UK Driving Theory Practice Exam

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Prepare for the UK Driving Theory Test with an engaging quiz that includes multiple-choice questions, detailed explanations, and interactive study tools. Get the knowledge you need to pass your exam with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

If your car starts to skid, what should you do?

Steer away from the skid
Apply the brakes firmly
Steer into the skid
Turn off the engine immediately

The correct answer is: Steer into the skid

When your car starts to skid, steering into the skid is the correct response because it helps regain control of the vehicle. This technique, often referred to as 'counter-steering,' involves turning the steering wheel in the same direction as the skid is occurring. For example, if the rear of your car is sliding to the right, you would turn the wheel to the right. By doing so, you align the wheels with the direction of travel, which can help re-establish traction and prevent further loss of control. This method takes advantage of the vehicle's dynamics and effectively allows you to steer your way out of a skid. In contrast, other actions such as firmly applying the brakes can worsen the skid by locking the wheels, making it harder to regain control. Steering away from the skid may also lead to a more severe loss of traction, as the back end of the car can swing out further. Turning off the engine is not advisable as it would disable all power steering and braking assistance, making control even more difficult during a skid. Understanding how to react properly in a skid can significantly enhance safety on the road.