Georgia Commercial Driver License Practice Test

If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, what should you do with the accelerator and clutch?

1. Keep your foot on both pedals

2. Take your foot off the accelerator; press the brake

3. Take your foot off the accelerator; press the clutch

4. Take your foot off the brake; press the accelerator

The correct answer is: Take your foot off the accelerator; press the clutch

When a vehicle hydroplanes, it loses traction with the road due to water on the surface, leading to a loss of control. The correct response is to take your foot off the accelerator. This action helps reduce speed and allows the tires to regain contact with the road as the vehicle slows down. Pressing the clutch is also important in this situation because it disengages the engine from the wheels. This allows the vehicle to coast without the engine trying to drive the wheels, which can help in regaining control. By letting the vehicle slow down without the acceleration from the engine, you reduce the chances of skidding or losing more control, allowing the tires to regain their grip on the road as conditions improve. In contrast, pressing the brake immediately can cause the vehicle to skid further, as braking while hydroplaning can lead to a loss of even more control. Keeping your foot on both the accelerator and clutch does not contribute to regaining control, and pressing the accelerator while hydroplaning would exacerbate the situation. Therefore, the combination of taking your foot off the accelerator and pressing the clutch is the best method to handle hydroplaning effectively.