Topic 4 · Defensive Driving and Safe Driving Practices
How often should you check your mirrors while driving?
- Only when backing up
- Once at the start of your trip
- Every 5-8 seconds and before slowing or changing lanes — correct answer
Why
Keep your eyes moving: glance at the mirrors regularly, and always before slowing, turning or changing lanes, so you know what is behind you before it matters.
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.
More from Defensive Driving and Safe Driving Practices
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- Which part of the road freezes first and dries out last?
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