Georgia Defensive Driving & Driver
Improvement Exam – Georgia Department of
Driver Services (DDS) | 6-Hour Course Questions
and Verified Answers Comprehensive Review
INTRODUCTION .
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for Georgia drivers completing the 6-
Hour Defensive Driving & Driver Improvement (DDA) course for the current DDS
certification cycle. This course may be taken to reduce points on a driving record, satisfy a
court order, or obtain an insurance discount.
Major Content Areas Covered:
• Defensive Driving Principles: SIPDE system (Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide,
Execute), Smith System, space management (following distance 3-4 seconds,
scanning 12-15 seconds ahead, mirror checks every 5-8 seconds), speed
management (basic speed law, statutory limits, posted limits, super speeder law),
hazard recognition, collision prevention
• Georgia Traffic Laws and Regulations: Right-of-way (emergency vehicles, school
buses, pedestrians, intersections), turning (signal 100 feet, yield on left turn),
passing (pass on left, no-passing zones), speed limits (urban 30, subdivision 25,
interstate 70, rural interstate 70, undivided rural 65, school zone 25 flashing), Move
Over Law, Hands-Free Law (no holding phone, single touch, voice-to-text for
navigation, GPS programmed while parked), Seat Belt Law (primary enforcement,
all occupants, child restraint (under 8 must be in car seat/booster unless over 4'9"),
booster seat (under 8 and under 4'9"), rear-facing (under 1 year or under 20 lbs)),
teen driving restrictions (GDL program: instructional permit (16, 1 year, 40 hours
supervised (6 hours night), no driving 12am-6am, no passengers except
family/instructor), Class D provisional (17, 12 months, no moving violations, night
driving restrictions 12am-6am, passenger restrictions (first 6 months: ≤3
passengers under 21, next 6 months: ≤1 passenger under 21, unless family)), full
Class C (18))
,• Impaired Driving: Georgia DUI laws (BAC 0.08% adults 21+, 0.02% under 21,
0.04% commercial), implied consent law, penalties (first offense: fine $300-1,000,
jail up to 12 months (min 24 hours), license suspension 12 months (limited permit
after 120 days), community service 40 hours, DUI school, ignition interlock device
(for BAC 0.08+ after 2022)), DUI less safe, open container law, administrative
license suspension (ALS) (10-day deadline to request hearing), drug-impaired
driving (illegal drugs, prescription meds, OTC meds causing impairment)
• Distracted Driving: Types (visual, manual, cognitive), texting and driving
(prohibited, 1 point, $50 fine), distracted driving statistics (texting increases crash
risk 23x, 5 seconds at 55mph = football field blind), hands-free law specifics, apps
(Do Not Disturb While Driving)
• Drowsy, Aggressive, and Impaired Driving: Drowsy driving signs, fatigue
impairment similar to alcohol (18 hours awake = 0.05% BAC, 24 hours awake =
0.10% BAC), aggressive driving (speeding, tailgating, weaving, failing to yield,
running red lights, improper passing), road rage (criminal offense), work zone
safety (fines doubled in active work zones, move over for work vehicles)
• Adverse Weather and Road Conditions: Rain (hydroplaning (reduce speed, avoid
sudden braking/turning), wipers, headlights required when wipers on), fog (low
beams (high beams reflect back), reduce speed, increase following distance),
snow/ice (reduce speed, gentle braking/steering, increase following distance 8-10
seconds, black ice, chains), flooding (turn around don't drown), night driving
(headlights sunset to sunrise and when visibility <500 feet, high beams (within 500
feet of oncoming, 200 feet when following), reduce speed, increase following
distance)
• Collision Prevention and Emergency Maneuvers: Following distance (3-4
seconds minimum, increase in adverse conditions), stopping distance (perception +
reaction + braking = total stopping distance, at 55mph approx 300 feet), emergency
braking (ABS (press firmly and steer), pump if no ABS), evasive steering (steer
around hazard, avoid overcorrection), skid recovery (rear-wheel skid – steer in
direction of skid, front-wheel skid – let off accelerator, do not brake), tire blowout
(grip wheel firmly, do not brake suddenly, let off accelerator gradually, coast to
stop)
, • Sharing the Road with Commercial Vehicles and Vulnerable Road Users: Large
trucks (no-zones (blind spots), following distance 5-6 seconds, passing (complete
quickly, ensure you see both headlights in mirror before merging back), wide turns,
longer stopping distance), motorcycles (blind spots, following distance, turn signals,
hazards), bicycles (minimum 3 feet passing distance (Georgia law)), pedestrians
(crosswalks, school zones, blind pedestrians (white cane/guide dog), children,
elderly), emergency vehicles (pull to right and stop, do not follow within 500 feet,
move over law)
• Driver Improvement and Point System: Georgia point system (2 points (speeding
1-14 over, failure to obey traffic control device), 3 points (speeding 15-18 over,
following too close, improper passing, failure to yield, move over violation,
improper turn), 4 points (aggressive driving, speeding 19-24 over), 6 points (DUI,
reckless driving, fleeing police, racing, hit and run, speeding 25-34 over, speeding
35+ over (super speeder)), 1 point (cell phone/texting, hands-free violation)),
license suspension (15 points in 24 months for drivers 21+, 4 points in 12 months
for drivers under 21, 2 points in 12 months for permit holders), point reduction (6-
Hour DDA course reduces points by 7 points (once every 5 years)), court-ordered
driver improvement, SR-22 requirement, reinstatement fees, insurance discounts
This examination reflects all current Georgia DDS guidelines and Title 40 traffic laws.
Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale with statutory
references to support exam readiness.
Section 1: Defensive Driving Principles (Questions 1-20)
Q1: The recommended following distance under normal driving conditions is:
A. 1-2 seconds
B. 3-4 seconds
C. 5-6 seconds
D. 10 seconds
[CORRECT] B. 3-4 seconds
Rationale:
• The 3-4 second rule provides sufficient space to react and stop under normal
conditions. Choose a fixed object; when the vehicle ahead passes it, count "one-
, thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three." If you reach the object
before 3 seconds, increase following distance.
Q2: The SIPDE defensive driving system stands for:
A. Stop, Investigate, Plan, Drive, Exit
B. Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
C. Signal, Identify, Pass, Drive, Exit
D. Slow, Investigate, Park, Delay, Execute
[CORRECT] B. Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
Rationale:
• SIPDE is a defensive driving process: Scan (search the road ahead, mirrors, blind
spots), Identify (potential hazards), Predict (what could happen), Decide (what
action to take), Execute (take the action). This systematic approach reduces collision
risk.
Q3: The Smith System recommends aiming high in steering, which means:
A. Looking directly in front of the vehicle
B. Looking 12-15 seconds ahead of your vehicle
C. Looking at the speedometer
D. Looking in the rearview mirror
[CORRECT] B. Looking 12-15 seconds ahead of your vehicle
Rationale:
• Aiming high in steering (Smith System principle) means looking 12-15 seconds
ahead (about 1-2 blocks in city, 1/4 mile on highway). This allows earlier hazard
detection and smoother driving.
Q4: Your vehicle's blind spots are areas that:
A. Are covered by your mirrors
B. Cannot be seen in your mirrors without turning your head
C. Are always safe to drive in
D. Only occur on the left side
[CORRECT] B. Cannot be seen in your mirrors without turning your head
Rationale:
• Blind spots (no-zones) are areas around your vehicle that are not visible in your
side or rearview mirrors without turning your head. Check blind spots by turning
your head (quick glance) before changing lanes, merging, or backing.
Improvement Exam – Georgia Department of
Driver Services (DDS) | 6-Hour Course Questions
and Verified Answers Comprehensive Review
INTRODUCTION .
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for Georgia drivers completing the 6-
Hour Defensive Driving & Driver Improvement (DDA) course for the current DDS
certification cycle. This course may be taken to reduce points on a driving record, satisfy a
court order, or obtain an insurance discount.
Major Content Areas Covered:
• Defensive Driving Principles: SIPDE system (Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide,
Execute), Smith System, space management (following distance 3-4 seconds,
scanning 12-15 seconds ahead, mirror checks every 5-8 seconds), speed
management (basic speed law, statutory limits, posted limits, super speeder law),
hazard recognition, collision prevention
• Georgia Traffic Laws and Regulations: Right-of-way (emergency vehicles, school
buses, pedestrians, intersections), turning (signal 100 feet, yield on left turn),
passing (pass on left, no-passing zones), speed limits (urban 30, subdivision 25,
interstate 70, rural interstate 70, undivided rural 65, school zone 25 flashing), Move
Over Law, Hands-Free Law (no holding phone, single touch, voice-to-text for
navigation, GPS programmed while parked), Seat Belt Law (primary enforcement,
all occupants, child restraint (under 8 must be in car seat/booster unless over 4'9"),
booster seat (under 8 and under 4'9"), rear-facing (under 1 year or under 20 lbs)),
teen driving restrictions (GDL program: instructional permit (16, 1 year, 40 hours
supervised (6 hours night), no driving 12am-6am, no passengers except
family/instructor), Class D provisional (17, 12 months, no moving violations, night
driving restrictions 12am-6am, passenger restrictions (first 6 months: ≤3
passengers under 21, next 6 months: ≤1 passenger under 21, unless family)), full
Class C (18))
,• Impaired Driving: Georgia DUI laws (BAC 0.08% adults 21+, 0.02% under 21,
0.04% commercial), implied consent law, penalties (first offense: fine $300-1,000,
jail up to 12 months (min 24 hours), license suspension 12 months (limited permit
after 120 days), community service 40 hours, DUI school, ignition interlock device
(for BAC 0.08+ after 2022)), DUI less safe, open container law, administrative
license suspension (ALS) (10-day deadline to request hearing), drug-impaired
driving (illegal drugs, prescription meds, OTC meds causing impairment)
• Distracted Driving: Types (visual, manual, cognitive), texting and driving
(prohibited, 1 point, $50 fine), distracted driving statistics (texting increases crash
risk 23x, 5 seconds at 55mph = football field blind), hands-free law specifics, apps
(Do Not Disturb While Driving)
• Drowsy, Aggressive, and Impaired Driving: Drowsy driving signs, fatigue
impairment similar to alcohol (18 hours awake = 0.05% BAC, 24 hours awake =
