California Car / Permit practice question · Handling Emergencies
If your vehicle starts to skid on a slippery surface such as ice or packed snow, you should:
Answer choices
- Brake hard and hold the wheel straight
- Ease off the gas and steer in the direction of the skid— Correct answer
- Accelerate to regain control
- Turn the wheel opposite to the skid
Why this is the answer
On ice or packed snow, slowly take your foot off the accelerator, do not use the brakes, and steer the wheel toward the side the vehicle is sliding. Then try to get a wheel onto dry pavement. Braking hard is the tempting reaction, but it works against you here, so stay off the pedal until you regain traction.
Source: California Driver Handbook — Handling Emergencies / Skids
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
More Handling Emergencies questions
- If your brakes suddenly stop working, you should first:
- When driving in high winds, you should avoid using cruise control because:
- If a front tire suddenly blows out while you are driving, you should:
- If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, you should:
- If your vehicle has four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) and begins a locked-wheel skid, you should: