New York Driver License: Defensive Driving

25 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Defensive Driving. Free, no account needed.

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1. A driver is slouched down in the seat, steering with one hand while the other rests on the armrest. What is the recommended way to sit and hold the wheel instead?

  1. Sit upright with both hands on the wheel
  2. Lean toward the door with one hand on the wheel
  3. Recline the seat and keep one hand on the wheel
  4. Sit forward with hands at 12 and 6 o'clock

Answer: A — Sit upright with both hands on the wheel

Sitting upright with both hands on the wheel keeps control easier; slouching or one-handed steering makes control harder.

2. While cruising on an open highway, how often should a driver glance at the mirrors?

  1. About once a mile
  2. Only right before turning
  3. Only when changing lanes
  4. Every few seconds

Answer: D — Every few seconds

Mirrors should be checked every few seconds as part of continuously scanning the road.

3. After being cut off, a driver deliberately swerves toward another car intending to force it off the road. What has this driver committed?

  1. A traffic infraction only, with no criminal liability
  2. Aggressive driving
  3. Reckless endangerment only, no other classification
  4. Road rage

Answer: D — Road rage

Trying to harm another driver goes beyond aggressive driving and becomes road rage; aggressive driving breaks a traffic law, road rage breaks a criminal law.

4. A driver notices an enraged motorist following their car after a road confrontation. What should the driver do?

  1. Speed away, running red lights if necessary
  2. Pull into a driveway and wait for the driver to pass
  3. Stop the car and calmly confront the driver
  4. Drive to the nearest police station without stopping

Answer: D — Drive to the nearest police station without stopping

If followed, the correct response is not to stop or get out, but to drive to the nearest police station.

5. An aggressive driver glares and gestures at another motorist at a red light. What should that motorist avoid doing?

  1. Making eye contact
  2. Moving to another lane when safe
  3. Reporting the driver's plate number later
  4. Staying calm

Answer: A — Making eye contact

Eye contact can be read as a challenge and should be avoided when confronted by an aggressive driver.

6. A driver is on a rural road with no speed limit sign posted anywhere. What is the maximum legal speed?

  1. 45 mph
  2. 30 mph
  3. 65 mph
  4. 55 mph

Answer: D — 55 mph

Where no limit is posted, the default speed limit is 55 mph.

7. A driver is on a New York City street with no speed limit sign posted. What is the speed limit?

  1. 20 mph
  2. 55 mph
  3. 25 mph
  4. 35 mph

Answer: C — 25 mph

New York City has a lower unposted limit of 25 mph unless another limit is posted.

8. A driver picks a fixed roadside sign and, as the car ahead passes it, counts "one thousand one, one thousand two" until their own car reaches the same sign. What is this technique used to check?

  1. Reaction time to brake lights
  2. Following distance using the two-second rule
  3. Stopping sight distance
  4. Vehicle speed

Answer: B — Following distance using the two-second rule

This counting method is the two-second rule for checking following distance.

9. A driver is following a large truck during heavy rain. How much following distance should be kept?

  1. Six seconds
  2. One second
  3. Three to four seconds
  4. Two seconds

Answer: C — Three to four seconds

In bad weather and behind large trucks, three or four seconds of following distance should be used instead of the usual two.

10. A police officer sees a passenger not wearing a seat belt but observes no other violation. Can the officer stop the vehicle for that alone?

  1. No, it can only be enforced alongside another violation
  2. Yes, seat belt use is primary enforcement
  3. Only if the unbelted person is the driver
  4. Only if the unbelted person is a child

Answer: B — Yes, seat belt use is primary enforcement

New York is a primary enforcement state, so an officer can stop a vehicle solely for an unbelted occupant.

11. A 12-year-old passenger is riding unbelted in the back seat. Who is held responsible, and what penalty applies?

  1. The driver, a fine of $25 to $100 and three points
  2. No one; minors are exempt from seat belt rules
  3. The driver, a fine of up to $50 only
  4. The passenger, a flat $50 fine

Answer: A — The driver, a fine of $25 to $100 and three points

The driver is responsible for every passenger under 16, facing a fine of $25 to $100 and three points per violation.

12. A parent is securing an 18-month-old child in a vehicle. What restraint is required?

  1. A federally approved child safety seat, rear-facing
  2. A forward-facing harness seat with no rear-facing requirement
  3. A booster seat, forward-facing
  4. The vehicle's adult seat belt alone

Answer: A — A federally approved child safety seat, rear-facing

A child under 4 must ride in a federally approved child safety seat, rear-facing until age 2 or the seat's weight or height limit.

