What happens if your vehicle starts to aquaplane?
- A You lose control of the steering and brakes
- B You lose control of the brakes only
- C You lose control of the steering only
- D Your vehicle will slow down suddenly
Why this is the answer
If you drive too fast in wet conditions, your steering may suddenly feel 'light'. This indicates that the tyres have lifted off the surface of the road and are skating on the surface of the water. This is known as aquaplaning. While this is happening, you'll be unable to steer the vehicle and your brakes will have no effect on your speed. To restore your tyres' grip on the road, ease off the accelerator smoothly. Do not brake or turn the steering until tyre grip has been restored.
Why the other answers don't fit
- B
- You lose control of the brakes only — You lose the steering too, because the tyres are riding on water.
- C
- You lose control of the steering only — You lose the braking as well, for the same reason.
- D
- Your vehicle will slow down suddenly — The car does not slow; it carries on with nothing gripping.
Where this comes from
- Driving: the essential skills — section 12
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: Driving Instructor (ADI Part 1)
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