Delaware permit test: night, weather, emergencies and crashes
Night driving, rain, fog, snow, hills and curves, vehicle emergencies, avoiding collisions, skids, and what to do at a crash. 23 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key night, weather, emergencies and crashes rulesShow the rules
- Headlights let you see about 350 feet ahead. (p. 126, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Don't trust other drivers to do what you expect. (p. 126, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- At 50 mph it can take about 400 feet, about a city block, to react and stop. (p. 126, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- If you can't see more than about 200 feet, you can't safely drive faster than 30 mph. (p. 126, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- To dry wet brakes, put the car in low gear, drive slowly, and tap the brakes lightly, testing every 200 feet until they work normally. (p. 136, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Keep a strong grip on the wheel. (p. 137, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep going straight. (p. 137, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- Use dirt or sand if you have no chemical extinguisher. (p. 138, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- With ABS, press as hard as you can and keep pressing. (p. 138, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
- If you're hit from the rear, your body is thrown backward. (p. 140, Delaware Driver Manual (JULY 2026) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample night, weather, emergencies and crashes questions
1.You see that a car is about to hit you from behind. What should you do with your body?
- ALean forward in your seat
- BTurn your body sideways in the seat
- CPress back with your head on the restraint
- DDuck down below the side window
Show the answer
✓ C. Press back with your head on the restraint
If you're hit from the rear, your body is thrown backward. Press against the seat back with your head on the head restraint, and be ready to brake so you aren't pushed into another vehicle.
2.In very heavy rain you can see only about 200 feet ahead. What is the safe top speed?
- AThe posted limit
- BAbout 45 mph
- CAbout 30 mph
- DAbout 15 mph
Show the answer
✓ C. About 30 mph
If you can't see more than about 200 feet, you can't safely drive faster than 30 mph. In a very heavy downpour, pull off safely and wait.
3.At night, an oncoming car's headlights are bright. How should you look?
- AUse quick glances, not a steady stare
- BStare at the lights to judge distance
- CClose one eye
- DLook at the center line only
Show the answer
✓ A. Use quick glances, not a steady stare
Don't stare at oncoming headlights. Glare makes your pupils contract and you may drive almost blind while they recover; use quick glances to check lane positions and the road edge.
4.Your gas pedal sticks and the engine keeps speeding up. What should you do?
- AShift quickly to neutral
- BPump the gas pedal
- CPull the parking brake hard
- DTurn off the ignition immediately
Show the answer
✓ A. Shift quickly to neutral
Keep your eyes on the road, shift quickly to neutral, pull off the road when safe, and then turn off the engine.