13. A 5-year-old child is riding in a car. What restraint is normally required for this age?

  1. The vehicle's lap and shoulder belt alone
  2. A booster seat used with the lap and shoulder belt
  3. A rear-facing infant seat
  4. No restraint is required at that age

Answer: B — A booster seat used with the lap and shoulder belt

A child 4 through 7 normally needs a booster seat with the lap and shoulder belt; the vehicle's belts alone do not count.

14. A parent wants to secure a rear-facing infant seat in a vehicle. Where should it never be placed?

  1. In the back seat, secured to a seat belt anchor
  2. In the center rear seating position
  3. In the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag
  4. In the third-row seat of a minivan

Answer: C — In the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag

A rear-facing infant seat should never go in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger air bag.

15. A driver is caught speeding through a work zone late at night when no workers or their vehicles are present. Does the usual speeding fine change?

  1. Fines are reduced in work zones
  2. No, it only doubles if workers are visible
  3. Fines only apply to work zones during daytime hours
  4. Yes, speeding fines double regardless of whether workers are present

Answer: D — Yes, speeding fines double regardless of whether workers are present

Speeding fines double in work zones even when no workers or vehicles are present.

16. A flagger in a work zone signals a driver to stop. What is the driver's obligation?

  1. Only trucks are required to obey a flagger
  2. Treat the flagger's signal as advisory only
  3. Obey only if a posted sign confirms the same instruction
  4. Follow the flagger, who has the same authority as a sign

Answer: D — Follow the flagger, who has the same authority as a sign

A flagger has the same authority as a sign, so disobeying one is a ticket.

17. Which direction does traffic travel around the central island of a modern roundabout?

  1. It reverses at each entry point
  2. Clockwise
  3. Either direction depending on the lane
  4. Counterclockwise

Answer: D — Counterclockwise

Traffic in a modern roundabout moves counterclockwise around the central island.

18. Approaching a roundabout entry, which direction should a driver look to check for circulating traffic that has the right-of-way?

  1. Behind, using the mirror
  2. Straight ahead only
  3. Right
  4. Left

Answer: D — Left

Drivers should look left because traffic already in the circle has the right-of-way.

19. A bicyclist is riding in the travel lane inside a roundabout ahead of a car. What should the driver of the car do?

  1. Sound the horn and pass quickly
  2. Pass on the right shoulder
  3. Not pass the bicycle while inside the roundabout
  4. Pass carefully on the left

Answer: C — Not pass the bicycle while inside the roundabout

A bicycle should not be passed while inside a roundabout.

20. A driver feels drowsy and pulls into a safe rest area to nap before continuing. How long should that nap be?

  1. As long as needed, with no set range
  2. 5 to 10 minutes
  3. 15 to 45 minutes
  4. 1 to 2 hours

Answer: C — 15 to 45 minutes

A safe nap to fight drowsiness should last 15 to 45 minutes.

21. On a long road trip, how often is it recommended to stop for a break to prevent fatigue?

  1. Every 300 miles or every four hours
  2. Every 100 miles or every two hours
  3. Every 50 miles or every hour
  4. Only once drowsiness warning signs appear

Answer: B — Every 100 miles or every two hours

A stop every 100 miles or two hours is recommended to prevent drowsy driving.

22. A driver wants to use a hand-held mobile phone while behind the wheel. When is holding the phone permitted?

  1. Never, under any circumstance
  2. Anytime, as long as one hand stays on the wheel
  3. Only to dial emergency services while parked
  4. Only to start or end a call

Answer: D — Only to start or end a call

A driver may hold the phone only to start or end a call; otherwise it must be hands-free.

23. A junior driver is convicted for the first time of texting while driving. What happens to their license?

  1. A 120-day suspension
  2. Immediate permanent revocation
  3. A $50 fine only, with no license action
  4. A warning letter with no penalty

Answer: A — A 120-day suspension

Probationary and junior drivers get a 120-day suspension for a first phone or texting conviction.

24. A mechanic is checking a car's tires for wear. What is the minimum legal tread depth?

  1. 2/32 inch
  2. 4/32 inch
  3. 1/32 inch
  4. 6/32 inch

Answer: A — 2/32 inch

Tires must have at least 2/32 inch of tread.

25. A vehicle owner is scheduling required maintenance checks. How often must the vehicle undergo a safety inspection?

  1. At least once a year
  2. Every two years
  3. Every six months
  4. Only when the vehicle is sold

Answer: A — At least once a year

A vehicle must be inspected at least once a year.

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