Study Guide

Field 036: Driver/Safety Education 
Sample Selected-Response Questions

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General Test Directions

This test consists of two sections: 1) a section with selected-response questions and 2) a constructed-response section.

Each question in the first section is a selected-response question with four answer choices. Read each question and answer choice carefully and choose the  start uppercase ONE end uppercase  best answer.

Try to answer all questions. Even if you are unsure of an answer, it is better to guess than not to answer a question at all. You will  start uppercase NOT end uppercase  be penalized for guessing.

The second section of this test consists of one constructed-response assignment. You will be asked to provide a written response to the assignment. Directions for completing your written response to the constructed-response assignment appear immediately before the assignment.

You may  start uppercase NOT end uppercase  use any type of calculator or reference materials during the test session.

Sample Selected-Response Questions

Competency 0003 
Understand drug use and its implications for operating a motor vehicle.

1. Which of the following types of over-the-counter medicines is most likely to impair a driver's ability by causing drowsiness?

  1. aspirin
  2. diet pills
  3. antacids
  4. antihistamines

Correct Response: D. Antihistamines, drugs that alleviate the symptoms of a runny nose and sneezing, are included in over-the-counter cold and allergy medications. A common side effect of antihistamine use is drowsiness and loss of concentration, so anyone taking antihistamines should avoid driving a car.

Competency 0005 
Understand energy conservation in relation to the construction, operation, and maintenance of motor vehicles.

2. Which of the following practices would be most effective in conserving gasoline?

  1. using only fuel that contains detergent additives
  2. warming up the engine thoroughly before driving
  3. maintaining tire pressure at the recommended level
  4. accelerating rapidly to achieve driving speed

Correct Response: C. Maintaining tire pressure at the correct level helps ensure that a car will roll as smoothly as possible on the road. This in turn puts the least continuous strain on the engine, thus allowing the engine to use gasoline most efficiently.

Competency 0006 
Apply the rule of "right of way" and the doctrine of "last clear chance" in given traffic situations.

3. Four vehicles approach a four-way intersection from different directions. In this situation, the right of way should be yielded first to the vehicle that:

  1. has the most traffic behind it.
  2. arrived at the intersection first.
  3. is going straight.
  4. is turning right.

Correct Response: B. If one of four vehicles arrives at an intersection ahead of the others, safe driving practice dictates that other vehicles should yield to it.

Competency 0010 
Understand the rights and responsibilities of drivers and pedestrians in traffic situations.

4. A motorist driving on a two-lane street sees a group of children playing with a ball near the side of the road. In this situation, the most appropriate procedure for the motorist to follow is to:

  1. blow the horn and maintain speed while passing by the children.
  2. move as far into the left lane as possible while passing by the children.
  3. reduce speed and cover the brake while passing by the children.
  4. come to a complete stop until the children notice the vehicle and move away from the road.

Correct Response: C. Children easily forget safety rules involving road traffic and can often act unpredictably. Drivers should therefore proceed slowly and be prepared to brake when they notice children playing near the road.

Competency 0012 
Understand collision-avoidance maneuvers and driver liability in specific situations.

5. A motorist is driving 30 miles per hour on a residential street and notices an automobile in a driveway ahead that is about to back out into his lane. Which of the following collision-avoidance behaviors should the motorist use first?

  1. swerve to the left
  2. come to a stop as quickly as possible
  3. sound the horn
  4. flash the headlights repeatedly

Correct Response: C. Sounding the horn should alert the driver backing out of the driveway that a car is approaching and give him or her time to stop, thus preventing an accident. This is the most appropriate first step to take in this situation as it gains the attention of the driver in the driveway without causing the driver on the road to take evasive action that could cause a collision.

Competency 0015 
Understand procedures related to the provision of basic first aid.

6. The victim in an automobile accident has a large laceration on her arm and is losing blood rapidly. Applying direct pressure with a cloth and elevating the wound has not stopped the bleeding. Which of the following should be done next to stop the bleeding?

  1. While continuing to apply pressure to the wound, also apply pressure to the arterial pressure point for that arm.
  2. Have the victim put her head between her knees while continuing to apply pressure to the wound.
  3. Have the victim lie down with her feet elevated above her head while applying additional bandages to the wound.
  4. While continuing to elevate the wound, apply a tourniquet in an area of the arm above the wound.

Correct Response: A. If pressure and elevation do not stop severe bleeding, the next step is to stop blood flow by applying pressure at an arterial point, which slows blood flow by pressing the bleeding artery against a bone. Elevation should be continued, and pressure should only be applied until bleeding is controlled.

Competency 0016 
Understand preoperative, starting, and parking procedures.

7. Before shifting a car with an automatic transmission from "neutral" to "drive," the operator should:

  1. depress the brake pedal.
  2. shift into "park."
  3. depress the accelerator lightly.
  4. engage the parking brake.

Correct Response: A. A vehicle that has an automatic transmission may move forward when put into "drive." Therefore, before shifting from "neutral" to "drive," a driver should ensure that the brake pedal is depressed, releasing it only when ready to accelerate.

Competency 0020 
Understand techniques for driving in various situations and environments.

8. Which of the following is an important safety consideration when driving at night on an unlit road?

  1. Avoid driving at speeds that make the stopping distance longer than the distance lighted by the headlights.
  2. Use the high-beam headlights in foggy, rainy, or snowy weather.
  3. Avoid temporary loss of vision due to glare by turning your head to the right when an oncoming car is approaching.
  4. Use only the parking lights when driving in heavy traffic areas.

Correct Response: A. Stopping distance increases with speed. Therefore, it is important that a driver not exceed the speed at which the vehicle can be stopped safely if a hazard is sighted. At night on an unlit road, a driver can see a hazard only within the distance illuminated by the headlights, so the vehicle should be kept at a speed that will allow the driver to come to a stop within that distance.

Competency 0023 
Understand materials and teaching aids commonly used in driver and safety education programs, and procedures for providing driving instruction to students with disabilities.

9. Which of the following pieces of equipment would be most helpful for a driver who has trouble maintaining his or her balance behind the wheel because of the loss of a leg?

  1. tilt wheel
  2. harness seatbelt
  3. slide board
  4. control bar

Correct Response: B.
Harness seatbelts help keep a person's trunk properly secured in a car seat. If a driver has difficulty in keeping proper balance because of the loss of a leg, a harness belt will help the driver maintain a safe and comfortable driving position.

Competency 0024 
Understand the components and functions of the major systems of an automobile.

10. The primary function of the alternator is to:

  1. generate electricity.
  2. maintain the engine's timing.
  3. ignite the starter.
  4. regulate engine temperature.

Correct Response: A. After a car has been started and the engine is running, the alternator generates electricity to recharge the battery and power the ignition system.