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OHIO BMV · WRITTEN TEST (CLASS D)

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Safe driving: following distance, weather and skids: Ohio BMV written test practice

17 free practice questions on safe driving: following distance, weather and skids for the Ohio BMV written knowledge test, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Study them here, then check yourself in the interactive quiz or the exam simulator.

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1. How much clearance must a driver in Ohio give when passing a bicyclist?

  1. No specific distance is required
  2. ✓ At least 3 feet of clearance
  3. At least 1 foot of clearance
  4. Drivers must stop completely before passing

Why: Ohio law requires drivers to leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist, and more distance is recommended at higher speeds.

2. How many feet behind a fire truck, police car, or ambulance with its emergency lights on is it illegal to drive?

  1. 100 feet
  2. 150 feet
  3. ✓ 300 feet
  4. 500 feet

Why: The law prohibits driving within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle with its emergency lights on.

3. At a speed of 55 mph, a passenger car under ideal conditions typically has a stopping distance of about:

  1. 100 feet
  2. ✓ 300 feet
  3. 500 feet
  4. 1,000 feet

Why: About 300 feet is the typical stopping distance for a passenger car traveling at 55 mph; a large truck may need up to 400 feet.

4. You should turn on your turn signal in advance, at least:

  1. 10 feet before the turn
  2. ✓ 100 feet before the turn
  3. 1 mile before the turn
  4. You don't have to turn it on if the road is empty

Why: The turn signal must be turned on at least 100 feet before making a turn or changing lanes.

5. When following a motorcycle, the safe following distance is:

  1. 1 second
  2. ✓ 3 seconds
  3. 10 seconds
  4. Right up close—motorcycles are shorter than cars

Why: As with cars, the recommended following distance behind a motorcycle is at least 3 seconds.

6. How many feet away from a fire hydrant is parking prohibited?

  1. 5 feet
  2. ✓ 15 feet
  3. 30 feet
  4. 50 feet

Why: Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited—it must be kept clear for firefighters.

7. A vehicle's total stopping distance consists of:

  1. Only the driver's reaction time
  2. Only the vehicle's physical braking distance
  3. ✓ The driver's reaction distance plus the vehicle's braking distance
  4. Tire condition only

Why: Total stopping distance = the distance traveled during the driver's reaction time plus the distance the car travels while braking.

8. When it rains at night, you should use:

  1. Only parking lights
  2. ✓ Low beams
  3. High beams
  4. A constantly activated hazard signal

Why: When it's raining, use your low beams—they provide better visibility and don't cause unnecessary glare; parking lights alone aren't enough.

9. In thick fog, you should use:

  1. High beams to see farther
  2. ✓ Low beams to reduce glare
  3. Only fog lights, no headlights
  4. Hazard lights instead of headlights

Why: In fog, high beams reflect off water droplets and blind the driver; use low beams.

10. During heavy rain or snowfall at speeds above 30 mph, visibility may be limited to approximately:

  1. 50 feet
  2. ✓ 100 feet
  3. 300 feet
  4. 1,000 feet

Why: During a heavy rainstorm or snowstorm, visibility can drop to about 100 feet when traveling at speeds above 30 mph.

11. On a wet road, it is recommended to reduce your speed by approximately:

  1. 1–2 mph
  2. ✓ 5–10 mph
  3. 20–25 mph
  4. There's no need to reduce it

Why: Traction is poorer on wet roads—reduce your speed by about 5–10 mph from your usual speed.

12. On packed snow, you should reduce your speed by about:

  1. 10%
  2. 25%
  3. ✓ 50%
  4. There's no need to reduce it

Why: On tightly packed snow, traction drops sharply—reduce your speed by about half.

13. On an icy road, the safe speed should not exceed:

  1. ✓ 5 mph
  2. 15 mph
  3. 25 mph
  4. 35 mph

Why: There is almost no traction on ice; sometimes the safe speed is no more than 5 mph, and it's better to just wait it out where you are.

14. If your car starts to hydroplane (slide on a film of water), you should:

  1. Brake hard
  2. ✓ Ease off the gas smoothly, without braking abruptly or jerking the steering wheel
  3. Turn the steering wheel sharply to one side
  4. Shift into neutral right away

Why: If you start to hydroplane, gently ease off the gas and keep the steering wheel straight, avoiding sudden braking and sharp turns until the tires regain traction.

15. If you start to skid on a slippery road, the first thing you should do is:

  1. Slam on the brakes
  2. ✓ Take your foot off the gas without braking, and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid
  3. Step on the gas hard to steady the car
  4. Apply the parking brake immediately

Why: Ease off the gas without braking, and steer the front wheels in the same direction the rear of the car is sliding, to regain traction.

16. If the wheels are stuck in mud or snow, it's recommended to:

  1. Floor the gas while stationary to break free
  2. ✓ Keep the wheels straight and gently rock the car back and forth in a low gear
  3. Push the car while revving the engine
  4. Turn on your high beams and honk your horn

Why: Spinning the wheels hard only digs them in deeper; it's better to gently rock the car back and forth in a low gear.

17. Your vehicle begins to hydroplane (skid on a film of water) at speed. You should:

  1. Brake hard immediately
  2. Turn the steering wheel sharply to regain control
  3. ✓ Ease off the gas and steer straight until the tires regain traction
  4. Accelerate to drive through the water faster

Why: Hard braking or sharp steering can make a skid worse. Ease off the accelerator and keep the wheels pointed straight until traction returns.

About the Ohio written test

40 (20 signs + 20 rules)questions on the real test
15/20correct answers to pass (75% on EACH section)
Next business dayto retest (fee applies each time)

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