Safe driving practices and defensive driving
What this domain tests
Safe driving and defensive driving questions test judgement, not just memory. The exam wants to see that you scan ahead, anticipate hazards, leave space and choose a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see.
Core habits
- Use the mirrors–signal–manoeuvre sequence and check blind spots before changing lane or position.
- Keep a two-second gap in dry conditions and at least four seconds on wet roads or when following a large vehicle.
- Look well ahead and plan for hazards: parked cars, side roads, pedestrians, animals and slippery patches.
- Match speed to visibility and road surface; the posted limit is a maximum, not a target.
- Avoid distractions, fatigue and aggression. If you are tired, stop in a safe place and rest.
Worked example
You are following a car on a wet road at 30 mph. The car brakes suddenly. Your thinking distance is unchanged, but your braking distance is longer because the tyres have less grip. A two-second gap would leave too little room, so you should have held a four-second gap. In the event, brake firmly and progressively, keep the steering straight and do not swerve into oncoming traffic.
Traps
Tailgating to claim priority; overtaking on a hill crest or bend; relying on mirrors without a shoulder check; and treating the speed limit as safe in rain, fog or at night. Defensive driving means expecting other road users to make mistakes and leaving yourself an escape route.