NSC DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE FINAL EXAM
SECTION 1: THE DEFENSIVE DRIVING MINDSET (Questions 1–30)
1. What is the primary goal of defensive driving?
A) To arrive on time regardless of traffic
B) To avoid collisions despite the actions of others or adverse conditions
C) To maintain a high average speed
D) To test the vehicle's mechanical limits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of defensive driving is to avoid collisions regardless of the actions of
other drivers or adverse road conditions. This involves staying alert, anticipating hazards, and
making safe, proactive decisions.
2. According to the NSC, what percentage of traffic collisions are preventable?
A) 50%
B) 70%
C) 90%
D) 99%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The NSC estimates that 99% of all traffic collisions are preventable. This underscores
the importance of driver behavior and decision-making in crash prevention.
3. According to NSC research, what percentage of crashes is caused by driver error?
A) 50%
B) 70%
C) 94%
D) 99%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NSC research shows driver behavior is the primary factor in 94% of crashes, making
driver choices the most significant factor in collision prevention.
4. Which of the following is a component of the "Three A's" of defensive driving?
A) Acceleration
B) Agility
C) Attitude
D) Aesthetics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "Three A's" of defensive driving are Attitude, Awareness, and Action. A positive
attitude is foundational for safe driving habits.
5. Which two components are essential for defensive driving?
A) Knowledge and vehicle performance
B) Awareness and attitude
,C) Speed and agility
D) Reflexes and reaction time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A positive attitude and constant awareness are the essential components of
defensive driving. These drive all other safe driving behaviors.
6. Defensive driving is defined as:
A) Driving to save lives, time, and money in spite of the conditions around you and the actions
of others
B) Driving as fast as possible to reach your destination
C) Following all traffic laws without exception
D) Relying solely on vehicle safety features
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The NSC defines defensive driving as driving to save lives, time, and money in spite of
the conditions around you and the actions of others.
7. A preventable collision is a collision in which the driver:
A) Had no time to react
B) Failed to do everything reasonable to avoid it
C) Was not at fault
D) Followed all traffic laws
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to NSC, a preventable collision is one in which the driver failed to take all
reasonable and proper actions to avoid it, regardless of who was legally at fault.
8. The "Drive to Arrive" philosophy emphasizes:
A) Speeding to make up lost time
B) Making driving a secondary task to entertainment
C) Attitude, awareness, and planning
D) Relying solely on vehicle safety features
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "Drive to Arrive" philosophy focuses on maintaining a positive attitude, staying
aware of surroundings, and planning ahead to ensure safe travel.
9. The "What if?" strategy in defensive driving means:
A) Always second-guessing yourself
B) Mentally rehearsing possible hazards ahead
C) Asking passengers for advice
D) Driving slower than the speed limit always
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anticipating "what if that car pulls out?" prepares you to react instantly to potential
hazards.
,10. What happens when you take a risk while driving?
A) You arrive faster
B) You let someone or something else take control of the situation
C) You demonstrate superior driving skills
D) You save time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When you take a risk while driving, you let someone or something else take control
of the situation, compromising your safety.
11. The NSC recommends that you should never drive when your blood alcohol concentration
(BAC) is:
A) Above 0.02%
B) Above 0.05%
C) Above 0.08%
D) Above 0.00% for safety
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Any alcohol impairs judgment. NSC advocates 0.00% BAC for optimal safety.
12. Being a good defensive driver involves _____ the actions of other drivers.
A) Ignoring
B) Anticipating
C) Copying
D) Criticizing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Defensive driving requires anticipating the actions of other drivers to prepare for
potential hazards and avoid collisions.
13. True or False: Of all collisions reported, most are a result of someone choosing an unsafe
behavior.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Most collisions reported are a result of someone choosing an unsafe behavior,
highlighting that collisions are largely preventable through better decision-making.
14. The most critical element of defensive driving is:
A) Fast reflexes
B) A positive attitude and awareness
C) A high-performance vehicle
D) Minimum following distance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A positive attitude and awareness form the foundation of defensive driving. Without
these, other skills like reflexes or vehicle performance cannot prevent collisions effectively.
, 15. Which of the following is a key component of the NSC "Safe Driver" mindset?
A) Aggressive lane changing
B) Assuming other drivers will make mistakes
C) Driving with high beams at all times
D) Tailgating to improve reaction time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expecting errors from others allows you to prepare escape routes and maintain safe
following distances.
16. The three basic steps in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula are:
A) See, Think, Do
B) Recognize, Understand, Act
C) Stop, Look, Listen
D) Accelerate, Brake, Turn
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NSC Collision Prevention Formula involves: Recognize the hazard, Understand
the defense, and Act correctly, in time.
17. What does the "R" stand for in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula RUA?
A) React
B) Recognize
C) Recover
D) Respond
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RUA stands for Recognize, Understand, and Act. The first step is to Recognize the
hazard.
18. What does the "U" stand for in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula RUA?
A) Understand
B) Use
C) Undertake
D) Uncover
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: RUA stands for Recognize, Understand, and Act. The second step is to Understand
the defense.
