Bad Weather & Night Driving — Virginia
Virginia CDL practice test: 417 free practice questions (Based on the official driver handbook). The official format is not yet verified; check the official site before your test. Bad Weather & Night Driving: 20 questions.
Rain, snow, ice, fog and night driving: visibility, traction and headlight use.
This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines.
| Topic / Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Topic | Bad Weather & Night Driving |
| License test | Virginia CDL permit (CLP) knowledge tests |
| Topic questions | 20 (5% of 417 total) |
| Review status | This topic page is still being reviewed against the official handbook. Until review is finished it is hidden from search engines. |
Official handbook
Not yet verified
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Questions (20)
1. Black ice is:
- Usually thick.
- Usually thin. ✓
- Not a hazard when driving.
Answer: B. Usually thin.
Black ice is usually thin — it is a thin, clear layer that lets you see the road underneath it. The handbook describes black ice as a thin layer that is clear enough to see the road underneath, which is why the road just looks wet. It also warns that any time the temperature is below freezing and the road looks wet, you should watch for black ice. So the layer itself is thin, not thick, and it is a real slipping hazard on cold, wet-looking pavement.
2. Skids happen when:
- Tires lose their grip on the road. ✓
- There is too much weight in the trailer.
- ABS kicks in.
Answer: A. Tires lose their grip on the road.
Skids happen when the tires lose their grip on the road. The handbook ties a skid to the tires failing to hold the road. That is the same idea as the choice about losing grip. The braking passages mention locked wheels during a turn, and another passage discusses hydroplaning, but those are situations where grip can be lost, not a different definition. So the direct cause named in the handbook is loss of tire grip, not how much weight the trailer carries or the ABS system activating.
3. If a vehicle is equipped with a retarder and the vehicle's drive wheels have poor traction:
- The wheels will be more likely to skid. ✓
- The wheels will have improved traction.
- The wheels will lock up.
Answer: A. The wheels will be more likely to skid.
When the drive wheels have poor traction, using a retarder makes the wheels more likely to skid. The handbook warns that if the drive wheels have poor traction, the retarder may cause them to skid. It tells you to turn the retarder off when the road is wet, icy, or snow covered. Another passage also says skids can happen when a speed retarder is used on a slippery road. That supports the bank answer: the risk is a skid, not better grip or a guaranteed wheel lockup.
4. You are especially likely to encounter strong winds when:
- Coming out of tunnels. ✓
- Going into tunnels.
- Driving on shoulders.
Answer: A. Coming out of tunnels.
You are especially likely to meet strong winds when coming out of tunnels. The handbook's strong-wind section says strong winds make it hard to stay in your lane, and that this problem can be especially bad as you come out of a tunnel. That directly supports the answer. The passage does not tie the hazard to entering a tunnel or to driving on shoulders; it points to the moment you leave the sheltered tunnel and meet the wind.
5. Hydroplaning:
- Rarely occurs with large trucks.
- Usually happens when vehicles are traveling faster than 65 mph.
- Can occur with a minimal amount of water on the roadway. ✓
Answer: C. Can occur with a minimal amount of water on the roadway.
Hydroplaning can occur with a minimal amount of water on the roadway. The handbook states that only a small amount of water is needed for hydroplaning, and it points to clear reflections, tire splashes, and raindrops as signs of standing water. It also says hydroplaning can happen at speeds as low as 30 mph when there is a lot of water, and that low tire pressure or worn tread makes it more likely. That supports water amount, not vehicle size or a high speed threshold, as the key condition.
6. ____ are the most likely to be affected by strong winds.
- Light vehicles ✓
- Heavy vehicles
- Vehicles with open windows
Answer: A. Light vehicles
Light vehicles are the most likely to be affected by strong winds. The driving-safely section explains that strong winds make it hard to stay in your lane, and it says the problem is usually worse for lighter vehicles. That matches the bank answer: lower weight means wind pushes the vehicle around more easily. The passage also mentions this can be especially bad coming out of tunnels, but the key comparison is light versus heavy. The school-bus section warns that wind can push a bus sideways, but it does not compare vehicle weights.
7. How much water must be present for a vehicle to hydroplane?
- Usually several inches
- A good amount, such as a large puddle
- A small amount ✓
Answer: C. A small amount
8. Which of the following is the best advice for driving in fog?
- Try not to drive in fog. ✓
- Use your high beam headlights.
- Turn off your lights.
Answer: A. Try not to drive in fog.
The best advice for driving in fog is to try not to drive in it at all. The handbook says flatly that the best advice for driving in fog is don't. Fog can show up at any time, highway fog is very dangerous, and visibility can drop fast without warning. It is better to pull off the road into a rest area or truck stop and wait until you can see better. Only if you must drive does the handbook go on to list steps like slowing down and using low-beam headlights and fog lights.
9. Skids caused by acceleration can usually be resolved by:
- Accelerating.
- Removing your foot from the accelerator. ✓
- Coming to a complete stop.
Answer: B. Removing your foot from the accelerator.
To correct a skid caused by acceleration, remove your foot from the accelerator. The handbook groups acceleration skids with drive-wheel skids, where the rear wheels lose traction because of too much acceleration, often on ice or snow. It says releasing the accelerator can end this kind of skid. If the surface is very slippery, it adds that you should push the clutch in so the engine does not keep the wheels from rolling freely and regaining traction. That makes easing off the accelerator the described fix, not adding more speed or forcing a complete stop.
10. Strong winds usually cause the greatest issues for:
- Lighter vehicles.
- Heavier vehicles. ✓
- Flatbed trailers.
Answer: B. Heavier vehicles.
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Source
Last checked: 2026-10-17 · Verified from official source
Updated: · Based on the official driver handbook