is possible even at low speed with bald tires.

2. Before heading out when the roads look icy or unsafe, what is the best choice?

Drive faster to get through quickly
Use cruise control for a steadier speed
Follow closely behind another vehicle for a cleared path
Stay home

Answer: D — Stay home

The safest choice when roads look icy or unsafe is to stay home rather than drive.

3. Driving through fog with limited visibility, what should a driver do?

Follow closely to keep sight of taillights ahead
Use high beams for maximum light
Slow down, use headlights, and be ready to stop
Speed up to clear the area quickly

Answer: C — Slow down, use headlights, and be ready to stop

In fog, rain or other low visibility, the correct approach is to drive slower, use headlights, and be ready to stop.

4. Which road surfaces tend to freeze before the rest of the roadway?

Bridges and overpasses
Freshly paved sections
Divided highway medians
Open straightaways

Answer: A — Bridges and overpasses

Bridges and overpasses freeze before the rest of the road.

5. A car without anti-lock brakes needs to stop quickly on a slippery road. What braking technique avoids skidding?

Pump the brake pedal gently
Shift into neutral and coast to a stop
Tap the parking brake repeatedly
Press and hold the brake as hard as possible

Answer: A — Pump the brake pedal gently

Without anti-lock brakes, gently pumping the brakes helps avoid skidding.

6. A driver feels the car begin to hydroplane. What is the correct response?

Brake firmly to slow down
Accelerate to push through the water
Turn the wheel sharply to regain control
Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight

Answer: D — Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight

When hydroplaning, ease off the gas, keep the wheel straight, and avoid stopping or turning until the tires grip again.

7. In a skid, what should a driver do with the brake and steering wheel?

Stay off the brake and steer in the direction you want to go
Brake firmly and hold the wheel straight
Brake firmly and steer opposite the skid
Pump the brake and hold the wheel straight

Answer: A — Stay off the brake and steer in the direction you want to go

In a skid, the driver should stay off the brake and steer in the direction they want the car to go.

8. Hydroplaning can occur even at low speeds under what tire condition?

Worn, bald tires
New tires with deep tread
Overinflated tires
Tires with snow chains

Answer: A — Worn, bald tires

Hydroplaning is possible even at low speed when tires are worn and bald.

9. Before driving after a snowfall, what should be cleared from the vehicle?

Every window, lamp, mirror and the license plates
Only the windshield
Just the side mirrors
Only the rear window and taillights

Answer: A — Every window, lamp, mirror and the license plates

Snow and ice must be cleared from every window, lamp, mirror and the license plates before driving.

10. On slippery winter roads, what should a driver avoid using?

Cruise control
Windshield wipers
Headlights
Turn signals

Answer: A — Cruise control

The winter driving instructions say not to use cruise control on slippery roads.

11. Approaching a snowplow with flashing lights on a winter road, how much room should a driver give it?

50 feet
200 feet
500 feet
100 feet

Answer: B — 200 feet

Drivers should give a snowplow with flashing lights at least 200 feet of room.

12. A driver rounds a curve on a country road and finds livestock on the highway. What is the correct response?

Speed up to pass quickly
Flash the high beams repeatedly
Honk to scare the animals off the road
Yield, slow down and keep distance without honking

Answer: D — Yield, slow down and keep distance without honking

Drivers should yield to livestock, slow down, keep their distance, and avoid honking since it can frighten the animals.

13. What is the minimum age to operate a farm tractor or self-propelled farm machinery on a highway?

Answer: A — 16

No one under 16 may operate a farm tractor or self-propelled farm machinery on a highway.

14. Slow-moving farm equipment on a rural road often lacks what safety feature compared to regular vehicles?

A horn
Headlights entirely
Brake lights and signals
A visible driver

Answer: C — Brake lights and signals

Farm equipment may lack brake lights and signals, so drivers should be patient and cautious around it.

15. How does having another teenager in the car affect a teen driver's crash risk?

It has no effect
It triples the risk, but only at night
It cuts the risk in half
It doubles the risk

Answer: D — It doubles the risk

A teen driver's crash risk doubles with another teen passenger in the car.

16. How should a driver warn traffic behind them that their vehicle is stopped on the roadside?

Tap the brake pedal three or four times
Shift briefly into reverse
Honk the horn continuously
Turn on the high beams

Answer: A — Tap the brake pedal three or four times

Tapping the brake pedal three or four times signals drivers behind that the vehicle is stopped.

17. A vehicle with ABS brakes needs to stop suddenly to avoid a crash. What is the correct technique?

Apply firm, continuous pressure to the pedal
Pump the brake pedal rapidly
Release the brake the moment it vibrates
Shift to neutral while braking

Answer: A — Apply firm, continuous pressure to the pedal

With ABS, applying firm, continuous pressure to the pedal lets the system prevent lock-up and skidding.

18. When steering to avoid a crash, where should a driver never turn?

Toward an open field
Onto the shoulder
Into a driveway
Into the oncoming lane

Answer: D — Into the oncoming lane

When steering to avoid a crash, a driver should never turn into the oncoming lane.

19. After a crash involving an injury, what should a driver do regarding the vehicles involved?

Push them off the roadway together
Do not move the vehicles
Move them to the shoulder immediately
Move them only if blocking one lane

Answer: B — Do not move the vehicles

With an injury or death, the vehicles should not be moved.

20. What is true about leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death?

It is a crime
It is permitted if police are already on the way
It is allowed if you leave contact information
It is only a civil matter

Answer: A — It is a crime

Leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death is a crime.

21. A crash with no injuries damages another driver's vehicle. At what amount of property damage must the crash be reported to police?

$2,500 or more
$1,000 or more
$500 or more
$200 or more

Answer: B — $1,000 or more

A crash must be reported when property damage reaches $1,000 or more. The $200 threshold applies only to government property such as signs or guard rails.

22. After a minor crash with no injuries where the vehicle can still be driven, what should the driver do first?

Move it off the road if it can be done safely
Wait at the scene for police no matter what
Leave it blocking traffic until help arrives
Push it to the nearest exit ramp

Answer: A — Move it off the road if it can be done safely

With no injuries and a movable vehicle, it should be moved off the road when safe rather than blocking traffic.

23. If the brakes suddenly fail while driving, what should be done first?

Turn off the engine immediately
Pump the brake pedal several times
Steer directly toward the nearest guardrail
Shift into neutral and coast

Answer: B — Pump the brake pedal several times

If the brakes fail, the driver should pump the pedal several times before using the parking brake and finding a safe place to stop.

24. During a tire blowout, what is the correct response?

Accelerate to maintain control
Turn sharply toward the shoulder
Brake hard immediately
Hold the wheel straight and ease off the gas

Answer: D — Hold the wheel straight and ease off the gas

In a tire blowout, hold the wheel to keep straight, lift off the gas and slow gradually before pulling off when safe.

25. If the engine suddenly quits while driving, what should a driver expect and do?

Shift into park while still moving
Hold the wheel, keep the key in the "on" position, and expect heavy steering
Expect lighter steering and coast to a stop
Turn off the ignition immediately

Answer: B — Hold the wheel, keep the key in the "on" position, and expect heavy steering

If the engine quits, the driver should hold the wheel with the key in the on position, expect heavy steering, and pull to the side when safe.

26. If the gas pedal sticks while driving, what is the correct action?

Pump the gas pedal to loosen it
Turn off the engine immediately while at speed
Shift to neutral and pull off safely
Press the brake and gas together to release it

Answer: C — Shift to neutral and pull off safely

If the gas pedal sticks, the driver should keep eyes on the road, shift to neutral, pull off when safe, and turn off the engine.