19. What does the "A" stand for in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula RUA?
A) Avoid
B) Act
C) Accelerate
D) Assess
Correct Answer: B
SECTION 1: THE DEFENSIVE DRIVING MINDSET (Questions 1–30)
1. What is the primary goal of defensive driving?
A) To arrive on time regardless of traffic
B) To avoid collisions despite the actions of others or adverse conditions
C) To maintain a high average speed
D) To test the vehicle's mechanical limits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of defensive driving is to avoid collisions regardless of the actions of
other drivers or adverse road conditions. This involves staying alert, anticipating hazards, and
making safe, proactive decisions.
2. According to the NSC, what percentage of traffic collisions are preventable?
A) 50%
B) 70%
C) 90%
D) 99%
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The NSC estimates that 99% of all traffic collisions are preventable. This underscores
the importance of driver behavior and decision-making in crash prevention.
3. According to NSC research, what percentage of crashes is caused by driver error?
A) 50%
B) 70%
C) 94%
D) 99%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NSC research shows driver behavior is the primary factor in 94% of crashes, making
driver choices the most significant factor in collision prevention.
4. Which of the following is a component of the "Three A's" of defensive driving?
A) Acceleration
B) Agility
C) Attitude
D) Aesthetics
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "Three A's" of defensive driving are Attitude, Awareness, and Action. A positive
attitude is foundational for safe driving habits.
5. Which two components are essential for defensive driving?
A) Knowledge and vehicle performance
B) Awareness and attitude
,C) Speed and agility
D) Reflexes and reaction time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A positive attitude and constant awareness are the essential components of
defensive driving. These drive all other safe driving behaviors.
6. Defensive driving is defined as:
A) Driving to save lives, time, and money in spite of the conditions around you and the actions
of others
B) Driving as fast as possible to reach your destination
C) Following all traffic laws without exception
D) Relying solely on vehicle safety features
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The NSC defines defensive driving as driving to save lives, time, and money in spite of
the conditions around you and the actions of others.
7. A preventable collision is a collision in which the driver:
A) Had no time to react
B) Failed to do everything reasonable to avoid it
C) Was not at fault
D) Followed all traffic laws
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to NSC, a preventable collision is one in which the driver failed to take all
reasonable and proper actions to avoid it, regardless of who was legally at fault.
8. The "Drive to Arrive" philosophy emphasizes:
A) Speeding to make up lost time
B) Making driving a secondary task to entertainment
C) Attitude, awareness, and planning
D) Relying solely on vehicle safety features
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "Drive to Arrive" philosophy focuses on maintaining a positive attitude, staying
aware of surroundings, and planning ahead to ensure safe travel.
9. The "What if?" strategy in defensive driving means:
A) Always second-guessing yourself
B) Mentally rehearsing possible hazards ahead
C) Asking passengers for advice
D) Driving slower than the speed limit always
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anticipating "what if that car pulls out?" prepares you to react instantly to potential
hazards.
,10. What happens when you take a risk while driving?
A) You arrive faster
B) You let someone or something else take control of the situation
C) You demonstrate superior driving skills
D) You save time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When you take a risk while driving, you let someone or something else take control
of the situation, compromising your safety.
11. The NSC recommends that you should never drive when your blood alcohol concentration
(BAC) is:
A) Above 0.02%
B) Above 0.05%
C) Above 0.08%
D) Above 0.00% for safety
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Any alcohol impairs judgment. NSC advocates 0.00% BAC for optimal safety.
12. Being a good defensive driver involves _____ the actions of other drivers.
A) Ignoring
B) Anticipating
C) Copying
D) Criticizing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Defensive driving requires anticipating the actions of other drivers to prepare for
potential hazards and avoid collisions.
13. True or False: Of all collisions reported, most are a result of someone choosing an unsafe
behavior.
A) True
B) False
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Most collisions reported are a result of someone choosing an unsafe behavior,
highlighting that collisions are largely preventable through better decision-making.
14. The most critical element of defensive driving is:
A) Fast reflexes
B) A positive attitude and awareness
C) A high-performance vehicle
D) Minimum following distance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A positive attitude and awareness form the foundation of defensive driving. Without
these, other skills like reflexes or vehicle performance cannot prevent collisions effectively.
, 15. Which of the following is a key component of the NSC "Safe Driver" mindset?
A) Aggressive lane changing
B) Assuming other drivers will make mistakes
C) Driving with high beams at all times
D) Tailgating to improve reaction time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expecting errors from others allows you to prepare escape routes and maintain safe
following distances.
16. The three basic steps in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula are:
A) See, Think, Do
B) Recognize, Understand, Act
C) Stop, Look, Listen
D) Accelerate, Brake, Turn
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NSC Collision Prevention Formula involves: Recognize the hazard, Understand
the defense, and Act correctly, in time.
17. What does the "R" stand for in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula RUA?
A) React
B) Recognize
C) Recover
D) Respond
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RUA stands for Recognize, Understand, and Act. The first step is to Recognize the
hazard.
18. What does the "U" stand for in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula RUA?
A) Understand
B) Use
C) Undertake
D) Uncover
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: RUA stands for Recognize, Understand, and Act. The second step is to Understand
the defense.
19. What does the "A" stand for in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula RUA?
A) Avoid
B) Act
C) Accelerate
D) Assess
Correct Answer: B
