Georgia Commercial Driver License Practice Test

In the event of a drive-wheel braking skid, what should you do?

1. Countersteer

2. Accelerate

3. Shift to a lower gear

4. Brake harder

The correct answer is: Countersteer

In the event of a drive-wheel braking skid, the appropriate response is to countersteer. This technique involves turning the steering wheel in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. When skidding, the drive wheels have lost traction, and simply keeping the steering in a straight line or overcorrecting can exacerbate the skid and lead to a loss of control. By countersteering, you help regain traction and direction, allowing the vehicle to re-establish its path and stability. Choosing to accelerate or shift to a lower gear might worsen the skid. Accelerating could increase the speed of the skid, while downshifting can cause further loss of control if the engine speed is not matched correctly. Braking harder in a skid often leads to locking up the wheels, which would drastically reduce steering control and increase the risk of overturning in larger vehicles. Therefore, countersteering is the safest and most effective maneuver to regain control during a drive-wheel braking skid.