───────────────────────────────────────────────
NSC DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE –
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
ALL SECTIONS
(CORRECT ANSWERS IN BOLD WITH EXPLAINED RATIONALES)
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Section 1: Vehicle Control and Skidding
1. If your vehicle begins to skid, you should turn the steering wheel _______.
a) Straight ahead
b) Not at all
c) In the opposite direction the rear is skidding
d) In the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go
Answer: D
Rationale: This is the principle of "steering into the skid." If the rear of the vehicle is sliding to
the left, steer left. If it's sliding to the right, steer right. This action helps the front tires realign
with the direction you intend to travel, regaining control.
Section 2: Defensive Driving Principles
2. Defensive driving is defined as:
a) Driving to get to your destination as fast as possible.
b) Driving using the "What If?" strategy.
c) Driving only during daylight hours.
d) Driving to save lives, time and money in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of
others.
Answer: D
Rationale: Defensive driving is a set of driving skills that allows you to defend yourself against
possible collisions caused by bad drivers, poor weather, or your own distractions. It emphasizes
proactive, safe driving regardless of external factors.
3. The three basic steps in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula are:
a) Recognize, React, Respond.
, b) See, Think, Do.
c) Recognize, Understand, Act.
d) Identify, Predict, Decide.
Answer: B
Rationale: The National Safety Council (NSC) formula is "See" (the hazard), "Think" (about
your options and the defense), and "Do" (take the correct action to avoid a collision).
4. Which strategy is a way to focus your attention on driving to recognize a hazard?
a) The "Follow Closely" Strategy
b) The "Assume Right-of-Way" Strategy
c) The "What If?" Strategy
d) The "Speed Up" Strategy
Answer: C
Rationale: The "What If?" strategy is a mental exercise where you constantly scan the road and
anticipate potential dangers (e.g., "What if that car pulls out in front of me?"), which prepares
you to react safely.
5. A preventable collision is a collision in which the driver fails to do everything ____ to
avoid it.
a) Legal
b) Possible
c) Reasonable
d) Instinctive
Answer: C
Rationale: The standard for a preventable collision is not perfection, but whether a driver failed
to take every reasonable action to prevent it. This considers what a prudent and careful driver
would have done in the same situation.
Section 3: Recognizing Hazards
6. In which scenario would you be most likely to use your hearing to "Recognize the
Hazard"?
a) A gasoline leak
b) Icy road conditions
c) An emergency vehicle approaching
d) Sun glare
Answer: C
Rationale: You often hear the siren of an emergency vehicle before you see it, alerting you to the
hazard and the need to safely pull over.
NSC DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE –
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
ALL SECTIONS
(CORRECT ANSWERS IN BOLD WITH EXPLAINED RATIONALES)
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Section 1: Vehicle Control and Skidding
1. If your vehicle begins to skid, you should turn the steering wheel _______.
a) Straight ahead
b) Not at all
c) In the opposite direction the rear is skidding
d) In the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go
Answer: D
Rationale: This is the principle of "steering into the skid." If the rear of the vehicle is sliding to
the left, steer left. If it's sliding to the right, steer right. This action helps the front tires realign
with the direction you intend to travel, regaining control.
Section 2: Defensive Driving Principles
2. Defensive driving is defined as:
a) Driving to get to your destination as fast as possible.
b) Driving using the "What If?" strategy.
c) Driving only during daylight hours.
d) Driving to save lives, time and money in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of
others.
Answer: D
Rationale: Defensive driving is a set of driving skills that allows you to defend yourself against
possible collisions caused by bad drivers, poor weather, or your own distractions. It emphasizes
proactive, safe driving regardless of external factors.
3. The three basic steps in the NSC Collision Prevention Formula are:
a) Recognize, React, Respond.
, b) See, Think, Do.
c) Recognize, Understand, Act.
d) Identify, Predict, Decide.
Answer: B
Rationale: The National Safety Council (NSC) formula is "See" (the hazard), "Think" (about
your options and the defense), and "Do" (take the correct action to avoid a collision).
4. Which strategy is a way to focus your attention on driving to recognize a hazard?
a) The "Follow Closely" Strategy
b) The "Assume Right-of-Way" Strategy
c) The "What If?" Strategy
d) The "Speed Up" Strategy
Answer: C
Rationale: The "What If?" strategy is a mental exercise where you constantly scan the road and
anticipate potential dangers (e.g., "What if that car pulls out in front of me?"), which prepares
you to react safely.
5. A preventable collision is a collision in which the driver fails to do everything ____ to
avoid it.
a) Legal
b) Possible
c) Reasonable
d) Instinctive
Answer: C
Rationale: The standard for a preventable collision is not perfection, but whether a driver failed
to take every reasonable action to prevent it. This considers what a prudent and careful driver
would have done in the same situation.
Section 3: Recognizing Hazards
6. In which scenario would you be most likely to use your hearing to "Recognize the
Hazard"?
a) A gasoline leak
b) Icy road conditions
c) An emergency vehicle approaching
d) Sun glare
Answer: C
Rationale: You often hear the siren of an emergency vehicle before you see it, alerting you to the
hazard and the need to safely pull over.
