Tennessee Permit Practice Test

What should you do if your vehicle begins to skid?

1. Steer in the direction of the skid

2. Brake hard immediately

3. Accelerate to regain control

4. Turn off the engine

The correct answer is: Steer in the direction of the skid

When your vehicle begins to skid, the appropriate action is to steer in the direction of the skid. This method allows you to regain control of the vehicle by aligning the front wheels with the direction you want to go. When you turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid, you help the tires to regain traction and prevent the vehicle from spinning out of control. Braking hard immediately or accelerating may worsen the situation; hard braking can lock the wheels, further reducing traction and possibly leading to a complete loss of control. Accelerating while skidding can keep the vehicle in a slide as you increase speed without ensuring proper traction. Turning off the engine is not practical in a skid situation, as you need steering control to maneuver back safely onto the road. By steering into the skid, you can better manage the vehicle's direction and stability, ultimately helping you to recover from the skid safely.