DRIVER'S EDUCATION AAA BOOK TEST
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
What is a zone? - Answer-The zone system consists of six (6) zones (areas of space)
around your vehicle that is the width of a lane extending as far as the driver can see.
Being aware of open zones and closed zones around your vehicle can help you avoid
collisions and become a defensive driver.
What is an open zone? - Answer-A space you can drive without restrictions to your line
of sight or intended path of travel.
What is a closed zone? - Answer-A space not open because of restrictions in your line
of sight or intended path of travel.
What is a visual control zone? - Answer-A visual control zone is your planned path of
travel 12-15 seconds ahead of your position. This space will allow enough distance to
make braking or steering corrections in response to most hazardous objects or
conditions. You must also identify an alternate path into which your vehicle can be
steered if the visual control zone becomes blocked. Seeing 12-15 seconds ahead into
your visual control zone allows you to smoothly respond to anything in or approaching
your intended path, instead of reacting to it when you are closer.
Describe the 3-4 following distance rule? - Answer-With ideal visibility, dry pavement,
and a safe alternate path of travel, a 3-4 second following distance (aka interval), is the
minimum you should allow between your vehicle and a similar vehicle ahead of you. If
you are attentive to your driving, this interval gives you enough time to stop quickly if it
is necessary and safe to do so, such as when the driver ahead of you brakes suddenly,
hits an object, or is struck by another vehicle.. If it is not safe to stop, this interval gives
you time to steer into your previously identified alternate path of travel.
When should you adjust your following interval? - Answer-Higher speeds demand
greater following distances. The faster you go, the farther you travel each second. At
speeds up to 50 mph, you must allow for greater following distances as your car takes
more time to stop at higher speeds. If at any time you feel that you would not be able to
stop before hitting an object because of your speed, adverse weather, darkness or other
conditions, reduce your speed. Also, you should increase your following interval when
you are following a small vehicle (ie. motorcycle) or a large vehicle (ie. truck) to allow for
more safety (following distance of 5 or more seconds).
What is ground viewing? Why is it appropriate? - Answer-Ground viewing is searching
the ground directly ahead and to the sides can provide important information to support
safe driving. Searching the ground can help you to judge another vehicle's speed and
, any changes in speed, and determine whether other drivers are maintaining their lane
positions or are about to change direction. Ground viewing can also help to locate
markings or unusual road conditions. Further, the technique can help drivers to spot
children, other pedestrians, and animals located behind or between parked cars, which
is particularly helpful in residential areas and parking lots.
How should you address your mirror blind spots? - Answer-You should develop the
habit of turning your head slightly in the direction you plan to move to detect any
vehicles you may not be able to see in your mirrors.
Where are the blind spots on a truck? How should you address them? - Answer-If you
can't see the truck driver in the truck's mirrors, he or she can't see you; you are in the
truck driver's blind spots. You should always make sure that you give trucks plenty of
room to move around and if you are beside a truck, make sure the driver knows you are
there or can see you.
What do the different colors of signs convey? - Answer-Yellow = general warning/
caution
Florescent Yellow-Green = warning
Orange = Temporary Work Zone
Green = directional guidance; indicates movement is permitted
Brown = recreational and cultural-interest guidance
Blue = motorist services guidance
Red = stop or prohibition
Black or White = regulatory information
Florescent Pink = incident management
Purple = electronic toll collection
Regulatory Signs - Answer-These signs tell drivers what they may or may not do.
Regulatory signs inform drivers of laws that apply at a given time and/or place.
Warning Signs - Answer-These signs warn drivers of potentially hazardous road,
environmental, and traffic conditions a short distance ahead.
Guide Signs - Answer-These signs provide drivers with information about routes, exits,
and distances. They also indicate points of interest; recreational and medical facilities;
and roadside services, such as fuel and recharging stations, lodging, and restaurants.
What do you do if a police officer tells you to move forward when you would usually take
another action? - Answer-Always follow the police officer's signal.
What is the point of no return? - Answer-At the speed a motorist is traveling, the ability
to stop at a point prior to entering the intersection. If you pass the point of no return you
cannot exit the intersection.
