Topic 4 · Defensive Driving and Safe Driving Practices
What is the main reason to avoid 'brake checking' a tailgater?
- It makes you look tough
- It is dangerous and can lead to a crash or aggressive driving citation — correct answer
- It encourages the tailgater to back off safely
Why
Brake checking invites the rear-end collision you are trying to avoid, and it can be cited as aggressive driving. Increase the space ahead of you instead.
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.