Texas CDL General Knowledge Practice Exam

To avoid a crash, you had to drive on the right shoulder. You are now driving at 40 mph on the shoulder. How should you move back onto the pavement?

1. Stop and wait for a clear path

2. Accelerate quickly to merge

3. Brake suddenly to realign

4. Keep moving at the present speed and steer very gently back onto the pavement

The correct answer is: Keep moving at the present speed and steer very gently back onto the pavement

Maintaining a steady speed while gently steering back onto the pavement is the safest approach in this scenario. When moving from the shoulder back onto the pavement, sudden maneuvers can lead to loss of control or create hazards for other vehicles. By keeping a consistent speed of 40 mph and making smooth steering inputs, the driver can re-enter the roadway without making dramatic changes that might cause instability. This method also reduces the risk of unsettling the vehicle or creating a dangerous situation for other drivers. Remaining calm and controlling the vehicle ensures that the merge back onto the road is as safe as possible. In contrast, stopping could lead to potential rear-end collisions, accelerating quickly could cause the driver to lose control, and braking suddenly may also lead to instability and a higher chance of a crash.