Topic 4 · Defensive Driving and Safe Driving Practices
A vehicle merges in front of you too closely. The right response is:
- Brake firmly to open a gap at once
- Flash your headlights and hold your distance
- Take your foot off the accelerator to create space — correct answer
Why
Lifting off opens the gap without surprising the traffic behind you. (Section 8, Tailgating.)
Practise this in the real format
Reading one answer is not the same as sitting the test. The simulator runs the first-time adult form: 36 questions, 6 mistakes allowed, 83% to pass.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025), the document the DMV writes the real test from. Edited by Fernando Aguilera. Aprobify is not affiliated with the California DMV.
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