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
What is a zone? - Answer-The zone system consists of six (6) zones (areas of space)
around your vehicle that is the width of a lane extending as far as the driver can see.
Being aware of open zones and closed zones around your vehicle can help you avoid
collisions and become a defensive driver.
What is an open zone? - Answer-A space you can drive without restrictions to your line
of sight or intended path of travel.
What is a closed zone? - Answer-A space not open because of restrictions in your line
of sight or intended path of travel.
What is a visual control zone? - Answer-A visual control zone is your planned path of
travel 12-15 seconds ahead of your position. This space will allow enough distance to
make braking or steering corrections in response to most hazardous objects or
conditions. You must also identify an alternate path into which your vehicle can be
steered if the visual control zone becomes blocked. Seeing 12-15 seconds ahead into
your visual control zone allows you to smoothly respond to anything in or approaching
your intended path, instead of reacting to it when you are closer.
Describe the 3-4 following distance rule? - Answer-With ideal visibility, dry pavement,
and a safe alternate path of travel, a 3-4 second following distance (aka interval), is the
minimum you should allow between your vehicle and a similar vehicle ahead of you. If
you are attentive to your driving, this interval gives you enough time to stop quickly if it
is necessary and safe to do so, such as when the driver ahead of you brakes suddenly,
hits an object, or is struck by another vehicle.. If it is not safe to stop, this interval gives
you time to steer into your previously identified alternate path of travel.
When should you adjust your following interval? - Answer-Higher speeds demand
greater following distances. The faster you go, the farther you travel each second. At
speeds up to 50 mph, you must allow for greater following distances as your car takes
more time to stop at higher speeds. If at any time you feel that you would not be able to
stop before hitting an object because of your speed, adverse weather, darkness or other
conditions, reduce your speed. Also, you should increase your following interval when
you are following a small vehicle (ie. motorcycle) or a large vehicle (ie. truck) to allow for
more safety (following distance of 5 or more seconds).
What is ground viewing? Why is it appropriate? - Answer-Ground viewing is searching
the ground directly ahead and to the sides can provide important information to support
safe driving. Searching the ground can help you to judge another vehicle's speed and
, any changes in speed, and determine whether other drivers are maintaining their lane
positions or are about to change direction. Ground viewing can also help to locate
markings or unusual road conditions. Further, the technique can help drivers to spot
children, other pedestrians, and animals located behind or between parked cars, which
is particularly helpful in residential areas and parking lots.
How should you address your mirror blind spots? - Answer-You should develop the
habit of turning your head slightly in the direction you plan to move to detect any
vehicles you may not be able to see in your mirrors.
Where are the blind spots on a truck? How should you address them? - Answer-If you
can't see the truck driver in the truck's mirrors, he or she can't see you; you are in the
truck driver's blind spots. You should always make sure that you give trucks plenty of
room to move around and if you are beside a truck, make sure the driver knows you are
there or can see you.
What do the different colors of signs convey? - Answer-Yellow = general warning/
caution
Florescent Yellow-Green = warning
Orange = Temporary Work Zone
Green = directional guidance; indicates movement is permitted
Brown = recreational and cultural-interest guidance
Blue = motorist services guidance
Red = stop or prohibition
Black or White = regulatory information
Florescent Pink = incident management
Purple = electronic toll collection
Regulatory Signs - Answer-These signs tell drivers what they may or may not do.
Regulatory signs inform drivers of laws that apply at a given time and/or place.
Warning Signs - Answer-These signs warn drivers of potentially hazardous road,
environmental, and traffic conditions a short distance ahead.
Guide Signs - Answer-These signs provide drivers with information about routes, exits,
and distances. They also indicate points of interest; recreational and medical facilities;
and roadside services, such as fuel and recharging stations, lodging, and restaurants.
What do you do if a police officer tells you to move forward when you would usually take
another action? - Answer-Always follow the police officer's signal.
What is the point of no return? - Answer-At the speed a motorist is traveling, the ability
to stop at a point prior to entering the intersection. If you pass the point of no return you
cannot exit the intersection.
