Maryland Car / Permit practice
Safe Driving Practices
Following distance, scanning, blind spots, using your lights, and the habits that prevent crashes and keep you in control.
Questions reviewed against the official Maryland driver handbook · July 7, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Safe Driving Practices questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
1. To avoid being blinded by oncoming traffic at night, where should a driver look?
Correct answer: Toward the right edge of their own lane
A driver should avoid staring into oncoming headlights and instead look toward the road ahead or slightly toward the right edge of their lane.
2. If a vehicle starts to hydroplane on a wet road, what should the driver do?
Correct answer: Ease off the gas and keep going straight
When hydroplaning, a driver should ease off the gas, avoid braking, hold the vehicle straight, and slow down until control returns.
3. If a vehicle begins to skid, what steering action helps a driver regain control?
Correct answer: Steer in the direction the vehicle is skidding
During a skid, a driver should steer in the same direction the vehicle is sliding and look toward where they want the vehicle to go.
4. What best describes defensive driving?
Correct answer: Staying aware of your surroundings and searching ahead for risks
Defensive driving means constantly watching your surroundings and searching ahead so you are ready to change speed or lanes and can identify risks early.
5. When a vehicle has advanced driver assistance features such as automatic braking, who is responsible for safe operation?
Correct answer: The driver, at all times
Driver assistance systems have limits and can fail in poor conditions, so the driver remains fully responsible for operating the vehicle safely at all times.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Understanding Vehicle Technologies
6. What is 'black ice' and why is it dangerous?
Correct answer: A thin, hard-to-see layer of ice on the road
Black ice is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the pavement, formed when snow or ice melts and refreezes, and it can cause a crash before a driver even notices it.
7. What does an anti-lock braking system (ABS) do for a driver?
Correct answer: It keeps the wheels from locking so you can steer
ABS keeps the wheels from locking up by rapidly pumping the brakes automatically, helping the driver keep steering control while stopping.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Braking with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
8. Which headlights should a driver use when driving in fog?
Correct answer: Low beam headlights
In fog a driver should use low beam headlights only, adding fog lights if the vehicle has them, because high beams reflect back and reduce visibility.
9. On a slippery road, if a vehicle is NOT equipped with anti-lock brakes, how should a driver brake to avoid a skid?
Correct answer: Pump the brakes gently
Without anti-lock brakes, a driver should pump the brakes rather than slam them, which helps prevent the wheels from locking and skidding.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Driving in Inclement Weather
10. In reduced visibility, on which side of the vehicle should yellow pavement markings always appear?
Correct answer: On the driver's left side
Yellow lines divide traffic moving in opposite directions and mark the left edge, so they should always be on a driver's left, never on the right.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Driving in Reduced Visibility
11. If a driver notices danger signs of drowsiness, such as drifting out of the lane or missing an exit, what is the best action?
Correct answer: Stop to rest or switch drivers
When drowsy, the safest choice is to rest or let someone else drive, because sleepiness slows reactions much like alcohol or drugs.
12. In winter weather, which road surfaces tend to become icy before other parts of the road?
Correct answer: Bridges and ramps
Ramps and bridges freeze before ordinary roadways, and plowed roads may refreeze at night, so drivers should be extra cautious on them.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Driving in Inclement Weather
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Every Maryland question is written from the official Maryland driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free