Driving in Adverse Conditions - Portugal Driving Test

Overdriving your headlights

Driving faster than your headlights can illuminate. When you cannot see far enough ahead to stop within the illuminated area, you are overdriving your headlights, which is unsafe.

Imagine a car with really bright headlights is coming straight at you. The best way to deal with the glare is

Look up and beyond, slightly to the right. This technique helps reduce the glare from those bright lights without making it impossible to see the road.

You are driving in really thick fog where you can barely see

Pull off the road safely and turn on your emergency flashers. Dense fog makes driving extremely dangerous; stopping safely in a designated area is often the best option to avoid accidents.

You are driving in foggy conditions. The recommended action is

Use your low-beam headlights. High beams actually reflect off the fog and make it harder to see. Low beams and fog lights are designed to illuminate the road below the fog.

Driving through a flooded road

Drive through it carefully and gently test your brakes afterward. Proceed slowly and cautiously, and make sure your brakes are still working properly once you are out of the water, as they can temporarily lose effectiveness.

Prevention of hydroplaning

Having good tires and driving at a slower speed. Hydroplaning happens when your tires lose contact with the road because of the water. Good tire tread and reduced speed help them grip the road better.

Your car starts to skid and loses control, the first thing you should do is

Gently ease off the accelerator or brake and steer smoothly in the direction. Smooth, gentle actions help the tires regain grip. Avoid sudden movements of the steering wheel or pedals.

Driving in heavy snowfall when you can barely see

Slow down and look for a safe place to pull completely off the road. In a whiteout, visibility is extremely poor. The safest thing is to stop in a safe spot away from traffic and wait for the conditions to improve.

You are on the freeway, and you see a bunch of snow plows working to clear the road.

Do not try to pass between them. It is usually very dangerous. Snowplows often work together, and there is not enough safe space between them. They can also make unexpected movements.

The best way to drive when you are on roads that are covered in snow

Avoid sudden movements with the steering wheel or pedals, and accelerate very slowly. Smooth, gentle actions help your tires maintain traction on the slippery surface. Quick changes in speed or direction can easily cause you to lose control.