How should you slow down or stop when you're driving on an icy road?
- A Brake gently and in good time
- B Always use the retarder
- C Change down through the gears
- D Use the parking brake in a rapid on-and-off movement
Why this is the answer
When you have to slow down or stop, you should always avoid harsh, late braking. This is particularly important on icy or slippery roads, where you need to brake gently and in good time to make sure you keep control of your vehicle.
Why the other answers don't fit
- B
- Always use the retarder — A retarder acts on the drive axle and can break traction on ice.
- C
- Change down through the gears — Changing down sends engine braking through the driven wheels, which can slide them.
- D
- Use the parking brake in a rapid on-and-off movement — The parking brake used on and off on ice locks one axle.
Where this comes from
- Driving Buses and Coaches — section 9
- Driving Goods Vehicles — section 9
Rule numbers link to The Highway Code on gov.uk.
Where this question comes from
The question, its options and the explanation are reproduced word for word from the DVSA revision question bank under licence. The licence requires them to appear unaltered, so we cannot reword them and neither can anyone else — that is why you will meet the same wording on other sites. Everything else on this page is written by Theory Hub: the explanation of why each wrong answer is wrong, the topic guide and the revision notes.
Asked in: Lorry & Bus (LGV/PCV)
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