NSC Defensive Driving Course – Practice
Exam (Questions, Answers & Rationale)
1. What is the primary goal of defensive driving?
A. To follow traffic rules
B. To avoid crashes despite the actions of others
C. To drive as slowly as possible
D. To save fuel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Defensive driving focuses on anticipating hazards and preventing collisions
regardless of road, vehicle, or driver-related factors.
2. The “IPDE” process stands for:
A. Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
B. Inspect, Prepare, Drive, Evaluate
C. Interpret, Plan, Direct, Engage
D. Initiate, Proceed, Determine, Exit
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IPDE is a structured safety method used to spot hazards, anticipate outcomes,
choose a response, and act to reduce risk.
3. When should a driver increase their following distance
to more than 3 seconds?
A. On a sunny day
B. When traffic is light
C. In bad weather or poor visibility
D. When traveling below 25 mph
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Poor weather increases stopping distance, so drivers should allow more space to
react safely.
, 4. What is the number one cause of collisions?
A. Mechanical failure
B. Road design
C. Driver error
D. Weather conditions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Research shows over 90% of crashes are caused by human error, including
distraction, speeding, and poor decisions.
5. A driver should scan ahead at least how many seconds
in city driving?
A. 3–4 seconds
B. 5–6 seconds
C. 10–12 seconds
D. 15–20 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Looking 10–12 seconds ahead provides adequate time to detect hazards early and
respond appropriately.
6. Which of the following is considered an aggressive
driving behavior?
A. Using turn signals properly
B. Maintaining safe following distance
C. Tailgating slower drivers
D. Adjusting speed for weather
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tailgating increases crash risk and is a typical aggressive behavior that reduces
reaction time.
7. What should a driver do if their vehicle begins to skid?
A. Brake harder
B. Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go
C. Turn sharply in the opposite direction
D. Accelerate quickly
Exam (Questions, Answers & Rationale)
1. What is the primary goal of defensive driving?
A. To follow traffic rules
B. To avoid crashes despite the actions of others
C. To drive as slowly as possible
D. To save fuel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Defensive driving focuses on anticipating hazards and preventing collisions
regardless of road, vehicle, or driver-related factors.
2. The “IPDE” process stands for:
A. Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
B. Inspect, Prepare, Drive, Evaluate
C. Interpret, Plan, Direct, Engage
D. Initiate, Proceed, Determine, Exit
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IPDE is a structured safety method used to spot hazards, anticipate outcomes,
choose a response, and act to reduce risk.
3. When should a driver increase their following distance
to more than 3 seconds?
A. On a sunny day
B. When traffic is light
C. In bad weather or poor visibility
D. When traveling below 25 mph
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Poor weather increases stopping distance, so drivers should allow more space to
react safely.
, 4. What is the number one cause of collisions?
A. Mechanical failure
B. Road design
C. Driver error
D. Weather conditions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Research shows over 90% of crashes are caused by human error, including
distraction, speeding, and poor decisions.
5. A driver should scan ahead at least how many seconds
in city driving?
A. 3–4 seconds
B. 5–6 seconds
C. 10–12 seconds
D. 15–20 seconds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Looking 10–12 seconds ahead provides adequate time to detect hazards early and
respond appropriately.
6. Which of the following is considered an aggressive
driving behavior?
A. Using turn signals properly
B. Maintaining safe following distance
C. Tailgating slower drivers
D. Adjusting speed for weather
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tailgating increases crash risk and is a typical aggressive behavior that reduces
reaction time.
7. What should a driver do if their vehicle begins to skid?
A. Brake harder
B. Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go
C. Turn sharply in the opposite direction
D. Accelerate quickly
