Night Driving and Extreme Weather
What this domain tests
Night Driving and Extreme Weather tests visibility, headlight use, speed reduction, and control on rain, snow, ice, fog, and wind. The exam focuses on low-beam use in fog, hydroplaning response, and avoiding cruise control on slippery roads.
Core rules
- Use headlights from dusk to dawn and whenever visibility is reduced; do not overdrive your headlights.
- In fog, use low beams; high beams reflect off the moisture and reduce visibility.
- Reduce speed on wet roads and watch for hydroplaning; ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking if the steering feels light.
- Turn off cruise control on rain, snow, ice, or gravel; it can accelerate a skid.
- In high wind, slow down, grip the wheel firmly, and watch for blown-over vehicles and empty trailers.
Worked example
A driver enters dense fog at night and switches to high beams to see farther. The beam reflects back and creates a white wall. The correct choice is low beams, reduced speed, and a larger following distance. The reasoning: fog droplets scatter high-beam light back toward the driver; low beams cut under the fog layer and reduce glare.
Traps
Using high beams in fog; leaving cruise control on in rain; braking hard during hydroplaning; and assuming four-wheel drive or a heavy truck improves stopping on ice.