0.10% BAC), aggressive driving (speeding, tailgating, weaving, failing to yield,
running red lights, improper passing), road rage (criminal offense), work zone
safety (fines doubled in active work zones, move over for work vehicles)
• Adverse Weather and Road Conditions: Rain (hydroplaning (reduce speed, avoid
sudden braking/turning), wipers, headlights required when wipers on), fog (low
beams (high beams reflect back), reduce speed, increase following distance),
snow/ice (reduce speed, gentle braking/steering, increase following distance 8-10
seconds, black ice, chains), flooding (turn around don't drown), night driving
(headlights sunset to sunrise and when visibility <500 feet, high beams (within 500
feet of oncoming, 200 feet when following), reduce speed, increase following
distance)
• Collision Prevention and Emergency Maneuvers: Following distance (3-4
seconds minimum, increase in adverse conditions), stopping distance (perception +
reaction + braking = total stopping distance, at 55mph approx 300 feet), emergency
braking (ABS (press firmly and steer), pump if no ABS), evasive steering (steer
around hazard, avoid overcorrection), skid recovery (rear-wheel skid – steer in
direction of skid, front-wheel skid – let off accelerator, do not brake), tire blowout
(grip wheel firmly, do not brake suddenly, let off accelerator gradually, coast to
stop)
, • Sharing the Road with Commercial Vehicles and Vulnerable Road Users: Large
trucks (no-zones (blind spots), following distance 5-6 seconds, passing (complete
quickly, ensure you see both headlights in mirror before merging back), wide turns,
longer stopping distance), motorcycles (blind spots, following distance, turn signals,
hazards), bicycles (minimum 3 feet passing distance (Georgia law)), pedestrians
(crosswalks, school zones, blind pedestrians (white cane/guide dog), children,
elderly), emergency vehicles (pull to right and stop, do not follow within 500 feet,
move over law)
• Driver Improvement and Point System: Georgia point system (2 points (speeding
1-14 over, failure to obey traffic control device), 3 points (speeding 15-18 over,
following too close, improper passing, failure to yield, move over violation,
improper turn), 4 points (aggressive driving, speeding 19-24 over), 6 points (DUI,
reckless driving, fleeing police, racing, hit and run, speeding 25-34 over, speeding
35+ over (super speeder)), 1 point (cell phone/texting, hands-free violation)),
license suspension (15 points in 24 months for drivers 21+, 4 points in 12 months
for drivers under 21, 2 points in 12 months for permit holders), point reduction (6-
Hour DDA course reduces points by 7 points (once every 5 years)), court-ordered
driver improvement, SR-22 requirement, reinstatement fees, insurance discounts
This examination reflects all current Georgia DDS guidelines and Title 40 traffic laws.
Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale with statutory
references to support exam readiness.
Section 1: Defensive Driving Principles (Questions 1-20)
Q1: The recommended following distance under normal driving conditions is:
A. 1-2 seconds
B. 3-4 seconds
C. 5-6 seconds
D. 10 seconds
[CORRECT] B. 3-4 seconds
Rationale:
• The 3-4 second rule provides sufficient space to react and stop under normal
conditions. Choose a fixed object; when the vehicle ahead passes it, count "one-
, thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three." If you reach the object
before 3 seconds, increase following distance.
Q2: The SIPDE defensive driving system stands for:
A. Stop, Investigate, Plan, Drive, Exit
B. Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
C. Signal, Identify, Pass, Drive, Exit
D. Slow, Investigate, Park, Delay, Execute
[CORRECT] B. Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute
Rationale:
• SIPDE is a defensive driving process: Scan (search the road ahead, mirrors, blind
spots), Identify (potential hazards), Predict (what could happen), Decide (what
action to take), Execute (take the action). This systematic approach reduces collision
risk.
Q3: The Smith System recommends aiming high in steering, which means:
A. Looking directly in front of the vehicle
B. Looking 12-15 seconds ahead of your vehicle
C. Looking at the speedometer
D. Looking in the rearview mirror
[CORRECT] B. Looking 12-15 seconds ahead of your vehicle
Rationale:
• Aiming high in steering (Smith System principle) means looking 12-15 seconds
ahead (about 1-2 blocks in city, 1/4 mile on highway). This allows earlier hazard
detection and smoother driving.
Q4: Your vehicle's blind spots are areas that:
A. Are covered by your mirrors
B. Cannot be seen in your mirrors without turning your head
C. Are always safe to drive in
D. Only occur on the left side
[CORRECT] B. Cannot be seen in your mirrors without turning your head
Rationale:
• Blind spots (no-zones) are areas around your vehicle that are not visible in your
side or rearview mirrors without turning your head. Check blind spots by turning
your head (quick glance) before changing lanes, merging, or backing.
